It looks like SPRING might finally be here though I am reluctant to even write that after the February and March that we have experienced! Aside from the longer days and warmer temperatures, the brown cardboard boxes coming and going from our schools herald the annual MCAS testing. Students and staff have worked hard to prepare for this measure of student mastery of the state standards. In addition, the results give us a picture of the impact of our academic program on student learning.
Since its inception in 1993, the MCAS has been both criticized and praised. Its evolution had made interpretation somewhat challenging as the scoring system changed often. Most recently, Massachusetts was granted a waiver to the former requirements of No Child Left Behind and we believe that the new scoring system is an improvement. The new and more realistic goal is for us to reduce by half the number of underperforming students over the next 6 years. For Westfield, the results for this spring will be a true comparison to the scores from last year. This is due to the fact that the content being tested will be the same and is derived from the Massachusetts State Frameworks based on the nearly National Common Core. The Common Core clearly identifies the information that our students should both know and be able to manipulate through higher level thinking skills such as interpretation, application and analysis. The most significant score for parents to monitor will be the Student Growth Percentage or SGP. As a district we will use the results to guide our instructional program.
Last weekend, Into the Arts, was celebrated at Westfield Vocational Technical High School thanks to the volunteers of our VIPS (Volunteers in Public Schools) Program led by Mrs. Barbara Trant. Student art from every school was displayed throughout the building, student and community musical performances were held in the Auditorium and meals were served in the cafeteria! It was a delightful community event and I urge you to put it on your radar for next year! Thanks to our performers, artists and to VIPS for making it happen. A special Thank You also goes to the staff at WVTHS who prepared the school and shops for the community and volunteered their time to showcase the success of our students in the Vocational Technical programs.
The recent win by the Westfield High School Ice Hockey Team was thrilling. The players will never forget the win held at the Boston Garden! Congratulations to them and all of our winter athletes across the city for a successful winter season. We look forward to all of the spring activities about to begin. The 60th Anniversary Pops Concert was another milestone celebrated by Westfield Schools led by stellar Maestro Patrick Kennedy.
Spring break is just around the corner. Drive with great care as our students begin to enjoy playing outside in the wonderful weather to come! Be sure to enjoy the fun of spring!
Best wishes,
Dr. Suzanne Scallion, Westfield Superintendent
