The NEWS Letter
A monthly e-newsletter from
the Westfield Public Schools
Embedded Files
May 2023
Superintendent's Corner
Superintendent's Corner
I love this time of year! There is so much to celebrate. We honor our students for achievements in academics, athletics, the arts, and community service and we look forward to congratulating the Westfield High School Class of 2023.
Wilson's Marie Morris and Franklin's Jesse Rodriguez are this year's recipients of the Rotary Club's Philhower and Steengrafe Fellowship Awards.
We thank all of our educators and support staff for all that they do every day for our students. And we greatly appreciate the special recognition our community partners provide, including the Rotary Club's Philhower and Steengrafe Fellowship Awards, the Optimist Club's Intermediate School Teacher of the Year Awards, the annual awards of excellence for WHS teachers and staff, and the many, many scholarships to support our students. There are musical concerts, Field Days, school gardens in bloom, and lots of activities and reasons to savor the beautiful weather.
Enjoy these last few weeks of the 2022-2023 school year!
Dr. González
Parents/Guardians will be required to complete the August Back-to-School packet of forms before class lists will be released.
Parents/Guardians will be able to use Genesis to report a child's absence.
Intermediate/High School students will receive their own Genesis account.
MORE INFORMATION TO COME
Congratulations to Dr. Bolton, who will begin his new position on July 1, 2023. Read more about his extensive background in educational leadership.
Congratulations to Dr. Bolton, who will begin his new position on July 1, 2023. Read more about his extensive background in educational leadership.
Curriculum Corner
Curriculum Corner
Dr. Matthew Bolton Appointed Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs
Dr. Matthew Bolton Appointed Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Programs
“I have committed myself to ensuring that all students experience engaging coursework. It is my goal to continue enhancing both the daily school experience and learning outcomes of students on a districtwide level.”
“I have committed myself to ensuring that all students experience engaging coursework. It is my goal to continue enhancing both the daily school experience and learning outcomes of students on a districtwide level.”
Dr. Matthew Bolton
FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT
FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT
STEM skills were on display as WHS students in Mrs. Liptack and Miss Nicastro's Earth Science classes designed a building, created blueprints, and completed a structural analysis before testing them against a simulated earthquake, with magnitude (and excitement) building for each trial.
Lots of fitness and fun at Lincoln's annual Tournament of Champions for our preschoolers!
McKinley 4th graders planted a pollinator garden, with the help of Groundwork Elizabeth and a "Kids Dig In!" grant from Union County's "Plant a Seed" garden grant program.
Students in Ms. Czerwinski's science class at Roosevelt conduct a lab to examine whether increased temperatures affect evaporation rates.
WHS seniors in the Math of Personal Finance courses visited Wall Street for a 2-hour guided tour of the financial district. Students interacted with financial professionals, engaged in a stock trading simulation, and learned about the many facets of the U.S. financial system.
Scroll through this photo carousel for May snapshots.
Content-Area Highlights
Content-Area Highlights
WHAT IS NUMBER SENSE?
Within the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) for Mathematics, there are hundreds of skills that students are required to master from kindergarten through twelfth grade.
However, number sense is embedded in all mathematics courses. Number sense is the basic knowledge of numbers and how they work collaboratively. Examples include:
visualizing and talking about numbers comfortably,
composing and decomposing numbers in different ways,
calculating mentally, identifying patterns within different types of numbers, and
relating numbers to real-life questions.
A strong level of number sense increases a student’s confidence in mathematics and encourages students to think through questions in different ways. The foundation of number sense is built during the early grades and continues to develop as a student expands their knowledge of different types of numbers.
Within Westfield, examples of number sense skills can be found in all of our schools.
In kindergarten, students explain strategies used when identifying combinations of five. The teacher highlights strategies for composing numbers in different ways.
In fifth grade, students frequently use fraction circles, number lines, and their own drawings as they develop fraction concepts. Each of these illustrations help students develop their personal understanding of the relationship between fractions.
In seventh grade, students are introduced to percentages and proportional reasoning. Students use friendly numbers (5, 10, 25, 50, 100) to estimate the actual solution as a way of verifying the accuracy of their calculations.
