Upcoming Events
May 18 - 20 - WHS Art Show (virtual)
May 24 - WHS PTSO presents "Just Talk About It" (virtual) -7 pm
May 25 - No Place for Hate book discussion (virtual)
May 26 - WHS Senior Awards - TBD time and location
***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.
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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Senior T-Shirts - Final Pick Up - May 11th |
If you ordered a class t-shirt, your seniors should have picked them up last week with their caps and gowns. If anyone didn't pick up their shirt, Ms. Altieri will have them available for pickup in front of the school tomorrow, May 11. If you have any questions, email her at caltieri@westfieldnjk12.org
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Join the WHS Marching Band |
The Westfield High School Marching Band is seeking students with an interest or background in dance for membership in the WHS color guard. This 25-30 member section of the marching band consists of both male and female students in grades 9-12. Incentives included through membership in the marching band include academic credit (counts as a 10th period class), gym exemption eligibility, and a varsity letter.
The color guard practices after school 3-4 days a week during the fall sports season with practices beginning in mid-August and ending in mid-November. Anyone interested in learning more about the color guard should reach out to Chris Vitale, WHS Director of Bands at cvitale@westfieldnjk12.org or 908-789-4500 x4551.
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WHS Humanities Class Fundraiser |
Students in Mrs. Leegan’s and Mr. Cohn’s 3rd and 4th period Humanities class are selling t-shirts from May 5th to May 19th in order to raise money to buy shoes for children in Haiti. Many children must walk miles to school every day with inadequate shoes. Help buy them shoes and support their education! Visit customink.com/fundraising/whs-soles-for-souls to buy.
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WHS PTSO Presents "Just Talk About It" from Minding Your Mind - May 24th |
WHS PTSO presents Guy Iacono from Minding your Mind on May 24th at 7 pm who will be discussing the signs and symptoms of the mental health issues most prevalent in adolescents through young adulthood, and to know the difference from typical teenage behavior. The Just Talk About It program will last appoximatly an hour following a brief PTSO yearly update. Learn more about Minding your Mind and the Just Talk about it program here.
To sign up for a link to the presentation, please fill out this form. A link will be sent to view the meeting will be send on May 24th. Looking forward ot seeing you there!
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WHS No Place for Hate Committee - Book Discussion |
Dear Westfield Community,
Tell Me Who You Are is a deeply inspiring book, written by Winona Guo and Priya Vulchi, that recounts their experiences talking to people from all walks of life about race and identity on a cross-country tour of America. The book is presented in short two to three page vignettes, comprised from the hundreds of interviews the authors conducted to see how racism impacts individuals and society. The first two chapters focus on race and the lasting legacy of America’s past on the nation today.
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 the first two chapters of this engaging and thought-provoking book on Tuesday, May 25th from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Guo and Vulchi’s book offers the opportunity for an informative and worthwhile dialogue on identity and race 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.
All who are taking part can access the first two chapters in the PDF linked here. The focus of the discussion on the 25th will only be on the first two chapters. We are hoping that enough people will be interested by the content of the book and the discussion that we will be able to have another meeting later in the summer to cover the entire book.
In order to help us plan more effectively, we ask that you please RSVP via this Google Form. This is not a requirement, it just helps if we have an estimate of how many people are attending. Anyone can join the discussion on the 25th whether they have responded or not.
On the 25th, we will gather virtually via Google Meet. The link for the book discussion is https://meet.google.com/uxu-segk-cmq?hs=122&authuser=0 and, if needed, the dial-in number is 1-617-675-4444 (PIN 378 379 924 6227#). We hope to see you there to discuss this book and the vital themes and issues it brings to light.
All the best,
NPFH Committee
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WHS Sophomores - Career Assessment on Naviance |
Hi Sophomores!
Now is a great time to begin thinking about and exploring potential career paths. Naviance is a helpful tool that allows you to explore careers and identify those that might be a good fit based on your personality and interests. Please see the attached Guide for instructions on beginning your career exploration and completing career assessments.
For instructions on how to access Naviance, please see Ms. Qualshie’s post from 3/18 or click here. Feel free to reach out to your counselor with any questions!
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Varsity and JV Cheer Interest Meeting - May 20th |
Join us Thursday May 20th at 5:30 for an
interest meeting on WebEx. A parent or
guardian must attend!
Please fill out the following google form by
May 18th to receive the link for the WebEx
meeting.
Google Form
Email coaches with
any questions:
Ms. Scott
Ms. Altieri
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Friends of WHS Track - Fundraiser |
Friends of Westfield Track are selling flags, magnets and parent T-shirts (limited sizes). TIME TO SHOW YOUR TEAM SPIRIT! If you are interested email Colleen Maz at themazfamily@gmail.com.
XC or Track & Field Flags $45 ea. or 1 of each for $80 29x52
Vintage XC Double Sided Flag $40 ea. 26X36
Car Magnets: $5 ea.
