Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - February 15th

Dear Friends, 

How many of us find public speaking terrifying? Whether introducing our mentor at a work event, making an argument before a jury, giving a eulogy, or celebrating a friend’s birthday, everyone at some point in their lives will speak to a crowd. At Westfield, we help students gain their voice and speak their truth from a very early age. Then we give them instruction and practice in managing their nerves and being effective public speakers.

Today our Fourth Grade students stood on stage before the entire school and embodied important New Jersyans. They researched people like Alice Paul, Queen Latifah, and Thomas Edison. They memorized speeches as though they were that person. Then they stood on the stage, under bright lights, and recited that speech. Everyone spoke clearly, stood with presence, and made eye contact. 

These impressive presentations speak to the experiences large and small, all Westfield students have leading up to this moment. As very young children they get to share in circle time. First and Second-grade students have jobs that put them in front of their classmates to recount the weather or make daily announcements. In class, they make presentations throughout the elementary grades on topics from endangered animals, to favorite books, to strategies for solving math problems. In Meeting for Worship, they may have stood to share a heartfelt message.

Every Westfield student experiences being on stage for a performance at least three times a year. We have two school concerts and each grade has a play or performance. This fourth grade performed the musical Earth Day when they were in Second Grade.

Then they participated in a poetry slam in 3rd grade - each student recited several poems of their own choosing before the whole school.

Later in the year, they made impassioned recommendations to the rest of the student body on what we must do to save our planet. Before they know it, these same students will be speaking in Middle School Meeting for Business in favor (or against) of a proposal, performing in the Middle School Musical, emceeing school concerts, and giving their final summative speech at graduation. Receiving high schools know that Westfield’s students are practiced and able public speakers – even those students who say they don’t enjoy the spotlight.

Update on Middle School students' top five priorities for Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) in its work with the 119th Congress beginning in 2025. So far each grade has agreed on a list of 5 priorities. Now, student government will winnow these three lists to a single set of five priorities to present to the entire Middle School for approval.

Warmly,

Margaret Haviland

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Announcements:

• February 16th and 17th - final two days of February Days of Giving
• February 16th - Teacher In-Service - No School
• February 19-20 - No School Mid Winter Break
• February 23rd - Family Dance - 6:30-8:30 pm
• February 26th - Lorna Frizell to speak to students in grades 5-8 about the power of film. Part of Black History Month celebrations
• February 27th, 8:30 AM and February 28th, 7:00 PM - Community Read  - Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World by Karen Armstrong
• February 29th - Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble - all school
• March 1 and 2 - Middle School Musical Schoolhouse Rock Live Jr.

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