Join us at Westfield High School today at 2:00 p.m. for the Annual Big Spring Sing. Chorus students from Elementary School through High School will be performing for our listening pleasure. Thank you for supporting our students!
Westfield police officers took time out during the day on March 29 to read to first graders in all six elementary schools in the city about their work keeping people safe.
Police Lt. Eric Hall, who runs the community services unit, reached out to the School Department several months ago about having the officers come in.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/police-officers-read-about-safety-to-first-graders-at-westfield-schools.html
Jay Mankita and Susan McGinn of Playful Engineers spent two weeks this month at Franklin Avenue Elementary School, showing second and third graders how to build simple machines from household items.
“We were fortunate to get a STARS grant from the Mass. Cultural Council to bring Jay to Franklin,” said Franklin Avenue Principal Chris Tolpa. This is the school’s second grant with Playful Engineers. The first was two years ago during the COVID-19 shutdown.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/03/ex-entertainer-teaches-westfield-elementary-pupils-to-be-playful-engineers.html
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff from Franklin Avenue Elementary School and Westfield State University about STEM activities with students at Franklin Avenue Elementary. We also had some fun with World Math Day! Thanks for watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCAdvgFrlcw
Tune in on Thursday, March 23 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will talk with Principal Chris Tolpa all about Franklin Avenue Elementary School. We will also recognize World Math Day. Thanks for watching!
Registered second graders will begin Water Safety lessons at the YMCA on Tuesdays beginning March 21. Students will be bussed from Franklin Avenue to the YMCA where they will learn water safety through engaging lessons, and then students will learn to swim in the YMCA's pool. We love collaborating with our YMCA partners to bring great opportunities to all of our students.
Playful Engineers, Jay Mankita and his wife, Sara, used the engineering and discovery process to teach our second and third grade students about simple machines. Using simple items found around the house, students learned how to make cranks to automate items. They will be back the last week of March to continue this creative venture.
Westfield is now under a Winter Storm Warning and power outages are being reported in the city. As a result of this updated information, Westfield Public Schools will be closed today. Please stay safe. Thank you.
Based on the latest weather forecast, Westfield Public Schools will have an Early Release Day on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. High Schools will dismiss at 11:00 a.m., Middle, Intermediate, and Virtual Schools at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary Schools at 12:15 p.m. Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will be closed. Should weather conditions deteriorate tomorrow morning, a message canceling the day will be sent out as early as possible. Thank you.
IT'S TIME!! Who likes C-A-S-H-?!?!...Who likes supporting our Westfield Public Schools?!!?
WFE is holding its 1st Annual Cash Calendar Raffle Fundraiser for the month of April!! Purchase your Calendar anytime throughout the month of March and get 30 chances to win yourself some CASH! Simply scan the QR code on this post, make your $20 payment and you're ALL SET!
BUT WAIT!.....There's more! 😉 The first 25 Calendars purchased will automatically be entered to win a $10 Dunkin' Gift Card AND 1 (one) Love Mich Cozy.
Not feeling the QR purchase option? No worries! Physical Calendars will be available to purchase for cash by contacting westfield.foundation2013@gmail.com and at locations throughout Westfield. Details on the list of locations to follow shortly!
ALL of the proceeds from the purchase of Calendar Raffles go DIRECTLY to supporting ALL of the Westfield Public Schools within the Westfield, MA district!
Head over to www.westfieldfoundation.org to purchase, for information on the Grants we award, and to contact us with any questions.
Registration for the Third Annual Math Acceleration Academy is now open! This is an opportunity for students in Grades 3-10 to improve their math skills, learn problem-solving methods, raise their MCAS scores, and HAVE SOME FUN! Click on the link to register:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegOhkhc0QBETYIptb5FhA9jFuGCL1R02Fxffk_fanOOeHvYw/viewform?usp=sf_link
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) is currently accepting nominations of educators and support personnel who go the extra mile to serve the Westfield District Schools’ special education community and inspire others to do the same.
The Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education is an important way for the community to thank those who through dedication, creativity, patience, and determination help students receiving special education to experience success.
Tune in on Thursday, March 2 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a brand-new episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, Band Director Pat Kennedy stops by to talk about the 70th POPS concert at Westfield High School. We also talk with our School Business Administrator and Director of Transportation about the district budget and school transportation. Thanks for watching!
Families, educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 27–Mar. 3; a week designated to highlight and show support for our local public schools.
Public Schools Week 2023 (#PSW23) is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids—one that brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and share the stories of the positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods, and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. With commitment, creativity, and critical thinking, educators and school leaders continue to provide welcoming and engaging learning opportunities for our children.
#Hereforthe Kids #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Next week is Winter Vacation! There is no school for students starting Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. Students return to school on Monday, February 27. Have fun and be safe! Thank you.
Close to 100 families attended the Westfield School Department’s Countdown to Kindergarten event on Feb. 8 to kick off kindergarten registration for the fall. The event is a collaboration with Westfield’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) grant and coordinator Paula Hebert-Pike.
Families that attended were given an opportunity to meet the principals and staff from the city’s elementary schools, learn about the district’s literacy and STEM initiatives, all about school transportation, and to see sample school lunch menus. All attendees received kindergarten goody bags and tips about getting their children ready to start school.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/nearly-100-families-attend-westfield-kindergarten-registration-fair.html
The registration portal for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please visit the Westfield Public Schools website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org for more information. Thank you!
For the first time in three years, Into the Arts is BACK!
We are excited to share that this celebration of all the arts in Westfield Public Schools will return this April 28th and 29th!
Five veteran teachers and one teacher new to the profession were named 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award winners in Westfield this week. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski surprised the winners at their schools on Feb. 7.
Winners have demonstrated exemplary teaching practices and have had a strong impact on their students; they’ve inspired and motivated others, engaged their students’ families, and gone above and beyond in the classroom and school community.
https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-superintendent-surprises-6-educators-with-excellence-in-teaching-award.html
Reminder: 1/2 day of school today AND Countdown to Kindergarten @ 6 p.m. at Westfield Middle School. Any family who has a child who will be five years old by September 1, 2023 should attend.