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/
Dates to remember!
10/18/22 - OPEN HOUSE - 6 - 7:30pm
10/26/22 - Half Day for elementary students - Parent/Teacher Conferences - dismissal is at 12:15
Thank you to the Westfield Fire Department for taking the time to educate our children on fire safety today!
Wishing Mrs. O'Donnell a happy retirement!
What’s more synonymous with Halloween than a festively carved pumpkin, all aglow with candlelight?
Hundreds of kids and their families will get the chance to test those creative skills at this year’s PumpkinFest, slated for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, rain or shine, on the athletic fields behind Amelia Park off South Broad Street in Westfield. Now in its sixth year, the event is organized by Westfield on Weekends, and according to Co-President Bob Plasse, more than 100 people volunteer their time to make this event happen.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/10/westfield-pumpkinfest-promises-fun-for-whole-community-next-weekend.html
If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week we talked with retiring Principal Kathy O'Donnell and new Principal Erika Masciadrelli all about the great things happening at Abner Gibbs Elementary School. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi-siN92wgs
Join us this Thursday, October 6, 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 talk with retiring principal Kathy O'Donnell and new principal Erika Masciadrelli about all of the great things happening at Abner Gibbs Elementary School. Thanks for watching!
Soaring News - October 2022
Westfield Public School families may get $30 off your monthly internet bill and $100 off a laptop, tablet, or computer through a federal program called the Affordable Connectivity Program. Learn more & apply! Affordableconnectivity.gov
Help support the Westfield Foundation for Education!
SEPAC Meeting regarding Special Education Programs with Special Education Directlor, Deb Ecker. October 6, 2022 @ 6:30-8:00 - Westfield Technical Academy.
Just a reminder, Calendar Raffles are due Thursday! Picture day is Thursday! Use the QR Code to join our Parents of Abner Gibbs Facebook Group!
Abner Gibbs Soaring News!
September 23, 2022
Title I Family Fun Night - October 4, 2022 - 6:30-7:30pm
at Highland Elementary School
34 Western Ave
Up, Up, and Away!
Presented by Mad Science of Western New England
Email: l.kennedy@schoolsofwestfield.org to register
Internet Safety Presentation for Parents 9/20/22. Presentation is free, but registration is required. Link to register can be found on this flyer. https://5il.co/1i0wm
The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Tuesday, September 20th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in-person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. Theye will be covering the following topics:
Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint
Cyberbullying
Sexting
Gaming
Victim Support
Protecting Against Online Predation
The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer.
The committee working on the new elementary school project with the Massachusetts School Building Authority continued to meet over the summer, and the project is currently on schedule to meet the city’s goal of opening the new school for students in fall 2024, according to a recent update from architect Bert Gardner of Caolo and Bieniek Associates.
The new school, to be built on Franklin Street, will serve students from the area that currently feeds Abner Gibbs and Franklin Avenue elementary schools.
Gardner will be speaking with Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski about the progress that has been made and next steps for the project on the “Superintendent’s Spotlight” radio show, 9-10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, on WSKB 89.5 FM and WCPC Channel 15.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2022/09/westfield-school-building-project-on-schedule-on-budget-superintendent-says.html
Our first PTO meeting of the year is tomorrow, September 13 @ 3:30. Join us in person or via Facebook Live! We look forward to seeing you!
Abner Gibbs Soaring News - September 9, 2022!
Westfield Rental Night - September 8, 2022 6:00-8:00 PM @ Westfield Middle School
This event is not required but a wonderful way to rent from one of our local music stores:
Falcetti Music - www.falcettimusic.com or rentfalcettimusicshop.com
Gerry's Music Shop - gerrysmusicshop.com
Whip City Music - www.whipcitymusic.com
