Munger Hill Elementary School

Happy holidays to all our families! Have a wonderful break and we'll see you on Tuesday, January 2nd.

5 months ago, Alexandra Clines

Our Holiday Recess will start on Monday, December 25. Schools will reopen on Tuesday, January 2. Happy Holidays from all of us at the Westfield Public Schools!

5 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

Our next Principal's Chat will be Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 6pm, just before the monthly PTO meeting. My guest will be Susan Dargie, Director of Curriculum and Instruction. She will be sharing information about the WPS Title One program. Principal's Chat and the PTO meeting are virtual in January. The link is found on the Munger Hill PTO Facebook page.

5 months ago, Alexandra Clines

Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.

5 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

Happy Friday, families! While we don't have any information about the preschool balloting for next year yet, please be aware that Kindergarten registration is coming in February! If you or someone you know has a child who will be starting Kindergarten in the fall (at any district school), Countdown to Kindergarten is a one-stop way to be ready for the new school year! There will be a school bus to explore, give-aways, on the spot registration, and answers to your questions about food services, transportation, before/after school programming and more. Mark your calendars for February 6, 2024 and we'll see you there!

5 months ago, Alexandra Clines

Happy Tuesday! I hope families will be able to join the virtual Principal's Chat tonight (Tuesday, December 5) at 6pm, before the virtual PTO meeting (beginning at 6:30pm) Tonight my guests will be Dr. Christine Shea (Director of Assessment and Accountability) and Kelly O'Shea (Literacy Coach). They will be explaining the DIBELS assessment: what it is and how the results are used to improve instruction for our students. The link to tonight's meeting is posted on the PTO's Facebook page, or you can email me at alexandra.clines@schoolsofwestfield.org for the link. I look forward to seeing you online tonight for Principal's Chat and the monthly PTO meeting!

5 months ago, Alexandra Clines

School principals and business leaders brainstormed about how they can help students prepare for careers at the Nov. 28 meeting of the Westfield Education to Business Alliance. Area businesses have been working with teachers to provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and share information about career opportunities in their fields through the Adopt a Classroom program. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/11/westfield-school-business-leaders-brainstorm-on-how-to-link-students-to-careers.html

5 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

Holi-daze Presented by Mad Science of Western New England and sponsored by Westfield Public Schools Date: Tuesday, December 12th, 2023 Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm Where: Munger Hill Elementary School 33 Mallard Ln. Westfield, MA 01085 Please email Sarah Kotarski at s.kotarski@schoolsofwestfield.org to register

5 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

As I reflect on the many things for which I am thankful, I want to take this opportunity to share just a few of them with you: I am thankful for our students, who come to school every day with such amazing positivity, kindness, and enthusiasm. The give us all a daily reminder of what is important and why we are here. I am thankful for the support of the parents in creating an outstanding partnership for our students. I am thankful for the entire staff at Munger Hill: our teachers, paraprofessionals, assistant principal, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, clerks, therapists, counselors, and maintenance staff. This entire team cares so much about students and keeps what is best for them at the forefront every day. I am so grateful for our entire community and thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I would like to wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!

6 months ago, Alexandra Clines

The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s Share the Warmth Coat Drive to benefit the children in Westfield public schools from pre-kindergarten to grade 12 will continue through Dec. 15. In the spirit of giving, the Chamber is asking for new or gently used winter coats of all sizes. Hats, snow pants, boots, gloves, mittens and scarves are also welcome, along with donations of new socks and new undergarments. Drop-off locations, all of which are in Westfield, include the Chamber office at 16 N. Elm St.; the Westfield schools office at 94 N. Elm St., Suite 101; Amelia Park Arena, 21 S. Broad St.; Shortstop Bar & Grill, 99 Springfield Rd.; Anytime Fitness, 415 E. Main St.; Results in Wellness, 93 Springfield Rd., Suite B; Richard’s Jewelers, 146 E. Main St.; Cannabis Connection, 40 Westfield Industrial Park Rd.; Betts Plumbing & Heating Supply, 14 Coleman Ave.; Westfield Bank, 300 Southampton Rd.; Rehab Resolutions, 1111 Elm St.; and Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport’s terminal building at 110 Airport Rd. School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said he is thankful that the Chamber’s new director Amanda Waterfield and Chamber members are still supporting the coat drive. “I love that the Chamber wants to continue doing this with us, and how the community comes together to support our students. This is the seventh year we’ve been doing this, and we never end up with leftover clothing,” Czaporowski said. The coats and other winter clothing go to whatever school has pupils who need them. He said a lot of the clothing goes to the elementary kids, and adult sizes go to the clothing closets at both high schools. Czaporowski said the schools added snow pants to their wish list this year, because it is one of the items that students often don’t have. “I used to love making igloos. When I would go sit in my igloo, I loved having snow pants,” he said. Czaporowski said schools are seeing the effects of price inflation on some families’ ability to purchase warm clothes for their students. He said the schools will accept both new and gently used clothing, because sometimes kids grow out of their clothes so quickly they do not show a lot of wear. The schools are asking that any undergarments and socks that are donated be new. The clothing is also offered to new families that come to Westfield, some from milder climates. Czaporowski said when a new student comes in, the topic of adequate winter clothing is worked into the conversation. “It’s also good for our recent immigrants to Westfield,” he said. The final collection will take place at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Holiday Breakfast, 7-9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at East Mountain Country Club, 1458 E. Mountain Rd. Czaporowski said the Westfield High School Chorus will perform holiday tunes at the breakfast. For more information or to sign up for the breakfast, visit www.westfieldbiz.org or call 413-568-1618. https://www.thereminder.com/Localnews/westfield/westfield-schools-coat-drive-continues-through-mid/

6 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week we spoke with Devin Streeter from the Gandara Center about all the programs and services available to Westfield students and families. Their Family Resource Center is located on 16 George Street in Westfield, and they can also be reached at 413-417-2020 if you would like to learn more. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1dlbJ4BaVM

6 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

Happy Friday! Next week is a three day week. There is no school on Tuesday due to Teacher Professional Development. There is no school on Friday in observation of the Veteran's Day holiday. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 21, when we will have our STEM Thanksgiving Parade at Munger for students and families! More information will be coming home soon.

6 months ago, Alexandra Clines

If you missed the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with Westfield Technical Academy's School Resource Office Bryan Turgeon about school safety, threat assessments, and our most recent safety drills. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WazZZHC4gIY

6 months ago, Westfield Public Schools

As part of its continuing work with the Westfield Police Department and ongoing training for students and staff, the Westfield School Department will conduct lockdown drills the week of Oct. 23-27, using the enhanced procedures of what is called ALICE, which stands for “alert, lockdown, inform, counter, evacuate.” Christopher Rogers, director of operations and safety, said Westfield has been using the ALICE protocol since 2014-15. “It’s research-based, and it provides our staff and at the upper grades our students the ability to make decisions in real time based on the information they have that is critical to their safety,” he said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/10/westfields-public-schools-will-conduct-lockdown-drills-later-this-month.html