Westfield Public Schools

Tune in Thursday morning January 13 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 with Westfield's Director of Public Health, Joe Rouse. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

Commissioner Riley announced that he is extending the mask requirement in schools through Monday, February 28. The MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will continue to work with medical experts and state health officials to evaluate the mask requirement beyond February 28.

The National Weather Service is predicting hazardous road conditions during the morning commute tomorrow. Snow is expected to begin between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. and stop sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. In consideration of the timing of this storm, Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Friday, January 7, 2022. Schools will reopen on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Tonight's School Committee Meeting has been postponed and rescheduled for Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you.

Dear WPS families, Regrettably, the number of COVID-19 cases in Westfield are continuing to rise, with last week alone registering 316 new positive cases. This is the highest number of weekly cases in our City since the pandemic began. As I have mentioned previously, our district has been short staffed since the start of the 2021-2022 school year, and staff and administrative absences continue to rise. The increase in COVID cases makes it more likely that we will struggle to staff all our schools every day over the next several weeks. As a result, a school may need to use an emergency closure day if we do not have enough staff to keep all students safe and well supervised. I also want to make you aware that we may also see a disruption in bus transportation due to a shortage of drivers. We will do our best to minimize disruptions to for students, families, and staff. We will also notify families and staff about a school closure or transportation issue as soon as we determine the need so that you are able to make other arrangements. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during these very difficult times. Sincerely, Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent of Schools Westfield Public Schools

Click on the video below to watch the WHS Choir perform at their annual Holiday Concert this week. Happy Holidays! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yjXWltt5IU

Westfield Public Schools is pleased to offer a free COVID vaccination clinic at Westfield Middle School on Wednesday, December 22 from 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Vaccinations available include the first or second dose for children 5-11 years of age, 12 years and older, and booster shots. Please click on the link below to register. Thank you! https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=4074378b-3db1-4bb8-9d03-e5a0be1915c6

Dear Westfield parents, guardians, and staff, In case you are not already aware, there are posts on TikTok stating that on Friday, December 17, there is a challenge to call in bomb threats, school shooting threats, etc. at schools in the United States. These posts have not originated from our local area. Social media is a powerful tool often used to influence others, and not always for the good. Please take time to talk to your child about the influence of social media and the potential consequences of engaging in this type of behavior. We must take every threat seriously and students face the possibility of suspension or expulsion, and possible legal consequences for making threats. We again want to say thank you to the students, parents and community members who make us aware of the social media posts that we are unable to access. We all have a role in keeping our students and community safe. Sincerely, Superintendent Czaporowski

Tune in this Thursday morning December 16 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, hosts Stefan Czaporowski and Chris Rogers will broadcast live from Westfield High School to talk with Korey Bruno and student members of the Westfield High School Choir. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the before school Test and Stay program that was set to begin tomorrow, December 6, at City Hall, is delayed. Additional updates will be provided this week. We apologize for the inconvenience. Test and Stay will still be available at all schools.

Could your local business use some extra hands-on deck? At Westfield High's Reed Career Center, dozens of students are looking for employment opportunities in various fields. The best part of all? Thanks to grant support, their paychecks will come from MassHire. Between MassHire offsetting the costs for employers, and employers providing our students real-life work experience, everyone wins! Scan the QR code below to become a worksite today or drop a comment if you'd like to learn more.

Tune in this Thursday morning December 2 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, host Stefan Czaporowski and guest host Paula Ceglowski will talk with Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik in the first half hour and Virtual School Principal Thomas Osborn in the second half hour. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

There will be no school for students beginning Wednesday, November 24 through Friday, November 26. Our schools and offices will close at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24. Schools will reopen on Monday, November 29. Thank you!

Tune in this Thursday morning November 18 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, hosts Stefan Czaporowski and Chris Rogers will talk with Special Education Director Debra Ecker. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

In partnership with Purple Shield and Cataldo Ambulance, Westfield Public Schools will be providing a vaccination clinic on Tuesday, November 23rd at Westfield Middle School from 3:00-5:00 P.M. AGES ELIGIBLE: 5-11, 12+ Parents/guardians must register online and accompany their child. REGISTER: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=4074378b-3db1-4bb8-9d03-e5a0be1915c6

A reminder that Westfield Schools will be closed on Thursday, November 11, in remembrance of Veteran's Day. Thank you

Tune in this Thursday morning November 4 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, in the first half hour, hosts Stefan Czaporowski and Chris Rogers will talk with Principal Jessica Kennedy all about Westfield Middle School. In the second half hour, we catch up with Westfield Food Services Director Rachel Kania. Join us if you can! Thanks for listening and watching!

Beginning on Monday, November 1, Westfield Public Schools will begin Test and Stay COVID testing to students for whom consent was received. Westfield Public Schools continues to partner with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and CIC Health to operate this program. Test and Stay is used when a student is considered a close contact. Students can take a rapid antigen test (BinaxNOW) on each school day from the date of exposure. If the test results remain negative, students may remain at school. Please see the flowchart below for additional information. Only students with consent can participate in this program. If you are interested in having your child participate in the program, a consent form can be signed by visiting https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.

A reminder that there is no school for students on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

Dear WPS families, Beginning on Monday, October 25th, Westfield Public Schools will begin COVID Symptomatic Testing to students for whom consent was received. Westfield Public Schools has partnered with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and CIC Health to initiate this program. Symptomatic testing is used when a student is showing symptoms of COVID-19 during school; students should not come to school if they are feeling sick while at home. Some symptoms of the virus look identical to other illnesses like the cold or flu, and this test tells us whether a symptomatic student has COVID-19 or not. This is a rapid test, and we receive the results of this test within 15 minutes. If a student has minimal symptoms and tests negative, they can remain in school. Only students with parental consent will be participating in this program. If you are interested in participating in the program, parents or guardians must sign a consent on behalf of your child by visiting https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma. COVID Test and Stay will be added in the next several weeks as well. In addition, the number of positive COVID cases weekly by school is now available on our district website or by clicking on the following link: 2021-2022 COVID Information | Westfield Public Schools (schoolsofwestfield.org) This page will be updated at the beginning of each week. Thank you for your continued support and understanding. Sincerely, Stefan Czaporowski Superintendent of Schools Westfield Public Schools