Please click here for the District's Second Quarterly newsletter for the 2025-2026 School year. Thank you!
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/2025-2026/quarter-2/23361217
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/2025-2026/quarter-2/23361217
🌟 Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #EveryDayCounts
🎶 What an unforgettable month of music!
Our holiday concert season was a tremendous success, thanks to the incredible talent, hard work, and heart of our students, and the extraordinary dedication of our music instructors.
Our chorus has grown exponentially, filling the stage with beautiful harmonies and contagious energy.
Our band program has become so large, we now separate groups by grade level, a true testament to our students’ passion for music and the strength of our program.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Emken, our outstanding band instructor, and Mrs. Cipoletta, our inspiring chorus instructor, leading the way. Their commitment goes far beyond the school day. This month alone, they brought music into the community, including the beautiful performance at the Greek Orthodox Church earlier this week with our concert band.
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Emken, Mrs. Cipoletta, and each and every one of our talented students. Your dedication, teamwork, and artistry made this holiday season unforgettable.🎄🎵
The Principal's Council is excited to announce a spirit week beginning next Monday and leading up to break!
This is a friendly reminder that our "Community Coffee Hour" is TOMORROW, Wednesday, December 10th from 8:15-10 in the WMS cafeteria. There will be raffles that include gift cards, as well as WG&E bill credits! Refreshments and coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Dear WMS Families,
Happy December! Trimester 1 ended on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. Students' grades and teachers' comments are now finalized and ready to view in PowerSchool. In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be sending home paper-based copies of report cards. Please log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal to view your child's final grades for Trimester 1. To view teachers' comments, please click on the grade for each course and their comment will appear on the screen.
Please click on the following link for directions regarding the PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://sites.google.com/schoolsofwestfield.org/powerschool-parentguardian-inf/home%20%20
If you need additional assistance, please email Alexis Lemelin at a.lemelin@schoolsofwestfield.org.
Additionally, IEP progress notes will be sent to you electronically via email from special education liaisons.
Thank you,
Principal McMillan
Happy December! Trimester 1 ended on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. Students' grades and teachers' comments are now finalized and ready to view in PowerSchool. In an effort to reduce waste, we will not be sending home paper-based copies of report cards. Please log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal to view your child's final grades for Trimester 1. To view teachers' comments, please click on the grade for each course and their comment will appear on the screen.
Please click on the following link for directions regarding the PowerSchool Parent Portal: https://sites.google.com/schoolsofwestfield.org/powerschool-parentguardian-inf/home%20%20
If you need additional assistance, please email Alexis Lemelin at a.lemelin@schoolsofwestfield.org.
Additionally, IEP progress notes will be sent to you electronically via email from special education liaisons.
Thank you,
Principal McMillan
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District’s English learner education program the week of Dec. 1.
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said there are currently 409 English learners in the school district, 27 of whom opt out of ESL instruction, and 119 former EL students, who no longer require ESL instruction. Shea said these students are monitored for four years to ensure they’re succeeding academically.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed and will contribute to the monitoring report.
The district will also be doing a full day of interviews with classroom teachers at all levels, English as a second language teachers, administrators and a parent focus group.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. “They do these every six years - it’s very in-depth,” Shea said.
Through the survey and the focus group, Shea said she hopes to learn if there are things that families are looking for that they are not doing. “It’s a learning experience for us. We always feel there are ways to improve,” she said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/12/dese-to-conduct-review-of-westfields-english-learner-education-program-this-week.html
The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners’ student assessments, identification of English learners, what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, said there are currently 409 English learners in the school district, 27 of whom opt out of ESL instruction, and 119 former EL students, who no longer require ESL instruction. Shea said these students are monitored for four years to ensure they’re succeeding academically.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child’s English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed and will contribute to the monitoring report.
The district will also be doing a full day of interviews with classroom teachers at all levels, English as a second language teachers, administrators and a parent focus group.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, Office of Language Acquisition Review chairperson, at (781) 338-3584 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements. “They do these every six years - it’s very in-depth,” Shea said.
Through the survey and the focus group, Shea said she hopes to learn if there are things that families are looking for that they are not doing. “It’s a learning experience for us. We always feel there are ways to improve,” she said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/12/dese-to-conduct-review-of-westfields-english-learner-education-program-this-week.html
Due to today’s conditions, all afterschool and evening programs and activities are canceled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Please stay safe and take care.
