Westfield Middle School

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year! Please view the attached letter with back-to-school information. Please note, the first day of school for Westfield Middle School is Thursday, August 29th. Doors open at 7:50 a.m. We look forward to working with you this year! https://docs.google.com/document/d/12uvD5_YWXf-uAEQO9sayYsFOtGTmDvMdfoipQYhACAQ/edit?usp=sharing

Please see the attachments for the 24-25 Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) and EL Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC) meeting dates!

Approximately 65 rising seventh graders in the Westfield Middle School transition program were completing a team-building exercise in the gym around cooperation on Wed. morning, Aug. 7. WMS Dean of Students Lauren Paret, who is running the four-day program, said the entering students will become part of the WMS Wolves, which are pack animals. Every day of the transition program the group is focusing on themes for the pack -- perseverance, accountability, cooperation and kindness. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/students-get-comfortable-in-middle-school-transition-program.html

7th Grade Families: Please join us for our back-to-school 7th Grade Orientation on Monday, August 26th. from 6-7 p.m. We hope to see you there! -Principal McMillan

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 5, hundreds of students entering Westfield Intermediate School, Westfield Middle School and Westfield High School this fall will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new schools ahead of the first day at the schools’ transition programs. Unfortunately, all of the programs are filled, but there will be scheduled orientations for some of the schools later in the month. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/hundreds-of-westfield-5th-7th-9th-graders-sign-up-for-transition-programs.html

Dear WMS Families, I hope you are having a fantastic summer! Please click on the following link to view the recommended school supplies for the 24-25 school year: 24-25 School Supply List In addition, your student's 24-25 schedule will be available to view in PowerSchool beginning Friday, August 16th. As we shared in our communication last year, we will not be able to honor specific requests for teachers or teams. If you do not have PowerSchool access, please email Alexis Lemelin at a.lemelin@schoolsofwestfield.org. Lastly, you will receive a more comprehensive back-to-school letter from me in mid-August. Stay tuned! Thank you, Principal McMillan

The middle school has planted more than 40 trees on its campus since Arbor Day, and the principal says it’s on track to reach its goal of 50 trees next year. “We actually planted slightly fewer than we originally planned,” said Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan, adding some will be saved until next spring in order to dedicate the time to ensuring the planted trees’ survival. McMillan’s efforts are part of the Greening the Gateway Cities tree planting program, a state initiative that has been planting trees all around Westfield’s downtown for the past three years. “All of them look beautiful — we only lost one, which was anticipated for this size of a planting. Overall they’re healthy — we have watering bags on them, which is helpful, and we fill them once a week,” McMillan said. One of the key partners of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program is the Westfield Puerto Rican Association, which has launched a “Say Yes to the Trees” initiative to encourage families and businesses in the city to get involved and plant trees. In June, WEPRA President Agma Sweeney, who McMillan said was one of the individuals who first brought the program to Westfield, presented a certificate of appreciation to the school in June for their participation in the program. “The trees play an important role for increasing Westfield’s urban tree canopy along with cleaner air, a healthy environment, natural beauty and important learning opportunities for the students now and in the future,” stated the message from Sweeney and WEPRA. For more information about the campaign, visit www.wepra.org/urbancanopy. “That was a pleasant surprise to be recognized by them,” McMillan said. He said the project at the school first started when he was speaking to School Committee member Kathleen Hillman last fall about ways to enhance the school property. “We thought, what better way to do this than with trees? As someone who lives in the Hilltowns, surrounded by trees, I could certainly appreciate what this could offer to our school community,” said McMillan, a Chesterfield resident. The trees that have been planted are a mix of large and small shade trees, suited to an urban environment, long-lived, and many are native and have ornamental features, with the more decorative trees planted in the front of the school. At an Arbor Day ceremony on April 26, a tulip tree was planted to kick off the school’s collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Greening the Gateway Cities program in Westfield, which has a goal of planting 800 trees in the city. Speaking at the ceremony were state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston, urban forester Sarah Greenleaf of the Greening the Gateway Cities program, and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. Mayor Michael McCabe and members of the School Committee and City Council also participated, digging a ceremonial shovel of dirt. “We started planting in Westfield in spring 2021 and have planted 616 trees thus far. We will continue working in the Westfield planting zone for the foreseeable future and are always looking for new interested homeowners, renters, and business owners to sign up for our program,” Greenleaf said at the time. Westfield Middle School’s 40 trees have now been added to that total. https://thereminder.com/local-news/hampden-county/westfield/tree-initiative-at-westfield-school-adds-to-leafy-urban-canopy/

WHS will host its annual Step Up Program this August. Please view the attached flyer for additional details. If you would like to register or have questions about the program, please email Anthony Saccomani at anthony.saccomani@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you.

