Renee Sweeney was in her AP Physics class at Westfield High School on Oct. 20, the day after she was surprised at the Massachusetts Project Lead the Way Fall Conference to receive the 2026 Massachusetts PLTW Community Teacher of the Year award.
“I had no idea. The students knew, and I didn’t,” said Sweeney. “I was sitting at the table listening to the awards. All of a sudden, I heard a voice that was familiar.”
The voice she heard was that of WHS principal Charles Jendrysik, who Sweeney said was speaking in a wonderful video with nice, kind words from the faculty and students about her. “Even my own children; it was really an honor,” she said.
The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year shows dedication to applied learning through their PLTW courses both inside and outside the classroom, transforming learning for their students, and is an active member of the Mass. PLTW community, according to WHS Assistant Principal Lauren Cadigan, who nominated Sweeney for the award.
“Renee was nominated for her vibrant, inclusive, and deeply engaging PLTW lessons and classroom. She constantly goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom at Westfield High School,” said Cadigan, who was herself previously honored as the Massachusetts PLTW Leader of the Year.
Project Lead the Way is a mission-driven nonprofit organization founded and led by educators, which helps students develop in-demand, transferable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science.
Sweeney said she started using the PLTW curriculum seven years ago in “Introduction to Engineering” and “Principles of Engineering,” the first two classes in the new WHS engineering pathway.
“What I love about it is the applied learning. I always taught physics, and my students get to apply physics to engineering problems,” Sweeney said, bringing a level of excitement not normally found.
Jendrysik congratulated Sweeney on receiving the award. “Renee is extremely deserving of this recognition. Everything she does is about kids. She’s a teacher who has fully embraced Project Lead the Way, and is always doing new and innovative things with her students. I’m very proud to work with her,” he said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-science-teacher-is-honored-as-mass-project-lead-the-way-teacher-of-the-year.html
“I had no idea. The students knew, and I didn’t,” said Sweeney. “I was sitting at the table listening to the awards. All of a sudden, I heard a voice that was familiar.”
The voice she heard was that of WHS principal Charles Jendrysik, who Sweeney said was speaking in a wonderful video with nice, kind words from the faculty and students about her. “Even my own children; it was really an honor,” she said.
The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year shows dedication to applied learning through their PLTW courses both inside and outside the classroom, transforming learning for their students, and is an active member of the Mass. PLTW community, according to WHS Assistant Principal Lauren Cadigan, who nominated Sweeney for the award.
“Renee was nominated for her vibrant, inclusive, and deeply engaging PLTW lessons and classroom. She constantly goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom at Westfield High School,” said Cadigan, who was herself previously honored as the Massachusetts PLTW Leader of the Year.
Project Lead the Way is a mission-driven nonprofit organization founded and led by educators, which helps students develop in-demand, transferable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science.
Sweeney said she started using the PLTW curriculum seven years ago in “Introduction to Engineering” and “Principles of Engineering,” the first two classes in the new WHS engineering pathway.
“What I love about it is the applied learning. I always taught physics, and my students get to apply physics to engineering problems,” Sweeney said, bringing a level of excitement not normally found.
Jendrysik congratulated Sweeney on receiving the award. “Renee is extremely deserving of this recognition. Everything she does is about kids. She’s a teacher who has fully embraced Project Lead the Way, and is always doing new and innovative things with her students. I’m very proud to work with her,” he said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-science-teacher-is-honored-as-mass-project-lead-the-way-teacher-of-the-year.html
The Westfield High School counseling department led the effort to arrange 90 colleges to attend a dozen fairs at area schools, including Westfield High School on Oct. 20.
Students from Westfield Technical Academy, Pathways, and Southwick Regional School also attended the fair.
Organized by Counselors Merylina Asselin, Dave Breglio, Megan Dougherty, Patty Healy, Jenna Stolarik, Tara Bean and Administrative Assistant Carolyn Florek, the fair offered an opportunity for college representatives to showcase their programs to students and for juniors and seniors to make a connection with postgraduate programs in which they are interested, Asselin said.
Represented at the fair were state and private colleges and universities, as well as armed services opportunities, including the Air National Guard and Army National Guard, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and West Point.
The College Fair is just one of the upcoming events at Westfield High School to help prepare students for post-graduation.
The next event on the calendar is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid informational night on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium for families, sponsored by the Title I Department. This session will be followed by one-on-one walkthrough assistance for parents who need help with their applications, to be held over the winter.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-high-school-hosts-18th-annual-college-fair.html
Students from Westfield Technical Academy, Pathways, and Southwick Regional School also attended the fair.
