Westfield Public Schools

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

If you missed the season premiere of "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we introduced our new Director of Human Resources, Katherine Bourque, and our new Director of Assessment and Accountability, Christine Shea. We also had a little fun with "Star Trek" Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0dgOy6SsCY

Westfield High School Director of Choral Activities Korey Bruno can’t contain her excitement about the new Yamaha GCI 5 foot, 3 inch baby grand piano in her classroom, purchased through School Choice funds at the end of last year. “Our superintendent rocks!” Bruno said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/westfield-high-school-chorus-tuning-up-for-year-with-new-baby-grand-piano.html

Please click on the image to learn about our SEPAC and upcoming meeting dates. Thank you.

A Plus HVAC cares about the community in which we serve. We wish to support organizations, events, and projects, as funds are available, that benefit our community and the people that live within it. We are calling on our customers to vote for an organization that is important to them. You may vote once every 24 hours. This fall we are featuring the Westfield High School Bombers, Minnechaug High School Falcons, and the Springfield Central Eagles. Show your support by voting for your favorite team! The team with the most votes at the end of the active voting period will receive $2,000 from A Plus. Second place will receive $1,500, and third will receive $1,000. Please submit your votes by October 1. We will announce the winners on October 7. Thank you for participating! https://www.aplushvacinc.com/charitable-giving/