Westfield Technical Academy

Click below for the Quarter 3 Newsletter from Westfield Public Schools. https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/quarter-three-newsletter/598820

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with students from Munger Hill Elementary School about their new Student Council. Westfield High School Assistant Principal Andrew Joseph joined us to tell us about pi on Pi Day, and Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts staff and students helped us to celebrate the day with some freshly made chocolate cream pie. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtSyZgbck-8

Students in grade 11 from Westfield, MA High School, Westfield Virtual School, Westfield Technical Academy, and St. Mary's High School participated in our 6th Annual Career Fair at Westfield State University this morning. After the event, students were treated to lunch at the Dining Commons on campus. Special thanks to Westfield State University, Westfield Gas + Electric/Whip City Fiber, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and the over 75 businesses in attendance for making this even a success again this year!

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

If you missed this morning's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we had the Westfield Intermediate School Choir on the show. The students sang two songs for us and were also able to help us celebrate National Flapjack Day, with assistance from Westfield Technical Academy staff and students from the Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMyPgAFv0tw

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.

If you know a student in high school who is nervous about what their future holds, whether they’re interested in college or not, have them attend an upcoming career fair. Susan Dargie, Director of Curriculum and Instruction in the Westfield Public Schools, and Stefan Czaporowski, Superintendent of Westfield Schools, are here to talk about the importance of these events. https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/career-fair-for-high-school-students-offers-options/

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!

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, three teams of Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students helped us recognize National Chili Day with an authentic Chili Cookoff. All the students did a wonderful job in all categories. Much appreciation to the students, Chef Eric Rogers, the Culinary Arts staff, and the judges for making this show possible. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy19QsAQaac

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.

Five seniors in the Westfield Technical Academy allied health class of 2024 were honored at a pinning ceremony in the school auditorium on Feb. 16. Each student successfully completed the Nurse Aide Training Program at WTA and passed the state written and practicum exams in June 2023 to become certified nurse assistants. In a traditional ceremony, students Makayla Brazee, Marissa Crepeau, Cheyenne Lamontagne, Emerson Trzepacz and Alexandra Valentine received pins as a symbol of joining the nursing profession. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/02/westfield-tech-honors-nursing-students-at-traditional-pinning-ceremony.html

Schools will be closed starting Monday, February 19, 2024 - Friday, February 23, 2024, for our Winter Recess. Have a happy and safe winter break!

Due to the significant snowstorm being forecast for tomorrow, February 13, Westfield Public Schools and offices will be closed. Thank you.

The U.S. Education Department (USED) recently announced that data from college-bound students’ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will not be delivered to colleges until March. While news of this delay is disconcerting, here is some guidance and information for students and families: Students should still complete the FAFSA. If they are experiencing technical errors, they should be patient and keep trying, especially when it comes to reaching Federal Student Aid (FSA) by phone. Students can also contact their prospective colleges and let them know that they are having problems with their submission. Federal Student Aid continues to correct errors. Anyone who has submitted their FAFSA but needs to make corrections will be able to do so once the FAFSA data is processed in March. National college access organizations are urging colleges and universities to extend financial aid and admissions deadlines in light of the delayed data. Colleges that depend on the FAFSA to make aid offers will most likely be delayed in sending offers to students. However, there is widespread understanding that students need these aid offers to make a college decision. To help families with the new FAFSA, which went live on December 30, the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority (MEFA) is holding several online events, including one on “Navigating the Challenges and Delays of the New FAFSA” for students and families from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21. https://www.mefa.org/events/navigating-the-challenges-and-delays-of-the-new-fafsa?utm_source=DA-Commissioner%27s+Weekly+Update&utm_campaign=deda82ffdf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_02_05_11_56&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-deda82ffdf-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

The mission of the Westfield Public Schools Parent Support Group is to provide opportunities for parents and caregivers to come together and gain information, training and resources. We strive to support strong family units and improve all systems of care for students with special needs through increased communication and collaboration. Please click on the image below for information on our next meeting on February 7 at 6:00 p.m. Thank you.

