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Westfield Day School

While many schools can boast of new high-tech facilities, Westfield Day School’s reputation rests on a far simpler premise: taking kids with special needs, both learning disabilities and emotional problems, and giving them hope and a new future.

Published on August 17, 2012

Westfield offers an extraordinary 2 to 1 student/teacher ratio, and prides itself on the over 90% acceptance rate of graduates to their first-choice colleges.

This year, the World Issues classes, under the leadership of Mrs. Julie Suchman, assisted by Ms. Hester Fenemore, have been exploring the concept of human rights in areas of the world where basic human rights have been neglected. Following the New York State-approved curriculum, students, many who come to Westfield having similarly felt isolated by their peers at other schools, became personally involved in discussions about oppressed citizens of other countries.

“It’s been an incredibly satisfying experience as a teacher to see the students internalize these issues and want to act,” says Mrs. Suchman.

One important aspect of this program is learning about heroes who have spoken up and defended people whose human rights have been abused – often for generations. These heroes are the protectors of people who cannot protect themselves. “Through this lens,” reports Mrs. Suchman, “we have explored many difficult areas including, child labor, children’s rights, police brutality and most recently, the clean water crisis in the world.”

The clean water discussion has led to a campaign to spread awareness of this worldwide problem. The goal for the campaign was to raise money for two very important charities: Clean Water for Haiti and Lifesaver, Ltd. These organizations are delivering viable solutions that are having an immediate impact and saving lives. The students raised $458.

Speaking Truth To Power, a project of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, is a multi-faceted global initiative that uses the experiences of courageous defenders from around the world to educate students and others about human rights, and urges them to take action. Issues range from slavery and environmental activism to religious self-determination and political participation.

To realize his dream of a more just and peaceful world, Robert Kennedy’s family and friends founded a living memorial in 1968. Today, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights is one of the foremost international human rights organizations. Westfield Day School is proud to be a part of making RFK’s vision a reality.

“Together, we have not only raised funds, but have created a sense of purpose and pride in the students as they used their skills to make a difference,” says Ms. Fenemore. “I am so proud of the kids!”