Westfield Public Schools

Click on the link below for yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with staff and students from Westfield High School's Criminal Justice Program about their coursework and career interests. The students were outstanding! Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRGVS8ikPWc

Dear Families and Community Members, Westfield Public Schools received notification from PowerSchool that we have not been affected by the cybersecurity incident they became aware of on January 7, 2025 that occurred on December 28, 2024. Westfield’s IT Department and the WPS Data Department have done internal checks, and have not found any data inconsistencies or concerns. Please reach out to Christine Shea if you have any questions at christine.shea@schoolsofwestfield.org or (413) 642-9320. Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent

Westfield Public Schools is pleased to announce an Open House and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the brand-new state of the art Westfield River Elementary School on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. There will be a short ceremony followed by the chance to tour the building. No RSVP is needed. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent of Schools Westfield Public Schools

Please see an important update from the Westfield Public School's Health Office by clicking on the link below. Thank you.

The Westfield Public School District is seeking judges for Westfield’s Science and Engineering Fair. High school students participating in the fair, which will take place this year in the Westfield High School gymnasium on Jan. 30, have gone on to win awards at regional, state and international science and engineering competitions. Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering, said the expertise and insights of judges from the community are invaluable in evaluating and celebrating the students’ innovative projects. For more information, please contact Lauren Cadigan at lauren.cadigan@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/judges-sought-for-westfields-science-and-engineering-fair-jan-30.html

Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, January 1, 2015. Classes resume on Thursday, January 2 for all students except those attending Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools. Classes will resume for Abner and Franklin students at Westfield River Elementary School on Monday, January 6. Happy New Year from the Westfield Public Schools!

Yesterday on "Superintendent's Spotlight", we talked with Tammy Tefft from the City of Westfield and Bert Gardner from Caolo and Bienik all about the new Westfield River Elementary School that will be opening for students on January 6, 2025. Our live broadcast from the school's media center was made possible by staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Arts and Communications Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acew-zW-qGY

Students will be on a Holiday Break from Monday, December 23 through Wednesday, January 1. Classes resume on Thursday, January 2 for all students except those attending Franklin Avenue and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools. Classes will resume for Abner and Franklin students at Westfield River Elementary School on Monday, January 6. Happy Holidays from the Westfield Public Schools!

Carmel Steger, president of the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail met up with local author Robert Madison at the Westfield Technical Academy library last week to present a copy of his book to the school. Madison, who lives in Feeding Hills, is the author of “The New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway: Bike and Rail Trails Following the Historic Canal”, a rails-to-trails book whose roots originated from the longest canal system in New England. The book was published in 2016, and a copy is now in the library of every school in Westfield, thanks to the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/area-authors-history-of-the-rail-trail-is-donated-to-westfield-school-libraries.html

When one thinks of Santa Claus it’s usually of a jolly, round man with a heart as big as his belly sporting a curly white beard, with twinkling eyes, and a red suit trimmed with white fur wearing black, shiny boots, not a clean-cut man dressed in blue delivering bulging garbage bags. But on Thursday, a group of police officers and student cadets played the same role as Santa – delivering Christmas cheer throughout the city to many of its public-school students. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-police-officers-and-cadets-were-spreading-christmas-cheer-thursday.html

If you missed this morning's brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Horticulture Technology Program about their field and some of the projects that they have completed in the local community. We also recognized National Poinsettia Day. In fact, the Horticulture Department will be selling poinsettias and other holiday arrangements on Friday, December 13 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. outside of Tiger's Pride Restaurant by the Gymnasium. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZkvOtQUmE

Before the Show Choir began its program at the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center on Dec. 9, Director Korey Bruno introduced her students to the preschoolers. “My name is Mrs. Bruno, and I brought some of my favorite students to sing Christmas songs,” she said. Accompanying her were Autumn Estee, Amber Turner, Shresta Rai, Lanah Woody, Samantha Doiron, Ethan David, J.J. Bonilla, Luke Bulan and Aaron Boyd. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-high-show-choir-shares-holiday-spirit-with-preschoolers.html

Special thanks to Matt Della and the Student Government Association at Westfield State University. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who contributed to this year’s Thanksgiving Food Drive. In particular, your generosity and commitment of $3,015.00 made a remarkable difference, and because of your kindness, over 200 families received full Thanksgiving dinners this holiday season. The outpouring of support from the students at Westfield State University highlights the true spirit of giving and reinforces the values we strive to uphold in our schools. Thanks to your generous donation, families in need were able to come together and celebrate with a warm meal. As we reflect on the blessings of this season, we are reminded of the power of community. Thank you for making this year’s food drive such a resounding success! It was so wonderful to meet so many of the students at the Butcher Block on a very cold, very early morning as you presented your "huge" check. All of the students and advisors were so polite, so friendly, and so kind, it really put us in the holiday spirit. I am attaching pictures that captured the wonderful way to cap off this year’s drive. To say that we were overwhelmed with your generosity, is an understatement.

