Westfield Public Schools

School administrators and a handful of varsity tennis players were the first to walk the tennis courts at Westfield High School on Friday morning, Sept. 6, after the students cut the ribbon on the new facility. The courts were designed by SLR International Corp. and built by Mountain View Landscapes in Chicopee, which specializes in sports facility construction. Present at the ribbon cutting were architect Kevin Fuselier of SLR, and Sean Corrigan from Mountain View. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/growing-tennis-teams-at-westfield-high-school-cut-ribbon-on-1m-new-courts.html

The Fort Meadow Parent Teacher Organization hosted an ice cream social for new and returning students and their older and younger siblings on Tuesday, the day before classes began. The afternoon event in the playground of the school at 35 White St., Westfield, capped a day of morning and afternoon orientation sessions. Principal Jonathan Scagel said the two sessions were great. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/09/students-siblings-welcome-westfield-preschool-start-with-ice-cream-social.html

If you missed the season premiere of Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we chatted with Principal Charles Jendrysik about some of the capital projects at Westfield High School over the last year, free SAT prep classes, and more. We also celebrated National Cheese Pizza Day with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program. Superintendent's Spotlight airs weekly on Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, wstfieldtv.org, and WCPC TV Channel 15. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXxK14ZjIGw

A Westfield High School student has been putting together care bags for both western Massachusetts troops and veterans for the last few years and, for her senior year, she’s at it again and is adding a little extra effort. “Getting to hear each and every one of their stories, the ones that have kids that they’re leaving at home, and I just wanted to make that somewhat easier for them,” said Westfield High Senior Jillian Battles. Since eighth grade, Battles has been determined to give Massachusetts veterans and soldiers deployed overseas care bags to make sure they are well taken care of. For each of the last three years, she has put together 800 of those for the same groups in western Massachusetts as part of her ‘Bags for Bravery’ project. Now, in her senior year, she’s picking up where she left off. “They’re not really appreciated as much as they should be and so, me as one person just being able to do what I do and then get my school involved, get the community involved and bring all this to light, and to be able to give them the recognition they deserve is truly what matters the most,” Battles noted. Battles told Western Mass News that there are several items needed for these bags, including throw blankets, warm socks, hand sanitizer, macaroni and cheese cups, and granola bars. While not many donations have been collected this early in the school year, Battles is increasing her effort this weekend with ‘Picklefor Patriots,’ a pickleball tournament that will give her a head start in collecting money to buy items that would fill the bags. “Even if they’re not playing, anybody can stop by and bring a donation off of my wish list and they get a free raffle ticket. It’s a good cause and I’m really hoping that will get people out.” Coming from a military family herself, Battles has shown her will to be there for those who are serving or have served in our armed forces and she said the battle will continue, especially when she attends college next year. “Western New England (University) already expressed their support, so I’m super excited for that. I know eventually I’d like to be a doctor, so med school might get a little tricky, but I have no plans on stopping any time soon,” Battles explained. ‘Pickle for Patriots’ will be Saturday at the Westfield Municipal Pickleball Courts. As for donations overall, Battles said they will be accepted until October 31. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/09/05/westfield-student-holding-pickleball-tournament-help-support-care-packages/

If you missed last week's Rock on Westfield with host Harry Rock, click on the link below. Guests Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie talk with Harry about the 2024-2025 school year and more. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLyi7YDDK20

Westfield Public Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, September 2, in observance of Labor Day. Have a great long weekend! Thank you.

Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center will once again begin classes on Sept. 4 for the morning and afternoon sessions of its integrated preschool programs at its longtime home at 35 White St., Westfield. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/fort-meadow-to-welcome-westfield-preschoolers-with-orientation-ice-cream.html

Westfield Public Schools is offering Free SAT Prep Courses this fall. Sessions will be held this September at both WHS and WTA. See image for more details.

To emphasize the importance of attending school, DESE's "Power of Presence" initiative asks you to submit a creative piece of artwork, music, photography, videography, writing, etc. to express why you attend school. We hope to hear from everyone:pre-K to adult students, families, school staff, educators, and administrators! Some examples include a short story about your school community, a painting of your favorite teacher, a photo of your classroom decorations, a video interview of your favorite teacher, a song you've been practicing for the school play, a testimonial about a new skill you learned - we are encouraging you to get creative! We will choose one entry to be featured this spring, highlighting you and your school community! We can't wait to see what you create and what makes your presence so powerful. This opportunity is open to all students, school staff, educators, and families in Massachusetts public pre-K-12 schools and adult learning classes. Deadline: December 20, 2024 To Submit: Complete the Entry Form (with included Media Agreement language) Attach your submission to the form. Deadline is Friday, December 20th, by 11:59 p.m. The creator of the entry that will be featured in the spring will be notified on or before January 10, 2025. https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/attendance/?utm_source=DA-Commissioner%27s+Weekly+Update&utm_campaign=bcd0ba25fc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_08_26_08_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-bcd0ba25fc-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

For the first time, Westfield’s public high schools are offering a free SAT prep course through a collaboration with Westfield State University, Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. The classes will be offered in person at both high schools. “This is a shared commitment to look at post-graduation options families have. Colleges are certainly one of them. This will help level the playing field,” said Human Resources Director Michael Morris, adding, “This is an important test for people who want that option.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/westfield-high-schools-to-offer-free-sat-prep-classes-with-help-from-university.html

Elm Electrical hosted a co-op signing day on Aug. 20 at its training facility at 21 Cycle St., Westfield. The event brought together new hires, their families, company leaders and community partners to formally welcome three former co-op students to the Elm Electrical team. Dylan Morgan and Rudy Charland, 2024 graduates from Westfield Technical Academy, and Israel Vargas from Chicopee Comprehensive High School were the guests of honor. All three were joined by proud parents, teachers and administrators at the event. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/elm-electrical-hosts-signing-day-for-former-co-op-students-beginning-careers.html

Thank you to St Joseph’s Church for their donation of school supplies. These supplies will be distributed to our refugee and McKinney Vinto families

Westfield Public Schools is pleased to announce FREE SAT Preparation classes this fall for students at Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy. Please click on the image for sign up information. Thank you!

