Upcoming Events
March 1- Wrestling, Girls Volleyball and Gymnastics Begin
March 24 - "I Wish I Knew Then..." Virtual College Panel - 7 pm
March 29 to April 2 - No School - Spring Break
April 5 - School Resumes
April 17 - Clothing Drive at WHS
***DUE TO CURRENT HEALTH ADVISORIES AND CLOSURES, ALL EVENTS AND DATES ARE TENTATIVE- PLEASE CONTACT THE ORGANIZER FOR CONFIRMATION OF EVENT AND DATE***
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PTSO Notes
WHS Counselors Corner
Click here for links to the WHS Guidance Department news and resources.
WHS Hi's Eye
Click here for the WHS Hi's Eye student newspaper and please subscribe.
WHS Morning Announcements
Click here for WHS Morning Announcements provided by the SGA
WHS Sports
Click here for the complete and most up-to-date schedule of games, matches, scrimmages and other sporting events. You can also sign up to receive text alerts, and there is a mobile app available for download. If you see a camera icon, it means it is streaming. Just click on it. PLEASE NOTE – NO SPECTATORS ARE PERMITTED AT OUR ATHLETIC EVENTS YET!
WHS Emails
Click here for a link to the Principal's Updates and emails sent out by WHS .
WHS Community Flyers
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Make Up Session for Undergraduate Yearbook Photos |
Dear Parents,
The final make up sessions for undergraduate Yearbook portraits is on March 12 (2:30-4:55 PM) and March 15 (11:35- 3:55 PM). Please click here for instructions and the link to make an appointment.
Portraits will be in The Student Center (across from the cafeteria). Please enter from the parking lot door entrance.
We are trying very hard to accommodate students who missed sessions due to weather, quarantine, or schedule conflicts. These are the final days that the photographer can be available prior to our publishing deadlines.
Sincerely,
Paulette Del Rosso
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"I Wish I Knew Then..." College Panel - March 24th |
Join a virtual panel of current college students as they discuss advice and information on how to navigate your college years after WHS. The event will be on March 24th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Please sign up here and a link to the panel will be emailed on March 24th by 6:45pm. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP WITH YOUR STUDENT'S SCHOOL ISSUED EMAIL - that email address cannot receive outside emails. This panel is geared towards Senior and Junior WHS students and their parents.
This is a wonderful way for seniors to hear important information life at college from current students. Sign up for a link to the virtual panel and submit a question for our panelists.
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No Place for Hate Community Book Read
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How It Went Down, a 2015 Coretta Scott King Author Honor book written by Kekla Magoon, presents a relevant and timely account of the race-related violence that is all too common in the United States today. Her narrative, told from various points of view, centers on the fatal shooting of Tariq Johnson, a black, 16-year-old boy, by Jack Franklin, a white gunman, and the impact that Johnson’s death has on the people around him. The book presents this incident from various points of view and sheds light on the many different ways in which we view one another.
Westfield High School’s No Place for Hate Committee invites WHS students, faculty, parents and community members to join us for a community discussion on this layered and influential story on Thursday, March 25 from 7-8:30 p.m. Magoon’s novel offers the opportunity for an informative and worthwhile dialogue on race relations in society and how we as people can work toward establishing a more unified and tolerant school, community, and country - and we hope that you will take part and join us.
If you would like to take part, please RSVP via this Google Form. All who are taking part are welcome to request a copy of the book for free. The Westfield Education Association will cover the cost of a book for all who are interested, and the books will be purchased from the Town Book Store. If you’re interested in a complimentary copy, please RSVP by Friday, March 12. We will contact you when your book is in stock so that you can stop by the bookstore to pick it up. If you prefer to get your own copy, no worries at all - either way, we will discuss the full book during our discussion.
On the 25th, we will gather virtually via Google Meet. The link for the book discussion is https://meet.google.com/qah-qecr-fmz?hs=122&authuser=0 and, if needed, the dial-in number is 617-675-4444 (PIN: 208 066 065 4873#). We hope to see you there to discuss this book and the vital themes and issues it brings to light.
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Join the WHS PTSO Board for the 2021-2022 School Year! |
Please consider being part of the process that helps enhance the educational experience for students and encourages communications between WHS and parents.
The WHS PTSO Board is looking to fill the VP of Communications, Vice President 2 and Assistant Treasurer positions. No experience is necessary but familiarity with Constant Contact is a plus for the VP of Communication position and familiarity with Membership Toolkit is encouraged for the Assistant Treasurer position. Candidates must have a student enrolled at WHS for the 2021-22 school year and be able to attend PTSO Executive Board meetings at the school one morning each month during the school year.
To apply, submit your full name, address, email, phone and why you wish to be considered to Monica Bergin at whsptso@westfieldnjk12.org by March 10, 2021.
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PSAT Offered for 10th Graders on April 17th |
Parents of tenth grade students:
In order to give our sophomore students an opportunity to take the PSAT this year, we have arranged to give the PSAT 10 on SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021.
