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WESTFIELD -- Westfield Academy and Central School Board of Education members received two presentations at their regular December meeting, one from Science teacher Lauren Nelson and one from District Superintendent Michael Cipolla and Director of Special Education Mrs. Lauren Harper.
Nelson and her students gave a presentation titled "microplastic madness" which describes how microplastics are harming humans and animals. Microplastics are found on land and in oceans, Nelson said.
Nelson and her students noted that microplastics are found in common household items, such as face wash, toothpaste, dishwasher detergent and many others. Each year, 33 billion pounds of plastics enter the oceans of the world, they said.
The students studied the sand at local beaches, placing samples under microscopes, Nelson said. "In our data, we found microplastics on every local beach," they said. "One potential solution to the problem would be to stop the use of plastic water bottles that can't be reused."
The students recommended several additional actions that everyone can do to help reduce microplastics. These suggestions included no longer using plastic cutlery, switching plastics in our homes to other materials.
Nelson and her pupils noted that everyone must do their part to reduce plastic pollution and keep the sea plastic free.
Cipolla and Harper gave a presentation on assessment data and instructional initiatives. They noted how Westfield students ranked in ELA and Math/Science proficiency among 27 districts. While some grades are in need of improvement, eighth-grade students at Westfield rank first in ELA and Math/Science with a proficiency level of 72% and 82% respectively.
Cipolla and Harper reviewed the standards for ELA and Math/Science and shared some ideas from the teachers about how to continue improving student learning in these areas.
In other business, secondary Principal Corey Markham reported that middle school students attended a Marijuana Awareness Assembly presented by Prevention Works on Dec. 8. He also told the board that the McClurg Street String Band performed in Rochester in December. "The string band was one of eleven music groups chosen to perform at the all-state music conference," he said.
In her report to the board, elementary principal Molly Anderson noted a number of activities in which the younger students have participated, including fourth-graders attending Mercyhurst for Kids Day; 5th grade students hosting the first grade level S.T.A.R. program of the year; and kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade attending Fredonia State's Rockefeller Arts Center for a Youth on Stage performance of either "Pete the Cat" or "The Magic School Bus".
Anderson also told board members that students were able to shop for loved ones at the PTO's Holiday Shop at the beginning of December. "Thank you to the many volunteers that made this special activity possible for our students," she said. "Our kiddos were very excited about their treasures."
Board members also adopted a budget development calendar for the district's 2024-25 budget at their regular December meeting.
The first activity on the calendar is the distribution of budget information packs to all staff members on Dec. 12. Also, the BOCES request for services for 2024-25 is due to be delivered to WACS on that date.
All budget requests will be due to supervisors with details and supporting documentation on Jan. 12. Cipolla and Business Executive Joshua Melquist will meet with individual supervisors to review all requests during January and February, and all BOCES preliminary service requests will be reviewed.
Presentations to the board will take place at the Feb. 12, 26, March 11, 25 and April 8 meetings, with a public hearing on the budget to be held on May 13. The annual meeting and budget vote and school board elections are scheduled for May 21 from 2 to 8 p.m. in the school lobby.