Superintendent's Corner

We have a lot to report this month as we continue to provide important updates on the development of the 2023-2024 school district operating budget.  As you'll see below, the dates for a number of remote and in-person community engagement sessions are in place.  These are great opportunities to learn about the proposed budget and to get your questions answered before going to the polls on Tuesday, April 25 to vote on the school district budget.

Our Strategic Planning Council is making steady progress as, with the help of stakeholder feedback and district data, it works to outline what the next five years  should look like to ensure the success of our students.  Read more on the council's work below.

Our students and staff celebrated Black History Month in a variety of meaningful ways, including visits to a "pop-up" museum curated by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield.  As you also will read below in the Curriculum Corner's content-area report (and in this article), the exhibit - "African American History in Westfield from 1720" - provided an extraordinary opportunity for our students to learn about this important aspect of Westfield's past and present.  I thoroughly enjoyed my visit!

Dr.  González

Fourth and fifth graders became history detectives as they hunted for answers to clues about the contributions of local and famous African Americans in Westfield.  Students were also inspired by Isiah Anderson’s documentary shorts on the Black Professional Zone and Brightwood Park.  Tamaques students were especially surprised to learn that Isiah, a lifelong resident of Westfield, attended Tamaques School.  

Seventh grade students applied their historical thinking skills.   Students gathered information from the primary sources included in the exhibit.  Students then compared and contrasted the sources (artifacts, photographs, written documents, maps) to understand different viewpoints of African American Westfielders.  Students engaged in debrief discussions that centered around the essential question; ‘Why is it important to understand multiple perspectives when analyzing artifacts, photographs, documents, and maps at the African-American History of Westfield Museum?’  

High school students approached the exhibit from a historiography perspective, applying their previous knowledge of different time periods in world history and American history to understand more about their towns' role in the larger American story.  Prior to visiting the museum, students reflected on what they already knew about the history of Westfield.  At the museum students engaged in station activities that guided them through six distinct aspects of the exhibit, that highlighted the early days (1720-1800) of Westfield, gradual abolition of slavery, the Civil War period, and the more recent history of the Westfield Community Center, the Black Professional Zone, Black Athletes, and famous visitors.  Students studied census data, evaluated the contributions made by community members, and discussed notable ways in which Westfield honored African American war veterans.  Reflection activities and discussions were characterized by conversations about what surprised, informed, and affirmed the history that they had known about Westfield.  Students also discussed what resonated with them in terms of reconciling our local history with that of the United States.  Students discussed the importance of historic preservation and teaching with historic places.  One class developed arguments for making the museum a permanent installation and expanding it to include the places and contributions of African Americans in Union County. 

All the activities fostered curiosity and enabled students to uncover information about African Americans who lived, worked, and visited Westfield.  Students practiced how to analyze various primary sources, contextualize this information, and discuss their ideas to gain a greater understanding of the American story from enslavement to the present day.

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.