The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has recognized Kelsey Cottengim, classroom teacher at Fort Meadow, as an exceptional teacher through the Distinguished Educator Recognition Program. Ms. Cottengim was selected as the recipient of this high honor because she has demonstrated all of the following:
Exceptional educational talent as evidenced by effective and innovative instructional practices and student learning results in the classroom and school;
Exemplary educational accomplishments and leadership beyond the classroom that provide models of excellence for the profession;
Individuals whose contributions to education are largely unheralded yet worthy of the spotlight;
Early- to mid-career educators who offer strong long-range potential for professional and policy leadership; and
Engaging and inspiring presence that motivates and impacts students, colleagues and the community.
We are very proud of Ms. Cottengim for demonstrating excellence in her practice and receiving this prominent award!
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we talked with our Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie about our curriculum renewal process and our new Social Emotional Learning Curriculum PreK-12. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL0RBFEBDVk
First Day of Preschool at Fort Meadow 2023!
While we were expecting a cooler day on Friday, September 8, the latest forecast from the National Weather Service predicts that the Heat Index tomorrow will remain between 95-100 degrees. The Heat Advisory also remains in effect. As a result, Westfield Public Schools will dismiss staff and students early again tomorrow. High School students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate School students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary School students at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed. Thank you.
Hello Families, We are excited to announce that all back-to-school forms and medical information will be completed through the PowerSchool Parent Portal and SNAP Student School Health Portal this fall rather than using paper forms.
You should have received 2 emails with instructions about how to do this today. If you did not receive two emails, please check your SPAM folder. If you don't receive either of these emails, please contact your child's school
This evening's SEPAC Meeting is postponed (September 7). We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you.
Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center Principal Jonathan Scagel said staff and families just received the news that the preschool peer model program will be tuition-free this year. The change means that Fort Meadow’s program will join the Southampton Road, Munger Hill and Highland elementary schools in offering free preschool to families. All of the preschools open on Sept. 6.
Scagel said they just received word last week that Fort Meadow would be tuition-free, which he said lines up with the objective of Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski’s goal to expand preschool throughout the city. He said families that have already made a payment for this school year may call or stop by the main office for a refund.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/09/westfields-early-childhood-center-offers-free-preschool-tuition-this-year.html
Good afternoon,
There is a heat advisory in effect for our area on Wednesday, September 6 and Thursday, September 7. Heat indices are expected to reach between 95-100 degrees. These temperatures make teaching and learning especially difficult in the majority of our buildings that are not air conditioned. For that reason, Westfield Public Schools staff and students will be dismissed early the next two days. High schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Intermediate and Middle Schools at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary Schools at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Czaporowski
There is a heat advisory in effect for our area on Wednesday, September 5 and Thursday, September 6. Heat indices are expected to reach between 95-100 degrees. These temperatures make teaching and learning especially difficult in the majority of our buildings that are not air conditioned. For that reason, Westfield Public Schools staff and students will be dismissed early the next two days. High schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Intermediate and Middle Schools at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary Schools at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
Sincerely,
Superintendent Czaporowski
A reminder that schools are closed on Monday, September 4, 2023, for Labor Day. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, September 5, 2023. Thank you.
Please join us tonight from 5:00-6:00pm on our playground for our Ice Cream Social sponsored by our wonderful PTO. We are looking forward to this fun get-together to celebrate the start of school!
Welcome to the 2023-24 school year at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center! It is with great pleasure that I extend the warmest of welcomes to each of you, and speak for all members of the Fort Meadow family when I share how thrilled we are to welcome you to our school community for this coming year.
We are pleased to announce that Fort Meadow is now Tuition Free!!!
Fort Meadow is happy to announce that we are now tuition free!
HERE’S THE SCOOP
Our first family event will be an Ice Cream Social sponsored by our PTO for all students and families on Thursday, August 31st, from 5:00-6:00pm at the Fort Meadow School Playground. Join us for a fun get together with music to celebrate the start of school! *Foods may contain allergens, please let your servers know if your party has allergies.
Westfield Public Schools is hiring:
Speech and Language Pathologists
Special Education Teachers
ESL Teachers
Paraprofessionals
Click on the link below to view our current openings. Thank you!
https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs?employer=11953&fbclid=IwAR1GNsNa8Kvxp-JJN--3K6AuBq0q3d6vHQUsWwUIrmfgXYI1N6IrLcygiMg
Christine Shea, Westfield public schools’ director of assessment and accountability, said 152 new English language learners moved into the district this past year.
English language learners are students whose native language is not English and who are not yet able to complete ordinary classroom work in English. According to state and federal laws, each school district must arrange for them to receive instruction from certified ELL teachers trained specifically to work with students still learning English.
Most of the new families in Westfield are coming from Ukraine, a total of 102 students this past year, some from the same families. Other students are from Russia, Moldova and Turkey, and 15 are from Afghanistan, families that are still trickling out after the end of the U.S. occupation. There are also several families from Ecuador that recently arrived.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/07/families-from-ukraine-afghanistan-among-english-learners-in-westfield-schools.html
A reminder that Westfield Public Schools are closed on Monday, June 19. Tuesday, June 20 is the last day of school, and it is an early release day. High school students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate school students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary school students at 12:15 a.m. Thank you.
If you missed this morning's episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Senator John Velis about the mental health crisis and what he is proposing to increase services for students. We also celebrated National Doughnut Day with some treats from Mrs. Murphy's. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_zpfDQZVi0