The Westfield High School step up transition program is in its second week offering an opportunity to rising ninth graders to get to know the school, some of the teachers and other students in a smaller, more intimate group setting. “The transition program is a good opportunity for students to get comfortable in a new building and to build relationships with students and staff,” said adjustment counselor Anthony Saccomani, who is in charge of the program this year. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/ninth-graders-get-to-know-new-school-in-small-group-setting.html

Approximately 65 rising seventh graders in the Westfield Middle School transition program were completing a team-building exercise in the gym around cooperation on Wed. morning, Aug. 7. WMS Dean of Students Lauren Paret, who is running the four-day program, said the entering students will become part of the WMS Wolves, which are pack animals. Every day of the transition program the group is focusing on themes for the pack -- perseverance, accountability, cooperation and kindness. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/students-get-comfortable-in-middle-school-transition-program.html

The 150 students attending the transition program at the Westfield Intermediate School this week are working hard getting to know their new surroundings, meeting new friends, and of course mastering the combination locks for their lockers. WIS Grade 6 Math and science teacher Victoria Hedge, who is in charge of the program this week, said it is the smooth transition program they’ve held to date. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/incoming-fifth-graders-are-mastering-locks-and-making-new-friends.html

Beginning on Monday, Aug. 5, hundreds of students entering Westfield Intermediate School, Westfield Middle School and Westfield High School this fall will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new schools ahead of the first day at the schools’ transition programs. Unfortunately, all of the programs are filled, but there will be scheduled orientations for some of the schools later in the month. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/hundreds-of-westfield-5th-7th-9th-graders-sign-up-for-transition-programs.html

Band Camp 2024 is underway, with 128 students from rising 5th graders on up practicing from 8 a.m. until noon at the Westfield Middle School over the next two weeks through Aug. 9. According to Instrumental Music Director Patrick Kennedy, Band Camp gives students a target, something to be excited about over the summer. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/07/band-camp-builds-community-and-pride-in-westfield.html

The middle school has planted more than 40 trees on its campus since Arbor Day, and the principal says it’s on track to reach its goal of 50 trees next year. “We actually planted slightly fewer than we originally planned,” said Westfield Middle School Principal Jesse McMillan, adding some will be saved until next spring in order to dedicate the time to ensuring the planted trees’ survival. McMillan’s efforts are part of the Greening the Gateway Cities tree planting program, a state initiative that has been planting trees all around Westfield’s downtown for the past three years. “All of them look beautiful — we only lost one, which was anticipated for this size of a planting. Overall they’re healthy — we have watering bags on them, which is helpful, and we fill them once a week,” McMillan said. One of the key partners of the Greening the Gateway Cities Program is the Westfield Puerto Rican Association, which has launched a “Say Yes to the Trees” initiative to encourage families and businesses in the city to get involved and plant trees. In June, WEPRA President Agma Sweeney, who McMillan said was one of the individuals who first brought the program to Westfield, presented a certificate of appreciation to the school in June for their participation in the program. “The trees play an important role for increasing Westfield’s urban tree canopy along with cleaner air, a healthy environment, natural beauty and important learning opportunities for the students now and in the future,” stated the message from Sweeney and WEPRA. For more information about the campaign, visit www.wepra.org/urbancanopy. “That was a pleasant surprise to be recognized by them,” McMillan said. He said the project at the school first started when he was speaking to School Committee member Kathleen Hillman last fall about ways to enhance the school property. “We thought, what better way to do this than with trees? As someone who lives in the Hilltowns, surrounded by trees, I could certainly appreciate what this could offer to our school community,” said McMillan, a Chesterfield resident. The trees that have been planted are a mix of large and small shade trees, suited to an urban environment, long-lived, and many are native and have ornamental features, with the more decorative trees planted in the front of the school. At an Arbor Day ceremony on April 26, a tulip tree was planted to kick off the school’s collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Greening the Gateway Cities program in Westfield, which has a goal of planting 800 trees in the city. Speaking at the ceremony were state Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield), acting Education Commissioner Russell Johnston, urban forester Sarah Greenleaf of the Greening the Gateway Cities program, and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. Mayor Michael McCabe and members of the School Committee and City Council also participated, digging a ceremonial shovel of dirt. “We started planting in Westfield in spring 2021 and have planted 616 trees thus far. We will continue working in the Westfield planting zone for the foreseeable future and are always looking for new interested homeowners, renters, and business owners to sign up for our program,” Greenleaf said at the time. Westfield Middle School’s 40 trees have now been added to that total. https://thereminder.com/local-news/hampden-county/westfield/tree-initiative-at-westfield-school-adds-to-leafy-urban-canopy/

Masslive announced its 2024 All-Western Mass. selections on Tuesday, July 23. Less than two months after earning their fifth Division II state championship, the Westfield boy's volleyball team was rewarded with seven combined selections, while Agawam was next with six. https://www.masslive.com/highschoolsports/2024/07/2024-all-western-mass-boys-volleyball-state-champion-westfield-leads-all-selections-with-seven.html