Westfield Public Schools

Schools will be closed from Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29 for Thanksgiving break. Happy Thanksgiving from Westfield Public Schools!

On Sat., Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Westfield Public School district invites members of the community to join them in a farewell walk-through Abner Gibbs Elementary School on 50 West Silver St. and Franklin Avenue Elementary at 22 Franklin Ave. Anyone who has a connection to these schools or is simply curious about the buildings are encouraged to stop by. There will be displays featuring historic photographs, along with a virtual tour of the new Westfield River Elementary School on Franklin Street, which the students from both schools will be attending following the holiday break, showing what the future holds for education in the community. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/saying-goodbye-to-abner-gibbs-and-franklin-avenue-elementary-schools.html

A military information night for middle and high school students and their families who may be interested in learning more about a military post-graduate option is scheduled for Nov. 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Westfield High School. “In my new role as WPS Title I Supervisor, I am trying to increase family engagement in all of our schools. Patty Healy and I are organizing a military informational night for grade 8 to 12 students and parents who may want to learn more about the military. The highlight of the event will be the virtual presentation by recent graduates who currently serve our country,” said Chris Tolpa, who is also a parent of one of the speakers. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/military-information-night-scheduled-at-westfield-high-school-nov-20.html

Russell Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education, flew over Westfield Wednesday but he learned that it’s the 56 students in the aviation maintenance and technology program at Westfield Technical Academy who are really about to soar. “This is great,” the former West Springfield schools superintendent said on a visit to classroom and workshop space in historic Hangar #2 at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. “We strive to have an education that is exciting, hands-on and relevant. This is all these things.” https://www.masslive.com/news/2024/11/state-schools-chief-soars-westfield-aviation-students-look-to-take-off-to-careers.html

Over the weekend, Westfield High School senior Jillian Battles completed her mission of filling 800 “Bags for Bravery” for active troops and veterans with everything from personal care items and throw blankets, to notebooks, pens, pencils and playing cards to a wide range of snacks. This is the fourth year in a row that Jillian, with the help of her mother Jen Battles, area businesses and community volunteers filled the 800 bags. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/jillian-battles-fills-800-bags-for-troops-4th-year-in-a-row.html

Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is pleased to announce its new MPY Parenting Solutions Library. The MPY Parenting Solutions Library is offered at no charge, in partnership with Peace at Home Parenting Solutions, a non- profit. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions is a dynamic hub of trusted knowledge and compassionate support that inspires parents to create positive change for their children, their families and themselves. Through this new partnership, MPY is pleased to offer proven resources to help students’ families thrive. The video trainings are presented by experts with advanced degrees and present easy-to-use strategies for long-lasting change.

NEW On The Mark and Superintendent's Spotlight 11/06/24 from Westfield Community Programming, 89.5fm/WSKB, Agawam Media and Southwick Community TV. Students at Westfield High School can earn college credits at Westfield State University. Mark G. Auerbach and Stefan Czaporowski talk with students and teachers in the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsVNs__x2r4

If you didn't catch last week's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. In this episode, we talk all about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) in the Westfield Public Schools in recognition of STEAM Day on Friday, November 8. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obteUQOd684

REMINDER: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, November 11, in observance of Veteran's Day. Thank you.

Please click here for the latest newsletter from Highland Elementary School : /https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/1997/Highland/5005403/November_2024__2_.pdf Please click here for translated versions: https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/highland/documents/highland-happenings/november-2024/722694

Please join us for our Holiday Tradition! Troop 821 is proud to host Breakfast with Santa 2024. Sit back, relax and enjoy some time with Santa as well as some arts and crafts with your family, while the Scouts of Troop 821 serve you breakfast. Please make your reservation with the link attached! December 7, 2024 at the Elks Lodge on Franklin St. Westfield, MA. https://ticketstripe.com/BSATROOP821SANTA

Our next SEPAC meeting will be held this Thursday, November 7, at 7:00 p.m. Please click on the image for additional information. Thank you.

Click on the link below for last Thursday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". In this episode, we talked with some of our BCBA's (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) about behavior and their work in the district. Students of staff from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department also surprised us with freshly baked Halloween decorated sugar cookies. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vgrKQwcQWw

There is a lot of excitement in the horticulture department of Westfield Technical Academy, where new heavy machinery training simulators have just arrived, purchased through a Skills Capital Grant last year of approximately $145,000. Department head Nathan Sperry said the simulators offer training to operate articulating dump trucks, backhoes, compact truck loaders, excavators and wheel loaders. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/11/westfield-tech-students-to-train-on-heavy-machinery-simulators-thanks-to-grant.html

Happy Halloween!

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

The allied health department at Westfield Technical Academy hosted a job and career exploration fair on Oct. 22 for students and instructors to see what career options are available in and around Hampden County for students in the healthcare field. “We understand that the businesses may not be hiring at this time, but students could view this as a great opportunity to see the businesses in the area and [meet] their potential employer,” said allied health head Maureen Baillargeon. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/health-care-organizations-talk-about-careers-with-westfield-tech-students.html

Click on the image below for the latest newsletter from Westfield Intermediate School!