Westfield Public Schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. Thank you.

The Westfield Starfires are thrilled to announce that hometown hero and finalist of NBC's 'The Voice,' Madison Curbelo, will be performing at Bullens Field as part of the pre-game entertainment on Saturday, June 29th. In addition to her pre-game performance, Curbelo will also have the honor of singing the National Anthem. Curbelo, whose powerful performances on 'The Voice' captivated millions, will bring her incredible talent back to her roots in Westfield. This special appearance is a testament to her connection to the community that has supported her journey to national recognition. “I am so excited to be back in Westfield for my official homecoming event with the Starfires,” said Curbelo. “My Westfield community got me through every round of The Voice and it’s an honor to be able to connect with them again after this journey.” The festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with Curbelo's pre-game performance, followed by her rendition of the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m., just before the first pitch. Fans will also have an exclusive opportunity to meet Curbelo during a special meet and greet during the Starfires game against the Worcester Bravehearts. The game is presented by Berkshire Heating & Air Conditioning. Tickets for the game are available by visiting https://ci.ovationtix.com/36043

The last day of school is on Monday, June 17. It is also an early release day. High school students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate School students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary School students at 12:15 p.m. Thank you.

Our 8th Grade Recognition Ceremony will take place on Thursday, June 13th beginning at 5:00 p.m. Students must arrive by 4:30 p.m. Local food trucks will be available beginning at 4:30 p.m. and continuing after the ceremony. Cash and cards are accepted. Please know, all students will be recognized at the ceremony and will receive a certificate. Our ceremony will take place on the front lawn of Westfield Middle School. Please bring your own chair! Chairs will be provided for students. Parking is available in the front and rear parking lots at Westfield Middle School, as well as the Amelia Park lot. We encourage families to carpool, if able. We look forward to celebrating our 8th graders' accomplishments! We hope to see you there! -Principal McMillan

ATTN: Westfield Intermediate Families! Register for the WMS Summer Transition Program! https://forms.gle/nTnnX5LE18TDohYo7

Westfield Middle School held its annual Memorial Day program last week to honor our fallen heroes. The ceremony included pieces from the WMS band and chorus, under the direction of Mr. Emken and Mr. Gomes, as well as a history of Memorial Day presented by students. We were honored to have local veterans in attendance. Thank you to Mr. Dufraine, WMS STEM Teacher and Retired Air Force Colonel, for organizing the event!

If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff and students in our English Learner Program. Thanks for watching! #AchievingExcellenceTogether https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDh48u_8su4

Please view the attached information for 7th and 8th grade end-of-year events!

If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we were live from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield to talk with Kellie Brown all about the great things they have going on at the club. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYNr7FNzZlA

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Westfield Technical Academy Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer and Westfield, MA High School Adjustment Counselor Carrie Fiordalice about student mental health on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NksJZsQmko

Attention Rising 7th Grade Families: This is a friendly reminder that the WMS Information Night will take place tomorrow evening, Thursday, May 2nd at 6:00 p.m. in the WMS auditorium. We look forward to meeting you.

The weather was beautiful for the Westfield Middle School Arbor Day ceremony on April 26, and the planting of the first of 50 trees on the school’s campus, donated by the Greening the Gateway Cities program. During his remarks at the ceremony before a tulip tree was planted in the front of the school, Principal Jesse McMillan said the project started when he was speaking to School Committee member Kathleen Hillman last fall about ways to enhance the school property. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-middle-school-plants-1st-of-50-trees-on-campus-at-arbor-day-ceremony.html