Upcoming Events
April 6 - 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 provided by SGA and the WHS Morning Show Class
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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New WHS Schedule for 4th Marking Period |
Dear families of Westfield High School,
Across the district, our schools are increasing opportunities for in-person instruction. In viewing the survey results for the high school, we found that 84% of students plan on attending hybrid instruction for the 4th marking period. We are continuing to monitor guidance from the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) to see how we can provide the most in-person learning time as possible. While the CDC and NJDOH have revised their guidelines for schools, at the high school level, the recommendation is still six feet of distancing if the COVID Activity Level Index (CALI) is in the high category. The recommendation of 3 feet of distancing only applies in communities with low and moderate COVID-19 rates. Currently, our region is at the High level.
That said, we are planning for the 4th marking period return of an increased number of students, increasing to 4 days a week, in the hopes that the COVID activity level will improve over the next few weeks. As we have been operating with less than 25% of our school population in-person for most of the year, we plan to phase into 4 day-a-week instruction during the first week of the marking period. Wednesdays will remain fully virtual for all students as we are still unable to have lunch in school and it will be less disruptive to students who have been on virtual instruction all year. There will no longer be an option to attend in-person only 2 days a week after April 23rd.
The transition process will be as follows please see the attached calendar for clarification:
April 5th - Deadline for parents to submit the form to change their cohort
April 13th -15th - There will be an orientation opportunity/tour for freshman students who are attending in-person instruction for the first time.
April 19th - Last day of 3rd marking period.
April 20th - All students who have been attending school 4 days a week in the 3rdmarking period and Cohort B students will attend in-person instruction. Students returning to Cohort A and Cohort C for the 4th marking period will remain remote.
April 21st - Virtual for all students.
April 22nd - All students who have been attending school 4 days a week in the 3rdmarking period and Cohort A students will attend in-person instruction. Students returning to Cohort B and Cohort C for the 4th marking period will remain remote.
April 23rd- All students who have been attending school 4 days a week in the 3rdmarking period and Cohort B students will attend in-person instruction. Students returning to Cohort A and Cohort C for the 4th marking period will remain remote.
April 26th all students will become Cohort D (in-person) or Cohort C (all remote). Cohort D will report to school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The class schedule will remain the same and Wednesdays will be virtual for all.
With the larger number of students attending in person, we will continue to practice COVID precautions such as one-way hallways, staggered dismissals from class, and open windows in classrooms when 6 feet of distancing cannot be maintained. As we continue to make every effort to ensure distancing to limit exposure, close contact is still defined as being within 6 feet for a cumulative 15 minutes over a 24 hour period. Should we be able to lessen the distance between students, please understand that exposure and the resulting need to quarantine will be more likely as students will be less than 6 feet apart more often. Once we have the verified number of students participating in in-person instruction we will communicate additional details as plans develop.
Any changes to learning cohorts must be made on this form by April 5, 2021. Students are committing to hybrid or virtual for the entire 4th marking period.
This plan is contingent on the recommendations of the NJDOH at the time of implementation. We are cautiously hopeful that we will be able to increase in-person learning for most of our school population. While in-person learning this year will continue to be different than it was during pre-pandemic times, we see this as an important step back to regular, in-person instruction.
Regards,
Mary Asfendis
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No Place for Hate Discussion |
Last week, a group of WHS students and staff gathered to discuss the recent marked increase in discrimination against the Asian-American community throughout the U.S. We wanted to share a few quick resources with you that we hope can be of help to you and your families:
Thanks very much,
- Warren Hynes, WHS Assistant Principal, & Kim Leegan, WHS Social Studies Teacher
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WHS Clothing Drive - April 17th |
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WHS Class of 2023 Fundraiser |
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How to Stream WHS Athletic Events This Spring |
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SENIOR CHECKLIST - April 6th 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
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: Order deadline was April 4. Signs will be ready in mid-May. Please email at whsptso@westfieldnjk12.org with any questions.