Organized by Counselors Merylina Asselin, Dave Breglio, Megan Dougherty, Patty Healy, Jenna Stolarik, Tara Bean and Administrative Assistant Carolyn Florek, the fair offered an opportunity for college representatives to showcase their programs to students and for juniors and seniors to make a connection with postgraduate programs in which they are interested, Asselin said.
Represented at the fair were state and private colleges and universities, as well as armed services opportunities, including the Air National Guard and Army National Guard, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and West Point.
The College Fair is just one of the upcoming events at Westfield High School to help prepare students for post-graduation.
The next event on the calendar is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid informational night on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium for families, sponsored by the Title I Department. This session will be followed by one-on-one walkthrough assistance for parents who need help with their applications, to be held over the winter.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-high-school-hosts-18th-annual-college-fair.html
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield Technical Academy. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/f104x
Join us for our next Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) meeting and learn how your business can partner with Westfield Public Schools to support students and develop our future workforce!
📅 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
📍 Reed Institute at Mestek
152 Notre Dame Street, Westfield, MA
🔧 Westfield Technical Academy staff will share opportunities for businesses to employ students through cooperative education.
🎓 Westfield High School staff will highlight opportunities for internships, job shadows, and other work-based learning experiences.
✅ All businesses are welcome to attend!
📧 For more information, contact Stefan Czaporowski at s.czaporowski@schoolsofwestfield.org or Amanda Brodkin at amanda@westfieldbiz.org.
📅 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
📍 Reed Institute at Mestek
152 Notre Dame Street, Westfield, MA
🔧 Westfield Technical Academy staff will share opportunities for businesses to employ students through cooperative education.
🎓 Westfield High School staff will highlight opportunities for internships, job shadows, and other work-based learning experiences.
✅ All businesses are welcome to attend!
📧 For more information, contact Stefan Czaporowski at s.czaporowski@schoolsofwestfield.org or Amanda Brodkin at amanda@westfieldbiz.org.
Harvest traditions are a part of every community, and Westfield is no different.
This Saturday, families will attend Westfield on Weekends’ 10th annual PumpkinFest at Westfield Middle School Athletic Fields, behind Amelia Park, off South Broad Street, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event is free admission with live performances, games, activities, costumed characters, strolling performers, craft/local vendors, food trucks, pumpkin carving/decorating, trunk or treat and much more.
This year, WOW has a new layout featuring themed villages for families to enjoy: Westfield G&E and Whip City Fiber’s “Autumn Arcade”, Home Depot’s “Homer’s Harvest Workshop,” “Make Some Magic” with TruNorth Bank, KidzBiz Village where young entrepreneurs ages 7-17 showcase their own businesses, products, crafts and services.
There will also be the Peaceful Low-Sensory Pumpkin Grove, a place where folks who want to take a break from the activities can find a calm, quiet space to enjoy the festival at their own pace.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/wows-pumpkinfest-returns-with-updated-layout.html
This Saturday, families will attend Westfield on Weekends’ 10th annual PumpkinFest at Westfield Middle School Athletic Fields, behind Amelia Park, off South Broad Street, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The event is free admission with live performances, games, activities, costumed characters, strolling performers, craft/local vendors, food trucks, pumpkin carving/decorating, trunk or treat and much more.
This year, WOW has a new layout featuring themed villages for families to enjoy: Westfield G&E and Whip City Fiber’s “Autumn Arcade”, Home Depot’s “Homer’s Harvest Workshop,” “Make Some Magic” with TruNorth Bank, KidzBiz Village where young entrepreneurs ages 7-17 showcase their own businesses, products, crafts and services.
There will also be the Peaceful Low-Sensory Pumpkin Grove, a place where folks who want to take a break from the activities can find a calm, quiet space to enjoy the festival at their own pace.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/wows-pumpkinfest-returns-with-updated-layout.html
Westfield Middle School students in Jennifer Johnson-Corwin’s eighth grade history class visited the school library this week where librarian Sarah Scott taught them about the history of Veterans Day and how to write a letter.
“Students worked very hard to create thoughtful and gracious cards and letters for local veterans. These will go to Senator Velis’ staff for distribution in our community. It is amazing to read our students’ reflections, patriotism, and kind words,” said Principal Jesse McMillan.
Scott said this is the school’s fourth year doing the “Thank-a-Veteran” project, and she will be seeing other classes throughout the month leading up to Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
She said some of the students like to make cards and decorate them with artwork, and others prefer sheets of paper for letters. The students also have a choice whether to write to a veteran they know or to a veteran in the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-students-thank-veterans-with-heartfelt-letters-and-cards.html
“Students worked very hard to create thoughtful and gracious cards and letters for local veterans. These will go to Senator Velis’ staff for distribution in our community. It is amazing to read our students’ reflections, patriotism, and kind words,” said Principal Jesse McMillan.
