Westfield Public Schools

In March, Westfield Technical Academy graphic arts junior Rymma Mkrtchian entered a statewide bookmark contest sponsored by the Massachusetts School Library Association, on the invitation of WTA librarian Donna Rollins, a member of the MSLA. Rollins sent out the information to all the students and said about 10 took out applications. Only Mkrtchian came back with a bookmark that she designed, which Rollins faxed in. Her design was selected as one of two second place prize winners for grades 7-12, and the only winner from Western Massachusetts. Congratulations! https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/04/westfield-technical-academy-junior-places-2nd-in-statewide-bookmark-design-competition.html

Westfield High School English teachers Jill Keenan and Joseph DeChristopher started on March 23 in their new roles as interim assistant principals through the end of the year. WHS Principal Charles Jendrysik said they will fill some temporary openings on the administrative team. “I’ve been in the classroom for 30 years. I’ve always been curious about the other side of the school, said Keenan, who teaches 10th and 11th grade. https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/03/westfield-high-school-teachers-tapped-for-interim-administrative-roles.html

The Elementary School Building Committee met online on March 22 after “a bit of a break,” with the designer showing more detailed drawings of the building’s exterior and interior, and a schedule for the next six months starting to form. Even though construction won’t begin on the school until next winter, there will be physical evidence of work beginning “any day,” when the two houses that were purchased by the city next to the Armory at 131 and 129 Franklin St. (Route 20) are razed to make room for the new school https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/03/westfield-ready-to-raze-houses-on-franklin-st-new-school-site.html

Westfield Middle School students ran a donation drive last week to collect money to help refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and donated the funds to a church that has become the center of the local donation effort for Ukrainians. WMS National Honor Society students and other student volunteers raised $780 in a weeklong money collection drive. The students stood outside during morning drop-offs to ask parents for any change they could donate to the cause. They also collected funds during lunch and had a bake sale during last week’s school band concert. https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/03/westfield-middle-school-students-raise-money-for-ukraine.html

Westfield Technical Academy performed well at the District SkillsUSA competition on March 16, said chapter advisor and Allied Health instructor Maureen Baillargeon. “We had 49 students participated, 20 students won and 13 will move on from this competition. We also have four or five that are signed up for leadership competitions,” Baillargeon said. Congratulations! Go Tigers! https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/03/thirteen-westfield-tech-students-qualify-for-state-skillsusa-competition.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we talked with members of the Westfield High School Show Choir. The students also performed live on the show and did a wonderful job! Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw9vQ3R-AkY

Westfield public schools raised $3,690 to benefit Ukrainians from a Dress-Down Day event across the district earlier this month. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said that the district is donating the money to Save the Children, an organization that helps children that have lived through conflict zones or are refugees. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in at least 2.5 million Ukrainians fleeing the country, about half of whom are children, according to Save the Children. Czaporowski said that the organization was chosen as the charity of choice in part because it uses a significant percentage of the donations to help refugee children, whereas some charities take a significant cut for their own expenses.

Tune in Thursday morning, March 17, to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we will have WHS Chorus Director Korey Bruno and the WHS Show Choir. The students will also be performing live music! Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

Happy Pi Day! Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14) around the world. Pi (Greek letter “π”) is the symbol used in mathematics to represent a constant — the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter — which is approximately 3.14159. Pi Day is an annual opportunity for math enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi, talk to their friends about math, and eat pie.

Click on the link to watch this morning's "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we caught up with City Health Director Joe Rouse in the first half of the show. In the second half hour, we were updated on the Westfield Virtual School by Principal Thom Osborn. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i446UzWrnY4

A reminder to families that Friday, March 11, 2022, is a Professional Development Day for staff. There is no school for students. Thank you.

Tune in Thursday morning, March 10, to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for "Superintendent's Spotlight". In the first half hour, we will be talking with Westfield's Director of Public Health, Joe Rouse. In the second half hour, we will be joined by Westfield Virtual School Principal Thomas Osborne. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we talked with our Supervisor of Counselors and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Donna Mendonca all about SEL. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df5IYHl4ekc

Westfield Public School Registration is now OPEN!

Tune in Thursday morning, March 3, to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk all about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with our Supervisor of Counseling and SEL Donna Mendonca. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

Late Friday, the CDC announced that, effective February 25, 2022, it is no longer requiring that masks be worn on school buses or vans for K-12 students and children in childcare programs. As a​ reminder​, any individual who wishes to continue to mask ​will​ be supported in that choice. More information on the updated CDC guidance is available here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/face-masks-public-transportation.html.

Due to the snowstorm, Westfield Public Schools and Offices are closed today. Thank you.

A reminder that Winter Vacation is next week, February 21 - February 25. Have a safe and happy break!

If you missed this week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week we talked with Principals from Westfield High School and Highland Elementary School. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yMXK3mNx-Y

Tune in Thursday morning, February 17, to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for "Superintendent's Spotlight". In the first half hour, we will be talking with Westfield High School Principal Chuck Jendrysik. In the second half hour, we will be joined by Principal Jill Phelan to talk about Highland Elementary School. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!