Bonus! Westfield School Year Ends June 20

Due to an unused snow day, the district will close schools one day earlier. Children (and teachers) are joined in euphoria!

Summer vacation is arriving a day early this year for students in the Westfield school district. Dr. Margaret Dolan, schools superintendent, announced at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting that due to an unused snow day, the 2011-2012 school year will end on Wednesday, June 20 rather than on Thursday, June 21 as originally planned. Dolan noted that graduation would remain as scheduled, taking place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 21.  On both Tuesday, June 19 and Wednesday, June 20 school will be held for four-hour sessions throughout the district.  For more information, visit the district's website.

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Photos: Westfield Talent on View at Art Show

From the Leaps and Bounds program through the high school, students of all ages displayed their work.

Where can you find construction paper penguins crafted by preschoolers standing alongside dramatic and accomplished photographs of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens taken by a Westfield High School student? At the Westfield school district art show, of course. The gym inside the high school has been transformed into a spectacular gallery showcasing the work of students throughout the school district. From mixed media to photography, pastels and ceramics, the show, which began Tuesday and continues through Thursday afternoon, offers something for everyone.  "I'm always impressed with the talents of our Westfield High School students," said Principal Peter Renwick. "I continue to be grateful to be associated with a district that continues to …

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Letter to Editor: Mirabella Stresses Support for Veterans

Union County Freeholder chair asks all residents to commemorate Memorial Day by connecting with U.S. Military veterans.

As Memorial Day approaches, our thoughts naturally turn to the sacrifices that have been made by Union County residents while serving in the U.S. military. Each year on this day, thousands of Union County residents from all walks of life, including my colleagues on the Freeholder Board and many County employees, join in commemorative ceremonies and activities to keep the memory of the deceased alive in our hearts. One of Union County’s long-running traditions is the distribution of tens of thousands of American flags to veterans’ groups and civic organizations like the Boy Scouts. Members of these groups fan out across the cemeteries of Union County each Memorial Day to ensure that every veteran’s grave is visited, recognized and honored. …

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Booker, Christie Ham It Up for Video

Mayor and governor have fun with their images

Just because they're the state's two most prominent politicians doesn't mean they don't have a sense of humor. The office of Gov. Chris Christie yesterday released a lighthearted video co-starring Newark Mayor Cory Booker as a peripatetic go-to guy, riffing off his now national-scale image as a man of action following his rescue of a neighbor from a burning building several weeks ago. As the Democratic mayor of the state's largest city is depicted doing everything from coming up with a spare guitar for Bruce Springsteen to catching a falling baby, a faux-frustrated Christie hisses "Booker!" The video was produced for the New Jersey Press Association's Legislative Correspondent's Club show. Click on the video above to see the Cory and Chris…

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Ridgewood Mom

11:48 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

misericordia, Cory Booker went to Yale, Oxford and Stanford. Not that any of those institutions are bad places to have been, but I don't understand why Harvard would be a problem either. Do people in those sorts of places have limp wrists?   more ›

Daily Sports Digest

Westfield Scores and Standings: May 16

Your interactive, daily digest for all Westfield scores, schedules and standings — and a place for you to add information and images for all youth sports.

YOU CAN NOW GET MORE PATCH SPORTS COVERAGE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!  Twitter: @UC_Patch_Sports Facebook: Union County Patch Sports   Welcome to Westfield's Daily Sports Digest: a place where every day you will find the schedule, scores and standings for all school sports. The Daily Sports Digest is designed for you to add your best photo and/or video to share.  We are always looking for contributions of any level from parents, fans, team managers and others who follow the team.  If you would like to be a contact for a particular team or if you see anything in our scores, standings, or schedules that requires updating, please e-mail rconforti.patch@gmail.com.   Westfield High School   Girls Golf   News and Notes Baseball Westfield 7, …

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Temple Emanu-El Hosts New Member Meet and Greet

Prospective New Member Erev Shabbat Meet & Greet to be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 1.

The following is a press release from Temple Emanu-El: Come and see what Temple Emanu-El of Westfield has to offer on Friday, June 1 at our prospective member event.  At 7 p.m. meet our synagogue family – including newer and longtime members, clergy, and senior staff. Discover our Religious School,  Special Education Program, Youth Group programs and Early Childhood Education Center; learn about our education initiatives, social action programs, worship opportunities, and social happenings as you tour our sanctuary, classrooms, meeting rooms, and community room. At 7:45 p.m. all are welcome to worship with us at our nationally-acclaimed Shabbat Hallelu, an Erev Shabbat service in song, featuring contemporary Jewish music and Israeli …

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Westfield BOE Moves Ahead With Lighted Turf Field Plans

Construction costs for the field would total $3.3 million.

The Westfield Board of Education voted unanimously, 8-0, to approve a bond referendum that would fund the construction of a lighted artificial turf field at Westfield High School. Board member David Finn was absent from the meeting. Estimated costs for the project would total $3.3 million, according to a Powerpoint presentation given by supervisor of athletics Sandy Mamary at last night’s Board meeting. This total would include all architect and engineering fees, landscaping and storage as well as the construction of minimal spillage lighting, bleachers and a batting cage. The field would be the district’s response to an increasing amount of participation in athletics, a trend that will presumably only continue given the expected student …

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Sally McBride

3:49 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

My high school had a soccer field with lights. Some of my best memories were playing friday night games under these lights with 100's of fans in the stands   more ›

Westfield BOE Approves Proposed Parking Plan

The parking proposal includes changes that take into account resident input since the meeting held on April 18.

In what turned into a four-hour meeting of the Westfield Board of Education Tuesday evening, the Board voted unanimously, 8-0, to move forward with proposed parking changes for Westfield High School and Edison Intermediate School. Board member David Finn was not in attendance. Board President Rich Mattessich outlined the resolution that represents a collaborative effort between the Board and the Town Council to address parking and traffic safety concerns in the high school and Edison school area. While Mattessich said the proposal presented at a public outreach meeting on April 18 was generally well-received, residents had additional concerns that he said the facilities committee tried to address as best they could while still adhering to …

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Lusty Garden

2:20 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Good point- they should use Stonleigh for the busses- its a perfect circle and a perfect solution- who died and made them King of the Hill   more ›