Back to School 2022
Back to School 2022
Superintendent's Corner
Like so many others in education, I approach each new school year with a renewed sense of hope and possibility. Never has that been more true as we prepare to welcome back our students, staff, and families for the 2022-2023 school year. The challenges and uncertainties of the past few years shook the core of our academic, emotional, physical, and financial health. I have been inspired by the way the Westfield school community pulled together to address those challenges and I look forward to the opportunity a new year brings to refresh and rebuild.
Our longstanding commitment to academic excellence and a safe, inclusive school environment is unwavering, as is our support for the social, emotional, and physical wellbeing of our students, staff, and families. This year, we also turn our attention to the district's Strategic Plan, a thorough and collaborative process that takes place every five years and brings together stakeholders from across the school community to help guide our educational vision for the future.
Additionally, as we seek to expand our programs in innovative ways while attracting and retaining an experienced and caring staff, Westfield voters will go to the polls next April to cast their ballot on a school district budget that will aim to provide creative solutions in a fiscally responsible way.
Clear, accurate, and timely communication is a continued priority as we work together on these important steps forward. Thank you for your support and partnership. We are excited to see the smiling faces of our students on Wednesday, September 7.
Warm Regards,
Dr. González
In addition to The NEWS Letter, there are many ways to keep up-to-date on what's happening in the district, including:
District Website @ www.westfieldnjk12.org
District Social Media
Facebook @westfieldpublicschoolsnj
Twitter @westfieldnjk12
Instagram @westfieldnjk12
YouTube Channel @ Westfield NJ Public Schools
Board Meeting Agendas / Minutes
Board Meeting Live Stream and Recordings
Board Meeting Synopses
Sign up to receive Synopsis
NOTE: While the URL for the district website remains the same, the school website URLs have changed slightly. Please remember to re-bookmark them for your convenience.
Also, if you're receiving an error or security message when trying to access the new website, click "Reload" and/or try clearing your browser cache.
Amanda Alicastro EIS Counselor
Marisa Corrigan RIS Spec Ed
Christina Dengler Lincoln Wrap Coord
Laura Dimmick District Behaviorist
Leslie Eckenthal District Speech
Kristin Fiumara District Behaviorist
Millena Gutierrez WHS English
Abby McCracken WHS English
Danielle Medina Lincoln Spec Ed
Maryanne Molinelli EIS Spec Ed
Katie Myers McKinley Spec Ed
Marta Nimczyk WHS Math
Greg O’Brien Jefferson PE
Amanda Procaccino WHS Art
Carla Rodriques Lincoln Wrap Coord
Annabella Ross RIS Counselor
Jonathan Samarco Wilson Spec Ed
Colleen Spadora EIS PE
Jim Thayer WHS English
Pilar Vasconez Urgiles EIS/WHS ESL
Zachary Worswick WHS PE
The Board held its first meeting of the 2022-2023 school year on Tuesday, August 30. The next Board meeting will be on Tuesday, September 20 in Cafeteria B at Westfield High School @ 7 p.m.
The Board election has been moved from Tuesday, November 8, 2022 to Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Westfield residents also will vote on the 2023-2024 school district budget on April 18. Read more in the June 2022 edition of The NEWS Letter.
We are grateful to our Parent Teacher Council, PTSO/PTOs, and community partners who support our district in so many ways. Click the buttons below to learn more about these organizations, including ways you can contribute and/or become involved. Keep an eye out as well for other school-based partnerships.
From the Westfield Department of Public Works:
As road paving continues this fall, the Town will post updates to the work schedule here, as well as on the Town’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages (@TownofWestfield). Residents can also enroll in email/text alerts at westfieldnj.gov/townupdates.
Please note that utility work detours not specific to paving are sent out via Nixle by the Police Department. CLICK HERE to register to receive Nixle alerts. Details about large scale, pre-planned utility work in Town can be found here.
Prior to the first day of school, please familiarize yourselves with the crossing guard post closest to your walking route. A full list of posts and information about the crossing guard program can be found on the Town of Westfield's website (www.westfieldnj.gov/crossing-guards).
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Summer Scrubdown
STEM Camp
Extended School Year
ELL Summer Experience
GOOD NEWS
Board of Education Names Falynn Balassone New Director of Counseling - Westfield Monthly
New K-12 Director of Counseling - Westfield Patch
World Language Honors - Courier News
WHS Seniors Starting Anew in 2022 - Hi's Eye
COVID UPDATE:
Following 2 1/2 years of contending with the impact of COVID-19, we are looking forward to the start of a new school year that resembles those of the pre-COVID years. The State lifted certain COVID protocols last spring and the CDC has made updated recommendations for the fall. With the exceptions outlined below, the district's approach to COVID will be similar to how we manage other infectious diseases, balancing public health requirements with the need to keep our schools open and our students learning in a safe environment.
We will continue to monitor COVID numbers and keep the following COVID mitigation strategies in place:
TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID
Please continue to report positive COVID results to your school's nurse. Those who test positive for COVID will not be permitted to attend school for 5 days. After isolation, students may return to school on Day 6 if asymptomatic or if symptoms improve. Wearing a mask in school will be required on Days 6-10 for those returning after a positive result. Please use this daily checklist to aid in monitoring symptoms.
Remote instruction/live streaming will no longer be provided while students are in isolation; however, staff will continue to maintain their Google Classrooms for students to complete while they are at home. As always, teachers will work with students to assist them upon their return.
LAYERED PREVENTION
Following the guidance of the CDC, the school district will continue to implement layered prevention strategies to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases:
Staying home when sick
Optimized ventilation
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Cleaning
With the exception of COVID positive cases as described above, mask wearing is optional. Please be respectful of everyone's choice.
August 30 : Board of Education Meeting
September 1: Teachers & Paras Return
September 2-5: Labor Day Weekend
September 6: Staff In-Service Day
September 7: First Day of School
September 26-27: Schools Closed for Rosh Hashanah
September 11 - Patriot Day is a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 in Pennsylvania.
September 15 - October 15: Celebrate the rich history and culture of the American Latino community during National Hispanic / LatinX Heritage Month.
September 17: Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787.
Our Mission
The Westfield Public School District, in partnership with families and community, educates all students to reach their highest potential as productive, well-balanced and responsible citizens who respect individual differences and diversity in an ever changing world.