Happy Principal Appreciation Day!
All kids ages 4-12 are welcome to participate in POP Club, a fun, free program that encourages kids to discover the abundance of fresh local produce at the market. Kids exercise their own buying power while exploring the market, trying new fruits and vegetables, learning about where their food comes from, and participating in weekly activities.
How POP Club works:
Sign up at the POP Tent on any Thursday between June 6th - August 22nd.
Each time kids attend the market, they receive $2 in POP Bucks to spend on fruits, vegetables, or seedlings at the market.
Kids can choose between spending their POP bucks or saving them for a larger produce item.
Kids can participate in weekly activities like planting seeds, learning about pollinators, movement activities, and more.
https://www.farmersmarketwestfield.org/pop-club-for-kids/
Members of the community are invited to immerse themselves in the work of talented art students of all ages adorning the walls of Westfield High School at “Into the Arts” Saturday, April 27, and then gather in the gym and enjoy student musicians from elementary to high school perform in “Bandtastic.”
Artwork by students in second and fourth grades on up will be on display from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. throughout the school, and at 1 p.m. in the gym, musicians from elementary, intermediate, middle and both high schools will be showcased.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-student-artists-musicians-getting-ready-for-combined-showcase.html
After a process that included a survey of the school community on desired characteristics of a principal and written feedback on meetings with finalists, Westfield Public Schools has announced that Michael Atkins has been offered and accepted the role of principal of Paper Mill Elementary School. He will start on July 1.
Atkins is currently principal of Mittineague Elementary School in West Springfield. Prior to this role, he was an assistant principal in West Springfield for seven years and an elementary classroom teacher for 14 years.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-hires-new-principal-for-paper-mill-elementary.html
Now that the solar eclipsed has passed, Westfield’s public schools are passing on the special viewing glasses to students in South America.
Westfield school district Curriculum and Instruction Director Susan Dargie said the schools are working with the Holyoke Fire Department to collect glasses to be donated to Argentina and Chile, where an annular solar eclipse will be visible on Oct. 2.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-students-will-donate-used-eclipse-glasses-to-kids-in-south-america.html
Mrs. McMillan’s 2nd grade class at Paper Mill Elementary School had their eyes to the sky earlier today as they witnessed their first ever solar eclipse! All students fashioned the eclipse glasses provided by the district. Mrs. McMillan drummed up excitement throughout the day by delivering eclipse lessons and activities as they eagerly awaited the celestial event. Students were talking about it all day saying, “It’s eclipse day! It’s eclipse day!” During the viewing event, students could be heard saying “Whoa,” “That’s so cool,” and “It’s moving!” Students didn’t waste a moment of this experience.
Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield schools, and K-6 STEM coach Lyndsey Ayers, said they are ready to distribute more than 5,700 solar eclipse safety glasses, a pair for every student and staff member in the public school system. Any leftover glasses will be given to the preschools at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club.
“Students won’t get them until Monday,” Cadigan said. She said 3,000 of them were donated from UMass Amherst, and the district purchased the rest. Administrators made sure these glasses have been tested to protect eyes from the intense rays of the sun.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/safety-glasses-pinhole-viewer-project-have-westfield-pupils-ready-for-eclipse.html
Tonight's SEPAC Meeting is now being held virtually only. Thank you.
The much-anticipated solar eclipse is just days away and areas schools are preparing their students to have a front row seat for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“This is called a pinhole viewer…and some classrooms, we provided instructions, so that teachers can create these, and kids can use them and safely view the eclipse with things they have at home,” said Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of Science Technology and Engineering at Westfield Public Schools.
Throughout Westfield Public Schools, teachers have received resources ranging from directions on how to create a pinhole viewer, reading materials, maps, and more. Some of the masterminds behind it are Cadigan and Pre-K through Grade 4 STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers.
“I think students are more excited about learning when they can see something in real life. We’re excited about that real-life experience,” Ayers added.
However, preparations for the eclipse are extending outside of the classroom too. Across the district, after-school sports practices and games have been cancelled so students can take in the eclipse.
To view the eclipse, you need the right lenses to protect your eyes. Elementary school students were given eclipse viewing glasses, but teachers throughout the district had the chance to request them. We’re told the demand was so high that by Monday, the district plans to order and distribute nearly 3,900 pairs about 2,500 pairs were donations from UMass Amherst.
“I hope we inspire the next generation of scientists. As always, we try to create a space where all kids, if they want to be, can be successful in STEM and can see themselves in stem,” Cadigan noted.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/03/schools-preparing-use-eclipse-learning-moment-students/?fbclid=IwAR1lAUd35NgO0rf-OqlCMdx5WBr0Y8gDgwaR-im7MpVClfrp_NcbRewMTO0_aem_AUtfRf3DEHnxeT87bc9iDiYdtPrI8iY9RQl8fnC4CRYKFiYJL5XLsB50hz-u0fQjjidQwBTV9qq_ayNSw1VdGzUQ
A reminder that schools are closed tomorrow, March 29, for Good Friday. Thank you. Have a great weekend!
A HUGE thank you to the Westfield Boys and Girls Club for hosting our in person meet up! Thank you to the staff for making us feel so welcome and for sharing your amazing space with us. WVS appreciates it!
In Massachusetts, students with attendance rates consistently above 95% in pre-kindergarten through grade 3 outperformed students with lower attendance rates during any year between pre-kindergarten and grade 3 on the grade 3 MCAS tests.
Click below for the Quarter 3 Newsletter from Westfield Public Schools.
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/quarter-three-newsletter/598820
Tryouts are currently being held for Gator Swim Club's spring and summer season! Gator Swim Club is a nationally-ranked USA Swim Club based right here at Westfield High School. We accept swimmers as young as 6 years old, of varying ability levels. We even offer a discount for Westfield High swimmers looking for somewhere to train when the high school season ends!
For more information about the club, visit us at www.westernmassgators.com, or follow us on instagram @westernmassgators. To arrange a tryout, contact Coach Tom Avila at (978) 771-0332 or CoachTAvila@gmail.com
Many WPS teachers in grades PK-12 attended the annual Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Spring PD Day at WPI, organized by the Mass Learning Project. Teachers attended sessions that focused on curriculum mapping, collaborating, networking, utilizing artificial intelligence, and helping students solve meaningful problems through authentic skills. Teachers left the day feeling prepared and inspired to continue facilitating applied learning with their students through PLTW.
Thank you to all that attended our Westfield Business to Education Alliance (WE2BA) meeting this week at Westfield Technical Academy. This month, we finalized preparations for our annual Career Expo and Job Fair on March 13, Elementary School Career Days in the spring, and Project Based Learning Experiences for students at our Intermediate and Middle Schools in June. Attendees were also treated to an omelet station provided by WTA's Culinary Arts students. We are very grateful for our business partnerships that offer our students authentic learning experiences throughout the school year.
A reminder that there is no school for students on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Thank you!
Students from Paper Mill, Munger Hill and Fort Meadow participated in a community project, organized by Mona Rastegar, over their winter break. On February 20th, students were invited to meet in the Childrens' Room at the West Springfield Library between 9:00am-11:00am. Students colored cancer ribbons that will be displayed at Cancer House of Hope. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
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, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of February 26 - March 1 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.
Schools will be closed starting Monday, February 19, 2024 - Friday, February 23, 2024, for our Winter Recess. Have a happy and safe winter break!
