One-hundred-forty soon-to-be fifth graders gathered this week at Westfield Intermediate School to familiarize themselves with their new school building, new schedules, new friends they will make and how to master those tricky combination locks.
“It was hard - I’ve done it four times so far,” said Diany Nieves, formerly of Southampton Road School. Mastering the combination lock and locker next to Diany was Logan Kittlelson, also of Southampton Road.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/westfield-intermediate-school-transition-program-helps-to-calm-nerves.html
“It was hard - I’ve done it four times so far,” said Diany Nieves, formerly of Southampton Road School. Mastering the combination lock and locker next to Diany was Logan Kittlelson, also of Southampton Road.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/westfield-intermediate-school-transition-program-helps-to-calm-nerves.html
Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik announced on Friday, Aug. 1, that Lauren Figy Cadigan has been hired as a new assistant principal in the high school. She will be filling a position that was interim last year.
Cadigan, a graduate of Westfield High School, has served for the past seven years as the supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield Public Schools. In that role, she has been instrumental in supporting the WHS science teachers and curriculum, implementing both the healthcare and engineering pathways, and helping to create the Innovation Lab, Jendrysik said.
Cadigan earned a bachelor’s in zoology and secondary education from Ohio Wesleyan University, after which she taught in Chicago, Illinois, through Teach For America. After returning home, she taught at the High School of Commerce in Springfield while completing her master’s in education with a focus on organizational management from Endicott College, before joining the staff of Westfield Public Schools.
“Mrs. Cadigan’s knowledge and enthusiasm as our Science, Technology, and Engineering Supervisor have served our students and the district very well over the last several years. I look forward to seeing the energy and ideas that she will bring to the staff and students at Westfield High School,” added Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
“I’m honored to step into the role of Assistant Principal at Westfield High School. As a longtime member of the Westfield Public Schools community and former Supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering, I’m excited to continue supporting students in new ways. I look forward to building strong relationships and fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every student can thrive,” Cadigan said following the announcement.
She added that everyone is excited to meet the incoming ninth grade families at freshman orientation on Monday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at Westfield High School.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/new-assistant-principal-named-at-westfield-high-school.html
Cadigan, a graduate of Westfield High School, has served for the past seven years as the supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield Public Schools. In that role, she has been instrumental in supporting the WHS science teachers and curriculum, implementing both the healthcare and engineering pathways, and helping to create the Innovation Lab, Jendrysik said.
Cadigan earned a bachelor’s in zoology and secondary education from Ohio Wesleyan University, after which she taught in Chicago, Illinois, through Teach For America. After returning home, she taught at the High School of Commerce in Springfield while completing her master’s in education with a focus on organizational management from Endicott College, before joining the staff of Westfield Public Schools.
“Mrs. Cadigan’s knowledge and enthusiasm as our Science, Technology, and Engineering Supervisor have served our students and the district very well over the last several years. I look forward to seeing the energy and ideas that she will bring to the staff and students at Westfield High School,” added Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
“I’m honored to step into the role of Assistant Principal at Westfield High School. As a longtime member of the Westfield Public Schools community and former Supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering, I’m excited to continue supporting students in new ways. I look forward to building strong relationships and fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every student can thrive,” Cadigan said following the announcement.
She added that everyone is excited to meet the incoming ninth grade families at freshman orientation on Monday, Aug. 25 at 9 a.m. at Westfield High School.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/new-assistant-principal-named-at-westfield-high-school.html
Join us on August 15 from 10am - 12 pm and 2pm-4pm for a Free Back to School Backpack Event for students in grades Pre-K through 4th grade at Jacyhm Field.
This summer, Elm Electrical is once again offering free four-day training sessions for students interested in the electrical field and for prospective co-op students at one of three “Elm Futures” training seminars. The seminars are held in “Elm University,” the company’s inhouse training program.
ELM Futures training seminars provide exposure to the field for high school students who don’t attend a technical school and for trade students who want to continue learning skills over the summer. One session took place in June and Session 2 ran July 13-17. Session 3, which runs from Aug. 4-7 is already full, with a waitlist.
