Paving is set to begin on the Westfield Middle School parking lot this week as part of a complete redesign made possible by a climate resilience grant of $810,200 from the state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program and an additional $70,000 from the Westfield River Watershed Association.
The redesigned lot will feature bioretention basins that help manage stormwater and improve environmental sustainability. The renovations will also provide safer traffic flow, improved parking, and a better overall experience for students, families, staff and visitors, said WMS Principal Jesse McMillan.
Tighe & Bond is the project manager, and Caracas Construction Corp. out of Ludlow is the contractor. Various departments in the city of Westfield, including engineering, the city planner and Public Works are also involved. “It’s been a great partnership working with the city of Westfield. We received a tremendous amount of support,” McMillan said.
The project includes demolition of existing parking areas, removal of two trees, construction of new parking facilities with one-way circulation, eight new trees, bioretention basins and a reduction in overall impervious surface area. The new parking area will improve traffic safety, especially during peak school hours, while reducing localized and regional flooding impacts and mitigating heat stress.
The work being done is also serving as a real-world resiliency demonstration for students by incorporating sustainable infrastructure elements both during and after construction. McMillan said students had the opportunity to review the overall plans, and after they return in the fall, they will have lessons on stormwater improvements and bioretention basins as part of the educational component.
Despite ongoing work, Band Camp will still be held in the school this summer on the weeks of July 27 and Aug. 7. The transition program for new students will also take place on Aug. 11 and 12.
In addition to the work being done outside, McMillan was thrilled to announce that the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office selected WMS to have the entire first-floor hallway repainted over the summer through its community service outreach. “They’re 75% of the way done, from the main entrance and bus loop all the way around the seventh-grade classrooms and back hall,” he said, adding that all the school had to do was supply the paint, for which they got some help from the district.
“One of the things I wanted to highlight was partnerships with the Sheriff’s office, the City of Westfield and students that made this possible. The fresh new look has completely transformed the feel of our building and will create a brighter, more welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors,” he added. “These projects represent a significant investment in our school and community, and we can’t wait to share the finished results. A heartfelt thank you to everyone whose hard work, dedication and partnership are making these improvements possible.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/paving-to-begin-this-week-at-westfield-middle-school-parking-lot.html
The redesigned lot will feature bioretention basins that help manage stormwater and improve environmental sustainability. The renovations will also provide safer traffic flow, improved parking, and a better overall experience for students, families, staff and visitors, said WMS Principal Jesse McMillan.
Tighe & Bond is the project manager, and Caracas Construction Corp. out of Ludlow is the contractor. Various departments in the city of Westfield, including engineering, the city planner and Public Works are also involved. “It’s been a great partnership working with the city of Westfield. We received a tremendous amount of support,” McMillan said.
The project includes demolition of existing parking areas, removal of two trees, construction of new parking facilities with one-way circulation, eight new trees, bioretention basins and a reduction in overall impervious surface area. The new parking area will improve traffic safety, especially during peak school hours, while reducing localized and regional flooding impacts and mitigating heat stress.
The work being done is also serving as a real-world resiliency demonstration for students by incorporating sustainable infrastructure elements both during and after construction. McMillan said students had the opportunity to review the overall plans, and after they return in the fall, they will have lessons on stormwater improvements and bioretention basins as part of the educational component.
Despite ongoing work, Band Camp will still be held in the school this summer on the weeks of July 27 and Aug. 7. The transition program for new students will also take place on Aug. 11 and 12.
In addition to the work being done outside, McMillan was thrilled to announce that the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office selected WMS to have the entire first-floor hallway repainted over the summer through its community service outreach. “They’re 75% of the way done, from the main entrance and bus loop all the way around the seventh-grade classrooms and back hall,” he said, adding that all the school had to do was supply the paint, for which they got some help from the district.
“One of the things I wanted to highlight was partnerships with the Sheriff’s office, the City of Westfield and students that made this possible. The fresh new look has completely transformed the feel of our building and will create a brighter, more welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors,” he added. “These projects represent a significant investment in our school and community, and we can’t wait to share the finished results. A heartfelt thank you to everyone whose hard work, dedication and partnership are making these improvements possible.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/paving-to-begin-this-week-at-westfield-middle-school-parking-lot.html
Westfield Public Schools and Offices are closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. Happy Birthday, America!
Check out the locations below to access free lunches through August 26th! Happy summer!
After a year-long focus on attendance, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Christopher Rogers, director of operations and safety, said they met their goals to improve the daily attendance rate and reduce chronic absenteeism.
