Westfield Public Schools

The Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) is currently seeking area businesses and employers to sign up for the Career Expo and Job Fair sponsored by Westfield Public Schools, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, MassHire and Westfield State University. The fair will be attended by more than 500 juniors and seniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy and St. Mary’s High School, 8-11:30 a.m. on March 16 at the university’s Woodward Center. Westfield Gas & Electric is providing transportation for the students, who will have lunch in the university dining commons. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-high-schools-chamber-seeking-businesses-to-sign-up-for-march-career-fair.html

Tune in on Thursday, February 2 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with our Central Registration Team all about our Countdown to Kindergarten Event being held on February 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Westfield Middle School. We will also be following Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhog Day. Thanks for watching!

The full-day public preschool pilot program in Westfield is expanding in 2023-24, with classrooms in Highland and Munger Hill elementary schools. Parents can start applying now for the enrollment lottery. Applications are due Feb. 17. The program consists of mixed-age classrooms, each with 15 three- and four-year-olds. A total of 45 seats are available across Highland, Munger Hill and Southampton Road elementary schools. The two classrooms currently at Southampton Road will remain, but because the three-year-olds already enrolled this year will automatically re-enroll for next year, only 15 three-year-old seats are available. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-preschool-lottery-open-including-new-seats-at-highland-munger-hill.html

ATTENTION ALL AREA EMPLOYERS Sign up for our annual Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) Career Expo and Job Fair sponsored by Westfield Public Schools, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Mass Hire, and Westfield State University. Engage in conversations with our students about careers and industries and recruit local students for internships and job opportunities. This is a FREE event that will be attended by over 500 local high school students. Scan the QR code or click on the link below to be a part of this yearly event and meet employees of the future. The deadline to sign up is Friday, March 10. Thank you for your support! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd82tz-vb-5UK9rRUPvmmz3fTMkEPWZAYABB0JtEea0d55Vew/viewform

Educators and businesspeople gathered virtually on Wednesday for a Westfield Education to Business Alliance meeting. The alliance, also known as WE2BA, focuses on creative ways schools and businesses can interact to the benefit of both, with many events underway and planned, and many opportunities for businesses and organizations to get involved. Westfield public school Math Supervisor Kate Perez, English Supervisor Mary Keane and K-4 STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers shared some of the mutually beneficial interactions in recent months through Adopt a Classroom programs. Keane said Peerless Precision CEO Kristen Carlson met in December with Westfield math interventionist Matt Wroth, who gathered together a small group of young women interested in STEM careers. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/alliance-continues-to-partner-westfield-students-with-business-visits-internships.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we talked with New Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan and Lauren Paret, the new Dean of Students., all about the middle school. In our last segment, we were joined by Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students who helped us celebrate National Peanut Brittle Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHjGueTSCck

Westfield Public Schools will have an early release day on Wednesday, January 25, due to the predicted snowfall in the afternoon. High Schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Middle, Intermediate, and Virtual Schools at 11:30 a.m., Elementary Schools and Southampton Road Preschool Program at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed. The Westfield YMCA after school care program is also cancelled. Please drive safely.

The city granted $500,000 it received from the federal government in the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund of the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, to fuel assistance and food security programs. The Greater Westfield Food Pantry will get $200,000 over four years, the city said Monday in a news release. The Food Pantry provides groceries to approximately 1,200 people per month, with 51% of those clients being children and 14% being elderly. The city also gave Valley Opportunity Council $300,000 to expand home heating assistance programs. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program — LIHEAP — funded by the state and federal governments provides up to $1,319 per household to assist with heating costs incurred from November through April. The Westfield Food Pantry is at 101 Meadow St. For additional information on receiving food assistance, please call 413-572-0802 or visit its website at www.westfieldfoodpantry.org. For questions related to the Westfield Fuel Assistance Program, residents should call the Valley Opportunity Council Welcome Center at 413-534-2466 or email Jessica at jking@valleyopp.com. https://www.masslive.com/business/2023/01/westfield-gives-500000-in-arpa-money-to-food-heating-programs.html

Join us on Thursday, January 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with new Principal Jesse McMillan all about Westfield Middle School. Thanks for watching!

A student from Munger Hill Elementary School has been chosen as a winner of the 2022-23 Name a Snowplow Contest! Luke Snowalker, submitted by Mrs. Adams’ 3rd grade class at Munger Hill School, will be assigned to a snowplow in our highway district. MASS DOT is planning to have site visits with the snowplows in the following few weeks. The $100 gift card for school supplies will be given to the classroom during the visit. The plan is to have the named snowplow and individuals from MASS DOT involved in the project come to the schools to reveal the snowplow to the students. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/winners-of-the-name-a-snowplow-contest-2022-23

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we spoke with Principal Stacy Burgess all about Paper Mill Elementary School. We also had some fun with National Popcorn Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTY9jW_AYwY

Television meteorologist Ashley Baylor visited Franklin Avenue Elementary School on Wednesday to read her book “Storms and Snow, Skis and Sox! New England’s Weather Truly Rocks!” to third graders in Jennifer Thielen’s and Lauren Martins’ classes. Baylor told the students she developed her love of weather when she was 9 years old and living in Charleston, South Carolina, as Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, and the outer bands of the storm flooded the street she was on. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/meteorologist-visits-third-graders-to-share-love-of-new-england-weather-sports.html

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is inviting students, parents, education professionals, and community members to participate in a survey that will provide feedback on the MCAS program and help inform improvements. The Department is seeking stakeholders’ input in several areas, including communications and support, data and reporting, and release of test questions. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27. Please contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any questions. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7072286/Future-Directions-MCAS-General-Survey

Behavioral Health Network Inc., which merged with the Carson Center eight years ago, has opened a new BHN WellBeing Center with expanded hours, expanded service, and walk-in care in its offices at 77 Mill St. in Westfield. The BHN WellBeing Center, along with one that opened at 417 Liberty St. in Springfield, are part of a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHCs, and are intended to shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment with MassHealth and Health New England insurances. The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call 413-301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services or visit bhninc.org for more information. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/walk-in-behavioral-health-care-clinic-opens-in-westfield.html

Tune in on Thursday, January 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for the next episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will be talking with Principal Stacy Burgess all about Paper Mill Elementary School. Thanks for watching!

Families of next year’s kindergarten class are encouraged to attend the Countdown to Kindergarten on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria at 30 W. Silver St., Westfield. The event begins at 6 p.m. but families can drop in anytime until 7:30 p.m. The snow date is Feb. 15. “We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield schools. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/westfield-schools-will-make-kindergarten-registration-a-family-fun-event.html

WPS is Hiring! Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, school custodians, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with Principal Cieplik and three grade 4 students all about the great things happening at Southampton Road Elementary School. We also learned about New Year traditions in other parts of the world on "Stick to your New Years' Resolution Day". Thanks for listening and watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csYGROpQwN8

An inspirational School Committee meeting on Jan. 9 began with the third and fourth grade chorus of Highland Elementary School, led by music teacher Emily Baker, singing “Red Bird” by Theresa Jenkins and “The Dream Keeper” by Rollo Dilworth, based on poetry by Langston Hughes. In her introduction, Highland Principal Jill Phelan said the chorus has 66 members this year, the largest ever for the school. She said one-third of the members were represented at the meeting. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-students-inspire-board-with-choral-performance-veterans-tribute.html

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. Please click on the link below for more information. https://www.masshelpline.com/