Westfield Public Schools

The Westfield High School baseball team did not take the holiday off to rest on their laurels. Instead, the Bombers kicked off a five-game homestand on Patriots’ Day with their fifth straight win to begin the season. Westfield sophomore Josh Wagner tossed a one-hitter, striking out nine batters in an 11-1, mercy-shortened win over Agawam early Monday afternoon at Bullens Field. The Bombers exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the first inning. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/josh-wagners-one-hitter-westfield-baseballs-10-run-first-inning-culminate-in-teams-fifth-straight-win.html

At an Arbor Day ceremony at the Westfield Middle School on April 26, a tree will be planted to kick off the school’s collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Over 50 trees, one of the largest projects to date of the DCR’s Greening the Gateway Cities program in Westfield, will be planted around the entire perimeter of the school. WMS Principal Jesse McMillan said the goal is to increase curb appeal at the school. The trees that will be planted are a mix of large and small shade trees, urban tolerant, long-lived, and many are native and have ornamental features, with the more decorative trees planted in the front of the school. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/middle-school-to-get-50-trees-in-state-program.html

Aidan Layng of Westfield, a senior in cabinetmaking at Westfield Technical Academy, has been named the school’s Outstanding Vocational Student of the Year. In addition to being in the inaugural group of students in the cabinetmaking program, he serves on the shop’s advisory board, is on co-op at Wright Architectural Millwork in Northampton as a cabinet maker, and is a co-founder in Wright Architectural’s new training program for high school students. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-tech-honored-student-builds-experience-in-trade-college-leadership.html

Four hundred seniors and juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, Southwick Regional School, St. Mary’s High School, Smith Academy, White Oak School, Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative and Gateway Regional High School gathered in two sessions on April 3 at the Credit for Life Fair at Westfield High School for an exercise in “real-world” finances from experts in the field. When they entered the gym, students could either choose or were randomly assigned a profession, a likely salary and a credit score, which they had to display on a tag hanging around their necks. “A lot of them are given really terrible credit scores. For the first stop, they can take a quiz to increase their credit scores. They’re also offered a credit card,” Taylor said. At the “Credit” booth, they get advice on how to maintain a good score, including not ever missing a payment. She said the students are surprised that even prospective landlords will look at their credit scores. Students are also tempted by broadcasted announcements from the “Fun, Fun, Fun” booth to go on vacations and purchase other extras. She said at the end, they returned to the Credit booth to see what “trouble-trouble” they got into. “The goal is to give students some education on what it’s like in the real world, and to learn prices, such as for cell phones. It’s not just about buying a car and expenses. At the ‘Part-time Job’ booth, they go on an actual interview for the job,” Taylor said. Westfield High School senior Milana Camilleri said she was supposed to be 25 years old and a medical resident, with a lot of debt. “I have to be frugal. I’m trying to figure out how to boost my credit score and plan for when I become a doctor,” she said. Wunnyuriti Ziblim, an environmental engineer, said he had gotten an additional part-time job as a math tutor to help pay his bills. Susan Borsella, financial literacy teacher at Gateway, brought 25 seniors to Credit for Life in the Huntington school’s first year participating. “This is it, they’re seniors on the edge of being adults. Most of them are walking around saying, ‘I’m broke already.’ They’re all getting jobs.” Borsella, whose class teaches students how to write checks, the difference between banks and credit unions, loans and credit cards, and hourly and salary wages, said a lot of what she teaches is out of her own experience and mistakes. Gateway seniors Abigail Madru and Kai Rahilly were finding the exercise worthwhile. They had just bought phones and a streaming service at the “Multimedia” Booth from Al Lieb of Otis Ridge. “It’s really fun and useful to help kids see how much they actually have to spend,” said Rahilly. “It’s really valuable to go through this before going through it in the real world,” Madru said, adding, “It’s a shock to go from having to pay for nothing to buying a car.” Kate Perez, math supervisor for Westfield Public Schools, said the fair is put on by Western Mass Credit for Life, which raises funds throughout the year to pay for it. Sponsors include MassHousing, Berkshire Bank, Bank ESB, Polish National, Westfield Bank and Westfield Gas & Electric. Volunteers also came from the Westfield Education to Business Alliance, and the Westfield Chamber of Commerce. https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/westfield/credit-fair-teaches-greater-westfield-teens-to-bal/

