Click on the link below for the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we spoke with elementary school teachers from Southampton Road School and Highland School about developing building Thinking Classrooms in Grade 4. Students and staff from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program also joined us in the second half of the show to help celebrate National Hot Cross Buns Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv_WLOadUqI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv_WLOadUqI
Everyday counts! Consistent attendance builds success in school & beyond. #attendancematters
Happy Friday! Click here to view September's "The Howler" newsletter from Principal McMillan: https://secure.smore.com/n/3n64bd
Click on the link below for this morning's season premiere of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with our new Director of Special Education, Dr. Gregory Rosenthal, and celebrated 'Eat an Extra Dessert Day' with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Vy78U2Agg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Vy78U2Agg
Please click here for the latest newsletter from WRES. Thank you! https://secure.smore.com/n/m439h
Last week, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie were guests on "Rock on Westfield", to talk about the start of the school year. Click on the link below. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLO_k13gWi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLO_k13gWi4
Dear WPS Families,
Please expect to receive text messages from your children’s teachers and schools using our new TalkingPoints platform. This new texting tool will allow better two-way communication, and it also translates messages into over 150 languages. We are excited to use TalkingPoints to help foster stronger partnerships with our families. You can download the “TalkingPoints for Families” app or learn more by going to talkingpts.org/families
Please expect to receive text messages from your children’s teachers and schools using our new TalkingPoints platform. This new texting tool will allow better two-way communication, and it also translates messages into over 150 languages. We are excited to use TalkingPoints to help foster stronger partnerships with our families. You can download the “TalkingPoints for Families” app or learn more by going to talkingpts.org/families
The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced this week that 30 school districts, in partnership with over 100 community-based preschool programs, will receive a total of $20.3 million in Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI) grants to expand access to high-quality, affordable preschool for children and families across Massachusetts.
These grants maintain the state’s expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs, according to the announcement.
Among the grantees were Westfield Public Schools, which received a $1 million implementation grant, and Gateway Regional, which received a $250,000 early implementation grant. Both school districts offer free preschool to families.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/westfield-and-gateway-regional-among-communities-awarded-cppi-preschool-grants.html
These grants maintain the state’s expanded access to high-quality preschool, supporting approximately 220 preschool classrooms and 3,200 seats for children across public schools, family child care, YMCAs, Head Start, and other community-based preschool programs, according to the announcement.
Among the grantees were Westfield Public Schools, which received a $1 million implementation grant, and Gateway Regional, which received a $250,000 early implementation grant. Both school districts offer free preschool to families.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/westfield-and-gateway-regional-among-communities-awarded-cppi-preschool-grants.html
New student orientation schedules, opening dates and other important information have been announced for Westfield Public Schools.
Westfield High School invites all incoming freshman, new and transfer students and their parents and guardians to attend a freshman and Parent Orientation on Monday, Aug. 25, from 9-11 a.m. This will be an opportunity to get acquainted with the school and programs that are offered at Westfield High School.
Westfield Middle School is inviting incoming seventh graders to an orientation on Aug. 25 at 5 p.m., where they will meet administration, receive general school information, student schedules, and participate in a self-guided tour of the building.
An orientation for new students to Westfield Intermediate School is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 19 at noon. There will be a short information session followed by a fun scavenger hunt around the school. New students will get to explore the building, find their classrooms, and discover many of the great things WIS has to offer.
Elementary schools in the city are also scheduling playdates for entering kindergarteners and preschoolers.
Highland Elementary is having a pre-K and kindergarten playdate on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at 9:30-10:30 a.m. for pre-K and 11 a.m. to noon for kindergarten. Come and meet the other students and their families and enjoy a fun time with chalk and bubbles and special guests Spiderman and Moana.
Munger Hill Elementary School is hosting Preschool Popsicle with a Principal at the school playground on Monday, Aug. 25, from 5-6 p.m.; and Kindergarten Popsicle with a Principal in the school playground on Wednesday, Aug. 27, from 5=6 p.m.
Paper Mill Elementary will have a Kindergarten playdate on the school playground on Monday, Aug. 25, from 5-6 p.m.
Southampton Road Elementary will have a preschool and kindergarten playdate on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school playground.
Westfield River Elementary’s Kindergarten playdate is on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 4-5 p.m. outdoors in the back courtyard. Please enter by the side lot through the cafeteria.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/08/new-student-orientations-and-school-start-dates-announced-for-westfield-schools.html
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