WEST SPRINGFIELD — At the West Springfield School Committee meeting on June 10, the committee honored Every Learner, Every Day essay contest winners and the Seal of Biliteracy recipients.
The inaugural Every Learner, Every Day essay contest recognition honors one fifth grade student from each elementary school and two eighth grade students from the middle school for their thoughtful response to an assigned prompt.
The prompt this year was to “write a story or full-picture experience of how your time in school has begun or given shape to some or all of the Strategic Plan Aspirations.”
The seven recipients were Aya Errahali, Isabella Teodorescu, Yaman Al Alloun, Emily Villar, Logan Markham, Kaylee Hettrick and Delanie Berger.
Superintendent Stefania Raschilla said the district spent the entire year having schools and students gain an understanding of what the priorities of the strategic plan were.
“One thing we wanted to accomplish by the end of the year was to have the students in fifth grade, eighth grade and at the high school, write an essay of what Every Learner, Every Day means to them,” Raschilla said.
Instruction and Elementary Education Executive Director Dr. Neil Gile explained the students focus was on how to connect their school experience with the district’s strategic plan aspirations.
“Tonight, we’re very proud to recognize their voices, each of whom crafted thoughtful, personal and inspiring essays that reflect their growth experiences in hopes for the future,” Gile said.
Each recipient was recognized and read their essay to the School Committee and public.
After each recipient read their essay, the School Committee then recognized the recipients from West Springfield who received the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, “The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided by state approved districts that recognizes high school graduates who attain high functional and academic levels of proficiency in English and a world language in recognition of having studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.”
Raschilla said there were several students who earned the Seal of Biliteracy with some also earning the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction and the Global Seal of Biliteracy. One group also earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy.
West Springfield student Mitchierna Valcius was not only recognized for being a recipient of the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy, but also the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction and the Global Seal of Biliteracy for four languages, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and French.
District Family Liaison Morad Majjad talked about the accomplishment of the students.
He said, “The students recognized didn’t just complete assignments or pass tests, they achieved something that speaks to who they are and what they bring to the world. To every student recognized tonight, you’ve earned this moment. Thank you for showing us what’s possible when passion meets purpose. You’ve made your mark on this school district and now they can go out and leave their mark on the world.”
