Westfield Public Schools

The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts honored Sherry Elander for her community service on Thursday at the Delaney House with induction into the Order of William Pynchon. The Pynchon Medals are presented to individuals who make positive statements to the community and their kindness. Sherry Elander, a transition specialist in the Westfield School System was recognized for building an extensive network with businesses to help special needs students adjust for real world experiences. Elander developed many programs that are now shared with school and educators across the state.

Westfield High School sophomore Jillian Battles is continuing her commitment to community service through a donation drive that she has undertaken to fill 800 bags with needed items and goodies for the troops. The drive will continue through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. She is well underway with another drive to fill another 800 bags for our troops and veterans,” said Jen Battles, Jillian’s mother and helper in the project. The dynamic duo filled 800 bags in February, which were donated through Project New Hope, an organization that provides resources to veterans and their families with an office and food pantry at Hampton Pond Plaza. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/high-school-sophomore-again-seeking-donations-for-goodie-bags-for-troops.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday morning, click on the link below. This morning we talked about our English Language Learner Program with Supervisor Anna Antropova, Technology with Coordinator Brian Sutko, and STEM with Coach Lindsey Ayers. We also took a moment to recognize National M&Ms day. Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-GMv8Hfcz4

Members of the Westfield Public Schools received a $1,005,000 check to help with updating the high school. The money comes from funding from this fiscal year’s state budget and will go towards repairs school leaders said are much needed. The money will be divided up going towards fixing the tennis courts, as well as upgrading the science labs and making improvements towards school security. Senator John Velis graduated from Westfield High School, he said investing in all three of these is critical, “This school, very candidly speaking, as we all know needs a little bit of work and being able to do my small part with my teammates here brings me a lot of joy.” The additional $5,000 is going towards the school’s Community Closet which offers clothes, food and personal care items to students and families. They’re looking to use that to make it more student friendly and to potentially invest in a washer and dryer. https://www.wwlp.com/news/1m-in-funding-for-westfield-high-school/

Abner Gibbs Elementary School staff and students, led by new Principal Erika Masciadrelli, staged a surprise clap-out for retiring principal Kathleen O’Donnell behind the school on Oct. 11. All of the students and teachers gathered to say goodbye and gave “Mrs. O” a card with all of their signatures on it. Masciadrelli, who began her new job Oct. 3, complimented the students on managing to keep it a surprise all day. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/students-staff-at-westfields-abner-gibbs-surprise-retiring-principal-with-clap-out.html

The 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) launched on October 1. New and returning students who plan to attend college between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, should complete the FAFSA form as soon as possible. Massachusetts resources, including links to regional organizations and events that can help students and families complete the form, are posted at https://www.doe.mass.edu/financialaid/ and will be updated continuously. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education has helpful tips, such as “Seven Things You Need Before Filling Out the FAFSA Form,” “Eight Steps to Completing the FAFSA Form,” and “15 Myths We’re Busting About the FAFSA Process.”

Tune in this Thursday, October 13, 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 talk curriculum with our Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie and other members of the WPS Curriculum Team. Thanks for watching!

What’s more synonymous with Halloween than a festively carved pumpkin, all aglow with candlelight? Hundreds of kids and their families will get the chance to test those creative skills at this year’s PumpkinFest, slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, rain or shine, on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street in Westfield. Now in its sixth year, the event is organized by Westfield on Weekends, and according to Co-President Bob Plasse, more than 100 people volunteer their time to make this event happen. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/westfield-pumpkinfest-promises-fun-for-whole-community-next-weekend.html

If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week we talked with retiring Principal Kathy O'Donnell and new Principal Erika Masciadrelli all about the great things happening at Abner Gibbs Elementary School. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-siN92wgs

Join us this Thursday, October 6, 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 talk with retiring principal Kathy O'Donnell and new principal Erika Masciadrelli about all of the great things happening at Abner Gibbs Elementary School. Thanks for watching!