In Algebra II, students expand their world of numbers by including logarithms. The foundational number sense skills acquired earlier are useful as they apply their wide range of mathematical skills to real-world situations.
Number sense takes time to develop. Parents can help develop these skills in their children by practicing counting and grouping objects, building estimation questions into everyday conversations, and talking about the relationships between quantities. Students with strong number sense tend to have a positive view of mathematics as they continue on to higher levels of mathematics.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION
DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION
Heritage, History and Religious Observances for June 2023
June is Pride Month, an annual celebration of the many contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. Established in June 2000, Pride Month is a global celebration with history.com reporting that "Gay Pride events are nonetheless seen as vital protests against repression and isolation" in certain areas of the world.
Juneteenth, recognized annually on June 19, celebrates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, two and a half years after the end of the Civil War. In New Jersey, Juneteenth is observed on the third Friday in June. According to almanac.com, the holiday is also known as "Freedom Day, " Juneteenth Independence Day," or "Emancipation Day." "Local celebrations of Juneteenth often center on family and traditional foods," almanac.com reports.
While the date may vary according to moon sightings in different parts of the world, Eid al-Adha is expected to begin at sunset on June 28. Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, this three-day Islamic observance is marked by prayer, family gatherings, savory meals, and charitable giving.
Board Corner
Board Corner
The Board of Education held a Regular Public Meeting/Reorganization Meeting on May 9. The next regular public meeting of the Board will be on Tuesday, June 13 in Cafeteria B at Westfield High School. The Board looks forward to honoring Spring student-athletes and other student achievements, along with staff award winners at the elementary, intermediate, and high school levels.
To view these and all district policies, CLICK HERE.
At its May 9 meeting, the Board approved for second (final) reading the following policies:
At its May 9 meeting, the Board approved for second (final) reading the following policies:
0144 - Board Member Orientation and Training
2520 - Instructional Supplies (M)
3217 - Use of Corporal Punishment
4217 - Use of Corporal Punishment
5305 - Health Services Personnel (M)
5308 & Regulation - Student Health Records
5310 - Health Services (M)
5530 Regulation - Substance Abuse (M)
7432 Regulation - Eye Protection (M)
7440 - School Security (M)
9140 - Citizen Advisory Committees
Community Corner
Community Corner
We're Hiring!
Check out our Jobs Portal
Become a Substitute Today!
The Westfield Public School District is seeking Substitute Teachers who hold appropriate credentials. The district accepts candidates with a Standard Certificate, CEAS, CE, or a current County Substitute Certificate. The district also is seeking substitute paraprofessionals and secretaries.
The District also is in need of Substitute Nurses, an ideal position for a stay-at-home parent or grandparent who are registered nurses.
Click HERE to learn more.
GOOD NEWS
Westfield Students Learn and Engage with the Help of Community Partners - Tap into Westfield
2023 Graduates: The Start of Something New - Hi's Eye
Westfield Rotary Announces Philhower Fellowship and Steengrafe Award Recipients - Westfield Monthly
Music Honors in the Westfield Public Schools - Westfield Local
Nail Biting Comeback in Girls Lacrosse - Hi's Eye Sports
WHS Student Reporters Receive Prestigious Recognition - Tap into Westfield
Sonal Patel Elected Board President, Three Sworn-In - Westfield Leader
WHS No Place for Hate Committee Members Visit Elementary Schools - Westfield Patch
Two Westfield Intermediate Students Receive Special Recognition - Tap into Westfield
New Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Appointed - Westfield Patch
Board Appoints New Edison Assistant Principal - Westfield Leader (Print Edition)
Annual Women's Tea Receives Special Visitor (and other good news) - Westfield Monthly
IMPORTANT DATES
June 1-2 - District Art Show
June 13 - Regular Public Board of Education Meeting
June 20-21 - Early Dismissal for All Students
June 21 - Last Day for Students
June 21 - WHS Graduation
June 22 - Last Day for Staff
June 27 - Regular Public Board of Education Meeting
Visit the Calendar on the District and School Websites for more.
2022-2023 School Calendar rev 6-14-22.pdf2022-2023 Observances (1).pdfOur 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.
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