On Monday through Wednesday during the training seminars, students receive instruction in Elm’s state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms and hands-on lab. Thursday, the final day, is Challenge Day where students apply what they’ve learned and complete a project board challenge. ELM project managers evaluate their work and offer feedback.
Students in Session 2 came from Westfield Technical Academy. “It’s been a great week. Paul was awesome. I’ve learned a lot of more advanced stuff this week, so that’s been pretty cool,” said Antonio Simpson of Westfield Technical Academy at the end of last week’s training.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/07/area-students-learn-electrical-skills-at-elm-futures-training-seminars.html
ELM Futures training seminars provide exposure to the field for high school students who don’t attend a technical school and for trade students who want to continue learning skills over the summer. One session took place in June and Session 2 ran July 13-17. Session 3, which runs from Aug. 4-7 is already full, with a waitlist.
On Monday through Wednesday during the training seminars, students receive instruction in Elm’s state-of-the-art multimedia classrooms and hands-on lab. Thursday, the final day, is Challenge Day where students apply what they’ve learned and complete a project board challenge. ELM project managers evaluate their work and offer feedback.
Students in Session 2 came from Westfield Technical Academy. “It’s been a great week. Paul was awesome. I’ve learned a lot of more advanced stuff this week, so that’s been pretty cool,” said Antonio Simpson of Westfield Technical Academy at the end of last week’s training.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/07/area-students-learn-electrical-skills-at-elm-futures-training-seminars.html
June 30 was the official last day before retirement of Westfield Technical Academy allied health department head and SkillsUSA chapter advisor Maureen Baillargeon of Russell, who has been at the school since 2002.
https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/07/wta-allied-health-teacher-maureen-baillargeon-retires-after-stellar-year.html
https://www.masslive.com/boston/2025/07/wta-allied-health-teacher-maureen-baillargeon-retires-after-stellar-year.html
Westfield Technical Academy Principal Bruce Hastings and Assistant Principal Kevin Dailey could not contain their excitement after internet technology graduate Brady LePage brought back a second-in-a-row gold medal win for Internet of Things: Smart Home technology from the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference competition in Atlanta, Georgia, June 23-27.
“It’s not often that we get to boast about being the absolute best in something. What if you get to do it twice?” WTA administrators posted on Facebook after the LePage’s win. “We would love to introduce your TWO TIME CHAMPION and REPEAT NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SKILLS CONFERENCE WINNER — BRADY LEPAGE! Brady flew into the NLSC with a big task — doing it all over again. First gold medal winner for WTA and he went right back to say it was no fluke,” the post read.
The internet of things competition tests each competitor’s preparation and professionalism in the field of home technology integration. Competitors demonstrate their abilities in the installation of “smart home” residential products including bulbs; thermostats; locks; alarms; sensors, cameras, speakers, home theater systems, computer networking, and video security systems. The competition also requires a demonstration of all hardware and software setup, completed in an easy-to-understand manner fit for the typical customer
Also qualifying for nationals with a gold medal win at states was Nolan Lukasik for diesel equipment technology, which tested 50 competitors from around the country on stations testing, troubleshooting engines, electrical and electronics systems and powertrain systems including chassis, transmissions, and carriers.
Lukasik, who graduated in June alongside LePage, will be continuing in the field, working full-time for Advantage Truck Group after working at ATG’s Westfield facility through the school’s cooperative education program this past year.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/07/brady-lepage-repeats-with-a-gold-medal-win-at-skillusa-nationals.html
“It’s not often that we get to boast about being the absolute best in something. What if you get to do it twice?” WTA administrators posted on Facebook after the LePage’s win. “We would love to introduce your TWO TIME CHAMPION and REPEAT NATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND SKILLS CONFERENCE WINNER — BRADY LEPAGE! Brady flew into the NLSC with a big task — doing it all over again. First gold medal winner for WTA and he went right back to say it was no fluke,” the post read.
