Student Information

Administration 

There is one principal and there are three assistant principals in WHS, and each shares schoolwide and supervisory responsibilities. Below are the 2023-24 duties: 

Big Brother Act 

In order to be in compliance with New Jersey’s Anti-Big Brother Act (P.L.2013, c.44), a school district that furnishes a student with a laptop, computer, cellular phone, or other electronic device shall provide the student with written or electronic notification that the electronic device may record or collect information the student’s activity or the student’s use of the device if the electronic device is equipped with a camera, global positioning system, or other feature capable of recording or collecting information on the student’s activity or use of the device. The district shall not use any of the capabilities in a manner that would violate the privacy rights of the student or any individual residing with the student.

Calendar Year 

The student calendar year consists of 181 days of student-teacher contact. The 2023-24 school year calendar can be accessed via the school website here. 

Computer and Internet Use 

Computer and Internet users are expected to exercise the highest standards of ethical, responsible and legal use of the district’s computer network, computers, and technology resources. These resources are a privilege, and the violation of district regulations will result in one or more of the following: 

- Cancellation of privileges for a specified period of time 

- Confiscation of inappropriate software, files, or information 

- Referral or conference with support staff or agencies 

- Financial restitution or restoration of damaged facilities 

Please review the district’s 2361 Acceptable Use Policy for technology   and  7523 School District Provided Technology Devices to Students.

Counseling Services 

Guidance counselors are trained to understand each student as a unique and important person. Counselors can help students in many ways, including the following:

- Choosing courses; 

- Thinking about careers; 

- Discussing grades; 

- Choosing a college, technical school or job after high school; 

- Discussing personal struggles, difficulty with friends or home life, or a personality conflict in the classroom;

- Finding help during a crisis when it feels as though things are not going well;

- Obtaining help with anything that is part and parcel of growing up 

Counselors are available to meet with students routinely throughout the school year, and if students wish to see a counselor during the day they can stop by the Counseling Office before or after school or during a free period to either see if the counselor is available, or make an appointment for a conference as soon as possible. In an emergency, students may see their counselors at any time. Parents may phone or email at any time if they feel the counselor can be of assistance. 

In addition, Westfield High has two Student Assistance Counselors(SAC) assigned to support students in crisis. Ms. Lane-Cruz and Ms. Lopez are located on the second floor. Students can stop by to see either Student Assistance Counselor whenever needed.

Homeroom 

All students are assigned to a homeroom, and they report to that space for 9 minutes each day. During homeroom, teachers distribute any materials or mail sent to students, and take attendance. Students watch the daily Blue Devil TV morning news program together. Students should remain in their assigned homeroom spaces throughout these 9 minutes each day. 

Lockers

Each student is assigned a hallway locker with a combination. If students forget their combination, they can report to the Counseling Office for assistance. In addition, students are assigned gym lockers for Physical Education class; students must bring their own locks for the PE lockers. 

New Jersey’s Youth Helpline 

The New Jersey Youth Helpline, 2NDFLOOR, is a toll-free, anonymous and confidential helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to all New Jersey young people, ages 10 to 24. Youth can call 2NDFLOOR at 1-888-222-2228 to speak with professionals and trained volunteers who listen attentively, non-judgmentally and compassionately to issues and problems they are facing. Visit www.2NDFLOOR.org for more information and try the message board. 

Phone Extensions 

Here are a few of the key phone extensions in the school: 

- Main office: x4500 

- Principal’s secretary, Peggy Hunter: x4502 

- Health Office: x4519 

- Assistant Principals: Mr. DeSarno x4511, Ms. Huynh x4513, Dr. Hynes x4506 

- Attendance office: Bonnie Gara x4509, Jean Kolterjahn x4780 

- Main office: Erin Mone x4503, Caroline Pecoraro x4504 

- Counseling Office: x4532 

- Student Assistance Counselors ***to be updated***

- Child Study Team (CST) office: x6128 

- Effective School Solutions (ESS) office: x6780 

- School Resource Officer (SRO): x4498 

- Athletics Office: x4512 

Resources 

There are many people who can help students throughout the day. Below are some of the most important resources for students in the building: 

Main Office - questions for principal; lost ID card; lost and found; drop-off for a teacher’s mailbox 

Office A - questions for an assistant principal; attendance questions; sign-out for leaving early; sign-in for arriving late; discipline concerns; student club forms 

Counseling Office - meetings with guidance counselor; transcript requests

Library - research support; quiet work spaces; quick-print stations 

Athletics Office - all questions related to participation on WHS athletics teams

Child Study Team Office - all questions related to student IEPs 

School Communication 

The high school will send emails to student and parent email addresses for various reasons throughout the school year. Parents should make sure that the Counseling Office is informed of any parent email address changes throughout the year. Students should check their school email daily.

Grading, attendance, scheduling and student conduct information is communicated through the Genesis Parent Portal.  Teachers may also message parents through the Gradebook module of the Parent Portal.

School Entrance 

Students enter school through the auditorium foyer doors on Dorian Road, and through the parking lot doors closest to Rahway Avenue. Doors open in the morning at 7:15 a.m.

Students scan in upon arrival at the entrance doors. Students must have their school-issued IDs with them when entering the school building.

Student IDs 

Each student receives a student ID and is expected to use it in order to scan into various spaces: the school building itself, bathrooms, the library, resource centers, counseling office and to leave/return for open lunch. In addition, the ID is used to purchase food for those who have “school bucks” accounts, and for those who have free and reduced lunch.  Student who repeatedly do not have their ID cards to enter the building will receive an hour of detention. When students lose their ID cards, they should report to the main office to purchase a replacement for $10.