Dear Westfield Middle School Families,

As we approach the holiday season, I am filled with pride and gratitude for our incredible school community. This past month has been a testament to the warmth, compassion, and generosity that define our Westfield Middle School family.

Our recent band and chorus concerts were truly magical moments of unity and talent. The students' performances demonstrated not just their musical skills, but their ability to come together, support one another, and create something beautiful. The sounds of holiday music filling our auditorium reminded us that harmony is about more than just notes—it's about connection. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our music program directors, Mr. Emken (band) and Mr. Gomes (chorus), for their hard work and dedication to providing the best possible music education for our students.

I was particularly moved by our community's commitment to giving back this season. The Westfield Police Cadets' toy drive showcased the incredible heart of our young people. Their dedication to collecting gifts for children who might otherwise go without speaks volumes about the empathy and kindness that we strive to nurture in our school.

Our community's recent Thanksgiving efforts were another shining example of what matters most during the holidays. Thanks to the generosity of local funders and volunteers, we were able to provide warm, nutritious meals to families in need. These acts of kindness are the true essence of the holiday spirit—sharing, caring, and lifting each other up.

The holidays are not about the gifts, but the presence of those we care about. They are about creating memories, showing love, and supporting one another through both joyful and challenging times. As we look forward to the upcoming break, I encourage our families to cherish time together, and to remember that the greatest gift we can give is our genuine care and attention.

Warmest wishes for a peaceful and joyful holiday season!

Best,

Jesse

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¡Puede traducir fácilmente este boletín con solo hacer clic en un botón! En la esquina superior derecha, haz clic en "traducir". Cuando aparezca el menú desplegable, seleccione un idioma y el boletín se traducirá automáticamente.

Ви можете легко перекласти цю розсилку, натиснувши одну кнопку! У верхньому правому куті натисніть «перекласти». Коли з’явиться спадне меню, виберіть мову, і інформаційний бюлетень буде автоматично перекладено.

تاسو کولی شئ د یوې تڼۍ په کلیک کولو سره دا خبر پاڼه په اسانۍ سره وژباړئ! په پورتنۍ ښیې کونج کې، "ژباړه" کلیک وکړئ. کله چې د ډراپ ډاون مینو ښکاره شي، مهرباني وکړئ یوه ژبه غوره کړئ او خبر پاڼه به په اوتومات ډول . که تاسو مرستې ته اړتیا لرئ یا کومې تېروتنې ته اړتیا لرئ، مهرباني وکړئ د پرنسپل مک میلن سره اړیکه ونیسئ

As I shared with the community on Friday, one of our students was involved in a bus accident on Friday morning while walking to school. Please extend your thoughts to the student and his family. Students on his team will be making cards and we will provide them to the family. If you'd like to make a card or send a note, please feel free to drop it off at the school for Principal McMillan.

This incident reminds us how precious each of our students' lives are, and how important it is that we work together to ensure everyone's safety. Safety is a community effort, and every step we take matters. Whether walking to the bus stop, crossing the street, or navigating our neighborhood sidewalks, being aware of surroundings can make all the difference.

To our wonderful students: You are important. Your safety is our top priority. We want to empower you with knowledge that can help keep you protected. Here are some simple but powerful safety tips:

• Be seen: Wear bright colors, use reflective gear
• Stay alert: Put away phones and remove headphones near traffic
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing
• Use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals
• Always look left, right, and left again before stepping into the street
  
  

Parents and guardians, we invite you to reinforce these messages at home. Talk with your children about walking safely, model good behavior, and remember that our collective awareness can prevent accidents.

Please feel free to use some of the resources below to aid in your conversations:

https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/tips_for_parents.pdf

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

Below are holiday assistance resources available across the state of MA, including locations for Toys for Tots, Wish Tree Programs, Salvation Army, and hunger relief programs, such as Project Bread.

Mass 2-1-1 is an online directory for emergency food, rent help paying your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals, parents and families.

