Westfield Middle School

Dear WMS Families, The holiday season is a time for coming together, and our community is committed to supporting one another. We understand that families may be experiencing financial challenges, and we want to ensure that every family can enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. We are offering confidential support for families who could use assistance with their Thanksgiving meal this year. Please know that: -There is NO shame in asking for help -All information will be kept strictly confidential -Only Principal McMillan will review the support requests -Our goal is simply to care for our school family If your family would benefit from a complete Thanksgiving meal, please complete our confidential Google Form. Deadline: November 5th. Request Form: https://forms.gle/dJ7Hvu7WbU6h7fh9A Times are challenging for many families, and we want you to know that you are not alone. We are a community that supports each other, and there is strength in reaching out when you need help. Request Form: https://forms.gle/dJ7Hvu7WbU6h7fh9A With warmth and care, Principal McMillan

A reminder that there is no school for students next Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Thank you.

Did you know that both Staff and Students have premium access to Book Creator, a digital tool that allows students to create and read digital books. To learn more and to read their November Newsletter click here: https://bookcreator.com/resources/newsletter/november-24/ You can log in by clicking "Log in" and then sign in with google to start creating!

Students in preschool to high school were all-hands-on during STEM Week in the Westfield public schools, Oct. 21-25. Kindergarten to fifth grade teachers launched Project Lead the Way modules across all grade levels around topics including energy, structure and function, forces and interactions, and matter. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/westfield-stem-week-engages-pre-k-to-teens-with-demonstrations-career-talks.html

Dear Westfield Middle School Students and Families, While we do not celebrate Halloween as a school community with any specific event or activity, Westfield Middle School traditionally allows students to wear costumes to school for Halloween; therefore, students can wear Halloween costumes Thursday, October 31st only. However, all students must follow the guidelines below to maintain appropriate standards that respect our educational setting. Costume Guidelines: -All regular dress code requirements regarding length and coverage still apply. -Costumes must be school appropriate. -Costume preparations must be completed at home. (No dressing or applying of make-up, colored hairspray, etc. once students arrive at school). -Costumes must allow students to fully participate in all classroom activities. Inflatable costumes are not permitted. -Costumes that depict violence, gore, or horror are not permitted. -Absolutely no props that contain simulated weapons of any kind (e.g., pretend swords, guns, grenades, knives, etc.) -Masks or costume hoods are not permitted. -Costumes that can be offensive or perpetuate a stereotype of someone’s culture, gender, heritage, or religion are not permitted. Students wearing costumes that violate these guidelines will be asked to change into their regular clothes. Caregivers will be contacted, if necessary. Thank you for taking the time to discuss these expectations with your student(s). We look forward to a festive and respectful Halloween day! Sincerely, Principal McMillan

Volleyball Club with Coach Skorupski will be starting on Monday, October 28th in the gym from 2:35 - 4pm for the returning 8th graders only. Starting Monday, November 4th, anyone wanting to join the Volleyball Club can just show up and join; no sign ups required. Volleyball Club will run on Mondays from 2:35 - 4pm. Please have appropriate gym clothes and sneakers, and please arrange a ride home in advance.

Please click on the following link to view the October newsletter, "The Howler," from Westfield Middle School. Thank you! -Principal McMillan (https://secure.smore.com/n/dje6z)

Did you know that the center of Westfield was once a swamp? And that our city played an important role in the American Revolution? Mr. Strycharz' 8th grade Digital Literacy students learned about the history of Westfield from Cindy Gaylord, Chair of the Historical Commission and retired 5th grade teacher. Students took pictures of statues, historical landmarks, and architecture, which they will use for a project in class.

Click on the image below to view that latest newsletter from the WPS Health Services Department. Thank you!

Please review the following for important information regarding tonight's dance. Dance Information: -Additional concessions will be sold by the Builders' Club. Students are welcome to bring cash for this. -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 300+ 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. -There will be multiple one-way traffic lanes. When one lane fills, please proceed to the next lane. -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 10-15 minutes, but this is to ensure students' safety in a dark parking lot. -Once your lane is dismissed, you will depart by Amelia Park. -See attached photo for visual of parking lot. Thank you, Principal McMillan

Our students - with the help from Mrs. Scott, our librarian - were super crafty these past few weeks making Fairy Houses from natural elements! These houses were on display at the Stanley Park Whimsical Fairy Walk this past weekend. The students loved making these charming houses for this community event.

Westfield Scout Expo

Learn more about the WMS Chapter of National Junior Honor Society!

Westfield on Weekends’ PumpkinFest will return from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 19 on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street. “A goal of any community event that brings people together is just that, bringing people together to interact in a world which is so online, so divisive sometimes,” said WOW President Bob Plasse. “It is so important for us to offer opportunities for us to play together and actually to work on a project and collaborate together.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/pumpkinfest-set-to-return-with-madison-curbelo-performance-food-trucks.html

Click on the link below for the latest edition of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we talked about the new IEP and more with our Special Education Leadership Team. We also celebrated National Angel Food Cake Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np4jTwSqU8k

We hope to see you at our Open House tonight from 6-7:30 p.m.! Food trucks will be available before, during, and after for you to purchase dinner.

Click on the image below for more information about the 16th Annual Westfield Scout Expo being held on Saturday, November 9. Thank you!

The WMS Open House will take place this Thursday, October 10th from 6-7:30 p.m. You're welcome to drop in at any time and we encourage you to bring your student so they can show you around the building. Food trucks (Wandering Waffles, TJ Popcorn, North Elm Butcher Block, and Vlad's Pizza) will be available beginning at 5 p.m. in the front of the school for you to purchase dinner before, during, or after the Open House. Also, please be sure to stop in the library for the book fair. We look forward to seeing you!

WMS Community, we’re almost at 1k followers! Please Like and Follow our Facebook page, as well as SHARE our recent Pep Rally post to be entered to win a Dunkin’ gift card! Enjoy a cup o’ Joe on us as the cooler season approaches. Winner to be selected and announced next Thursday. https://www.facebook.com/share/HRH6eKk7HCHjQ5uY/?mibextid=LQQJ4d

First pep rally: success! In an effort to boost school spirit, we started hosting pep rallies during the 23-24 school year. The students loved them, so we are continuing them this year, too. The Principal’s Council planned several competitive games, including hungry hippo, knockout, musical chairs, and head/shoulders/knees/toes/CUP! We saw it all…face paint, costumes, and 8th grade painting Principal McMillan’s head. We can’t wait for the next spirit week and rally! Check out the comments for videos.