Some details:
· Registration will be completed on line at regismart.net. Directions are linked here. Have your student’s ID number and (if applicable) their approval number for College Board accommodations handy when completing the process. Be reminded that we can only provide accommodations that have been preapproved by the College Board for PSAT/SAT/AP testing dates. If you have any questions regarding this, contact your student’s case manager or guidance counselor.
· Registration closes 11:59 pm 3/12/21. Once online registration closes, we cannot take any additional students.
· Testing is open to any current tenth grader whether they were or weren’t registered for the fall test. This test date is NOT open to students of other grade levels.
· This test does NOT take the place of the 11th grade PSAT/NMSQT. Students wishing to qualify for National Merit based scholarships must test in the fall as Juniors.
· This test is in no way required, nor is it sent to colleges, it is a practice test. The test assumes knowledge of Algebra 2 content.
· If we must postpone the test for any reason, we have planned a make-up date for the next weekend. (Saturday, 4/24)
Students:
· will be asked to fill out a Google Form/COVID Questionnaire in the morning before arriving for testing. The link will be sent Thursday of test week but will not be active until late the night before the test to avoid filling in the form too early. The Genesis form will not be available for use. Student who are ill should stay home. All normal COVID precautions will be in effect during testing.
· will be asked to arrive between 7:15 and 7:45 am at the back door closest to Cafeteria B to check in and receive room assignments. Students who arrive late may not be able to test. There is no make-up date for individual absences.
· are typically done with testing by about noon when testing without extended time.
· will get their scores electronically through the College Board. According to their website: “PSAT 10 scores are typically available online 4–6 weeks after the test administration” Any questions regarding attaining scores, at that time should be addressed to the College Board.
If you have any questions regarding registration or the way the day will run, please contact me.
Thank you for your patience during complicated time.
Mr. Maruschak
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WHS Counseling Department Presents College Admissions in The New Roaring 20s - March 16th
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This past year has dramatically changed the college admissions process and it appears that the changes will continue. The WHS Counseling Department is pleased to be partner with Collegewise for an admissions panel discussion on March 16th at 7 pm with five prominent universities to review what in the world happened in college admissions in 2020 and what we can expect for the rest of this decade. The panel will include representative Rutgers University, George Washington University, Colgate University. Purdue University and The College of William and Mary.
To register, go to:
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WHS Portrait Update - Seniors |
Senior Parents,
If your child missed their senior portrait or would like a retake, please call Normandy Studios for an appointment. Retakes must be completed by February 26th.
When you make the appointment, please clarify any requirements for a retake, such as a fee or return of any portraits.
Normandy Studio
400 Corporate Court, Suite F
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-755-0431
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Gearing up for Scheduling
As we approach the end of February, we are looking forward to our annual individual meetings with each of our students to discuss their course requests for the 2021-2022 academic year. Teachers are currently working on making their recommendations for each child’s next course. On February 19th you will receive an email notifying you that the portal is open for you and your child to review the recommendations and make additional elective course requests via the portal. The portal will open from February 19th through the 26th for you to submit these requests.
All students will receive an email from their Guidance Counselor NO LATER than Thursday, FEBRUARY 18th with a date and time for a 10 minute meeting to review and confirm their course selections. These meetings will be scheduled from February 24th through March 5th and will occur during your child’s English class. If a student misses their meeting, they will be contacted directly by their counselor to set up an alternative appointment time.
If you or your child have ANY questions regarding courses choices or class options, please reach out to your child’s Guidance Counselor prior to February 24th. If you have any questions about the recommendation in the system for any course, please contact your child’s classroom teacher who made the recommendation.
We are looking forward to introducing this new streamlined scheduling process. We are hoping that it sparks interesting and meaningful conversations at home regarding your child’s interests and goals, and that we can work together to review the requests and selections in a holistic, student-centered way. Please make sure to review all emails and notifications coming your way about this very carefully!
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SENIOR CHECKLIST - March 1st Update
This checklist will be updated regularly.
Yearbook:
The 2020-2021 yearbook is for sale!
Pricing:
Yearbook Offer & Campaign Dates:
Feb 13 - May 29 - $115
NEW!
Other Photos: Click here to upload photos to be used in the yearbook. Photos can be of school events, vacations, weekends, basically any memory of the 2020-2021 school year that you would like to see in the yearbook. Please name people in the photo. All Grade Levels are welcome to submit photos. We cannot guarantee that all photos will make it into the book, but we will do our best!
NEW!
Senior Graduation Lawn Signs: What a great way to celebrate your graduate and support WHS! Signs are 2 feet by 4 feet and come with metal lawn stakes, personalized with the graduate's name or no name. Signs will be available for purchase on the Class of 2021 store on the MobileArq app or online at http://mobilearq.com/schooldirectory/. Ordering will be in the spring and more info will follow.
Prom: Tentative date: Saturday, June 5th at 6 pm if possible. Prom tickets will go on sale in the spring. Detailed information will be provided in May.
