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On September 5, just one day before the opening of the Westfield Public Schools, both veteran and new staff members were welcomed by Superintendent Margaret Dolan in a morning gathering held at Westfield High School’s auditorium. Dr. Dolan reminded the hundreds of teachers in attendance that theirs is the “profession that surely generates a path to hope in the future, hope in the next generation.” Board of Education President Gretchan Ohlig praised the staff for teaching the students to be independent thinkers. She thanked them for being energetic, smart and dedicated professionals who would continue to receive support from the Board. Gail Alston, President of the Westfield Education Association, described the significance of trust which parents place in the hands of teachers. She reminded the educators that the Association and the District “are here to make the year a success.” In addition to the September 5 meeting, newly hired Westfield Public School teachers and support staff attended the in-house New Staff Institute (NSI) on August 29-30, receiving orientation and training to become familiar with expectations of the district and community. Of the 35 teachers, the majority are new to the district, while a few stepped in as mid-year leave replacements during the last school year. To offer further support to both first year educators and to those veteran teachers who are new to Westfield, NSI meetings also will take place in the next two years. The new teachers include: Caitlyn Altieri, Westfield High School (WHS), Mathematics Steven Barandica, WHS, Athletic Trainer Meri Beliveau, WHS, French Gregory Bowers, WHS, Social Studies Rebecca Carr, Franklin, 4th Grade Jessica Ciampa, Edison Intermediate School (EIS), Language Arts Rebecca Corregan, Franklin, Special Education Cathleen Cronin, WHS, Social Studies Craig, D'Amico, Tamaques, 4th Grade Beth Dorrity , EIS, Mathematics David Filchak, McKinley, Art Siobhan Ford, Lincoln, Wrap Coordinator Maureen Francis, WHS, Music Ellen Frederick, WHS, Special Education Allison Friedman, EIS, Science Noelia Garcia, WHS, Spanish Annie Goodwin, Roosevelt Intermediate School (RIS), Industrial Technology Catherine Halloran, Jefferson, 3rd Grade Karen Hauge, Washington/RIS, Music Jessica Herrera, EIS, Science Kacie Johnson, McKinley, 3rd Grade Stephanie Landay-Nesser, Tamaques, Media Specialist Laura Linenberg, Jefferson, 4th Grade Michael Loeser, Wilson, Special Education Arwa Lokhandwala, WHS, Chemistry Jessica MacDougall, Fr/Je/Mc/Wa, Behaviorist Megan Martinez, RIS, Physical Education Marisa Milas, WHS, Italian Brianna Mitchell, Washington, 4th Grade Kathryn Obiedzinski, Lincoln, Special Education Toni-Nicole Redman, Lincoln Kindergarten Nicole Roth, Washington, Art Jennifer Sirmans, WHS, Special Education Jacquelyn Smolenski, WHS, Chemisty Elizabeth Truncali, McKinley, Special Education
New administrative appointments, due in large part to recent retirements, include: Dr. Dolan expressed her sincere interest in “working with all our new staff members and hearing new perspectves and suggestions for continuing our Tradition of Excellence.” |
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