Southampton Road Elementary School students will get active and get moving today’s “Fun Run,” an event where they will spend a class period outdoors running from station to station, doing various activities like sports and relay races. The event is a collaboration between the school and four Westfield State University students who are minoring in coaching. “I am very excited,” said physical education teacher Kate Bust. “I love partnering with people in the community and having some young Westfield State University students come is going to be really motivating for the students.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-state-university-students-to-help-elementary-pupils-get-moving-today.html

It’s tough enough that the Westfield High School softball team has all of Western Massachusetts gunning for them as winners of three straight Western Massachusetts crowns. On Thursday, the Bombers were tasked with overcoming two opposing forces. Westfield junior pitcher Shea Hurley tossed a two-hitter, striking out nine batters in defeating Pittsfield – and the rain – 3-2 at home. Hurley walked four and hit two by pitch with intermittent showers raining down on the field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/shea-hurley-westfield-softball-hold-off-pittsfield-for-3-2-victory.html

The Westfield High School softball team is just two games into the 2024 season, but it appears the three-time defending Western Massachusetts champion Bombers already have that look. Westfield junior pitcher Shea Hurley already appears to be in mid-season form, throwing a perfect game and striking out 14 batters in Tuesday’s 22-0, mercy-shortened shutout of Longmeadow at home. The Bombers exploded for 22 runs over just four innings. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-softball-begins-title-defense-with-pair-of-shutout-victories.html

Now that the solar eclipsed has passed, Westfield’s public schools are passing on the special viewing glasses to students in South America. Westfield school district Curriculum and Instruction Director Susan Dargie said the schools are working with the Holyoke Fire Department to collect glasses to be donated to Argentina and Chile, where an annular solar eclipse will be visible on Oct. 2. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-students-will-donate-used-eclipse-glasses-to-kids-in-south-america.html

Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced to staff this week that Bruce Hastings, who has been serving as interim principal at Westfield Technical Academy for the last eight months, has been selected as principal of the school. “I am pleased to announce that Bruce Hastings has been offered and accepted the role of principal of WTA,” Czaporowski wrote. “A significant majority of respondents supported his candidacy after the visits last week. There were many positive comments about Mr. Hastings, citing his focus on relationships with all stakeholders; his experience as an educator and administrator in multiple settings; and his ability to improve the climate of the school.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/interim-principal-named-as-permanent-leader-at-westfield-technical-academy.html

Three up, three down is a common saying associated with baseball when a pitcher retires three straight batters, but, after Tuesday night’s contest, the Westfield Technical Academy High School baseball team left Bullens Field uttering that phrase for a slightly different reason. Westfield Technical Academy won its third game in three tries to begin the 2024 season behind a solid effort from sophomore pitcher Antonio Simpson, who scattered seven hits, two walks, and four runs (all unearned) while striking out eight batters in tossing a complete game, and some timely hitting. The Tigers beat St. Mary’s, 9-4. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-tech-baseball-downs-st-marys-for-3-0-start.html

Mrs. McMillan’s 2nd grade class at Paper Mill Elementary School had their eyes to the sky earlier today as they witnessed their first ever solar eclipse! All students fashioned the eclipse glasses provided by the district. Mrs. McMillan drummed up excitement throughout the day by delivering eclipse lessons and activities as they eagerly awaited the celestial event. Students were talking about it all day saying, “It’s eclipse day! It’s eclipse day!” During the viewing event, students could be heard saying “Whoa,” “That’s so cool,” and “It’s moving!” Students didn’t waste a moment of this experience.

