The Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) marked its sixth anniversary during a morning meeting at the Westfield Gas & Electric Operations Center on Thursday.
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the organization, which provides opportunities for the business community and the schools to collaborate, survived COVID-19 and remote meetings, and is still thriving.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/westfield-school-business-alliance-still-thriving-as-it-marks-6th-anniversary.html
The WTA SkillsUSA Chapter met today in the auditorium for its first meeting of the school year. Our 2022-2023 Officers are
President: Grace Burris, Culinary Arts
Vice President: Rudy Charland, Electrical Wiring
Secretary: Aaron Liu, Manufacturing Technology
Treasurer: Arianna Dejesus, Business Technology
Reporter/Historian: Aedan Nault-Goodreau, Graphic Arts/Design and Visual Communications
Parliamentarian: Gabrielle Gaudet, Allied Health
At the beginning of the meeting, the officers performed the Emblem Ceremony which showcases and each element of the emblem: the shield, the gear, the torch, the orbital circles, and the hands. These elements represent different workplace ethics and concepts.
The meeting's guest speaker was Automotive Technology Senior Jake Cooper, who spoke on his experience at the National Competition this past June and what it took to get there to compete in Diesel Equipment Technology.
Following the meeting, Nadeef Khan and Sarah Shoemaker from Allied Health and Xavier Barros from Manufacturing Technology attended a "pumpkin fest" for residents at Westfield Center Genesis. Mrs. Baillargeon, SkillsUSA Chapter Advisor, Can be seen with the horse that gave rides to family members who attended the event.
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we spoke with staff members from the Westfield YMCA about their programming and their collaboration with Westfield, MA Public Schools. We also recognized National Civics Day. Thanks for watching #NationalCivicsDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru7n9ccxzuo
Today marked Day 1 of our participation in the city-wide "Thank a Veteran" Project. Mr. Jon Chretien’s Grade 9 U.S. History I Students were so thoughtful and articulate with their gratitude for our veterans. Tomorrow Mr. James Davenport’s 9th Graders will participate and next week the 10th Graders will have their opportunity during academics. A VERY special "thank you" to WTA Librarian Sarah Scott for coordinating the project on behalf of WTA, for making the library available to our participating classes, and for facilitating!
Don't miss our Tigers take on Pathfinder in the semfinals this weekend!
See attached flyer for information regarding the cooperative swim team with WHS.
Please see the attached flyers regarding the English Learners Parent Advisory Council regarding meeting dates and other important information.
📣Calling all Teachers, Staff, and PTOs of the Westfield Public School District:
Our 2022/23 Grant Application is posted on our website, and officially OPEN for submission!! We are so excited to be back from the COVID shutdown and are thrilled that we are able to offer this program once again.🍎✏️🎓📚
Grants of up to $1,500 will be awarded to fund dynamic classroom and curriculum projects. Grants will be considered in all disciplines including the arts, sciences, reading and writing, physical education and social competency.
The link to the Grant Application is below. Should you have any questions, we are here to help! Contact us via e-mail at: westfield.foundation2013@gmail.com
We are looking forward to receiving your awesome and unique ideas for our students!
https://www.westfieldfoundation.org/grant-application
Today, in partnership with the Westfield Police Department, the Westfield Technical Academy conducted an enhanced lockdown drill utilizing some of the principles of ALICE. The drill ran smoothly, and our students and staff did an excellent job! If you have any questions regarding the drill, please don't hesitate to contact me at (413) 572-6533. Thank you, and, as always, please know how grateful I am for all that you do on behalf of WTA!
Tune in this Thursday, October 27, 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 are talking with Andrea Allard about the Westfield YMCA. Thanks for watching!
As part of our ongoing efforts to increase communication with our school community, the district is publishing a quarterly newsletter that will contain updates, important dates, and other information. Please click on the images to view our first newsletter of the school year. Thank you.
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield
Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from
elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our
students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound safety plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing
training for students and staff, both city departments working together will conduct
lockdown drills in our schools the week of October 24-28 utilizing the enhanced
lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and
Evacuate). If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact
Mr. Christopher Rogers, Administrator of Student Interventions and Safety for
the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6397.
Aviation Launch!!!
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, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at https://www.schoolspring.com/jobs/?employer=11953
As there is a growing need for counselors in the state, Westfield Public Schools works in partnership with River Valley Counseling and Rick’s Place to provide additional emotional support for students.
The River Valley Counseling provides four to five clinicians that will come into the school buildings for entire days. This meets the need of about 52 referrals that came in this month so far.
Currently, there are about 36 counselors that focus on social and emotional learning, plus academics and careers. With River Valley Counseling’s partnership with the school district, adjustment counselors are allotted more time to work with more students in small groups, enter classrooms, and do social-emotional learning with a whole class.
As a result of the pandemic, students’ mental health has become more evident in a school setting. “If a student isn’t in a good place mentally then it is a barrier to learning. They really may have something else going on and can’t focus on instruction,” said Westfield Public Schools superintendent, Stefan Czaporowski. “We need to really help them to be prepared and successful in a school environment.”
For adolescents and families that may have lost a loved one due to the pandemic or another cause, Rick’s Place helps with their grief. “The counseling students receive can continue through school vacations and through the summer to carry the progress forward,” adds the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Susan Dargie. However, counseling often takes years to have its desired effect.
River Valley Counseling continuation through summer and vacations would be at the request of parents. Students can also be seen in the clinic. Typically, a student who is referred to River Valley Counseling is already seeing an adjustment counselor, which brings additional support. Sometimes family counseling can also be a result.
“Vast majority of our students are having their needs addressed, but I always think we could do better. Counselor-to-student ratio is a strength of ours,” expressed Czaporowski.
“When we think about educating students, we are educating the whole student and we can’t separate out a child’s brain from their emotions and from their social skills and needs,” said Dargie. “So, we have to look at the big picture.”
For the school to completely replenish from the pandemic, it can take five to 10 years, according to Cazaporowksi, but is certain the vast majority of students will be ok.
A future BRYT program may also be another future development for Westfield Public Schools. This will allow more support for students that may be coming out of hospitalization. “Meeting the need that is needed at that time,” said Dargie.
“We often have students who are really struggling to maintain in the classroom, they really can’t be in that general setting,” explained Dargie. “A program like this would be another space where there is an educator there, but there is also a clinician” (hospitalized for their own safety). With these services, the school district has hopes the mental and academic needs of students will be met.
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-public-schools-therapy-service-partnerships-help-adjustment-counselors-work-with-more-students/
This week has gotten off to an exciting start here at the Academy as our freshman have begun there one week exploratory rotations! Near the end of their one day exploratories, students selected their six favorite shops in rank order. This year, we were beyond pleased that 100% of our freshmen were able to receive their first three choices. They will continue through their one weeks and make their final job selections right before we break for the winter holidays.
We hope to see you there!
If you haven't been able to tune in, catch up on Tiger Talk Live here. And remember, you're in the flow, with Carol, Kev, and Joe!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEGTeKN8paw&list=PLnSwTu8SRtqIA3xtNAnD_rQFSd8aXozvH
GIRLS SOCCER
Westfield Technical Academy 3, Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School 0
Three different players – Iryna Shvyryd, Mia Slack, and Caprice Allen – scored one goal apiece as Westfield Tech shut out PVCICS.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-westfield-technical-academy-shuts-out-pvcics-3-0-more.html
It's that time of the year again. Thanksgiving pies!!!
As always, our Culinary Arts Staff and Students appreciate your loyalty and patronage!
