December 2023
It is with sadness, anger and frustration that I open my end-of-year holiday message with a report that yesterday, a swastika was found in a bathroom stall at Westfield High School. Principal Mary Asfendis notified the Westfield Police Department and the WHS school community of the discovery of this hateful symbol to reaffirm our condemnation of such heinous acts and determination to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.
Yet, despite the thoughtful and strategic increase in educational and procedural measures we have taken over the past few years in our district, it still has not been enough to fully eliminate this ugly expression of hate. Make no mistake, this is not who we are as a community. And while we will never cease our sincere efforts to fight hate of any kind in our schools, we cannot do it alone.
Each December, as my holiday message, I create a Winter Recess Homework Assignment which reflects on the past year and looks forward to the new year. This year, I've crafted a recess assignment in seeking your continued partnership to rid our community and world of hate so that everyone can feel safe, seen, and respected. This year, I ask that we:
UNITE in our commitment to hold open and honest conversations with our children at home and at school about the impact of hate and the importance of empathy, diversity, and respect.
REFLECT on the root causes of hate and how it affects all aspects of our community as we seek deeper insights and more meaningful outcomes.
CHALLENGE and confront hate and prejudice wherever it appears - whether in word or deed.
As we enter the new year, let us renew our commitment to our shared values and strengthen our bonds as a community to collectively and passionately replace hate with LOVE.
On behalf of the Board of Education and the administration team, I wish you and your family a restful winter recess. We look forward to welcoming our students and staff back to school on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
With gratitude and hope for 2024,
Dr. González
A NOTE FROM DR G ABOUT AI AND EDUCATION
(Co-Authored with ChatGPT)
In the last year, we have witnessed a remarkable advancement in technology, with the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) as another exciting (and somewhat intimidating) innovation in teaching and learning that holds both great promise and possible pitfalls.
As we continue to expand our understanding of AI, it is crucial to recognize and embrace its potential in the realm of education. We also must address ethical considerations and ensure that any use of AI in our schools is done so safely and responsibly. There are understandable concerns about AI as it relates to academic integrity, instances of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB), violations of the student Code of Conduct, and the need for proper disciplinary measures to address infractions.
We recognize that our exploration of AI is just beginning and will be ongoing, but we want to keep the school community informed about the implications of AI in our district, beginning with student learning.
Enhancing Learning Experiences
One of the key benefits of integrating AI into education is the potential to enhance learning experiences for our students. AI-powered tools can adapt to individual learning styles, providing opportunities for differentiation that cater to each student's strengths and weaknesses. This not only helps in improving academic performance but can also foster a more meaningful engagement with the learning process. At the same time, we need to ensure that the integration of AI in our classrooms aligns with our commitment to the success of ALL STUDENTS while addressing potential challenges.
Supporting Educators
Our dedicated educators play a vital role in shaping the future of our students. AI can assist them by automating routine tasks, such as grading and administrative duties, allowing teachers to focus more on personalized aspects of instruction and on maintaining the essential human touch in education. Moreover, AI can provide valuable insights into student progress, enabling teachers to tailor their teaching methods to address specific needs.
Fostering Innovation and Critical Thinking
As we enter a new era of curriculum development in our district, we aim to nurture a generation of students who possess strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. AI can serve as a tool to encourage creativity and innovation, preparing our students for the dynamic challenges they will face in the future job market.
Addressing Ethical and Safety Considerations
It is essential to address ethical and safety considerations, as we navigate the integration of AI. Our school district is committed to ensuring that AI technologies are used responsibly and ethically. We will prioritize transparency in the use of AI to safeguard student/staff safety and privacy, while working to make certain that this powerful tool is not used in a manner that violates the district's Code of Conduct and HIB policies.
Community Involvement and Awareness
To keep the school community engaged, we will organize a series of opportunities to gather feedback and share information with everyone. These experiences will provide forums for parents, educators, and students to learn more about the role of AI in education and to actively participate in shaping the direction of this initiative.
Looking Ahead
The implications of AI in our school district can be both scary and promising. By embracing advancements such as this, we are positioning ourselves to provide a more tailored, innovative, and equitable education for our students. I look forward to exploring the possibilities together and to sharing the district's plans as we learn more about AI's role in shaping the future of education.
Thank you for your continued support.
Dr. G (and ChatGPT)
Our Strategic Plan continues to guide the district's efforts to create a more unified approach to improvement across the district by continually asking the question “How does ____ help us achieve our goals?” We strive to make connections between our work and the Strategic Plan, with a lot of Year 1 activity underway to facilitate those connections. In the new year, we look forward to continuing to share regular updates on what we've accomplished thus far.