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WHS Softball Team Fundraiser |
The WHS Softball Program is teaming up with the Go4theGoal Foundation to raise funds and awareness for kids battling cancer in New Jersey. Having a child with cancer is a huge financial burden for many families, and the pandemic has made their individual situations even more dire. All funds raised will be used to improve the lives of kids battling cancer by providing financial assistance, funding innovative research, developing and implementing unique hospital programs, and granting personal wishes. Our fundraiser will end on May 13th when we play Governor Livingston who is competing with us in this fundraising effort!
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SENIOR CHECKLIST - May 10th Update
This checklist will be updated regularly.
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: WHS Seniors Only
Saturday, June 5, 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Preregistration is required and is open through May 4. Prom tickets will be on sale May 6 and 7 from 11:45 am - 1:30 pm when seniors pick up their caps and gowns.
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 have a rain date. Detailed information will be provided in June.
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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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A Westfield Community Food Drive will be held on Saturday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Drop off locations are the parking lots of Roosevelt Intermediate School and Westfield High School. For contactless donations, drive up to the Westfield Police Department trailer, pop your trunk, and an officer will retrieve your donation. Items in most need: Canned meals, beans, and vegetables, spaghetti sauce, boxed macaroni and cheese, rice, pasta, cereal, cleaning, supplies, and paper products. Monetary donations also are accepted.
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May is Food Allergy Awareness Month - Refresh your skills on how to Recognize and React to Anaphylaxis |
As parents, most of us have had a child with food allergies in our care at some time. Having information on how to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, helps take the guesswork out of how to handle a potential emergency situation. In recognition of Food Allergy Awareness Month, we would like to share some basic information on identifying symptoms and two short auto-injector training videos for those interested in refreshing their skills. It’s about being prepared and having the knowledge on how to quickly react. It’s a life skill!
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The Westfield Mental Health Council has community programming in place throughout May to emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health. The C.A.K.E. Crumb Trail invites residents and visitors of all ages to participate in a self-guided tour of the downtown area with stops designed to highlight Westfield’s commitment to being a stigma-free and inclusive community. This safe, socially distant, educational activity centers mental and emotional wellness while promising some fun along the way. A free guide map directs participants to ten locations that embody Westfield's spirit of compassion, acceptance, kindness and empathy -- including the rainbow crosswalks, sensory garden at Mindowaskin Park, and the justice gardens at First United Methodist Church. Watch for the C.A.K.E. decals in the windows of local businesses, where you can stop inside for free coloring pages and keep an eye out for members of the Mental Health Council's Youth Advisory Council, who will be serving as CAKE Ambassadors and passing out pre-packaged “swag” to lucky participants on the weekends. |
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Celebrate National Preservation Month this May with the #WestfieldPreservationChallenge, a weekly Instagram contest where participants are invited to submit photographs in response to creative, history-based prompts. Sponsored by the Westfield Historic Preservation Commission and the Westfield Historical Society, the challenge is designed to get families and residents of all ages to appreciate the town’s architectural heritage in fun and original ways.
The contest will run through May 24 with a new challenge introduced each week. Prizes will be offered for the best individual challenges. Grand prize for the best three challenges will include a tote bag filled with Westfield-themed merchandise, a one-year membership in the Westfield Historical Society, and an opportunity to ring the Town Bell on Memorial Day, May 31.
To participate, entrants must use the hashtag #westfieldpreservationchallenge and tag westfieldhistoricalsociety when they post. Multiple entries for each challenge are allowed and encouraged! By joining the challenge, participants agree to permit their photographs to be used in publicity for the Westfield Historical Society and the Westfield Preservation Commission.
Challenge #1 is: Cast a “W” shadow on a local historic marker. Extra points for creativity and uniqueness of the marker! Visit https://sites.google.com/view/westfieldhistoricalmarkers/ for ideas. Additional challenges will be posted on May 10 and May 17 on the Westfield Historical Society and the Town of Westfield Instagram pages and the Westfield Historical Society Facebook page.
Challenge #2 is: Westfield has several famous sons & daughters. Take a photo holding one of their works (such as book, postage stamp) in front of their former residence or a building associated with them (e.g., church, Field House). Visit the Westfield Hall of Fame or Black History Walking Tour on the Society’s website for ideas! www.westfield historical society.org
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The Westfield Mental Health Council has community programming in place throughout May to emphasize the importance of mental and emotional health. The C.A.K.E. Crumb Trail invites residents and visitors of all ages to participate in a self-guided tour of the downtown area with stops designed to highlight Westfield’s commitment to being a stigma-free and inclusive community. This safe, socially distant, educational activity centers mental and emotional wellness while promising some fun along the way.
A free guide map directs participants to ten locations that embody Westfield's spirit of compassion, acceptance, kindness and empathy -- including the rainbow crosswalks, sensory garden at Mindowaskin Park, and the justice gardens at First United Methodist Church. Watch for the C.A.K.E. decals in the windows of local businesses, where you can stop inside for free coloring pages and keep an eye out for members of the Mental Health Council's Youth Advisory Council, who will be serving as CAKE Ambassadors and passing out pre-packaged “swag” to lucky participants on the weekends.
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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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