Franklin PTO Meeting, Tuesday, Feb 7 @ 6 p.m.
Link: meet.google.com/ycx-ohxn-qwy
Please join us to help us plan events for the rest of the year.
If you weren't able to catch the latest episode on "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we talked with our Registration Team about our Countdown to Kindergarten Registration Event being held on Wednesday, February 8, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Westfield Middle School. We also looked into the history and tradition of Groundhog Day. Did Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow? Find out midway through our show. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB1CiRe8rzM
Something new is coming to Westfield Public Schools – volunteer patrols to add an extra level of security during the school day.
Westfield Public Schools will implement a new program to keep kids safe by recruiting voluntary veterans to patrol the inside and outside of schools, using their military expertise to identify any potential threats.
The pilot program will start in Franklin Avenue, Paper Mill, and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools.
The volunteer vets will be unarmed and carry walkie-talkies to communicate with the school’s office staff if they identify suspicious activity on school grounds.
Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools Stefan Czaporowski told Western Mass News that the volunteers’ military experience will help with recognizing potential threats.
“Due to their circumstances, they’re able to identify a potentially dangerous situation; they just have experience in those kinds of atmospheres,” he said. “Not that our schools have that, but I think they could also serve as a possible deterrent.”
Veterans will also receive an added benefit for their volunteer work. The city of Westfield is prepared to dish out a $1,500 property tax break if they hit 100 hours of patrols.
The Director of Veterans Services for the city of Westfield Julie Barnes told Western Mass News that even before they added the tax incentive, veterans were eager to volunteer their time.
“We had a lot of veterans come into our office before the program even released,” Barnes said. “They kind of heard it through the grapevine, so when it released on January 1st, we’ve had quite a few veterans come in.”
Superintendent Czaporowski told us that this program is another small but necessary step in continuing to protect against potentially dangerous situations at school.
“It takes a village, and I think that student safety is a top priority, not just for the school department, but for everyone,” he said.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/02/01/westfield-public-schools-pay-veterans-patrol-schools-increase-security/
Tune in on Thursday, February 2 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 be talking with our Central Registration Team all about our Countdown to Kindergarten Event being held on February 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Westfield Middle School. We will also be following Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhog Day. Thanks for watching!
ATTENTION ALL AREA EMPLOYERS
Sign up for our annual Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) Career Expo and Job Fair sponsored by Westfield Public Schools, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, Mass Hire, and Westfield State University. Engage in conversations with our students about careers and industries and recruit local students for internships and job opportunities. This is a FREE event that will be attended by over 500 local high school students. Scan the QR code or click on the link below to be a part of this yearly event and meet employees of the future. The deadline to sign up is Friday, March 10. Thank you for your support!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd82tz-vb-5UK9rRUPvmmz3fTMkEPWZAYABB0JtEea0d55Vew/viewform
Stop! Drop! and Jiji! takes place this morning throughout Franklin Avenue at 10 a.m.! All students will have 20 minutes to see how many puzzles they can complete. It is great when we can work as a TEAM to meet our goals.
Westfield Public Schools will have an early release day on Wednesday, January 25, due to the predicted snowfall in the afternoon.
High Schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Middle, Intermediate, and Virtual Schools at 11:30 a.m., Elementary Schools and Southampton Road Preschool Program at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed.
The Westfield YMCA after school care program is also cancelled.
Please drive safely.
The city granted $500,000 it received from the federal government in the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund of the American Rescue Plan Act, or ARPA, to fuel assistance and food security programs.
The Greater Westfield Food Pantry will get $200,000 over four years, the city said Monday in a news release. The Food Pantry provides groceries to approximately 1,200 people per month, with 51% of those clients being children and 14% being elderly.
The city also gave Valley Opportunity Council $300,000 to expand home heating assistance programs. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program — LIHEAP — funded by the state and federal governments provides up to $1,319 per household to assist with heating costs incurred from November through April.
The Westfield Food Pantry is at 101 Meadow St. For additional information on receiving food assistance, please call 413-572-0802 or visit its website at www.westfieldfoodpantry.org.
For questions related to the Westfield Fuel Assistance Program, residents should call the Valley Opportunity Council Welcome Center at 413-534-2466 or email Jessica at jking@valleyopp.com.
https://www.masslive.com/business/2023/01/westfield-gives-500000-in-arpa-money-to-food-heating-programs.html
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is inviting students, parents, education professionals, and community members to participate in a survey that will provide feedback on the MCAS program and help inform improvements. The Department is seeking stakeholders’ input in several areas, including communications and support, data and reporting, and release of test questions. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27. Please contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any questions.
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7072286/Future-Directions-MCAS-General-Survey
Behavioral Health Network Inc., which merged with the Carson Center eight years ago, has opened a new BHN WellBeing Center with expanded hours, expanded service, and walk-in care in its offices at 77 Mill St. in Westfield.
The BHN WellBeing Center, along with one that opened at 417 Liberty St. in Springfield, are part of a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHCs, and are intended to shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment with MassHealth and Health New England insurances.
The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call 413-301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services or visit bhninc.org for more information.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/walk-in-behavioral-health-care-clinic-opens-in-westfield.html
Families of next year’s kindergarten class are encouraged to attend the Countdown to Kindergarten on Wednesday, Feb. 8, in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria at 30 W. Silver St., Westfield. The event begins at 6 p.m. but families can drop in anytime until 7:30 p.m. The snow date is Feb. 15.
“We’re really trying to get the word out,” said Christine Shea, director of assessment and accountability for Westfield schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/westfield-schools-will-make-kindergarten-registration-a-family-fun-event.html
WPS is Hiring!
Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, school custodians, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org.
Just a reminder that all schools will be closed on Monday, January 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Junior. We will welcome all students back on Tuesday, January 17.
The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. Please click on the link below for more information.
https://www.masshelpline.com/
Reminder: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.
PTO meeting on Tuesday, January 10 @ 6 p.m. Use this link to join us:
meet.google.com/nxd-eaqy-vij We appreciate your support.
Happy New Year! Our first week of 2023 has been refreshing. It is a joy to be a part of classrooms filled with curious children and energized teachers. Lots of great learning is in store this month, from animal adaptations to weather. Ask your child what excites them most about Franklin; I'm sure they will have lots to tell.
Please note that our regularly scheduled School Committee Meeting on January 3, 2023, has been postponed until Monday, January 9, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you.
We are looking forward to welcoming back all of our Franklin Scholars on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. We are excited for all the new things 2023 will bring for our school. Happy New Year!!!
The Westfield Planning Board approved three special permits and site plans at its meeting on Dec. 20, clearing the way for the new school on Franklin Street.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2022/12/westfield-planning-board-approves-new-school-cell-antennas-contractors-shops.html