It is our District and school goal to promote a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for all of our community members. We'd like your feedback, so we are conducting a brief survey of our students’ caregivers. Staff and students were surveyed last year. I would appreciate you taking a moment to complete the survey found here: WMS Caregiver Survey. Please reach out with any questions.

Click here to follow us: https://www.facebook.com/westfieldmiddleschool

Check out our page for day-to-day happenings at Westfield Middle School!

Attendance matters more than you might realize. When students consistently come to school, they don't just accumulate academic knowledge—they build critical life skills, social connections, and foundational learning experiences that will shape their future.

I want to be direct about an important challenge our school is currently facing: our daily attendance rates need improvement. While 93.61% might seem like a strong attendance rate, the minimum should be 95%. As a school community, we are committed to working together to increase student participation and reduce absenteeism.

Every day a student misses is a day of missed learning opportunities. Even occasional absences can create significant gaps in learning. Just a few missed days can cause students to fall behind in core subjects, making it challenging to catch up. For middle school students especially, consistent attendance helps maintain academic momentum during these crucial developmental years.

We understand that occasional illness or family circumstances can interrupt attendance. However, we are actively working to increase our daily attendance rates and need your partnership. If your child is experiencing challenges that are making school attendance difficult, please reach out to our attendance mentors, guidance counselors, and/or administrative team. We're here to support you and your student.

GOAL FOR JANUARY: 94%

GOAL FOR FEBRUARY: 95%

Bundle up! Our students will be going outside come rain, shine, or arctic temperatures. Think of our daily outdoor time as character-building boot camp. Yes, that means EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Blizzard? We're out. Light drizzle? We're out. Frost on the ground or snow on the back field? Definitely out. We're teaching students that a little weather is nothing compared to the joy of fresh air and freedom! Please ensure your child arrives dressed like they're preparing for an expedition to the North Pole: -Warm jackets (not hoodies, not light sweaters - WARM jackets) -Gloves that actually cover fingers -Hats that protect ears from turning into popsicles -Close-toed shoes (and NO, as I gently remind our young friends each day, fuzzy slippers and Crocs do not count) Now, let's talk about exceptions. We're not completely weather-crazy. There are two weather conditions that will keep us inside: pouring rain or a dangerous wind chill that could risk student safety. As Chief Meteorologist, I closely monitor the wind-chill factor (see attached), as well as recommendations from local weather reports. If your child looks like they're ready to climb Mount Everest, they're probably dressed just right for our outdoor adventure time. Think layers, warmth, and practicality. Important note: Students who are not appropriately dressed will be asked to stay inside. We're building resilient, weather-resistant students here!

The WMS Builders’ Club, overseen by Mrs. Skorupski and Mrs. Elder, volunteered their time last weekend at Westfield State University’s annual Breakfast with Santa! Our students provided face painting, facilitated a letter writing activity, and coordinated a game section for kids. Principal McMillan and his family were pleased to run into our school community members and participate in the festivities.

The WMS Band performed at the Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Springfield on Sunday after being contacted by one of the board of directors asking if they would be interested in performing at their 35th Annual Christmas Concert. This annual concert is a fundraiser for the Rays of Hope Foundation. Thank you, Mr. Emken, band members, and families for making this happen! Check out our Facebook page for some clips.

Thank you to the WMS chorus and band for performing at our December staff meeting! Each year, our staff come together to provide toys for the Westfield Police Cadets who redistribute to families in need. We are grateful for our school community.

On Saturday, December 7th, several students from the Westfield Middle School Choruses and Band successfully passed an adjudicated audition and will perform as part of the select Massachusetts Junior District Western Region. They will rehearse on two Saturdays in March 2025 and perform as part of the Junior Festival Concert at 3:00pm at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, MA on Saturday, March 15, 2025.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Kinley Cekovsky- Tenor Sax- Jazz Band

