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Westwood Regional honors academic decathlon champions; students present design‑thinking partnerships
Summary
The board congratulated the Westwood Regional High School academic decathlon team for recent regional and state success and watched a student presentation from the design‑thinking class that showcased partnerships with companies including American Dream, Mars Wrigley and the NJ Devils.
The Westwood Regional Board of Education recognized student achievement and heard a demonstration of a year‑long design‑thinking class during its meeting.
Superintendent Dr. McQueenie opened the superintendent’s report by praising students and staff, singled out the academic decathlon team’s success and said the evening’s recognitions “highlight the very best of what we do here in our schools.” The board adopted a resolution congratulating the Westwood Regional High School academic decathlon team for winning at regional and state competitions (including a three‑year state championship) and for its national tournament appearance; the board directed that the resolution be included in the official minutes and asked the superintendent to present certificates to the students.
Students from the high‑school design‑thinking class gave a brief presentation explaining the five‑step process—empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test—and described real‑world projects. Senior Erin and junior Alexa Shiner explained the class partners and outcomes: past partners include Mars Wrigley, Coca‑Cola, the New York Boulders and DreamWorks Waterpark, and the class currently works with American Dream on a FIFA World Cup–related project that included social‑media and guest‑experience recommendations. A teacher who helped run the class said corporate partners sometimes resist student ideas at first but later adopt elements such as character breakfasts and wayfinding paw prints.
Student presenters emphasized the practical benefits of the course. "Joining this class has like, it's been such an experience...it helps you with connecting with other people," one student said. The teacher asked community members with industry contacts to consider helping secure future partnerships so students can continue to work on authentic, career‑oriented challenges.
The board also highlighted district arts and career events, upcoming concerts and athletic successes during the student report.
