Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski (WNG file photo)
Westfield Gas & Electric to provide hotspots to help families connect
WESTFIELD – Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said March 27 that the district received some of the guidance they were looking for from Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on how to provide remote learning to students during the unprecedented school closure, which was extended this week by Gov. Charlie Baker until May 4.
Next week, the district will be meeting to review the guidance given by the Commissioner in terms of what remote learning will look like, which Czaporowski said doesn’t necessarily mean online learning.
The letter from the commissioner states: “Remote learning can take place in a multitude of ways, including by helping students engage with resources in their everyday lives and in the natural world around them. Remote learning also provides unique opportunities to further engage students in the arts or interdisciplinary work. Finally, we must be conscious of the effects of increased screen time and seek balance between learning through technology and remote learning that happens offline to support students’ curiosity and understanding.”
The letter from DESE further encourages districts to focus on reinforcing skills already taught this school year and applying and deepening these skills. “We recognize that in some cases, teachers and students may wish to continue with new material, particularly at the high school level. In these cases, districts should consider equity of access and support for all students.”
“Right now, we’re working on a plan to distribute Chromebooks to the students who need them,” said Czaporowski. He said many principals already know which students may not have access to a device in their homes, and they will also be asking families.
The district is working with the Tech Center on distribution of the devices. He said Westfield Gas & Electric is also looking to set up some hot spots around the city, in order to alleviate some of the inequities. “I would like to thank the G&E and the Technology Center for working with us,” Czaporowski said.
He said schools will also be making arrangements to allow parents to come pick up musical instruments. One of the challenges has been complying with the guidelines of social distancing, since they can’t allow people in the schools. He said the plan, which may be a curbside pickup, is still being worked out.
Czaporowski also said the schools will be distributing medications back to families.
“People have been asking for meds and instruments. With prolonged closure, now it makes sense. We’ll get out a schedule (for pickup),” he said, adding, “For me, the top priority is taking care of our people. We’ll get to the teaching stuff next week.”
Czaporowski said that next week he expects to roll out a learning center, which is being developed in conversation with the Westfield Education Association, teachers, administrators, professional staff and para-professionals.
“We needed to make sure that everyone had access as the first priority. As that’s happening, we’ll be developing a teaching and learning plan going forward,” Czaporowski said, adding, “We’re working through WEA leadership, so when we come up with the plan, they’re looking at their interpretation.”
Czaporowski also said the outstanding retroactive pay which caused a work to rule action last month by the WEA was included in the March 27 paychecks.
Czaporowski said some teachers may need to go on paid leave to take care of their families, or for medical reasons.
“Up to this point, our staff have been very amazing on giving out activities,” Czaporowski said, giving the example of Paper Mill Principal Jill Phelan reading a story online, and other teacher talking about how math plays a role in cooking at home.
Counselors will also be reaching out to families and keeping the counseling sessions going with kids that need it, Czaporowski said.
He also said additional guidance was supposed to be coming from the state later Friday around resources for students on IEPs, 504’s and English Language Learners. “Our goal is going to be to offer everything we can within the restrictions we have,” Czaporowski said.
Some decisions have not been made yet. Czaporowski said the district is not yet sure if they will close Term 3 and open Term 4.
In terms of MCAS, the commissioner has applied for the federal waiver offered by the president, and received a directive that Massachusetts will be approved. The official letter will come next week. Czaporowski said the state legislature still needs to act; and he heard that they will be talking about it Friday and Monday. “There still has been no official decision made,” he said.
“There are talks now about what we’re going to do about graduation; we have a lot of latitude because we operate it. In terms of the proms, we have all the contracts in our hands if we go back to school May 4, and we’re still able to have the proms,” Czaporowski said, adding, “I’m holding onto hope that we can offer them some sort of senior week experience.” He said they will wait until the last minute to make the decision on proms.
Czaporowski said If school is closed until the end of the year, they could still have a ceremony in the summer, if they are able to bring people together. He said they will have the senior class presidents and advisors to come up with what they would want.
