Westfield Public Schools

The WHS class of 2026 is off to a great start! It was great to see so many freshmen and so many family members at today’s freshmen orientation!! Those attending were welcomed, given a tour, had ice cream and were given a bomber tee shirt as a welcome to our school. Special thanks to Mrs. Lacas for planning this event and thank you to all of our student volunteers who came in on their last days of summer to help support our incoming freshmen.

Greetings Fort Meadow Families, Our first family event will be an Ice Cream Social sponsored by our PTO for all students and families on Thursday, September 1st, from 5:30-6:30pm on the Fort Meadow School Playground. Join us for a fun get together with music to celebrate the start of school! Thank you.

The Power School Portal is now open for parents, Students, and staff. If you are unable to login, please contact your child's school. Thank you!

Check out our open positions in the Westfield Public School System: Building Based Substitute Teachers Substitute Teacher ELL Teacher Child Development Instructor Autim Assistants Paraprofessionals Spanish Teacher & more! To browse more open positions and to apply online today click here: https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?employer=11953

Looking for an update on the new Elementary School Project? Click on the link below to watch the School Building Committee Meeting from Monday night. Have a question? Send an email to Westfieldelementaryschool@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GX8_B3s0J5k

Thank you to Staples, Sovany Trzepacz and Veronica Volpini for dropping off 1000 Supply boxes for our students. Each box is valued at $5.00 and contains pens, pencils, erasers, markers, and glue. Families that would like to donate additional boxes can do so by downloading the Staples Connect App and clicking on the donation coupon.

Westfield Public Schools is thrilled to announce our new app for mobile phones! Stay up to date with access to real-time sports scores, the daily cafeteria menu, news from administrators, student stories, and even emergency notifications. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9OKq6xGPe0 You can download the app for free on both Google Play or the Apple App Store. Download for Android: https://bit.ly/3f8hysa Download for iPhone: https://apple.co/3qO1Nc1

Only 16 days left until school starts on Tuesday, August 30, for all students in grades 1-12. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will start school on Tuesday, September 6.

Join Westfield Public Schools on Monday, August 8, 2022, to meet and ask questions of the finalists for the Abner Gibbs principal position. Community question and answer sessions will be held in the Abner Gibbs Elementary School office beginning at 5:15 p.m. m. There are two finalists and we have scheduled a half hour session with each individual. We will have forms for you to fill out so you can provide feedback to the superintendent on each candidate. Come weigh in on who will be the next Abner Gibbs Principal! Únase a las Escuelas Públicas de Westfield el lunes, 8 de agosto de 2022 para conocer y hacer preguntas a los finalistas para el puesto de principal de Abner Gibbs. Las sesiones de preguntas y respuestas de la comunidad se llevarán a cabo en la oficina de la Escuela Elemental Abner Gibbs a partir de las 5:15 p. m. Hay dos finalistas y hemos programado una sesión de media hora con cada individuo. Tendremos formularios para que los llene para que pueda proporcionar comentarios al superintendente sobre cada candidato. ¡Venga a opinar sobre quién será el próximo Principal de Abner Gibbs!

Good afternoon Munger Hill School Community, please join the Westfield Public Schools on Monday, August 8, 2022, to meet and ask questions of the Munger Hill principal finalists. Community question and answer sessions will be held at Munger Hill Elementary School in the cafeteria starting at 5:30PM. There are two finalists and we have scheduled a half hour session with each individual. We will have forms for you to fill out so that you can provide feedback to the superintendent on each candidate. Come have a voice in who the next principal at Munger Hill will be! Buenas tardes comunidad escolar de Munger Hill, Únase a las Escuelas Públicas de Westfield el lunes, 8 de agosto de 2022 para conocer y hacer preguntas a los finalistas para el puesto de principal de Munger Hill. Las sesiones de preguntas y respuestas de la comunidad se llevarán a cabo en la cafetería de la Escuela Elemental Munger Hill a partir de las 5:30 p. m. Hay dos finalistas y hemos programado una sesión de media hora con cada individuo. Tendremos formularios para que los llene para que pueda proporcionar comentarios al superintendente sobre cada candidato. ¡Venga a opinar sobre quién será el próximo Principal de Munger Hill! Добрый день, семьи Munger Hill школы, Пожалуйста, присоединяйтесь к нам в понедельник, 8 августа, чтобы встретиться и задать вопросы основным финалистам в выборах директора Munger Hill школы. Сессии вопросов и ответов будут проводиться в Munger Hill, в кафетерии, начиная с 5:30 вечера. Для каждого из двух финалистов мы запланировали получасовую сессию. Также, у нас будут формы для заполнения, чтобы вы могли оставить отзыв суперинтенданту по каждому кандидату. Приходите и выскажите своё мнение о том, кто должен стать следующим директором Munger Hill школы!

Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik has announced that two new assistant principals have joined the administrative team. Dr. Tonia Bonner relocated with her husband to western Massachusetts from North Carolina a little over two years ago. She comes to Westfield High School with over 20 years in secondary education as a chemistry/physics teacher, general science teacher, middle school teacher and instructional coach, and as a high school assistant principal. “I’m enjoying it so far, my husband and me. We’ve been here a little over two years. We’re finding it a nice place to call home,” Bonner said. She said she originally came to the area because she was offered a job at a nonprofit but found that she missed being in education. “I was hearing about a lot of the concerns in education due to COVID, and there was a pull on my heart to return. After being in education for over 20 years, I began to miss it, the interaction with the children, the sounds of the hallway, sounds of the ball game,” she said, adding that she believes she’s “one of those people who is supposed to be in a school building, doing something.” In her spare time, she enjoys running, reading, and keeping up with the happenings in the lives of her five adult children and nine grandchildren. Andrew Joseph is entering his 12th year as an educator at Westfield High School. He has served as an advisor for the student council, coach of the boys’ soccer team, supervisor of the summer school program, and teacher in the math department. He has been hired as an interim assistant principal for one year to fill an opening. Joseph enjoys the outdoors and spending time with friends and family. Citing “the wise words of (former WHS Principal) Tom Daley,” Joseph said he is looking forward to working with everyone at the school to help make Westfield High “just a little bit better.” Andrew Joseph lives in Westfield with his wife, Kaycee. They are expecting their first child in September. “Mrs. Bonner and Mr. Joseph are outstanding additions to our administrative team. Each of them has demonstrated strong leadership and dedication to students and families throughout their careers. I am excited to work with them and grateful to have such a student-centered administrative team,” Jendrysik said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/08/whs-principal-announces-two-additions-to-administrative-team.html

Westfield Public Schools is hiring!! We have multiple job opportunities open for the 2022-2023 school year: -Teachers -Athletic Director -Paraprofessionals -School Librarian - Language Immersion Tutors -Substitutes and more! Click the link below to view more openings and apply today! https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?employer=11953

An amendment to the fiscal 2023 state budget filed by state Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, earmarking $1 million for Westfield High School improvements and upgrades, will be used for science labs, tennis courts and security. According to Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, upgrading the science labs in the high school will be the first priority of the funds. In recent years, the school had repaired the water, drains and electricity in the labs, but this earmark will allow it to purchase new equipment, new lab tables and chairs and replace the exhaust hoods. He said Science and Technology Supervisor Lauren Cadigan currently has the work out to bid. The district will also use the funding to replace the remaining original exterior doors on the school and to enhance the security at the front entrance. Also, $50,000 of the funding will be used to recondition the exterior tennis courts. “We are very appreciative of Sen. Velis’ efforts on behalf of Westfield High School,” Czaporowski said. “This funding really could not have come at a better time. With it, we will be able to address some top priorities including updating our science classrooms. We would like to thank Senator Velis for his continued support of the Westfield public schools.” “Every student should have the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment conducive to their education and personal development. With the amendment that I filed in the FY23 budget, Westfield High School will be able to make much-needed improvements to the high school building and grounds,” Velis said. “I am beyond appreciative of Sen. Velis’ continued support of Westfield High School,” said WHS Principal Charles Jendrysik. “His efforts and regular presence in our school help to make WHS a special place. This funding will help to ensure student safety, as well as enhance the educational learning environment and athletic programs for Westfield High School.” An additional $5,000 earmark was also adopted for the WHS Student Community Closet. The Community Closet provides clothing and outerwear for whoever needs it, no questions asked. Both earmarks were included in the state budget that passed both houses of the Legislature on July 18. Gov. Charlie Baker has until Thursday to make line-item vetoes to the budget, though legislators could override his vetoes. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/07/sen-velis-1m-earmark-to-update-westfield-high-school-science-labs-tennis-courts-security.html

