Student Information

Administration 

There is one principal and there are three assistant principals in WHS, and each shares schoolwide and supervisory responsibilities as listed below: 

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 2025-26 school year calendar can be accessed via the school website here. 

Common Lunch

Common Lunch is designed to give you flexibility during the school day while supporting your academic and personal growth. This time is dedicated to eating lunch, attending teacher office hours, participating in science labs, joining clubs, or simply taking a break. It’s your chance to be responsible for your time, get involved in school activities, and take advantage of the opportunities available to you at WHS.

General Expectations

• Students must remain on the first floor during the lunch period unless they have a scheduled reason to be elsewhere.
  
  

• The second and third floors are restricted to: 

  • Scheduled Science Labs

  • Scheduled Office Hours

  • Scheduled Club Meetings

  • Quiet Study in the Library

Approved Eating Locations

• Cafeteria A

• Cafeteria B

• Student Center

• Nelson Courtyard

• Main Gym 

• Breezeway

Food Stations/Hours

• • Cafeteria A/Common Lunch

  • Cafeteria B/7:15 AM - 2:00 PM

  • Student Center/7:15 AM - 12:00 PM

  • Kiosk Locations: Breezeway/Student Center

Check-In Requirements: Students must check in when reporting to the following locations:

• Science Labs

• Classroom Appointments

• Library/Media Center

• Club Meetings

• Office Hours  

Open Lunch 

Eligible 11th- and 12th-graders can leave the campus for lunch; this is commonly known as the district’s Open Lunch Policy. The open lunch code of conduct features the following guidelines: 

1. Juniors and seniors will leave campus only during the common lunch period; 

2. Students will return punctually to class after the lunch period through the designated doorways; 

3. Students will demonstrate respect for classes in session by not making a disturbance when leaving or returning from lunch; 

4. Students will scan their ID cards when leaving and upon re-entry to school and will be prepared to show their ID card at any time; 

5. Students will demonstrate good citizenship by not loitering or littering while off school grounds; 

6. Students will obey all state laws governing the safe operation of an automobile; 

7. Students will not transport or promote the leaving of school grounds by ninth- or tenth-graders; 

8. Students will not engage in any behavior that is harmful to themselves or others, and will adhere to the Code of Conduct. 

Revocation of Open Lunch Privilege 

Students in Grades 9 and 10 who violate the Open Lunch Policy will receive severe consequences, and they may jeopardize their ability to take part in Open Lunch during grades 11 and 12. 

Students in Grades 11 and 12 who violate the Open Lunch Policy will receive the following consequences: 

• For the first violation, students will be restricted during lunch period and all free periods for 10 school days and will receive a Saturday detention. Parents will be contacted. 

• For the second violation, the penalty above will be doubled. Parents will be contacted. 

• For the third violation, the pupil will lose Open Lunch privileges for the remainder of the school year, plus a two-day, out-of-school suspension for willful disobedience. Parents will be contacted. 

• For subsequent violations, juniors will lose Open Lunch privileges in their senior year. Both juniors and seniors may face additional suspension for willful disobedience. 

All Pupils: 

• There will be an automatic and permanent revocation of Open Lunch privileges for one year from the time of the infraction for any pupil returning to school in possession of, or under the influence of, alcohol or controlled substances. Students in grades 9 and 10 will forfeit the Open Lunch privilege in their junior and senior years. 

• Students in grades 10 and 11 who have outstanding detention hours and do not serve such hours by the designated deadline, announced during each school year, will forfeit the Open Lunch privilege during the following school year.

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 during a flex period or during common lunch to 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 School 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.

Flex Periods

Students who do not have a scheduled class during a period will be assigned to a Flex period.  Students will report to their assigned location for attendance purposes.  If they need to visit another location such as the library, resources centers or offices, they will scan in and out of these locations.  Attendance in Flex Period is mandatory(during blocks 2-5 and whenever the student is present in the school building) and unexcused absences may result in the same consequences as class cuts.   

Homeroom 

Homeroom takes place during period 1 on A, B, and C days. On D days, homeroom takes place during period 4.  All students are assigned to a homeroom and they must report each day. Students who have a flex period during the first block must report to school on time for homeroom. 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. 

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. 

Office Hours

All teaching staff will hold office hours throughout the week during the common lunch.  Teachers' office hours and locations will be posted in their classrooms and on their Google Classrooms.  Office hours are an opportunity to meet with teachers for extra help. 

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. Curtis x4506, Ms. Huynh x4513, Ms. Spring x4511 

- Attendance office: Bonnie Gara x4509, Jean Kolterjahn x4780 

- Main office: Erin Mone x4503, Caroline Pecoraro x4504 

- Counseling Office: x4532 

- Student Assistance Counselors: Ms. Lane x4535, Ms. Lopez x6162

- 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 questions 

Counseling Office - meetings with counselor; transcript requests

Library - research support; quiet study space; 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 Genesis Portal.

School Entrance 

Students may arrive at Westfield High School no earlier than 7:15 am.  

• 7:15 am - Rear Entrance will be open for student scanning and both cafeterias will be open for students and will be serving breakfast

• 7:30 am - Auditorium and Breezeway Entrances will also be open for student scanning

• 8:00-8:54 am - Rear Entrance will be only open door for student scanning

Students arriving after 9 am must use the main entrance and check in through Office A