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! 💫
Just a quick reminder that colder weather has officially arrived, whether we like it or not! Students head outside for a 15-minute recess break after lunch each day, so please make sure they’re dressed warmly enough for the great outdoors. Jackets, hats, and gloves are highly recommended (even if they insist they’re “not cold”). If your student needs a warm jacket, please let us know. We’re here to help.
An opportunity for our students!
Student success starts with showing up! Daily attendance helps build strong habits, lasting friendships, and academic achievement. Let’s work together to make every day count! #attendancematters
Click below for more information about Ski Club!
PRESS RELEASE – MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Language Acquisition will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District the week of December 1, 2025.
During the week of December 1, 2025, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE 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.
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 by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
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.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Westfield Public School District with a report with information about areas in which the Westfield Public School District meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Westfield Public School District requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
During the week of December 1, 2025, the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE’s) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Westfield Public School District. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district’s and charter school’s ELE 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.
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 by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
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.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Westfield Public School District with a report with information about areas in which the Westfield Public School District meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Westfield Public School District requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
The Principal's Council is pleased to announce next week's Spirit Week! We can't wait to see everyone!
"When students show up, they grow academically and socially."
A reminder that schools will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day. Thank you.
Just a friendly reminder that there is no school tomorrow, Tuesday, November 11th in observance of Veterans' Day
Click here to view November's "The Howler" from Principal McMillan! https://secure.smore.com/n/3ueqd
Please review the following for important information regarding tonight's dance. Students can be dropped off by the cafeteria beginning at 5:45 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and will close at 6:15 p.m. Students cannot leave the dance early.
Parking/Pick Up Information: In an effort to ensure a safe evening dismissal with 250+ students, please follow the protocol below for parking.
The dance ends at 8:00 p.m. sharp. All rides should arrive no later than 7:55 p.m. Both pick-up locations (front bus loop and main parking lot) will have one-way traffic. Please enter from W. Silver Street and there will be multiple one-way traffic lanes; please follow the traffic directives from police staff. When students depart at 8 p.m., please STAND OUTSIDE of your vehicle to greet your child. We will know you're ready when families are in their vehicles. PLEASE WAIT until your lane is dismissed.
We recognize this might take 10 minutes, but this is to ensure students' safety in a dark parking lot. Thank you!
-Principal McMillan
Parking/Pick Up Information: In an effort to ensure a safe evening dismissal with 250+ students, please follow the protocol below for parking.
The dance ends at 8:00 p.m. sharp. All rides should arrive no later than 7:55 p.m. Both pick-up locations (front bus loop and main parking lot) will have one-way traffic. Please enter from W. Silver Street and there will be multiple one-way traffic lanes; please follow the traffic directives from police staff. When students depart at 8 p.m., please STAND OUTSIDE of your vehicle to greet your child. We will know you're ready when families are in their vehicles. PLEASE WAIT until your lane is dismissed.
We recognize this might take 10 minutes, but this is to ensure students' safety in a dark parking lot. Thank you!
-Principal McMillan