School Committee Vice Chair Timothy O’Connor took time at the start of its Dec. 2 meeting to honor Westfield High School Hockey Coach C. B. “Moose” Matthews, who retired quietly a few years ago after a 30-year career. “It’s a privilege for me personally and professionally on behalf of the Westfield School Committee to be honoring Moose Matthews here this evening, for all he accomplished for the Westfield Public Schools as hockey coach of the Westfield Bombers,” O’Connor said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-school-committee-honors-retired-coach.html

Please click on the image below for important information regarding school delays and closures in the event of inclement weather. Thank you.

Jill Keenan, Westfield High School English teacher and WHS Community Closet coordinator, recently spoke to the Westfield Education to Business Alliance about the success and continued needs of the Closet, which provides needed items to students, faculty and staff at the school at no charge. “We’re newly renovated. The community really came together to allow this to happen,” Keenan said, adding that the catalyst for the renovation was Senator John Velis, who put a line item in the state budget for $5,000. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/12/westfield-high-school-community-closet-lists-greatest-needs.html

We are excited to share the latest updates on the Westfield Elementary School construction project. Significant progress continues both inside and outside the building as we are quickly approaching the completion of this state-of-the-art facility. Here’s what’s been happening on-site: Electrical Finish Work Underway Electricians are completing the final stages of electrical installations throughout the school. This includes connecting and testing lighting fixtures, power outlets, and switches in classrooms, offices, and shared spaces. Specialized systems like classroom technology, fire alarms, and security systems are also being finalized to ensure safety and functionality. Every electrical component is being meticulously checked and adjusted to guarantee it operates seamlessly when the building opens. Punch List Process in Progress The punch list phase is a meticulous step where every detail of the construction is inspected. This includes reviewing finishes such as paint, flooring, and trim, ensuring doors and windows function correctly, and verifying the installation of cabinetry, fixtures, and hardware. Any minor issues, such as alignment adjustments, touch-ups, or minor repairs, are documented and quickly addressed. This process ensures that every space meets the design and quality expectations for a flawless final product. Final Cleaning and Furniture Delivery The final cleaning process is in full swing, with teams ensuring that every corner of the building is spotless. Windows are being polished, floors are being scrubbed, and construction dust is being eliminated to create a pristine environment. At the same time, furniture delivery is transforming the empty rooms into vibrant learning spaces. Desks, chairs, bookshelves, and other furnishings are being placed in classrooms, while administrative offices, the library, and communal areas are being equipped with the necessary furniture. These additions bring the vision of a warm, welcoming school to life. Looking Ahead In the coming weeks, our team will focus on completing the punch list, conducting final inspections, and preparing the building for occupancy. With the last pieces falling into place, the new Westfield Elementary School will soon be ready to welcome students and staff into a modern, innovative learning environment.

Together with Westfield on Weekends, Mayor McCabe will host the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 30th. The festivities will begin at Elm Street Plaza at 4:45 PM with Cocoa and Carols, featuring the Westfield High School Pep Band under the direction of Patrick Kennedy, followed by a performance of the Westfield High School Show Choir under the direction of Korey Bruno. Special thanks to Mount Moriah Lodge for offering cocoa to attendees.

“This will be so many years of us doing this that I can’t remember,” said Susan Figy, co-chair with Ralph Figy, Eileen Jachym and Jimmy Jachym in the lead up to putting together 200 meals for families who need them in the Westfield Public Schools. “It all started with Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski asking us to do it, I think 12 years ago,” she said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/wps-thanksgiving-food-drive-provides-meals-for-200-district-families.html

Click on the link below for the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with staff and students from Highland Elementary School about Project Lead the Way and more. Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department also helped us to celebrate National Gingerbread Cookie Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwAAHaOH1mE