Spring break is less than two weeks away, but there's still time to get your mail-in ballot if you act fast! Re-watch this quick video to learn about the deadlines and how to quickly and securely return your ballot once it arrives. If you will be traveling, don’t miss your chance to vote ahead of April 15. https://bit.ly/BudgetandBond-How-to-Vote
Restroom renovations are proposed to update plumbing and electrical systems and improve accessibility. Bond funding, with the help of state debt service aid, makes it possible to address these capital improvements in a timely manner. westfieldnjk12.org/vote
Our students had a wonderful and impactful day participating in Community Service Day. They contributed to our community by making sandwiches, assembling personal hygiene kits, and creating cards for those who need them. Than you to our amazing PTO for hosting this event for our students to make a difference!
A huge thank you to our PTO and families for making Multicultural Night such a success! The evening was filled with delicious food, exciting activities, and captivating cultural presentations. Our students, families, and staff enjoyed a wonderful celebration of our diverse community. It was a truly memorable evening for everyone!
Our schools have served generations of students, but they are showing their age. Learn more about how the bond referendum proposes important upgrades. westfieldnjk12.org/vote
Westfield schools face an increased need for small-group instruction to help students advance academically. Learn how our bond proposals aim to meet these needs and create space for Full Day Kindergarten in this short video. https://youtu.be/OGB4HpmqXL0?si=NeW0fKkDrejh9CtX
Stay in the know! 📨 Dr. G’s weekly Budget + Bond updates are packed with key details ahead of the April 15 vote. Check your email inbox or visit the NEWS section on our website: https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/2106929 https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/2106902
Mrs. Carotenuto and Mrs. Langhart's classes joined forces to explore the exciting traditions of St. Patrick's Day! The students discovered where Ireland is located, learned about its flag, delicious food, and various traditions. The highlight of the day was a special demonstration of Irish step dancing by one of the first graders, after which the students eagerly tried their own dance moves. What a fun way to celebrate!
🎥 Want to understand the details behind our April 15 Bond Referendum? Our video series breaks down the key projects, funding plans, and the process, making it easy for you to stay informed! Watch now and get the full picture: https://bit.ly/Bond-Referendum-Videos
Lots of in-person and remote opportunities through April 8 to learn about the Budget and Bond Referendum! https://bit.ly/WPS-BudgetBond-Engagement
Class 2D published nonfiction books, demonstrating their study of nonfiction writing. Their work included strong introductions, text features, and dedication pages. Families attended a "Meet the Author" event last week to celebrate the students' progress.
The 4-H Master Tree Stewards presented an enrichment program in each of our 4th grade classrooms. The students learned about the nature and life of trees. Students enjoyed learning about how trees grow; how to identify them; and about their importance to our environment. The children participated in a fun and collaborative game to wrap up the experience. Thank you to our teachers for arranging this experience for our 4th graders.
St. Patrick's Day brought a fun and collaborative STEAM challenge to buddy class, 1C and 4C! Students joined forces to design and build leprechaun traps. This hands-on project required them to apply engineering principles, integrate three elements of leprechaun lore, and refine their designs through testing and problem-solving. A truly engaging learning experience!
Read Across America week was made even more special by a visit from 5 WHS athletes! These Jefferson alumni returned to their elementary school to share the joy of reading with our students. They read aloud from several picture books, and their visit was a delight for both our students and staff. We extend a huge thank you to Coach Andzel for organizing this wonderful experience for our students!
Jefferson had the incredible opportunity to welcome author/illustrator David Biedrzycki! Or as he likes to call himself, the Authorator. Mrs. Harrigan has been sharing his books and students were excited to meet him. Mr. Biedrzycki shared his creative process, showed us how he brings his characters to life, and even drew original art with help of students’ input during the assemblies. Jefferson students in all grades were completely engaged and inspired by his energetic, entertaining, and enthusiastic presentations. Thank you to our PTO for sponsoring this program for us!
Mrs. Cardillo's 4th grade class has been buzzing with excitement as they had the privilege of welcoming multiple parents to teach, share, and inspire our students! Last week Mr. Briamonte, a volunteer firefighter for Scotch Plains, who taught us life-saving lessons on emergency preparedness. Mr. Glyn, the President of Uncanny Brands, who motivated the students with a powerful message: the work we do in the classroom today is shaping the future we will create! Thank you to our parent presenters for enriching our student learning experiences.
Our students were able to experience the SkyDome today. The SkyDome is a portable and inflatable planetarium. The excitement began as students entered the dome through a tunnel. Once inside the dome, students explored our galaxy and learned about the constellations of stars that we can see on a clear night. After that, student jaws were dropping with fascination as they saw our solar system up close and learned exciting facts about each planet. Thank you to our PTO for sponsoring this enrichment program for the students.
Maud Dahme, a Holocaust survivor and educator, visited Jefferson to speak with our 5th graders. The students have been learning about the Holocaust and reading Lois Lowry's historical fiction novel , Number the Stars. As Mr. Latessa said when introducing Ms. Dahme, “For all the lessons that Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Bowers, Mrs. Amadeo, and I teach in class, today those lessons come to life in a firsthand account from somebody who was there.” Ms. Dahme’s story reveals the tragedy of the Holocaust and the importance of being an upstander for others. The teachers and students were honored to have Ms. Dahme share and entrust her story with them.
Mr. Arak visited with Class 4L to speak about his career and role as an entrepreneur currently working for an online company. At the conclusion of his presentation, students had the opportunity to plan a mind map and think about how they could turn their hobbies and interests into business ideas. Students had fun creating a vision board for their small business ventures.
With the generous support of our families, our Early Act Club collected almost 900 canned food items for the Souper Bowl food drive. The food pantry at Grace Church was restocked. Our students earned a fun Crazy Hair Day this week!
