At an Arbor Day ceremony at the Westfield Middle School on April 26, a tree will be planted to kick off the school’s collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Over 50 trees, one of the largest projects to date of the DCR’s Greening the Gateway Cities program in Westfield, will be planted around the entire perimeter of the school.
WMS Principal Jesse McMillan said the goal is to increase curb appeal at the school. The trees that will be planted are a mix of large and small shade trees, urban tolerant, long-lived, and many are native and have ornamental features, with the more decorative trees planted in the front of the school.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/middle-school-to-get-50-trees-in-state-program.html
Now that the solar eclipsed has passed, Westfield’s public schools are passing on the special viewing glasses to students in South America.
Westfield school district Curriculum and Instruction Director Susan Dargie said the schools are working with the Holyoke Fire Department to collect glasses to be donated to Argentina and Chile, where an annular solar eclipse will be visible on Oct. 2.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-students-will-donate-used-eclipse-glasses-to-kids-in-south-america.html
Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield schools, and K-6 STEM coach Lyndsey Ayers, said they are ready to distribute more than 5,700 solar eclipse safety glasses, a pair for every student and staff member in the public school system. Any leftover glasses will be given to the preschools at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club.
“Students won’t get them until Monday,” Cadigan said. She said 3,000 of them were donated from UMass Amherst, and the district purchased the rest. Administrators made sure these glasses have been tested to protect eyes from the intense rays of the sun.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/safety-glasses-pinhole-viewer-project-have-westfield-pupils-ready-for-eclipse.html
Tonight's SEPAC Meeting is now being held virtually only. Thank you.
The much-anticipated solar eclipse is just days away and areas schools are preparing their students to have a front row seat for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“This is called a pinhole viewer…and some classrooms, we provided instructions, so that teachers can create these, and kids can use them and safely view the eclipse with things they have at home,” said Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of Science Technology and Engineering at Westfield Public Schools.
Throughout Westfield Public Schools, teachers have received resources ranging from directions on how to create a pinhole viewer, reading materials, maps, and more. Some of the masterminds behind it are Cadigan and Pre-K through Grade 4 STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers.
“I think students are more excited about learning when they can see something in real life. We’re excited about that real-life experience,” Ayers added.
However, preparations for the eclipse are extending outside of the classroom too. Across the district, after-school sports practices and games have been cancelled so students can take in the eclipse.
To view the eclipse, you need the right lenses to protect your eyes. Elementary school students were given eclipse viewing glasses, but teachers throughout the district had the chance to request them. We’re told the demand was so high that by Monday, the district plans to order and distribute nearly 3,900 pairs about 2,500 pairs were donations from UMass Amherst.
“I hope we inspire the next generation of scientists. As always, we try to create a space where all kids, if they want to be, can be successful in STEM and can see themselves in stem,” Cadigan noted.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/03/schools-preparing-use-eclipse-learning-moment-students/?fbclid=IwAR1lAUd35NgO0rf-OqlCMdx5WBr0Y8gDgwaR-im7MpVClfrp_NcbRewMTO0_aem_AUtfRf3DEHnxeT87bc9iDiYdtPrI8iY9RQl8fnC4CRYKFiYJL5XLsB50hz-u0fQjjidQwBTV9qq_ayNSw1VdGzUQ
Dear Rising 7th Grade Families,
Due to impending weather on Thursday, we will be re-scheduling our Informational Night for 7th grade families to Thursday, May 2nd. We will send reminders as the date approaches. We look forward to meeting you!
-WMS Administrative Team
A reminder that schools are closed tomorrow, March 29, for Good Friday. Thank you. Have a great weekend!
Please click on the following link for more information about end-of-year events for our 8th grade students: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FISCQGNEJ7sNR7PLbAVFmoAGmIp-SWmtPgfif7TbFBM/edit?usp=sharing
In Massachusetts, students with attendance rates consistently above 95% in pre-kindergarten through grade 3 outperformed students with lower attendance rates during any year between pre-kindergarten and grade 3 on the grade 3 MCAS tests.
Click below for the Quarter 3 Newsletter from Westfield Public Schools.
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/quarter-three-newsletter/598820
City officials hope changes to the parking lots at Westfield Middle School will solve its “significant traffic problem,” and that state money can pay for most of the cost.
City Engineer Alison McMordie and middle school Principal Jesse McMillan presented their plan to the Westfield School Committee on March 4. It results in a net addition of 12 spaces across the school’s two parking lots, as well as several safety features and a “bioretention” basin to divert stormwater from drains that carry runoff pollution to streams and rivers.
Because of the positive impact on rivers and the middle school’s location in an environmental justice neighborhood, and because it is based on a previous proposal that included a partnership with a student from Westfield State University, McMordie said the $635,000 project ticks several boxes and has a good chance of qualifying for a state grant.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/03/changes-eyed-for-safety-environment-at-westfield-middle-school-parking-lot.html
Tryouts are currently being held for Gator Swim Club's spring and summer season! Gator Swim Club is a nationally-ranked USA Swim Club based right here at Westfield High School. We accept swimmers as young as 6 years old, of varying ability levels. We even offer a discount for Westfield High swimmers looking for somewhere to train when the high school season ends!
For more information about the club, visit us at www.westernmassgators.com, or follow us on instagram @westernmassgators. To arrange a tryout, contact Coach Tom Avila at (978) 771-0332 or CoachTAvila@gmail.com
Many WPS teachers in grades PK-12 attended the annual Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Spring PD Day at WPI, organized by the Mass Learning Project. Teachers attended sessions that focused on curriculum mapping, collaborating, networking, utilizing artificial intelligence, and helping students solve meaningful problems through authentic skills. Teachers left the day feeling prepared and inspired to continue facilitating applied learning with their students through PLTW.
WMS Informational Night, April 4th at 6:00 p.m.
Thank you to all that attended our Westfield Business to Education Alliance (WE2BA) meeting this week at Westfield Technical Academy. This month, we finalized preparations for our annual Career Expo and Job Fair on March 13, Elementary School Career Days in the spring, and Project Based Learning Experiences for students at our Intermediate and Middle Schools in June. Attendees were also treated to an omelet station provided by WTA's Culinary Arts students. We are very grateful for our business partnerships that offer our students authentic learning experiences throughout the school year.
A reminder that there is no school for students on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Thank you!
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound safety plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of February 26 - March 1 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate). If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495.
Schools will be closed starting Monday, February 19, 2024 - Friday, February 23, 2024, for our Winter Recess. Have a happy and safe winter break!
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is offering free memberships for February Vacation. They are also holding special events and field trips each day for their members. Starting Feb 26th, all memberships will only be $20 through June 13th, 2024. Please check your email for membership forms. They will be open M-F 8:30am-5:30pm.
Due to the significant snowstorm being forecast for tomorrow, February 13, Westfield Public Schools and offices will be closed. Thank you.