Westfield Public School families may get $30 off your monthly internet bill and $100 off a laptop, tablet, or computer through a federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. Learn more & apply! Affordableconnectivity.gov

MassHire is seeking businesses in the Westfield area to accept students from Westfield High School as interns. Imanol Cruz, MassHire business services representative said the students, who are mostly juniors and seniors, will be screened, trained and paid by MassHire, and are available to work after school for up to 12½ hours a week. “We are really focused on screening youth to make sure they are 100% ready to get into an experience,” Cruz said, adding if the students aren’t ready, MassHire will still take them into the program and offer them more training. “If the experience isn’t good for the business, it isn’t good for the youth,” he said. Area businesses that are interested in learning more about this program may contact Imanol Cruz directly at icruz@masshireholyoke.org. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/masshire-seeks-westfield-businesses-to-participate-in-high-school-internship-program.html

Science, Technology and Engineering Supervisor Lauren Figy Cadigan, Elementary STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers and Math Supervisor Kate Perez are gearing up for this year’s STEM Week in Westfield’s public schools, Oct. 17 to 21. Plans are still being finalized and will be posted, said Cadigan. The theme for this year’s week will once again be “See Yourself in STEM.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/westfield-schools-making-plans-seeking-help-for-next-months-stem-week.html

Westfield High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy, with the help of drum majors Samantha Adamtsev, Shannon Corbett, Dillon Lukasik, Dominic Monti and Emma Pedro, were fitting students for uniforms and practicing marching early this week in preparation for the Salute to Westfield parade at the Big E on Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. For many of the students, this year’s Eastern States Exposition will be their first time marching in any parade, after two years of cancellations due to COVID-19. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/westfield-high-school-marching-band-prepares-for-citys-big-e-parade-on-thursday.html

At a recent School Committee meeting, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Curriculum Director Susan Dargie and Grants Manager Joanne Lemelin announced that the Westfield Middle School physical education department has been awarded a grant of thirty Specialized bicycles from Outride, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of youth through cycling. Riding for Focus, Outride’s middle school-based cycling education program, provides the participating schools with helmets, curriculum, teacher training, and a fleet of bikes. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/new-bikes-bicycle-education-program-coming-to-westfield-middle-schools.html

Westfield Technical Academy is one of 70 elementary, middle, and high schools across the United States, and the only one in Massachusetts, to earn recognition through the Arbor Day Foundation’s new Tree Campus K-12 program. The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to tree planting. Its Tree Campus K-12 program, launched last year, encourages educators to create meaningful opportunities for students to interact with trees. In the first year of the program, more than 15,000 students participated in an Arbor Day celebration, and nearly 30,000 trees were planted. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/westfield-technical-academy-earns-tree-campus-honor-from-arbor-day-foundation.html

Westfield School Committee Vacancy If you are interested in serving on the School Committee, for the remainder of a term which ends December 2023, please submit a letter of interest to: Kaitlyn Bruce, City Clerk 59 Court Street/City Hall Westfield, MA 01085 Email: k.bruce@cityofwestfield.org The deadline for submitting letter of interest is October 3, 2022. A joint meeting of the School Committee and City Council will convene to select a replacement.

Students from Westfield Technical Academy's Aviation Program and students from Westfield High School's Criminal Justice Program greeted local state police officers after they landed a helicopter on Jachym Field this morning. Students learned about helicopters and careers with the state police. Special thanks to Aviation Instructor Galen Wilson for arranging this visit and to the state police for providing this learning experience for our students.

Join us this Thursday, September 15, 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 talk with members of the New Elementary School Building Committee for an update on our progress. Thanks for watching!

The U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship Program is a nationwide college scholarship program designed to promote student leaders' awareness of, participation in, and interest in government. The program is open to high school juniors and seniors in Massachusetts public schools who are currently serving in an elected or appointed position in student government or in a civic or educational organization in which they represent their peers. Eligible students must submit a completed application with essay by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7. https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/senate/default.html