It is quite obvious that the road has not been a stumbling block for the Westfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team. One week into the 2024 season, the Westfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team is perfect. The Bombers latest win came Saturday on the road against East Longmeadow, an 11-5 victory. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-boys-lacrosse-emerges-from-three-game-road-trip-3-0.html

Westfield High School welcomed 475 singers from grades 3 to 12 on Saturday, April 6, for the fifth annual Big Spring Sing. The event took place in the WHS gymnasium, where Westfield Middle School music teacher Amanda Metcalfe said, “we could better accommodate the overwhelming support and attendance of our event.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/big-spring-sing-brings-together-nearly-500-voices-from-many-westfield-schools.html

Western Mass News was on the front field over at Westfield High School where the Space and Astronomy Club held a viewing event for students and community members. Now, it really was a party here at Westfield High School, people brought their picnic blankets and outdoor chairs all to view the eclipse in Westfield. We spoke with some students who told us what got them so excited to see the eclipse! “Defintiely the peak and also just seeing outside it kept getting progressively darker and darker throughout the eclipse,” expressed Mirabella Prefontaine. “I just wanted to make sure that no one gets vision loss,” said Andy Liu “That was one of my main concerns because we’re not in the path of totality so no one could really take off their glasses during the eclipse.” https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/08/students-astronomy-enthusiasts-gather-westfield-eclipse/

Westfield Tech senior Deven Werbiskis took the mound for the second straight game and threw a gem in blustery conditions. Werbiskis struck out 16 over six innings, while yielding just one hit, a weak single in the fifth inning. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-westfield-tech-senior-deven-werbiskis-tosses-one-hitter-strikes-out-16.html

Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield schools, and K-6 STEM coach Lyndsey Ayers, said they are ready to distribute more than 5,700 solar eclipse safety glasses, a pair for every student and staff member in the public school system. Any leftover glasses will be given to the preschools at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club. “Students won’t get them until Monday,” Cadigan said. She said 3,000 of them were donated from UMass Amherst, and the district purchased the rest. Administrators made sure these glasses have been tested to protect eyes from the intense rays of the sun. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/safety-glasses-pinhole-viewer-project-have-westfield-pupils-ready-for-eclipse.html

Tonight's SEPAC Meeting is now being held virtually only. Thank you.

If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. Westfield Technical Academy Principal Bruce Hastings and Assistant Principal Kevin Daley talk about the school's admissions process and more. Culinary Arts students made a delicious cake to help us celebrate National Black Forest Cake Day too. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-i3JEmRu2Y

Students from Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy participated in our annual "Credit for Life" Fair on Wednesday, April 3. Students learned about credit cards, housing and transportation costs, budgeting, and more. Thank you to all of the volunteers that made this authentic learning experience possible for our students. Did you know? A course in Financial Literacy is a graduation requirement for all WPS students? #AchievingExcellenceTogether

Students in Westfield got a little dose of adult life Wednesday participating in the high school’s “Credit for Life Fair.” Westfield area students were age 25 for a day and put through the paces of emerging adulthood at the fair, hosted by Westfield High School. “It’s definitely a lot more. Like there is more to it,” said Westfield Technical Academy student Maya. Each student picked a profession, was assigned a credit score and tasked with visiting 15 booths around the gymnasium, each an educational opportunity on an aspect of post-education life. “It’s a budgeting exercise and we’re doing it with seniors because these are the kids that are about to graduate and have these expenses maybe in a few months,” said Edward Nunez, a volunteer with the Springfield Credit for Life program. Some of those expenses were surprisingly high for student Savanah, “The unforeseen expenses. It could be $50 at the supermarket or $900 because your car got towed.” “I was very surprised with the student loan debt. I did think it was really going to be that much,” said student Brady. While the expenses were a revelation, job hunting was an exercise in goal setting. Students selected a career in the area they hope to go after school. Carefully planned finances and dream jobs only get you so far in life… some things you can’t plan for. That’s where the reality check booth comes in. “We did have someone who landed on a spring break trip, so they had to deduct $900 from their balance,” said Kara Wood from Westfield Savings Bank. “This is not an easy thing to do every month. Managing what you want to do with your money and what you need to do with your money,” said Linda Saltus of Western Massachusetts Credit for Life. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/students-learn-budgeting-skills-through-credit-for-life-fair-in-westfield/