Westfield Virtual School

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

Dear WVS Students & Families, WELCOME BACK! We will be sending more information home to you regarding the upcoming MCAS examinations in our next newsletter. We hope everyone had a safe and relaxing vacation. Thanks, The WVS Team

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.

Dear WVS Students & Families, As we approach February Break, I wanted to wish everyone a restful and safe week! When we return, the MCAS examinations will be upcoming and we will again be sending out communication(s) regarding the schedule and other pertinent information. Thanks! Dr. O.

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

Dear WVS Students and Families, February 6-10 is National School Counseling Week. This celebration is intended to highlight the impact that school counselors provide through their work in helping students succeed. Counselors focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. They are a valuable part of our educational team. They support students, teachers, and parents by helping to create more positive school experiences for our students. We love our counselors Mrs. Berchulski and Mrs. Keefe because they always support all of our wonderful students in every way they can, and often they go above and beyond for us! We appreciate you both very much! Thanks! Dr. O.

Hello WVS students and Families, Due to the school closure, our Yoga Meet & Greet has been canceled. We will keep you posted on a re-schedule date. STAY WARM EVERYONE! -Dr. O.

Dear WVS Families and Students, Remember tomorrow is our in-person Yoga meet up here at the WVS offices from 1:00pm-2:30pm. We hope to see everyone! Thanks! Dr. O.

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

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

Dear WVS Students and Families, Our next In-Person Meetup, which was scheduled for January 27th, has been POSTPONED until February 3, 2023. The meetup will take place at our Fourth Floor of the Westwood building location from 1:00-2:30pm on 2/03/23 For this meetup, we have a special guest from Westfield Yoga Center to lead a yoga activity! Anyone that participates is welcome to bring a towel or yoga mat if you have one, but this is optional and there is no requirement to bring anything. -Dr. O.

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

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.

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/