Following the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, Westfield has done its best to help affected residents and
do its part. Many of these efforts have been put forth by members of WHS, particularly by Science Teacher Judith McLoughlin. Being of Polish descent, McLoughlin felt a personal connection to the more recent crisis as she had family impacted by Russia during World War I.

“[When] Russian soldiers were coming, my grandma and her four siblings were told to get out of the house… go into the woods… and never come back. And to this day, there are bullet holes in that house,” said McLoughlin. “My grandmother raised me with my parents; she lived with us. So it becomes personal for me.”

McLoughlin stressed the importance of using her position as a teacher as a means to spread awareness of issues and educate others on the various ways they can contribute. Being a science teacher, she finds herself able to provide a new perspective on helping such causes.

“It’s similar to what we teach [in] environmental [science]: What’s the big deal about a little bottle cap? But those little bottle caps add up to a huge island of plastic in the ocean. So it’s all little tiny steps, whether it’s
sending a box of Band-Aids to a site, collecting donations or buying a $20 LifeStraw… Little actions add up to a wave of change,” said McLoughlin.

In previous weeks, McLoughlin created a list of websites and credible organizations accepting donations in various ways such as personal items and money. She shared these links with her students and urged them to pass them on to others. She explained the importance one person can have on making a difference. “While we may feel helpless, taking a stand and doing something, even if it’s something small, can have an impact on others. It helps us to understand that we do have a role in taking care of our
brothers and sisters.”

She believes that while help may look different for different people, the simple act of trying to do good for others inspires a long-term pursuit of growth and change.

McLoughlin’s personal efforts mirror those by various other groups at WHS. The community service club, led by Math Teacher Zorana Culjak, has done so much to help our community and has begun their first phase of helping those in Ukraine.

Culjak said, “We have generated multiple websites and multiple sites that the community can contribute to. Right now we have multiple sources that we are looking at to see what the best way is for us to help them.” In upcoming weeks the club will have ways for more students to get involved with donating and helping those in need.

McLoughlin feels the WHS community has come together to help support everyone. “Many of our faculty members have put together signs and the QR code for Ukraine. Also, having information from the students who are affected directly helps as well. [If students] look around, they will see a myriad of sources collecting items from money to band-aids to hospital supplies to clothing,” she said.

She shared her own personal insight into how she approaches life when faced with difficult times. According to McLoughlin, “Each day I try to look at one different way to do something or one different way to help someone…I’m inspired by the strength of these people and we all can find a way to do our part.”