The internet of things competition tests each competitor’s preparation and professionalism in the field of home technology integration. Competitors demonstrate their abilities in the installation of “smart home” residential products including bulbs; thermostats; locks; alarms; sensors, cameras, speakers, home theater systems, computer networking, and video security systems. The competition also requires a demonstration of all hardware and software setup, completed in an easy-to-understand manner fit for the typical customer
Also qualifying for nationals with a gold medal win at states was Nolan Lukasik for diesel equipment technology, which tested 50 competitors from around the country on stations testing, troubleshooting engines, electrical and electronics systems and powertrain systems including chassis, transmissions, and carriers.
Lukasik, who graduated in June alongside LePage, will be continuing in the field, working full-time for Advantage Truck Group after working at ATG’s Westfield facility through the school’s cooperative education program this past year.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/07/brady-lepage-repeats-with-a-gold-medal-win-at-skillusa-nationals.html
A groundbreaking hosted by Westfield Gas & Electric and Whip City Fiber and the city of Westfield took place for the $11.1 million athletic fields and stadium at Westfield High School on June 23, immediately before demolition was to begin. The stadium will be paid for by a pledged $1 million a year from WG&E in addition to its annual payment in lieu of taxes to the city.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/excitement-is-in-the-air-at-the-whs-athletic-fields-groundbreaking.html
Members of the public are invited to a groundbreaking for the new athletic fields at Westfield High School at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 23, with demolition to begin that same day.
Through a partnership with Westfield Gas & Electric and Whip City Fiber, the city of Westfield and Westfield Public Schools, the new facilities will include a lighted track, a stadium with an all-sport turf field and refurbished girls athletic and Boardman fields at Westfield High School.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/work-begins-on-new-athletic-fields-at-westfield-high-school.html
At the completion of the second year of the “Past meets Present” project, Westfield High School tenth graders who had teamed up with residents of Armbrook Village came to the assisted living community for a wrap-up and lunch with their new senior friends.
Armbrook Enriched Life Director Rebecca Fondakowski said the students and residents had met three times at Westfield, MA High School to talk and answer questions. “The first time, they were nervous and anxious, but they became more comfortable,” she said.
Westfield High School social studies teacher Nicole Hamel said the project helps the students to gain skills in several areas. “The students were excited, and worked very hard,” she said. All participants will receive copies of their partnerships as soon as they’re available.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/armbrook-village-residents-team-up-with-whs-sophomores-for-oral-history-project.html
Congratulations to Brandon Parks (WTA class of 2023) and Alanie Sanchez (WTA Grade 10) for winning the Friends of Barnes Scholarship. The scholarship is for $2500 each and will be used for pilot lessons. Special thanks to Joe Ballard, owner of Fly Lugu Flight Training, for making this scholarship possible.
The Westfield Starfires, in collaboration with Westfield Technical Academy and Westfield Middle School hosted a Baseball in Education Day on June 11 at Bullens Field.
Students rotated between watching the Starfires game, enjoying lunch, and participating in the WTA “Road Show” — a traveling showcase of WTA’s career and technical education programs.
WTA Vice Principal Kevin Daley said the seventh and eighth grade students were given the opportunity to walk through a display of all 11 career technical areas, ask questions, and meet and interact with students from the shops. “It was an opportunity to promote WTA, and a community outreach to the seventh and eighth grade students,” he said.
WMS Assistant Principal Karoline Kells, who helped to organize the event, said the students walked to Bullens Field from school. At the start of the game, the chorus sang the national anthem, and the band played “HandClap” by Fitz and the Tantrums.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/starfires-partner-with-wta-and-wms-for-baseball-in-education-day.html
Click on the link below to view yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with STE Supervisor Lauren Cadigan and Westfield High School students that are enrolled in our Biomedical Innovation Pathway. The students told us about their coursework, phlebotomy training, internships, and future plans. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkeANImTSvY
22News Meteorologist Chris Bouzakis was invited to attend career day at Westfield Intermediate School on Tuesday.
Chris spoke with students in the 5th and 6th grade about all things weather. He said that many of them even watch 22News (mostly because their parents do) and that it was a fun time.
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/22news-meteorologist-chris-bouzakis-attends-career-day-at-westfield-intermediate-school/
Students at a local middle school mixed education and fun, with a special appearance from the Westfield Starfires.
