Westfield High School

Click on the link below for the latest edition of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we talked about the new IEP and more with our Special Education Leadership Team. We also celebrated National Angel Food Cake Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np4jTwSqU8k

Click on the image below for more information about the 16th Annual Westfield Scout Expo being held on Saturday, November 9. Thank you!

October is National Principals Month, and we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the amazing principals who lead our schools. Their dedication, passion, and commitment shape the educational experiences of our students and foster positive school cultures. Every day, our principals inspire teachers, staff, and students to strive for their best. They navigate challenges with grace and create environments where every student can thrive. This month, join us in recognizing and thanking these remarkable leaders. To our wonderful principals, thank you for all that you do. Your leadership and tireless efforts make a profound difference. Let’s all take a moment to #ThankAPrincipal and show our appreciation for their invaluable contributions to our schools and communities.

Students are “all in” the new criminal justice vocational program at Westfield High School. Asked what she likes best about it, senior Kamaria Eddington said, “It’s all hands-on — how we’re all so ‘in it.’” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/10/criminal-justice-students-all-in-for-westfield-high-career-education-program.html

October is WHS College Month! College Night: 10/16 6-7pm @ WHS Auditorium https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/whs/article/1791445 Join us for an informative session on the latest trends in college admissions. College Fair: 10/22 9:15 - 10:50am @ WHS Gym https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/o/whs/article/1791585 Discover a world of opportunities, meet representatives from 100 esteemed universities, and gain valuable insights to shape your academic path and future career.

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 emergency operations plan. As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of October 15-18 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, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495.

Rain in the forecast may have stopped some people from attending the Big E on Sept. 26, as the fair only managed 48,078 admissions, far short of the pleasant-weather standard. But on Salute to Westfield Day, it couldn’t keep several city residents from making the short trip to the West Springfield fairground to see their exposition favorites, like the Avenue of States. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/westfield-residents-enjoy-food-business-sightseeing-on-citys-day-at-big-e.html

If you missed the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with school nurse Liz Flaherty and Athletic Director Greg Vouros about concussions since National Concussion Awareness Day is on Friday, September 20. In this episode, we learn about symptoms, long term effects, concussion protocols in our athletic programs, and more. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BGXHNp4zB8

School administrators and a handful of varsity tennis players were the first to walk the tennis courts at Westfield High School on Friday morning, Sept. 6, after the students cut the ribbon on the new facility. The courts were designed by SLR International Corp. and built by Mountain View Landscapes in Chicopee, which specializes in sports facility construction. Present at the ribbon cutting were architect Kevin Fuselier of SLR, and Sean Corrigan from Mountain View. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/growing-tennis-teams-at-westfield-high-school-cut-ribbon-on-1m-new-courts.html

If you missed the season premiere of Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we chatted with Principal Charles Jendrysik about some of the capital projects at Westfield High School over the last year, free SAT prep classes, and more. We also celebrated National Cheese Pizza Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program. Superintendent's Spotlight airs weekly on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, wstfieldtv.org, and WCPC TV Channel 15. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXxK14ZjIGw

A Westfield High School student has been putting together care bags for both western Massachusetts troops and veterans for the last few years and, for her senior year, she’s at it again and is adding a little extra effort. “Getting to hear each and every one of their stories, the ones that have kids that they’re leaving at home, and I just wanted to make that somewhat easier for them,” said Westfield High Senior Jillian Battles. Since eighth grade, Battles has been determined to give Massachusetts veterans and soldiers deployed overseas care bags to make sure they are well taken care of. For each of the last three years, she has put together 800 of those for the same groups in western Massachusetts as part of her ‘Bags for Bravery’ project. Now, in her senior year, she’s picking up where she left off. “They’re not really appreciated as much as they should be and so, me as one person just being able to do what I do and then get my school involved, get the community involved and bring all this to light, and to be able to give them the recognition they deserve is truly what matters the most,” Battles noted. Battles told Western Mass News that there are several items needed for these bags, including throw blankets, warm socks, hand sanitizer, macaroni and cheese cups, and granola bars. While not many donations have been collected this early in the school year, Battles is increasing her effort this weekend with ‘Picklefor Patriots,’ a pickleball tournament that will give her a head start in collecting money to buy items that would fill the bags. “Even if they’re not playing, anybody can stop by and bring a donation off of my wish list and they get a free raffle ticket. It’s a good cause and I’m really hoping that will get people out.” Coming from a military family herself, Battles has shown her will to be there for those who are serving or have served in our armed forces and she said the battle will continue, especially when she attends college next year. “Western New England (University) already expressed their support, so I’m super excited for that. I know eventually I’d like to be a doctor, so med school might get a little tricky, but I have no plans on stopping any time soon,” Battles explained. ‘Pickle for Patriots’ will be Saturday at the Westfield Municipal Pickleball Courts. As for donations overall, Battles said they will be accepted until October 31. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/09/05/westfield-student-holding-pickleball-tournament-help-support-care-packages/

If you missed last week's Rock on Westfield with host Harry Rock, click on the link below. Guests Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie talk with Harry about the 2024-2025 school year and more. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLyi7YDDK20

Westfield Public Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Have a great long weekend! Thank you.

Save the date! Westfield High School's Open House will be held on September 12th at 6pm.

Westfield Public Schools is offering Free SAT Prep Courses this fall. Sessions will be held this September at both WHS and WTA. See image for more details.

To emphasize the importance of attending school, DESE's "Power of Presence" initiative asks you to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, writing, etc. to express why you attend school. We hope to hear from everyone:pre-K to adult students, families, school staff, educators, and administrators! Some examples include a short story about your school community, a painting of your favorite teacher, a photo of your classroom decorations, a video interview of your favorite teacher, a song you've been practicing for the school play, a testimonial about a new skill you learned - we are encouraging you to get creative! We will choose one entry to be featured this spring, highlighting you and your school community! We can't wait to see what you create and what makes your presence so powerful. This opportunity is open to all students, school staff, educators, and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes. Deadline: December 20, 2024 To Submit: Complete the Entry Form (with included Media Agreement language) Attach your submission to the form. Deadline is Friday, December 20th, by 11:59 p.m. The creator of the entry that will be featured in the spring will be notified on or before January 10, 2025. https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/attendance/?utm_source=DA-Commissioner%27s+Weekly+Update&utm_campaign=bcd0ba25fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_08_26_08_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-bcd0ba25fc-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

For the first time, Westfield’s public high schools are offering a free SAT prep course through a collaboration with Westfield State University, Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. The classes will be offered in person at both high schools. “This is a shared commitment to look at post-graduation options families have. Colleges are certainly one of them. This will help level the playing field,” said Human Resources Director Michael Morris, adding, “This is an important test for people who want that option.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/westfield-high-schools-to-offer-free-sat-prep-classes-with-help-from-university.html

Thank you to St Joseph’s Church for their donation of school supplies. These supplies will be distributed to our refugee and McKinney Vinto families

Westfield Public Schools is pleased to announce FREE SAT Preparation classes this fall for students at Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. Please click on the image for sign up information. Thank you!

The Westfield High School step up transition program is in its second week offering an opportunity to rising ninth graders to get to know the school, some of the teachers and other students in a smaller, more intimate group setting. “The transition program is a good opportunity for students to get comfortable in a new building and to build relationships with students and staff,” said adjustment counselor Anthony Saccomani, who is in charge of the program this year. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/ninth-graders-get-to-know-new-school-in-small-group-setting.html