Westfield Schools Approve Goals For New Year

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Board of Education has approved its goals and objectives for the 2025-2026 school year.

Earlier this month, the Board moved forward with its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan Year 3 ideas geared toward enhancing educational results, operational efficiency, and community engagement. These include adding to the curriculum, improving student wellness, building community partnerships, and taking the necessary steps to welcome the facility improvement referendum projects.

The Year 3 objectives also reference the implementation of free full-day kindergarten for all schools in New Jersey after Governor Phil Murphy signed it into law this summer. The Board says the "successful execution of these activities is crucial to achieving the district's long-term goals of providing high-quality education and fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students."

Each of the five main goals of the district's five-year plan has activity highlights specific to the 2025-2026 school year:

Enhancing the Learning Experience for All Students

The district is aiming to continue building an environment that supports innovation and meaningful learning. Part of this refers to the preparation for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship, both inside and outside of the classroom.

The objectives for 2025-2026 include developing an internship program at the high school, implementing a data and assessment management system to increase academic opportunities, and offering more variety in course choices in high school.

Prioritizing Wellness

Westfield Schools say they are adding attention to supporting the overall health of students and staff, including social, emotional, and physical well-being. They say they will do this through enhancing daily life in schools to build a healthy foundation for learning and personal growth.

The objectives for 2025-2026 include evaluating opportunities to partner with colleges to support counseling efforts and establishing a district staff wellness committee.

Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

The schools want to ensure that all students have the same fair chance to opportunities and resources. They aim to do this by addressing disparities in academic achievement, discipline, and access to activities like athletics and the arts.

The objectives for 2025-2026 include collaborating with outside groups to build targeted outreach and recruitment opportunities, enhancing data usage to address behavior patterns, and reviewing ways to make arts and athletics more inclusive.

Interconnection with the Community

Westfield Schools are actively looking for ways to foster a more engaged and supportive environment for their students. By building relationships between students across different schools and with the greater community, the goal is to grow Westfield with the help of both current students and alumni.

The objectives for 2025-2026 include building a better LinkedIn presence, continuing to develop the Westfield App, and continuing the district's work with the Community Advisory Committee.

Growth through Finance and Facilities

The last goal of the plan centers around building a sustainable outline for budgets and future funding efforts that aligns with Westfield Schools' long-term vision. Through initiatives like shared services meant to optimize resources with other educational and government organizations, the district is committed to advancing school safety and security.

The objectives for 2025-2026 include refining a three-year budget projection and planning for the full-day kindergarten, beginning the implementation of the bond referendum projects, and refining the school security internal resource portal.

The 2023-2028 Strategic Plan was approved by the Board of Education in August 2022 after collaboration with an educational consulting service. Members of the school community offered feedback during the year-long process in order to help reach these goals and objectives that are regularly reviewed for relevance.

MORE FROM PATCH: Trapped Kitten In Storm Drain Rescued By Westfield Firefighters