Dear Families and Community,
The WMS 7th Grade Band Concert will be postponed from this evening to tomorrow evening at 6 p.m. due to inclement weather.
The 8th Grade will still perform on Thursday at 6 p.ms and the combined Chorus will perform next Tuesday at 6 p.m.
We hope to see you there!
-Principal McMillan
Please join us for an upcoming "Community Coffee Hour" on Wednesday, December 10th from 8:15-10 in the WMS cafeteria with local resources available to support you.
There will be raffles that include gift cards, as well as WG&E bill credits! Refreshments and coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Please click on the following link to let us know if you plan to attend (this is NOT a formal RSVP, just a head count): https://forms.gle/Gmhq5777FXTmzSbM7
Thank you,
Principal McMillan
There will be raffles that include gift cards, as well as WG&E bill credits! Refreshments and coffee will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Please click on the following link to let us know if you plan to attend (this is NOT a formal RSVP, just a head count): https://forms.gle/Gmhq5777FXTmzSbM7
Thank you,
Principal McMillan
The holidays are about giving thanks, showing appreciation, and helping those in need. It only takes a moment to look into a child's eyes and see the joy the season brings. This holiday season, the Westfield Police Cadet Program will be making those wishes come true for our children in need. Schools will be working with the Cadet Program to provide the gifts to families in need. If you are able to contribute, we appreciate your support! The Westfield Police Cadets will be collecting toys at Westfield Walmart, PlayNow, and Five Below on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th from 9am-3pm!
If your family is in need this holiday season, we are here to support you! We want to ensure our children have gifts to open this upcoming holiday. Please click on the following link to provide some additional information that will be sent directly to Principal McMillan and will be kept confidential: https://forms.gle/MY5d6qeS8GPZMzBt5
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
If your family is in need this holiday season, we are here to support you! We want to ensure our children have gifts to open this upcoming holiday. Please click on the following link to provide some additional information that will be sent directly to Principal McMillan and will be kept confidential: https://forms.gle/MY5d6qeS8GPZMzBt5
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Mark your calendars for the next SEPAC meeting!
Showing up to school does more than earn attendance points — it builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and creates routines that prepare students for life. When students are present, learning happens, friendships grow, and futures open up. Families and community: your support makes the difference. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Join WE2BA — a dynamic partnership between Westfield Public Schools and the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce. Together, we create opportunities that support our students, empower educators, and strengthen Westfield’s business community. Be part of shaping our city’s future!
Sue Figy, who has cochaired the Westfield Public Schools Thanksgiving meal drive with Ralph Figy and Jimmy and Eileen Jachym for at least 13 years, said the group ended up with meals for 232 families.
“It was a banner year for donations. People were so phenomenal this year; we never had as many donations as we did this year,” Figy said. Monetary donations were used to purchase gift cards to be given out for Christmas and for families facing difficulties and emergency situations throughout the year.
“Those who were unable to cook due to their living situation were given gift cards,” Figy said, adding through the drive, they learned of 45 homeless families in the district. All of the families are identified by their schools and kept confidential. “We never know the names,” she said.
Among the standouts in giving to the drive was the Student Government Association at Westfield State University, who presented a check for $5,012.84 from two years of fundraising.
Figy also mentioned retired teacher Ann-Marie Buell and her husband, Michael Buell, who answered the call and donated 50 turkeys this year. Also giving generously were Westfield Gas & Electric, Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, J.L. Raymaakers & Sons and ROAR, Advance Manufacturing, Westfield Bank, who sponsored 50 turkeys; Rick Sullivan and Lisa Oleksak Sullivan, who gave ingredients for 232 green bean casseroles; Janet and David Mayhew and Dr. Stanley Konefal, who provided a huge amount of gift cards and volunteers for packing and delivering.
Many donors sponsored a part of the meal. Among them were Dr. Jane F. Martone DDS, Kristen and Rob Levesque, Judy Puer, Dr. Jim McCann, chiropractic, Kathy Wallis -McCann, Coldwell Banker Realtors Bobbi Pitkin, Kathy Mochak, Mary Ann Irwin, Rita Slaskinski, Maureen Tsatsos and Shirley Sbriscia; Attorney Richard Sullivan III of Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP; Mary Quesnel, Mortgage Movement; and Linda Wortman, Coldwell Banker; and A Signature Fence. Bags were provided by Westfield Gas and Electric, Polish National Credit Union and The Westfield Bank.