If you missed Superintendent's Spotlight last Thursday, click on the link below. This week, we had a great show talking about grief and loss with Therese and Betsy from Rick's Place. We learned how this effects students and the supports that Rick's Place offers for youth in our area. Students and staff from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department also helped us celebrate National Dark Chocolate Day with some special treats. Thank you for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dRAZv4FcJA

Good afternoon, We are excited to announce that Westfield Public Schools will again be offering tuition-free, full-day preschool for Westfield residents for the 2024-2025 school year. We will have full-day preschool programs at Southampton Road School, Highland School, Munger Hill School and the new elementary school. If your child will be 3 or 4 years old by September 1, 2024 and you are interested in entering your child's name in the preschool lottery, please complete this form. If you have more than one child eligible for preschool, please complete a separate form for each child. This form will be open through Friday, February 16th at 5:00 p.m. Families will be notified on or before Friday, March 1st. English - 2024-2025 WPS Full-Day Preschool Lottery Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4LKRkI1KcqIrqIcjIuAJh37HXdNN6_8KjaAGaHqvj8v-pog/viewform Inscripción para la Lotería Preescolar de WPS Nos complace anunciar que las Escuelas Públicas de Westfield volverán a ofrecer educación preescolar gratuita de día completo para los residentes de Westfield durante el año escolar 2024-2025. Tendremos programas preescolares de día completo en Southampton Road School, Highland School, Munger Hill School y la nueva escuela primaria. Si su hijo cumplirá 3 o 4 años antes del 1ro de septiembre de 2024 y está interesado en inscribir el nombre de su hijo en la lotería preescolar, complete este formulario. Si tiene más de un hijo que reúne los requisitos para el preescolar, complete un formulario por separado para cada niño. Este formulario estará abierto hasta el viernes 16 de febrero a las 5:00 p.m. Se notificará a las familias el viernes, 1ro de marzo o antes. Gracias por tomarse el tiempo para completar esta encuesta. 2024-2025 Inscripción para la Lotería Preescolar de WPS: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4LKRkI1KcqIrqIcjIuAJh37HXdNN6_8KjaAGaHqvj8v-pog/viewform Мы рады сообщить, что государственные школы Вестфилда снова будут предлагать набор в бесплатные дошкольные учреждения для жителей Вестфилда в 2024-2025 учебном году. У нас будут дошкольные программы полного дня в школах: Southampton Road, Highland School, Munger Hill и также, новой начальной школе. Если к 1 сентября 2024 года вашему ребенку исполнится 3 или 4 года, и вы заинтересованы принять участие в дошкольной лотерее, заполните эту форму. Если у вас более одного ребенка, имеющего право на дошкольное образование, пожалуйста, заполните отдельную форму для каждого из них. Эта форма будет открыта до пятницы, 16 февраля, 5:00 вечера. Семьи будут уведомлены не позднее пятницы, 1 марта. WPSpreschool@schoolsofwestfield.org Спасибо, что нашли время заполнить этот опрос. Реєстрація на дошкільну лотерею: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPN0T8lNFAgvqGks5ZrUsRbW8-45zwAhqEtHhEfSj3JP1K5A/closedform Мы рады сообщить, что государственные школы Вестфилда снова будут предлагать набор в бесплатные дошкольные учреждения для жителей Вестфилда в 2024-2025 учебном году. У нас будут дошкольные программы полного дня в школах: Southampton Road, Highland School, Munger Hill и также, новой начальной школе. Если к 1 сентября 2024 года вашему ребенку исполнится 3 или 4 года, и вы заинтересованы принять участие в дошкольной лотерее, заполните эту форму. Если у вас более одного ребенка, имеющего право на дошкольное образование, пожалуйста, заполните отдельную форму для каждого из них. Эта форма будет открыта до пятницы, 16 февраля, 5:00 вечера. Семьи будут уведомлены не позднее пятницы, 1 марта. WPSpreschool@schoolsofwestfield.org Спасибо, что нашли время заполнить этот опрос. Регистрация на дошкольную лотерею: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPN0T8lNFAgvqGks5ZrUsRbW8-45zwAhqEtHhEfSj3JP1K5A/closedform

Westfield’s public schools are hosting a “Countdown to Kindergarten” information and registration night in the Westfield Middle School cafeteria, 30 West Silver St., on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Families of prospective kindergartners may attend anytime between 6 and 7:30 p.m., and may bring the kids. The snow date is Feb. 8. Assessment and Accountability Director Christine Shea said the district’s goal is to get as many kindergartners registered as possible, to help plan for the 2024-25 school year. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/01/westfield-families-can-register-new-kindergartners-at-feb-6-family-event.html

Please share the brochures with information about the Principal searches at Paper Mill and Westfield Technical Academy so we can get the word out about these exciting job opportunities! https://5il.co/2d6q6 https://5il.co/2d6q7