The Howler
December 2025 Newsletter
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Dear Families,
As December unfolds, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable ways our school community has come together this month.
Our band and chorus concerts were truly something special. The auditorium was filled with genuine musicianship, each note a testament to the dedication of our students and the exceptional instruction from Mr. Emken and Mrs. Cipoletta. Both programs have grown significantly this year, and it shows not just in numbers, but in the confidence and joy our students bring to their performances. Thank you for supporting the after-school rehearsals, travel to community events, and all the behind-the-scenes encouragement that makes these programs thrive.
Our toy drive partnership with the Westfield Police Cadets brought in donations that will directly support local families, and our community coffee hour connected families with resources they need. These weren't just activities on a calendar, they were real acts of care, led by our staff and community partners who understand that being part of a community means showing up for one another.
This time of year reminds us that growth happens in many forms: in musical skill, in compassion, and in the bonds we strengthen when we work together. Thank you for being partners in all of it.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Best,
Jesse
Project351 is an independent nonprofit organization that brings together an unsung hero from each of Massachusetts' 351 cities and towns for a transformative year of leadership development and community service. Since 2011, over 5,200 Ambassadors have positively impacted more than 1.3 million neighbors through this unique statewide movement.
This Year's Ambassador: Kayla Barton
I am pleased to announce that this year's ambassador is Kayla Barton! I am confident that she will represent our community with distinction. As a student leader in her school, Kayla exemplifies the core values that Project351 celebrates: kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. Kayla was selected by her team teachers and members of administration based on her exemplary service and her commitment to making a positive difference.
Through their year-long journey, ambassadors like Kayla participate in service campaigns, leadership training, and community-building activities that develop their skills and confidence to lead meaningful change. The program includes signature events such as Launch Day in Boston, Spring Service campaigns supporting organizations like Cradles to Crayons, and a Leadership Reunion at Gillette Stadium, where ambassadors unite with peers from across Massachusetts.
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Westfield Middle School empowers students to make a lasting difference in their school community through student-led service projects. Members identify needs within our school and develop meaningful initiatives to address them, taking ownership from planning through implementation.
Our NJHS students are currently working on diverse projects that showcase their creativity and commitment to improving WMS:
- WMS Beautification and Outdoor Learning: Students are organizing fundraisers and coordinating with administration to plant flowers and enhance outdoor learning spaces around campus.
- Painting the Band Room: A dedicated team has raised over $500 through band concerts and developed detailed plans to refresh and revitalize the band room.
- After School Workspace: Members created a welcoming study space for students who need a quiet place to work after school, complete with supplies and resources.
- Hygiene Heroes: This group is organizing and stocking the community closet with essential hygiene products to support students in need.
- Kindness Rock Garden: Students are creating an inspirational rock garden to spread positivity throughout the school.
- Basketball and Soccer Hoops and Nets: Members are fundraising to upgrade athletic equipment for student recreation.
- Art in Our School: Students are surveying peers and working with faculty to explore opportunities for expanded art programming.
Through these projects, NJHS members demonstrate leadership, service, and a genuine commitment to making Westfield Middle School a better place for everyone.
