Rotary Club Of Westfield Invites Nominations For Philhower And Steengrafe Awards

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Rotary Club of Westfield is accepting nominations for two awards recognizing the contributions of dedicated employees within the Westfield Public Schools.

The 34th Annual Charles Philhower Fellowship Award honors an outstanding full-time educator teaching in grades Pre-K through 5.

The 4th Annual Weyman Steengrafe Award recognizes full-time district employees who are not certified teachers.

Philhower Nominations

The Philhower award, established in 1993, honors the legacy of Charles Philhower, who served as the superintendent of Westfield Public Schools for 30 years. He was a prominent member of the local Rotary Club and served as district governor.

The fellowship aims to recognize the importance of early elementary education. Nominations for the Philhower award are due by March 24. To nominate, fill out this form.

Community members, students, parents, and school staff may nominate any full-time faculty member in grades Pre-K through 5 who has not previously received the fellowship.

Nominations must detail how the educator demonstrates outstanding teaching, a genuine interest in students, and a commitment to professional development.

Steengrafe Nominations

The Steengrafe Fellowship was established to honor Weyman O. Steengrafe, a longtime educator and rotarian who died in 2010.

This award is open to full-time employees, including secretaries, paraprofessionals, administrative staff, and personnel in the technology and buildings and grounds departments.

Nominees must have worked for the district for at least five years and shown a clear commitment to students and staff. The deadline for Steengrafe award nominations is March 31. To nominate, fill out this form.

Interested individuals can access the necessary online forms and view lists of previous recipients by visiting the News section of the district website at www.westfieldnjk12.org.

Both award recipients will be recognized during a Westfield Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, May 12, and at a future Rotary luncheon.

In addition to the recognition, each fellow will receive a grant from the Rotary Club. These funds are intended to support professional growth or to enhance classroom activities for students.

The awards continue a long tradition of partnership between the Rotary Club and the public school system, highlighting the community's dedication to academic excellence and staff support

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