“We did well. We met our goals,” said Rogers, who runs the District Attendance Task Force that meets monthly throughout the year. School Committee member Kathleen Hillman and a representative from each school are on the team. He said they review data, share their best practices and collaborate.
Czaporowski said the total daily attendance rate improved to 93.4% this school year, compared to an average daily rate of 92.7% in the 2024-25 school year.
Rogers said a year ago, chronic absenteeism was at 20.8%. He said the goal for this year was to reduce it to 19.5%, and they ultimately achieved 17.6%. “We’re basically almost 2% lower than our goals,” he said.
Looking at chronic absenteeism in sub-groups, the rate of chronic absenteeism for students in special education dropped from 28.5% last year to 25% this year. “We met that goal of exactly 25%.”
Rogers said the district beat its goal for English language learners as a group, which had a chronic absenteeism rate of 30% last year and ended up at 23% this year.
“Part of the reason we focused specifically on special education and English language learners was the achievement gap; looking at attendance, we believe that had something to do with it. Our goal was to get high needs kids in their classes,” Czaporowski said.
One of the strategies they used was home visits with mentors and other staff members to understand what barriers were keeping students from coming to school. “By going to the homes, we learned why students weren’t coming,” Czaporowski said.
“The task force will continue its work,” said Czaporowski. “I also give a lot of credit to our principals and their site teams. They made a big push on attendance this year, along with the district. Each team came up with strategies to get their kids in school.”
“Attendance will remain a focus for us as we move forward. We know that for students that come regularly to school, socially, emotionally and academically, their potential for growth increases exponentially,” Czaporowski said. “It was a very good year, and we look forward to welcoming everybody back in the fall.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/districts-focus-on-attendance-produces-results.html
“We did well. We met our goals,” said Rogers, who runs the District Attendance Task Force that meets monthly throughout the year. School Committee member Kathleen Hillman and a representative from each school are on the team. He said they review data, share their best practices and collaborate.
Czaporowski said the total daily attendance rate improved to 93.4% this school year, compared to an average daily rate of 92.7% in the 2024-25 school year.
Rogers said a year ago, chronic absenteeism was at 20.8%. He said the goal for this year was to reduce it to 19.5%, and they ultimately achieved 17.6%. “We’re basically almost 2% lower than our goals,” he said.
Looking at chronic absenteeism in sub-groups, the rate of chronic absenteeism for students in special education dropped from 28.5% last year to 25% this year. “We met that goal of exactly 25%.”
Rogers said the district beat its goal for English language learners as a group, which had a chronic absenteeism rate of 30% last year and ended up at 23% this year.
“Part of the reason we focused specifically on special education and English language learners was the achievement gap; looking at attendance, we believe that had something to do with it. Our goal was to get high needs kids in their classes,” Czaporowski said.
One of the strategies they used was home visits with mentors and other staff members to understand what barriers were keeping students from coming to school. “By going to the homes, we learned why students weren’t coming,” Czaporowski said.
“The task force will continue its work,” said Czaporowski. “I also give a lot of credit to our principals and their site teams. They made a big push on attendance this year, along with the district. Each team came up with strategies to get their kids in school.”
“Attendance will remain a focus for us as we move forward. We know that for students that come regularly to school, socially, emotionally and academically, their potential for growth increases exponentially,” Czaporowski said. “It was a very good year, and we look forward to welcoming everybody back in the fall.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/districts-focus-on-attendance-produces-results.html
Mother Nature has been keeping us guessing! I am writing to inform you that we're moving the 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony to 6:00 p.m. tonight (instead of 5 p.m.), which lets us keep the celebration right where it belongs - outside, under the open sky, where our students deserve to be celebrated. Students should arrive to the back field by 5:30 p.m.
After much weather-watching (and maybe a little weather-app-refreshing every five minutes), it looks like the later time frame is shaping up to be our golden window. We know how many of you - parents, grandparents, siblings, and family friends - want to be there to cheer on our 8th graders, and an indoor venue just doesn't have room for everyone who wants to celebrate. Staying outside means everyone who wants to be there, can be there.
So grab your lawn chairs, perhaps your sunglasses, and maybe a light jacket just in case there is a lingering shower. We'll see you at 6:00 p.m.!
-Principal McMillan
After much weather-watching (and maybe a little weather-app-refreshing every five minutes), it looks like the later time frame is shaping up to be our golden window. We know how many of you - parents, grandparents, siblings, and family friends - want to be there to cheer on our 8th graders, and an indoor venue just doesn't have room for everyone who wants to celebrate. Staying outside means everyone who wants to be there, can be there.