Liam Corbet- Alto Sax- Concert Band

Krystyna Goulette- Flute- Concert Band

Owen Lisee- Trumpet- Jazz Band

Cody Mailloux- Tenor Sax- Concert Band

Brandt Mears- Trombone- Concert Band

Logan Medeiros- Bassoon- Concert Band

Hayden Monroe- Percussion- Concert Band

Norah Andras - Chorus

Madison Galarza - Chorus

Juliet Johnson - Chorus

Cierra Lent - Chorus

Ember St. Jean - Chorus

We are pleased to share that Westfield Middle School has added a second art class! Mrs. Lawson-Manoogian comes to us with over twenty years of art education experience. She most recently worked in Holyoke Public Schools. She is a Visual Art Educator, as well as mixed-media artist and digital photographer, with a specialty in all forms of pottery and ceramic sculpture. One of her greatest strengths is her commitment to friendly and positive communication with students. She takes pride in her interpersonal skills, and she wholeheartedly enjoys building respectful and encouraging rapport with both students and colleagues alike through kindness, flexibility, and humor. She is committed to investing in the development of the artistic skills of her students, sharing with them her enthusiasm for the Visual Arts and Art History, assisting her students in discovering their own talents, and increasing their overall aesthetic literacy and self-confidence. Through her gentle provision of individualized constructive feedback, the clarity with which she emphasizes her high expectations, and through her specifically designed, targeted lessons, she aims to provide her students with cumulative and interconnected artistic experiences.

The Federation for Children with Special Needs provides a list of grief groups for children and caregivers across MA.

The Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition contains resources and up-to-date information on immigrants and refugees in MA, and all services and resources needed. There is a section on this website containing MA shelter crisis resources, including how to become a host, rent to immigrants, support local pro-immigrant organizations, and how to speak to local elected officials.

"The more we can help kids normalize their feelings around grief, and show them it’s OK to ask for help, the better. The message must be that it’s okay to cry sometimes.” -Alvord, PhD

The holidays may bring up feelings of grief. This new Sesame Workshop contains resources guided by psychological science to support children as they navigate their feelings of grief.

The National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement provides guidelines for educators for supporting grieving students over the holidays. The goals for educators, according to this resource, are: decreasing the students' sense of isolation, offering students an opportunity to talk, and encouraging students to talk with others. For more tips, click the link below.

“We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming. We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are. They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse. But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives.” — Gary Zukav

It is December, a month that brings celebrations, traditions, and memories! December can be an exciting time: an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation and an opportunity to spend more time with loved ones. However, December can also bring emotional exhaustion and fatigue, especially for caregivers. The stress that can come with holiday expectations and memories of lost loved ones requires attention and support. Thus, this tip of the month will focus on a few tips for caregivers as you navigate this emotionally turbulent time!

Help Manage Expectations!- For caregivers and children, it can be tough to manage all the expectations that come with the holidays. It’s important to recognize these expectations, set realistic goals, and develop plans for when they might not be met. Social media can also create unrealistic expectations, so it can be wise to limit exposure to posts that create illusions of perfect holiday experiences.

Recognize Emotions of Loss!- While many people connect with family and loved ones during the holiday season, it's important to acknowledge the people we miss. The holidays can bring about feelings of loss, loneliness, and sadness. Take time to recognize these feelings and validate yourself when you may not be feeling the holiday cheer.

Acknowledge and Validate Emotions!- The holidays can bring a range of emotions as you navigate conflicting feelings. Make sure to acknowledge and validate all of your emotions during the holidays: anger, stress, frustration, sadness, loss, happiness, and excitement. Let yourself feel these emotions as you manage your expectations for yourself and others.

Rely on Your Support Network!- While you are managing your expectations and recognizing and validating your feelings, remember that you have a support system in your life that is there to help you. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help; relying on your support network is important for you to be able to show up authentically during this time.

Additional Resources:

For Navigating Grief During the Holidays – https://childrensroom.org/grief-during-the-holidays-2/

Self-Care Strategies For Over the Holidays –

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/10-tips-to-reduce-stress-and-take-care-of-yourself-during-the-holidays/2023/12

Mindfulness Exercises to Practice –

https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-exercises-techniques-activities/