Westfield Public School’s Curriculum Director Susan Dargie is excited about the optional curriculum summit for teachers in the district scheduled for Aug. 22-24 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Westfield High School. “This is our fifth annual curriculum summit, and 120 teachers have signed up, including new teachers before new teacher orientation; that is twice as many as last year,” Dargie said. Dargie said the main event featured at the summit will be a preview of the new English-language arts curriculum that the district is implementing in kindergarten through 12th grade. She said there will be regular training on the new curriculum throughout the year, but this will be a first look. Among other options being offered at the summit, for kindergarten to seventh grade, is a section on integrating civics instruction into classroom principles, morning meetings, problem solving, classroom rules, and interdisciplinary connections, taught by consultant Kelley Brown. District teachers Lindsey Ayers and Lauren Figy Cadigan will lead a section on Project Lead the Way, offering support to teachers trained in the program, and also a short session for kindergarten to fourth grade teachers to see the future of science instruction in the district. There will also be grade-level sessions on Into Reading; grade-specific training in StudySync, and an iReady math specialist will provide personalized instructions and diagnostic assessment. Dargie said some teachers will do two days English-language arts training at the summit, and on the third day, on their own or with colleagues, get a jump start on unit planning using curriculum maps, which she said are also very helpful for new teachers. Linda Jordan, of the International Center for Leadership in Education who has been working with the district on curriculum mapping, will also offer support. Dargie said the curriculum summit is optional; but teachers do get paid their contract rate. She said the district offers a lot of opportunities for training over the summer. There is also professional development offered to teachers on the first few days of school. The first day of school for new teachers is Aug. 26. Professional development for all teachers is offered on Aug. 27 and 29. The first day of school for first through 12th grades is Aug. 30, and the first day of school for preschool and kindergarten is on Sept. 6. “It’s pretty exciting that 120 people are willing to give up three days before school starts to participate in this training,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/07/twice-as-many-teachers-have-already-signed-up-for-westfield-curriculum-summit.html

The Westfield Extended School Year Summer Program, located in the Westfield Middle School, will be dismissing students at an earlier time of 11:00am this Wednesday and Thursday due to expected excessive heat and humidity. Students will receive their bagged lunch and transportation will be coordinated for the earlier release. The Fort Meadow and Transition programs will be dismissed at their regular times. Please contact Jon Scagel, Summer School Coordinator, with any questions. jonathan.scagel@schoolsofwestfield.org.

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Manufacturing technology head instructor Ron Nadeau and Career Technical Education Director Peter Taloumis met in the manufacturing shop at Westfield Technical Academy on July 12 for the arrival of new equipment purchased with a Skills Capital Grant of $246,306 that was awarded in the spring. The purchases will incorporate computer numerical control (CNC) technology into all the milling machines on the underclassmen (grades 9-10) side, and advanced CNC technology in all of the milling machines on the upperclassmen side, upgrading them from EMX controls to new PhotoTrac KMX controls. Also purchased were three new bandsaws, a VMC2 CNC milling machine, and new TouchView 4K interactive displays for the computer-aided design (CAD) laboratory, among other items. Students in manufacturing tech begin training halfway through their freshman year. They are introduced to the equipment in their sophomore year, and by halfway through their junior year they learn the CNC, and how to fully set up CNC machines. “We can do [the work] manually or controlled by a computer,” Nadeau said. He said businesses with a tool room application still do things more manually, and CNC is used more for mass production. The goals of the shop are directed by the advisory committee made up of industry professionals, according to Nadeau. “That is the beauty of this style of teaching,” he said. Taloumis said the juniors and seniors in the program are 100% employed, and at their jobs use both manual and CNC technology. Also purchased were new interactive 4K TouchView displays for the CAD laboratory. Two years ago, the school upgraded the computers in the lab through a Perkins grant of $250,000. Nadeau said the CAD lab uses standalone equipment, because the software is too technically demanding to run on the Chromebook computers that students use in their other classes. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/07/state-grant-nets-250k-in-equipment-for-westfield-technical-academy-manufacturing-shop.html

Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Westfield Public Schools!

The Westfield Foundation for Education is back. The nonprofit, which came close to closing down during the COVID-19 pandemic, has a new director, new board, and a Pocketbook Bingo fundraiser planned for this October. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/06/westfield-foundation-for-education-returns-with-new-board-and-fall-fundraising.html

The Westfield High School softball team won several games this season with a thunderous offensive attack. On Saturday, the Bombers won the championship title with a high-voltage battery. Westfield freshman pitcher Shea Hurley scattered five hits and two walks, while striking out five batters, and junior catcher Kenzie Raymond went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and two RBIs as the fourth-seeded Bombers defeated No. 2 Tewksbury 3-1 in the Division 2 softball state finals Saturday at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst’s Sortino Field. Congratulations! https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/06/westfields-1-2-punch-leads-no-4-bombers-to-d2-softball-state-championship-title-over-no-tewksbury-3-1.html