Figy talked about the volunteers who came and helped put together the meals in bags, an effort which began on Thursday with picking up the food, and bagging on Friday. She said she went for the produce, picking up 1,250 pounds of potatoes, apples, and food from Shop Rite, with help from Brian Sullivan.
On Friday, everything was made ready for delivery to the schools. “We had great helpers. We were done packing all the bags and delivering the bags by 11 a.m.,” she said, singling out the students from Westfield High School.
She also pointed to the effort by Josh Adams of Firtion-Adams, who picked up all the turkeys at North Elm Butcher Block, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, and delivered them all to the schools in time for the Thanksgiving meal.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/banner-year-for-westfield-public-schools-thanksgiving-meal-drive.html
“It was a banner year for donations. People were so phenomenal this year; we never had as many donations as we did this year,” Figy said. Monetary donations were used to purchase gift cards to be given out for Christmas and for families facing difficulties and emergency situations throughout the year.
“Those who were unable to cook due to their living situation were given gift cards,” Figy said, adding through the drive, they learned of 45 homeless families in the district. All of the families are identified by their schools and kept confidential. “We never know the names,” she said.
Among the standouts in giving to the drive was the Student Government Association at Westfield State University, who presented a check for $5,012.84 from two years of fundraising.
Figy also mentioned retired teacher Ann-Marie Buell and her husband, Michael Buell, who answered the call and donated 50 turkeys this year. Also giving generously were Westfield Gas & Electric, Firtion-Adams Funeral Home, J.L. Raymaakers & Sons and ROAR, Advance Manufacturing, Westfield Bank, who sponsored 50 turkeys; Rick Sullivan and Lisa Oleksak Sullivan, who gave ingredients for 232 green bean casseroles; Janet and David Mayhew and Dr. Stanley Konefal, who provided a huge amount of gift cards and volunteers for packing and delivering.
Many donors sponsored a part of the meal. Among them were Dr. Jane F. Martone DDS, Kristen and Rob Levesque, Judy Puer, Dr. Jim McCann, chiropractic, Kathy Wallis -McCann, Coldwell Banker Realtors Bobbi Pitkin, Kathy Mochak, Mary Ann Irwin, Rita Slaskinski, Maureen Tsatsos and Shirley Sbriscia; Attorney Richard Sullivan III of Lyon & Fitzpatrick LLP; Mary Quesnel, Mortgage Movement; and Linda Wortman, Coldwell Banker; and A Signature Fence. Bags were provided by Westfield Gas and Electric, Polish National Credit Union and The Westfield Bank.
Figy talked about the volunteers who came and helped put together the meals in bags, an effort which began on Thursday with picking up the food, and bagging on Friday. She said she went for the produce, picking up 1,250 pounds of potatoes, apples, and food from Shop Rite, with help from Brian Sullivan.
On Friday, everything was made ready for delivery to the schools. “We had great helpers. We were done packing all the bags and delivering the bags by 11 a.m.,” she said, singling out the students from Westfield High School.
She also pointed to the effort by Josh Adams of Firtion-Adams, who picked up all the turkeys at North Elm Butcher Block, beginning at 7 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, and delivered them all to the schools in time for the Thanksgiving meal.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/11/banner-year-for-westfield-public-schools-thanksgiving-meal-drive.html
This is a friendly reminder that there will be no school from Wednesday, November 26th through Friday, November 28th for Thanksgiving Break. We hope all of our students, families, and staff enjoy a safe, restful, and happy holiday! Schools will reopen on Monday, December 1st. Happy Thanksgiving!
-Principal McMillan
Westfield Public Schools Reminder: There will be no school from Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28 for Thanksgiving Break. We hope all of our students, families, and staff enjoy a safe, restful, and happy holiday! Schools will reopen on Monday, December 1.
Our students have been hard at work in the art studio with Ms. Lawson, bringing their imagination to life through these vibrant sculptural projects. Using bold colors, unique shapes, and detailed patterns, they’ve been experimenting with form and design while supporting one another throughout the process. The room is filled with focus, collaboration, and plenty of creative energy!
Have you ever wondered how big our solar system really is?
Westfield High School students, Kaitlynn and Krystyna Goulette, have developed a walkable, scale model of the solar system, and are pleased to announce that its official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on November 29th!
Students and families are invited to attend; it’ll be out of this world! 💫
Westfield High School students, Kaitlynn and Krystyna Goulette, have developed a walkable, scale model of the solar system, and are pleased to announce that its official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on November 29th!
Students and families are invited to attend; it’ll be out of this world! 💫