We are excited for what's to come in 2024.
WL & ML Program Presentation.CIP Committee.pdfPLEASE NOTE: You may notice references to both Multilingual Learners (ML) and English Language Learners (ELL). The State of New Jersey has recently transitioned to the use of the term "multilingual learners" to better represent the population of students whose native language is not English. The program itself and the educational certification for teachers currently remains as English as a Second Language (ESL).
SUBJECT AREA HIGHLIGHTS
K-12 World Languages and
Multilingual Learning
As we continue to share with you in-depth overviews of a particular subject area, please review this comprehensive presentation of our K-12 World Languages and Multilingual Learning programs. The presentation features the work of Supervisor Enrique Pincay and our dedicated world language and English as a Second Language (ESL) educators. It also underscores the importance of the additional ESL instructors included in the 2023-2024 school district operating budget and supported by Westfield voters last April.
Scroll through this image carousel for December snapshots in our classrooms and schools.
Spotlight on Education tells the district's story in words, pictures, video, and an information series.
The pilot launch of the Visitor Aware visitor management system is in place at McKinley, with early reports indicating that visitors are adapting to the registration/sign-in process and the system is running smoothly. Information about the pilot was included in the Back-to-School issue of The NEWS Letter. McKinley principal Mary McCabe also provided her school community with additional details, including an infographic and FAQs compiled by School Safety and Security Specialist Frank Padovano. The security benefits of this system will be in the ability for visitors to be vetted and registered before they enter our schools. Lessons learned from this pilot program will inform the expansion of the visitor management system to other schools in the district.
As part of Goal 3 of the district's 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, we will continue our efforts to celebrate and raise awareness of the diverse backgrounds of our school community. We look forward to recognizing heritage, historical, and cultural observances, including:
HERITAGE, HISTORY, AND RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January a federal holiday in observance of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The legislation to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was first introduced just four days after his assassination on April 4, 1968. Still, it would take 15 years of persistence by civil rights activists for the holiday to be approved by the federal government and an additional 17 years for it to be recognized in all 50 states. Today, it is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer and improve their communities. (National Museum of African American History & Culture)
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. (U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum)
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES
As December 21 marked the first day of winter, we want to remind you of the district’s Inclement Weather Procedures, which are posted on the district website under “District Information.” Deciding whether to close our schools or alter the arrival/dismissal of the school day based on weather forecasts is an imprecise process. We strive to make the best decision possible, however, based on the information and variables at the time. All staff and families will be notified of any emergency closings via text, email, and voice call. Notifications also will be posted on the district/school websites, on district social media, and on local media sites.
DISTRICT RECYCLING PROGRAM
As part of the district's continued commitment to environmental stewardship and as aligned with Goal 5 of our Strategic Plan to "support a safe, healthy, and environmentally-sustainable learning environment," we have expanded our recycling program to create a more cohesive effort. Each school has received blue recycle bins, placed in cafeterias and multi-purpose rooms for comingled recycling. Smaller bins will be placed in individual classrooms as well.
Our buildings and grounds department has coordinated with the Town of Westfield to schedule curbside recycling pickups. The district also recycles all cardboard at the Westfield Conservation Center. Signage, including the green flyer featured here, provides clear guidance as to what items can be placed in the recycle bins.
We hope that our recycling program, along with other green initiatives and activities in the planning by the District Green Team, will raise awareness among students and staff about the importance of environmental conservation.
The Board of Education last met on Tuesday, December 19 in Cafeteria B at Westfield High School.
The next Regular Public Meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday, January 23.
Region Band and Chorus - Tap into Westfield
Boys Cross Country in Review: An Unforgettable Season - Hi's Eye Sports
Winter Wonders in Westfield - Hi's Eye
WHS Robotics Club Hosts Competition - Tap into Westfield
Giving Trees and Adopting a Family - Hi's Eye
National Letters of Intent - Westfield Monthly
December 22: Early Dismissal
December 25 - January 1: Schools Closed / Winter Recess
January 2: Schools reopen
January 15: District Closed for Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
January 17: PTC Meeting
January 23: Board of Education Meeting
2023-2024 School Calendar2023-2024_Observances__1_.pdfOur Mission
The Westfield Public School District, in partnership with families and the community, educates all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-rounded, and engaged citizens who value individual differences and embrace diversity.