Westfield middle schoolers got to enjoy a baseball game in the sun, but also got to learn the science behind the sport. It was a busy day for Westfield Middle School on Wednesday, as they partnered with Westfield Technical Academy and the Westfield Starfires baseball team for a STEM career showcase.
The middle school students got the chance to interact with the technical school and see if it’s a high school they would want to attend. From aviation and construction to auto-tech, manufacturing, and electric wiring, the options for industries offered varied.
https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-starfires-join-students-for-stem-showcase/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwY2xjawK3lfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFwS0t6dEwycnVQSWxndkhPAR4bdDFFfdwz70Z1EIfxwbOA4dpnrmAqIunR5ZSa1EZ72z7kjgFdVRnZ49_Q0A_aem_PzRQXWFcEMD_ttwvcIYmrw
Department of Public Works Acting Director Francis Cain recently visited Westfield Middle School with a pair of the new “smart“ Bigbelly compacting trash and recycling cans that will soon be installed downtown.
Cain said the seven sets of cans were purchased through a community grant from state Rep. Kelly Pease. Each set of the “smart cans” are $6,000, with a total cost of approximately $49,000. Cain said he brought a set to the school to give the eighth-grade students, who are doing a section on litter, a visual sense of what they are and what they can do.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/dpw-director-shows-new-smart-recycling-and-trash-cans-to-wms-students.html
Family and friends from Westfield High School’s transition program came out to Shaker Farms Country Club on June 9 for a meal to celebrate three young adults during the 2025 “Bridge to Adulthood.” The ceremony recognizes the young adults who have turned 22 in 2025 and are leaving the Westfield Public School system.
Carolyn Busiere, lead teacher, said the three honorees, Julia Bardakova, Javian Headley and Logan Sanford, have been on a journey in the school system and entered the transition program to further work on life skills, community investment, self-advocacy, work training and college: turning challenges into strengths, interests and vision while developing true character. “You have displayed hard work, determination and resilience,” she told them.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/three-young-adults-are-honored-at-bridge-to-adulthood-ceremony.html
Westfield Technical Academy Valedictorian Micah Reimann is ready to go to work at Bern Optics on Southampton Road in Westfield. After completing cooperative education at Bern, he will start full-time as a computer numerical control machinist after a short break.
“I find it very rewarding,” Reimann said. He will begin on setups, operation and programming on milling machines. The company makes glass lenses and prisms and other specialty pieces.
“For the time being, I plan to work full-time for a year. After that, I am considering going to school for mechanical engineering.” Because he attended Westfield Technical Academy’s manufacturing program, Reimann said he will get some “really nice” credit benefits going to Springfield Technical Community College, and be able to skip past the introductory courses.
“If I go there, I would be able to get my associate’s, then I could pick my four-year school to get my bachelor’s,” he said.
About Westfield Technical Academy, Reimann said, “I loved it - it was great. I vastly appreciate going to a technical school. I recommend it to anyone ever planning to go to high school ever. There are no downsides. I have skills I never would have acquired any other way. I recommend it highly.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/wta-valedictorian-micah-reimann-says-hes-ready-for-the-challenge.html
Dealing with delays and dodging raindrops, Westfield High School’s Class of 2025 still got their moment in the sun, celebrating their graduation day at Bullens Field on Friday, June 6..
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/westfield-high-class-of-2025-braves-the-storm-to-celebrate-graduation.html
Westfield Technical Academy celebrated the many achievements of its Class of 2025 at its graduation ceremony, which took place at Bullens Field on Thursday, June 5.
The graduating class included 134 students, including its valedictorian, Micah Reimann.
https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/06/wta-celebrates-graduating-class-of-2025.html
The decision has been made to hold our graduation ceremony outside this evening. With the forecast calling for the worst of the weather to end around 7:00 pm, we will be delaying the start of graduation to 7:30 pm.
Graduates should arrive at Bullens Field ahead of time and be by the scoreboard by 7:00 pm.
Handicap and limited mobility parking has previously been communicated, and will be recommunicated in a separate email. If you have not reserved parking in these areas we suggest that you come early and find close on street parking that meets your needs.
Click here for a link to the live stream of the ceremony.
Please come with umbrellas, towels, and rain gear in case of showers and wet conditions.