Graduation: Tentative date: Wednesday, June 23rd at 3 pm if possible. Open seating with no tickets needed for outside ceremony. If inclement weather, ceremony will be inside and tickets will be required. Detailed information will be provided in May.
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WHS Yearbook On Sale and Open for Submissions from All Grades |
The yearbook website allows all grades to upload a candid pictures. Since the photographer cannot come to school we are really going to be relying on students to submit photos on their own to be included.
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The 2020-2021 yearbook is for sale!
Here is the link to order:
Pricing:
Yearbook Offer & Campaign Dates:
Feb 13 - May 29 - $115
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WHS PAL Tutoring - Wednesdays 4 -5:30pm |
Dear WHS community,
When students gathered in school for PAL Tutoring over the years, they knew they could count on three things: support with schoolwork, friendly interactions, and slices of pizza. Since March, our virtual PAL sessions have had the first two, but have lacked the pizza. We’d like to change that, and here’s how: For every four PAL sessions a student attends, a large cheese pie will be delivered to that student’s home on a day of the student’s choosing. We’ll keep good records, and we’ll make sure students get the pizzas they’ve earned, either through visiting PAL for extra help, or by supporting PAL as a tutor. We meet virtually on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m., and the meeting link is below. We hope to see you there, and hope you have a great week.
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Community Input for Superintendent Search |
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At the January 19 Board of Education virtual meeting, Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan announced that she will retire as of July 1, 2021. On February 4, the BOE appointed the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) to conduct the national search for a new superintendent. Community input on the superintendent search is very important. Your responses to the Community Survey will be used to develop and shape interview questions and candidate review documents. Your responses are anonymous and will be compiled by NJSBA. Thank you for taking time to assist us in the search for a new educational leader of our schools!
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Not My Kid: A Father-Son Parent Program on March 10th
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Please join the Municipal Alliance of Westfield along with the Albert Anthony Kayal Foundation (AAKF) and the Matthew Thomas Toriello Memorial Fund (MTT Memorial Fund) on Wednesday, March 10th from 7 pm to 8:30 pm for the virtual program: Not My Kid: A Father-Son Parent Program with Stephen Hill of Speak Sobriety and his father, Kevin Hill. Stephen worked with Westfield High School students this past October in celebration of Red Ribbon Week and he is excited to return to Westfield to work with parents this spring. Please register to join this important community conversation by clicking on the link below:
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Westfield Special Education Committee Event - April 7th |
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MENTAL HEALTH ESSENTIALS FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS:
CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER
Presented By: Eva Brown - Effective School Solutions (ESS)
When: Wednesday, April 7, 2021
Time: 7:30PM
Where: Virtually on Zoom by clicking on the below link:
Sponsored By: PTC-Special Ed. Committee & Westfield Special Services Dept.
Caring for a loved one can bring strain on even the most resilient people. This workshop assists caregivers in identifying signs and symptoms of caregiver stress, as well as teaching steps caregivers can take in order to preserve their own health and well-being.
We are pleased to welcome Effective School Solutions (ESS), which currently partners with the Westfield Public School district at the high school and intermediate school levels to help implement culturally inclusive mental health programs that improve care, strengthen outcomes, and maintain students in-district.
This program is free, and all parents, teachers, and therapists are invited to attend.
Pre-registration is not required. The meeting will take place virtually on Zoom, on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, from 7:30pm to 8:30pm - details above.
Sponsored by Westfield PTC-Special Ed Committee. Contact us for more info.
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WHS Seniors: Scholarship Applications Available |
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The Westfield PTC-Special Education Committee sponsors two Scholarships — the Kathryn Brennan Memorial Award and the Katherine E. Cuthbertson Memorial Achievement Award. These funds provide scholarships to graduating Westfield High School seniors. Scholarship applications are now being accepted.
Eligibility information and application forms can be found on our website:
*** APPLICATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY APRIL 7, 2021 ***
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The virtual program “will leave participants reconnected to the power of the mind combined with practical daily strategies that will empower them to better navigate this experience so they stay healthy.”
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The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Westfield has extended the sale of its “Hate Has No Home Here” lawn signs. Proceeds will sustain the organization’s scholarships and community activism. Visit mlkwestfield.org to learn more.
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The Westfield Mental Health Council has created a website with important resources that may help families navigate their child’s return to school. The website, which includes COVID-related information, can be accessed at www.westfieldnj.gov/mentalhealthcouncil.
A link to the Westfield Mental Health Council website also is posted on the district’s School Reopening/COVID-19 Information page at www.westfieldnjk12.org.
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As part of the Westfield Public School District's new website, there is a Community Flyers section under the Family Resources tab. Here you will find information about upcoming events sponsored by non-profit organizations in the community. The events will also continue to be included in the newsletter along with links to click for specific details. |
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Editor: Josephine Stack
E-mail deadline for the Monday Issue of WHS PTSO Press: Friday at 12 noon.
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