January is School Board Recognition Month! Remember to thank our dedicated Board members for their service.
MCK 3rd graders in Ms. Taylor Rutkowski’s class are listening intently to a story while “stopping and jotting” to share their ideas. The new year is off to a great start at McKinley!
MCK first graders sing winter and holiday songs in front of peers and family members!
Early dismissal on Friday, December 23. Wishing all a restful Winter Break. Look forward to welcoming back students and staff on Monday, January 2.
Announcing our new app for mobile phones for the Westfield Public School District! Stay up-to-date with access to events, school news, student stories, and more. Learn how to download the app for free and customize it. https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/943809
A performance by Diavoli Blu, recognition of student-athletes for their tremendous fall seasons, a resolution of appreciation for outgoing BA Dana Sullivan, Board goals, and much more took place at the Dec 13 meeting of the Board of Education. https://bit.ly/BOESynopsisDec132022
McKinley loved hearing the performances by our orchestra and band today! This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of our musicians, and also the strong leadership of Mrs. Fatsis (strings) and Mr. Staluppi (band). One great part of our concerts is how students introduce each piece. And today, the assembly was led by Principal for the Day, James!
Online registration for kindergarten and Grade 1 is open for the 2023-2024 school year. Please share with your Westfield friends and neighbors. https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/936303
Next Board of Education meeting is on Tuesday, December 13 in Cafe B at WHS. Private session at 6p; public session resumes @ 7p. Agenda: https://bit.ly/BOEAgendas2022-23 Livestream: https://bit.ly/BOELiveStream202223
MCK assembles as a whole school family to hear the holiday and winter songs from our 5th grade chorus and our McKinley Melodies singing group. At these events, we learn about the hard work, time, and effort that goes into all of the preparation for each song, how to be an appreciative audience member, and we are supremely entertained! Ms. Toulios leads our chorus and the McKinley Melodies, and she encourages students to try solos, duets, and even piano solos to add to the experience.
McKinley welcomed Dr. Sack! Today Dr. Sack, MCK's Interim Principal beginning in January, continued her transition to the district by spending the day at McKinley, meeting students during an assembly, and also getting to know district administration. During the assembly, she led a session of "Just like me!" which is a Morning Meeting activity where a person shares an object that tells something about them. When she said, "I love to read!" the crowd responded with, "Just like me!" She then shared her favorite book.
Check your email inboxes for the November issue of The NEWS Letter. Enjoy! https://sites.google.com/westfieldnjk12.org/thenewsletter/the-news-letter/november-2022
Mrs. Fatsis gets students up, moving and singing in music class. Part of general music instruction is using the skills all throughout the class period. Mrs. Fatsis enters with a song for the class to sing, and in these photos, they're singing the "goodbye" song for a warm, fun close to the lesson.
Tuesday, December 6 is the deadline to submit an application to fill Board of Education vacancy, resulting from the recent resignation of Board member Amy Root whose unexpired term runs from January 1 - April 24, 2023. Details here: https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/916168
Thank you to the Westfield Education Fund for their generous donation supporting student and staff wellness and to Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss, for facilitating the training. https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/918589
Reading Workshop in 4th grade combines specific direct instruction on a skill with support for students to work with the skill independently as they read their chosen texts. In this class, Mrs. Moore teaches how to go from an excerpt from a book to a "jot" about it and then finally to an analysis of why it's important. Students are following the instruction, trying the model on the board, and then practicing independently in their comfortable spots around the room. When students work independently, they have a "menu" of strategies to employ as they analyze their books.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
The Westfield Board of Education is seeking an applicant who is interested in serving on the Board from January 1, 2023 through April 24, 2023 to fill the vacancy resulting from the resignation of Board member Amy Root. Details here: https://www.westfieldnjk12.org/article/916168
The Edison Field Project, key administration appointments, and a warm welcome for our new student Board representative were among the topics at the November 15 BOE meeting. Read more in this synopsis:
https://bit.ly/BOESynopsisNov152022
5th graders get up and moving to learn Spanish with Mrs. Roig! Mrs. Roig, our traveling Spanish teacher, ties her instruction to not only the language, but also movement, to help students remember each lesson.