Scott said this is the school’s fourth year doing the “Thank-a-Veteran” project, and she will be seeing other classes throughout the month leading up to Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
She said some of the students like to make cards and decorate them with artwork, and others prefer sheets of paper for letters. The students also have a choice whether to write to a veteran they know or to a veteran in the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-students-thank-veterans-with-heartfelt-letters-and-cards.html
This week on Superintendent’s Spotlight, we welcomed staff and students from Westfield High School to learn about the exciting ways students are exploring their career interests through internships, job shadowing, and other work-based learning opportunities! 💼🌟
We also had a delicious visit from Westfield Technical Academy’s Culinary Arts Department, who helped us celebrate National Pierogi Day with some tasty treats! 🥟👨🍳
A big thank you to our students and staff for joining us, and thank you for watching!
#AchievingExcellenceTogether #CareerReadiness #workbasedlearning #NationalPierogiDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8TsG_gi1qg
We also had a delicious visit from Westfield Technical Academy’s Culinary Arts Department, who helped us celebrate National Pierogi Day with some tasty treats! 🥟👨🍳
A big thank you to our students and staff for joining us, and thank you for watching!
#AchievingExcellenceTogether #CareerReadiness #workbasedlearning #NationalPierogiDay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8TsG_gi1qg
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Munger Hill. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/e5u0b
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield High School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/rxth0
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield Technical Academy. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/f1bvj
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Southampton Road Elementary School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/v92h8s
This week on Superintendent’s Spotlight, we welcomed students from Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy to talk about their experiences with Early College—including taking college-level courses and earning college credits while still in high school.
Our friends from Westfield Technical Academy also stopped by to help us celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day with some delicious homemade pumpkin cheesecake!
Thanks for watching and for helping us celebrate the great opportunities available to our students! 🎓🎃🍰
#AchievingExcellenceTogether
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GXAsjvrFc
Our friends from Westfield Technical Academy also stopped by to help us celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day with some delicious homemade pumpkin cheesecake!
Thanks for watching and for helping us celebrate the great opportunities available to our students! 🎓🎃🍰
#AchievingExcellenceTogether
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GXAsjvrFc
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield Intermediate School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/01k5j
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Highland Elementary School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/sjm6d
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield Public Schools. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/yd186
Please click here for the latest newsletter from Westfield River Elementary School. Thank you: https://app.smore.com/n/513wb
Yesterday, Westfield Public Schools was pleased to welcome Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, Assistant Secretary Bob LePage, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education member Kristen Smidy to our schools!
During their visit, they spent time with students at Westfield Intermediate School and toured the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Westfield Technical Academy, seeing hands-on learning and student engagement in action.
Thank you to Dr. Zrike, Mr. LePage, and Ms. Smidy for visiting our students, staff, and programs! #AchievingExcellenceTogether
During their visit, they spent time with students at Westfield Intermediate School and toured the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at Westfield Technical Academy, seeing hands-on learning and student engagement in action.
Thank you to Dr. Zrike, Mr. LePage, and Ms. Smidy for visiting our students, staff, and programs! #AchievingExcellenceTogether
🎥 **This week on Superintendent’s Spotlight!**
We celebrated **National Math Storytelling Day** with second-grade students and staff from **Westfield River Elementary School**, who showed us how math and storytelling can come together in fun and creative ways.
We also welcomed students and staff from **Westfield Technical Academy**, who stopped by with some delicious homemade **Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts**! 🍩🎃
Thanks for watching and for helping us celebrate the great things happening across Westfield Public Schools!
#AchievingExcellenceTogether
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40YBuRFz5c
We celebrated **National Math Storytelling Day** with second-grade students and staff from **Westfield River Elementary School**, who showed us how math and storytelling can come together in fun and creative ways.
We also welcomed students and staff from **Westfield Technical Academy**, who stopped by with some delicious homemade **Pumpkin Spice Doughnuts**! 🍩🎃
Thanks for watching and for helping us celebrate the great things happening across Westfield Public Schools!
#AchievingExcellenceTogether
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i40YBuRFz5c
🎙️ Yesterday, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Human Resources Director Michael Morris joined Harry Rock on Rock on Westfield!
Topics discussed included the new Whip City Stadium, our new secondary school cellphone policy, Early College opportunities, the use of Artificial Intelligence in education, and more. Thanks to Harry Rock for having us, and thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-NHjeApZTY
Topics discussed included the new Whip City Stadium, our new secondary school cellphone policy, Early College opportunities, the use of Artificial Intelligence in education, and more. Thanks to Harry Rock for having us, and thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-NHjeApZTY