So grab your lawn chairs, perhaps your sunglasses, and maybe a light jacket just in case there is a lingering shower. We'll see you at 6:00 p.m.!
-Principal McMillan
Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, for the Juneteenth Holiday. Thank you.
Captain Eric Hall of the Westfield Police Department visited Ms. J-C's class at the invitation of students conducting research for a civics project focused on foot patrols and community relations in the City of Westfield. During his visit, Captain Hall answered students’ questions about their project, the police budget, and various community issues. He also connected with students researching related topics, including: Nip bottles (litter concerns, alcohol enforcement, and a student petition); E-bikes (safety and regulations); Mental health (police response, training, and community support); Substance abuse (prevention, enforcement, and available resources).
🌟 Discover the Difference at Westfield Public Schools! 🌟
Westfield Public Schools is excited to announce that a limited number of School Choice seats are available for the 2026–2027 school year at our elementary schools, Westfield Intermediate School, Westfield Middle School, and Westfield High School!
Through Massachusetts School Choice, families can choose to enroll their children in Westfield Public Schools regardless of where they live—at no cost to parents.
Why choose Westfield?
✅ Strong academic programs
✅ Exceptional teachers and staff
✅ Career and technical education opportunities
✅ Early College and Innovation Pathways programs
✅ A wide variety of extracurricular activities, athletics, and student supports
Don't miss this opportunity to become part of a school community dedicated to helping every student learn, grow, and succeed.
For more information and application details, please visit:
https://westfieldpubma.sites.thrillshare.com/.../announce...
We look forward to welcoming new students and families to Westfield Public Schools!
Westfield Public Schools is excited to announce that a limited number of School Choice seats are available for the 2026–2027 school year at our elementary schools, Westfield Intermediate School, Westfield Middle School, and Westfield High School!
Through Massachusetts School Choice, families can choose to enroll their children in Westfield Public Schools regardless of where they live—at no cost to parents.
Why choose Westfield?
✅ Strong academic programs
✅ Exceptional teachers and staff
✅ Career and technical education opportunities
✅ Early College and Innovation Pathways programs
✅ A wide variety of extracurricular activities, athletics, and student supports
Don't miss this opportunity to become part of a school community dedicated to helping every student learn, grow, and succeed.
For more information and application details, please visit:
https://westfieldpubma.sites.thrillshare.com/.../announce...
We look forward to welcoming new students and families to Westfield Public Schools!
Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #everydaycounts
Westfield Public Schools has a limited number of School Choice seats available for the 2026-2027 school year at our elementary schools, intermediate and middle school, and Westfield High School. The School Choice program allows parents to send their children to schools in communities other than the city or town in which they reside at no cost. Please visit https://westfieldpubma.sites.thrillshare.com/page/announcement-of-school-choice for more information.
Please click here for the latest newsletter from Westfield Public Schools. https://app.smore.com/n/95wjz
A reminder that Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026. Thank you.
🎨🛹 Students in Art Club designed and built an amazing new tech deck setup — a miniature skateboard park for fingerboards — and it’s now officially on display and ready to use in the student lounge. We love seeing student ideas come to life and create fun spaces for everyone to enjoy!
Every day in school matters—attendance builds success.
Attention Incoming 7th Grade Students and Families! Please join us for PACK Prep Transition Program this August! Please sign up soon using the QR code or the following link: https://forms.gle/S8TmFgyaY2iME8M37
Check out some photos of Team 72 and Team 84 enjoying their reward trip to the Boys & Girls Club last Friday! 🎉
Both teams earned the highest attendance rates during Westfield Middle School’s April Attendance Challenge and enjoyed some well-deserved leisure time as a result.
The challenge resets for May, with another reward trip scheduled for the first Friday in June. We’re excited to see which teams come out on top next — every day counts at
WMS! Thank you to Ms. Paret for arranging and BGC for partnering with us!
Last car wash of the school year!
Today we celebrate our incredible school nurses—thank you for the care, compassion, and expertise you bring to our schools every single day. Your work keeps our students safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Happy School Nurses Day!
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Day!
Thank you to our incredible teachers for your dedication, passion, and the difference you make every day. #ThankATeacher
Thank you to our incredible teachers for your dedication, passion, and the difference you make every day. #ThankATeacher
Hey students — showing up is your superpower. Each day you’re in class you level up your skills, meet friends, and get closer to your dreams. Be here. Be curious. Be unstoppable. #attendancematters
