Elm Electrical, the Westfield Food Pantry and engineering students at Westfield High School and Middle School teamed up on March 28 in the Parenzo Gym at Westfield State University for a CANstruction Contest and Food drive to benefit the Westfield Food Pantry.
The event showcased larger-than-life structures built entirely from canned goods and non-perishable food items raised by the participants to be donated to the Food Pantry.
All of the structures were judged, and cash prizes awarded to the winning teams. Judges included Paul Nesbitt, minister of First Congregational Church in Westfield, Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews Kane and Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/elm-electrical-and-westfield-food-pantry-team-up-for-canstruction-contest.html
After a successful seventh and eighth grade band concert on March 25, the Westfield Middle School 125-member band is looking forward to more exciting events in April.
On Saturday, April 5, eighth graders will participate in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor’s Association Concert Festival at Belchertown High School. WMS band leader Ryan Emken said he has been taking the students to MICCA for the last three years.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/westfield-middle-school-band-director-talks-events-collaboration.html
The last 4 dates of Volleyball Club are: March 31st, April 7th, 14th & 28th
Dear WMS Families,
Please review the following for important information regarding tomorrow night's dance.
Dance Information:
-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 200+ 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
It is time to order your yearbook! Yearbooks must be purchased online by April 25th. Packages start at $20 and can be purchased by visiting ybpay.lifetouch.com. The yearbook ID is: 15197925. Questions? Please contact Jackie Osowski, Yearbook Advisor, at jacqueline.osowski@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
Sarah Christenson from the Springfield Museums was at WMS this week to give a presentation called "Us & Them" to Ms. Kostecki & Ms. Cook's classes. Through hands-on activities and primary source interpretation, students learned about local Holocaust survivors while examining historic cases of discrimination, identifying upstanders vs. bystanders, and tracking the progression of hate from individual acts of prejudice to genocide. Ms. Dion and Mr. Dougherty's classes will be participating in this program next week.
If you missed this morning's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight" about our English Language Learner Program, click on the link below. This week, we had the pleasure of meeting a few of our EL students from Afghanistan, Ecuador, and Ukraine. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPuO36CcpNM
Join us for Into the Arts on Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Westfield High School!
Project 351 is an independent youth-led service where an unsung student hero from each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns is recognized for the work they do in their individual communities. Ella Golec, the Westfield Project 351 Ambassador, joins us today to talk about her involvement.
https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/westfield-project-351-ambassador-explains-program/
Check out our very own Ella Golec talk about her Project351 experience on Mass Appeal! Great job, Ella! https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/westfield-project-351-ambassador-explains-program/
Check out Ms. Garelick's hydroponic system and tiered garden! The plants have started to sprout and the students are excited to watch the magic every day.
Congratulations to Ms. Nugent, 7th grade math teacher, on being awarded the Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award! Ms. Nugent was nominated by Principal McMillan and recognized for her unwavering commitment to students, highly engaging instruction, and innovative teaching practices. There are only a select few teachers who receive this award in Western Massachusetts. Congratulations, Ms. Nugent!
Good morning. Due to current weather conditions, Westfield Public Schools will have a two-hour delayed start today, Thursday, February 13, 2025. Thank you.
WHS students enrolled in the Find Your Path program gave presentations to our 7th grade Health students this week! In the Find Your Path program, high school students take classes focused on their career interest and then have opportunities to gain real world experience through internships, field trips, and certifications. There are 4 pathways: Preschool Education, Engineering/Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Criminal Justice. The WHS students did an excellent job and our students were very attentive. Mrs. Scott (WMS librarian), Mrs. Devine (WMS health teacher), and Mrs. Healey (WHS career counselor) tied this presentation in with the middle school's career research projects. It was a great introduction to future opportunities!
This week is National School Counseling Week. This week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Please join us in thanking our school counselors across the district for their dedication to their professions and to our students. Thank you!
This week marks National School Counselors' Week, and I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary work of our counseling team: Mr. Michalik, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Kelly, and Mrs. Michalik. These dedicated professionals are truly the heart and soul of our school community, working tirelessly to support our students' academic, social, and emotional well-being.
Every day, our counselors wear countless hats – they are listeners, advocates, problem-solvers, and mentors. They help our students navigate the challenging waters of adolescence while maintaining a steady focus on their future success. Whether they're providing emotional support during difficult times, mediating conflicts, or coordinating with families and teachers, their influence touches every corner of our school community.
Please join me in thanking our counselors this week! Consider sending them a note about the positive impact they've had on your child (k.michalik@schoolsofwestfield.org; v.baker@schoolsofwestfield.org; a.kelly@schoolsofwestfield.org; l.michalik@schoolsofwestfield.org). They truly exemplify what it means to put students first, and we are fortunate to have such an exceptional counseling team at WMS.
With gratitude,
Principal McMillan
8th Grade Families,
Starting next week, Westfield Technical Academy will be hosting tours for all 8th grade students. The decision to apply to a technical school can be difficult for middle school students. The hope is that by visiting the individual shops to experience what each has to offer and talking directly with WTA staff about the programs, students will have a better understanding of what a technical school education has to offer.
Tours will begin at 8:15 am and conclude at 10:30 am each day. Bussing will be provided. Each tour day is broken down by team. Students will attend their team’s scheduled day:
-Team 81 : Monday, February 10th
-Team 82: Tuesday, February 11th
-Team 83: Thursday, February 13th
-Team 84: Date TBD after Winter Break
If there is a snow day or delay of school, that day’s/team’s scheduled trip will be moved to after break at a date TBD.
Permission slips are not required; however, if you do NOT wish for your child to attend, please contact Lindsey Michalik at l.michalik@schoolsofwestfield.org by the end of the day on Friday, February 7th.
WMS Families: Happy snow day! Unfortunately, tonight's drama production of The Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood is cancelled. However, the show is still on for tomorrow evening, Friday, February 7th at 6 p.m.! Admission is $5. Lastly, the SEPAC meeting scheduled for this evening is also cancelled. Stay warm and stay safe!
Our offices are closed today due to the winter storm bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.
The SEPAC meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. is canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.