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Westfield teacher to be honored at state conference

WESTFIELD — Westfield Academy and Central School Art Teacher Mrs. Jodi Wilmarth will be honored as Art Educator of the Year at the New York State Art Teachers Association Conference in Binghamton in November, board of education members learned at their regular meeting.

The annual NYSATA conference will be held on November 17-19, with awards presented at the Saturday night President’s dinner and reception. Wilmot, who is a new teacher at Westfield, will receive the Award as Art Educator of the Year from Region 3, according to Secondary Principal Ivana Hite.

According to the criteria set forth by NYSATA, the winner must be a person who demonstrates commitment and dedication to the field of art education, and must practice exemplary teaching and strong advocacy, as well as personal devotion and helpfulness to students and colleagues.

Hite also updated board members on the success of Spirit Week and homecoming at WACS. Monday was Character Day, Tuesday was “fake an injury” day, Wednesday celebrated Westfield Pride, Thursday was grades 9 and 11 twin day and Senior toga day, and Friday saw class color day and the Battle of the Classes, Hite said.

The students enjoyed a bonfire on Tuesday evening, the homecoming game at Brocton on Friday, and the dance at Brocton on Saturday evening, Hite told board members. James Wolfe was homecoming king and Madison Abbey was homecoming queen, Hite added.

School Business Official Julia Murphy said that they have received a preliminary draft of the financial statement audit, and they should have a final draft for review soon.

She also told board members that the OSC (Office of the State Comptroller) audit was still underway and “Mr. Davison and I spent some serious time with our auditors.” She said that audit should be completed by the end of October.

Board members accepted the resignation of Leah Wells from the position of elementary daily substitute teacher. District Superintendent David Davison noted that the district lost eight certified subs since the beginning of the school year.

Davison also told board members that the district’s emergency response plan has been approved by the NYSED. Also, any issues from the annual fire inspection two weeks ago have been addressed, he added.

Elementary Principal and Director of Special Education, Dr. Mary Rockey, submitted a report to the board of education on baseline diagnostic data in ELA and Math. In both areas, the number of students in tier 1(on par with grade level) increased significantly. In tier 2 and tier 3, which represent students who are at least one grade level behind, the numbers dropped. “This means we are heading in the right direction,” Davison noted.

Davison also informed board members that Rockey will be conducting an informational meeting for parents regarding the change to standards-based report cards for the 2017-2018 school year.

The meeting will be held in conjunction with Halloween Fun Night from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on October 30.

Rockey said the change to standards-based report cards will help parents to know “what grade level concepts and skills their child has mastered and which ones the child needs to continue to develop.”

It will also help teachers and parents to set appropriate goals for the students, she said.

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