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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Arts a la Carte - April/May |
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From the Department of Visual and Performing Arts:
Below is the April / May issue of Arts a la Carte
Enjoy!
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Donate to the PTC Scholarship Fund |
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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our PTC and Special Ed scholarship funds. For those who have not yet contributed, there is still time, and we need your support! Donations are due by April 16.
PTC Scholarship Fund
The PTC Scholarship fund was established in 1957 to benefit graduating Westfield High School Seniors who exhibit financial need, academic perseverance and community involvement. The fund relies solely on the generosity of the Westfield community for donations. Your support at any level will be greatly appreciated and will help us to reach our goal of providing over $15,000 in awards again this year. Please help worthy WHS graduates continue to achieve success in college and beyond.
PTC Scholarship Fund - DONATE HERE
Katherine E. Cuthbertson Memorial Achievement Award
The Katherine E. Cuthbertson Memorial Achievement Award was established in memory of ten-year-old Katie Cuthbertson, a Westfield resident and one of the first students to pioneer inclusive education in the state of New Jersey. Although she faced many challenges, including blindness and neurological problems, Katie attended McKinley Elementary School before she died in 1991. Each year the Special Education Committee honors Katie's "pioneering spirit" by giving several monetary achievement awards to eligible Westfield High School Seniors.
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Nominate a Teacher for the Philhower Award |
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Wednesday, April 14 is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2021 Charles Philhower Fellowship Award. The award was established in 1993 by the Rotary Club of Westfield to recognize an outstanding full-time elementary teacher in the Westfield Public Schools and to honor the late Westfield Rotarian and former School Superintendent Charles Philhower. Nominations should specify ways in which the teacher has demonstrated outstanding teaching, interest in children, and continued pursuit of professional growth. The teacher must be a full-time faculty member in grades K – 5 in the Westfield Public Schools for a minimum of five years.
Send a letter stating how your nominee meets the criteria to: The Charles Philhower Fellowship Committee of the Rotary Club of Westfield, c/o Superintendent of Schools, 302 Elm Street, Westfield, NJ 07090 or email to rotaryphilhower@westfieldnjk12.org.
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Westfield Special Education Committee Workshop - April 7th |
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The PTC Special Education Committee, in partnership with Westfield Public Schools Department of Special Services, is hosting an hour-long virtual workshop focusing on mental health essentials for parents and caregivers on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. The "Caring for the Caregiver" program is free and all parents, teachers, therapists are invited to attend. Pre-registration is not required.
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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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As part of its Inclusion and Support Services Monthly Speaker Series, the JCC of Central Jersey is hosting a virtual program on Tuesday, April 6 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at which participants will learn about post-secondary vocational training and supported college program opportunities for people with disabilities. For speaker bios and to register for this event, CLICK HERE.
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The Miller-Cory House Museum is holding “Sheep to Shawl” on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 1-4 p.m. (rain or shine). Participants will see how sheep are shorn and how the fleece is used. Admission is $5 ages 13 and older; $3 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and younger. No reservations are necessary and tickets are available at the gate. Call the museum at (908) 232-1776 or email millercorymuseum@gmail.com for more information.
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The Westfield Memorial Library is holding a virtual Kids’ Poetry Workshop for ages 7-12 on Thursday, April 8 from 7-8 p.m. and for ages 13-18 on Thursday, April 15 from 7-8:30 p.m. Those interested in attending must register and provide an email to receive the Zoom link a few days in advance of the program. Please note that registrants must have a WML card; those who wish to attend who do not have a library card may apply online at https://wmlnj.org/get-a-card/.
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Save the Date. Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss, will host a free, virtual version of its annual Greta’s Run on Sunday, May 16. Register HERE. Greta’s Run was founded in memory of Greta Schoenemann by her childhood friends Ben Nanna and Jayne Ruotolo.
Read more about this inspiring event HERE. The top four fundraising teams will win a Scream Social with the Scream Truck. The private event serves up to 20 people at the team’s desired location.
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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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