The goal of the interdisciplinary unit was to educate students about the Holocaust, help them understand pre-war Jewish society, how communities have responded to prejudice and discrimination, and consider the  responsibilities of citizens to interrupt the escalation of hate and violence.  The interdisciplinary unit provides a forum for students to participate in a humanities based approach to learning.  Students engaged with topics by reading and discussing survivor testimonies, historic speeches, primary sources, poetry, and art.  

The unit will culminate with a schoolwide assembly at both Intermediate Schools during the month of February.  Students in grades 6-8 will attend Through the Eyes of a Friend, a nationally acclaimed program that shares the experiences of Anne Frank and young people during the Holocaust. Living Voices is an educational theatre company that combines dynamic performance and archival film to bring life to history.  Going forward K-12 Supervisors in ELA and Social Studies will facilitate collaborative meetings with teachers.  The focus will be to consider feedback from students and reflect on the unit, with an eye toward refining the lessons and activities for next school year.

There are monthly committee meetings to review district policies, curricula, finances, and other matters as they relate to the district.  Board members meet with district administration in private session to discuss confidential matters. They attend training, workshops, and conferences to further educate themselves about their roles as School Board members. They serve as Board liaisons to our PTOs and many of our community partners.  All of this while juggling their own career and family commitments.  On behalf of the Westfield Public Schools community, we extend our sincere appreciation to the entire Board of Education for their thoughtful and dedicated service.

Heritage, History, and Religious Observances for February 2023

Schools are closed on February 17 and February 20 for Presidents Day, a federal holiday in recognition of the birthdays of the nation's first president, George Washington and its 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.  Many Western Christian denominations will celebrate Ash Wednesday on February 22, a holy day of prayer and fasting that marks the beginning of Lent.  According to christianity.com, the ashes placed in the pattern of a cross on a Christian's forehead are often prepared by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday, symbolizing "death and repentance."  Lent is always 46 days before Easter Sunday and focuses on "repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration."