Westfield Public Schools

Westfield Transition Services’ annual “Bridge to Adulthood” ceremony on June 11 at Shaker Farms Country Club honored the young adults who are turning 22 in 2024, and are leaving the Westfield public school system. This year’s honorees were Jacob Brooks, Colette Croteau, Katelyn Flaherty, Andrew George, Madelyn Goodwin, Alina Gusieva, David Partridge, Josh Pedro, Bryanty Reyes, Nathanael Rodriguez. and Lilia Shiliuk. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-transition-students-honored-in-bridge-to-adulthood-ceremony.html

By the year 2030, nearly 500 thousand technicians will be needed in the aviation industry, creating a major gap in the labor market. “The need in the aviation industry for employees is probably larger now than it ever has been and so as a certain generation retires, we need people to replace the workforce,” explained Westfield Public School Superintendent, Stefan Czaporowski. Westfield Technical Academy is offering students an opportunity to get involved in the aviation industry. The school's aviation maintenance technology program gives high school students hands-on training with live aircraft, to help meet the requirements of the FAA. Students are exposed to things like basic electricity, aircraft drawings, ground operations and servicing, landing gear systems, and navigation. “We have a lot of connections that help our students get cooperative education placements, which means they can work after school in the industry that their interested in. So, once they graduate, they’ll have a job waiting for them,” said Czaporowski. He also told Western Mass News students who show interest in aviation remain interested throughout their lives. He added that programs like these can also help students who are under performing academically. “We’ve had students sign up for this program and it is a rigorous program, that were not academically strong but rose to the occasion to be successful in this program and we’ve had students that really picked up better study habits and also just a desire to learn because they were so passionate about the content this program has,” Czaporowski said. Western Mass News also spoke with the program’s department head, Galen Wilson. He tells us, this high school aviation program is the only one of its kind in New England, and there are only two others like it in the entire country. “We have students that are flying for JetBlue, we have students that are pilots and earning their living that way. We have the technicians that are working for gulf stream, and breeze airlines and so on and so forth,” explained Wilson. Wilson noted to Western Mass News that their program is ideal for any student interested in flying planes or working with aircraft. “What we look for here is that passion for aviation, its in your gut its in your belly this is something that you really want to do,” said Wilson. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/06/20/westfield-school-offers-aviation-program-students/

Jennifer Thielen’s third grade class at Franklin Avenue Elementary School dressed as colonists and British soldiers in an impromptu play about the Boston Tea Party on June 13, performing it four times for parents and the other students in the school. Thielen said the play came about when a field trip was canceled due to rain. Reading from a Reader’s Theater book in the classroom, the class decided to perform the play for the school. The students had recently dressed up as colonists for a trip to an open house at the 1735 Dewey House in town, where they had a booth and made butter, so they found it easy to get into character. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-third-graders-re-enact-boston-tea-party-after-field-trip-is-canceled.html

Oliver Brown, an Engineer and Designer from ST Math visited and chatted with fourth grade students at Franklin Avenue last week about his career. Students were able to ask him questions about how he helps create puzzles, where he went to college, and if he thinks ST Math can ever be “beat”. Oliver encouraged students to get into coding now while they are young and have fun with it. Students even got a sneak peak of new ST Math puzzles in the making! Fourth graders won this virtual visit with Oliver Brown when a group was awarded the prize for “Outstanding Math Game” at the One8 Applied Learning Student Showcase in May. Students programmed their own ST Math inspired game in ScratchJR titled “Mathsketball”.

Westfield Public Schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. Thank you.

Tenth grade students in Nicole Hamel’s AP History class at Westfield High School teamed up with residents of Armbrook Village this spring for a “Past Meets Present” living history project. Thirteen students were paired with 12 residents at the senior living facility, meeting first at the high school in an introduction to the project, and two more times for the interviews. On June 10, the students presented their reflections to the residents at Armbrook. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-teens-team-up-with-armbrook-village-for-living-history-project.html

Westfield's own Madison Curbelo returned to her alma mater this afternoon to perform for the students at Highland Elementary School. She also took time to answer questions from students. Thank you, Madison.

There are moments in Massachusetts sports lore that resonate in people’s minds for a lifetime like the epic Red Sox comeback against the New York Yankees in the 2004 ALCS that broke the Curse of the Bambino or the New England Patriots improbable come-from-behind win against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Although not professionals, the top-seeded Westfield High School volleyball team played like it, rallying from a 2-sets-to-none deficit to defeat No. 3 Wayland in five sets in the Division 2 state championship Thursday night at Worcester State University. The Bombers, who trailed 21-17 in the third set and were on the brink of elimination, won 11-25, 14-25, 25-22, 25-19, 15-13. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/from-edge-of-defeat-westfield-boys-volleyball-rallies-to-win-fifth-championship-title-in-seven-tries.html

The Westfield Starfires are thrilled to announce that hometown hero and finalist of NBC's 'The Voice,' Madison Curbelo, will be performing at Bullens Field as part of the pre-game entertainment on Saturday, June 29th. In addition to her pre-game performance, Curbelo will also have the honor of singing the National Anthem. Curbelo, whose powerful performances on 'The Voice' captivated millions, will bring her incredible talent back to her roots in Westfield. This special appearance is a testament to her connection to the community that has supported her journey to national recognition. “I am so excited to be back in Westfield for my official homecoming event with the Starfires,” said Curbelo. “My Westfield community got me through every round of The Voice and it’s an honor to be able to connect with them again after this journey.” The festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with Curbelo's pre-game performance, followed by her rendition of the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m., just before the first pitch. Fans will also have an exclusive opportunity to meet Curbelo during a special meet and greet during the Starfires game against the Worcester Bravehearts. The game is presented by Berkshire Heating & Air Conditioning. Tickets for the game are available by visiting https://ci.ovationtix.com/36043

If you missed the season finale of "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we provide updates on the new elementary school project. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake Day. Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyGaGLG1awI

The Marblehead High School softball team’s players are known as the Magicians, but it was the Westfield Bombers who pulled a rabbit out of their hat. Westfield junior reserve Sophie Svantesson hit a walk-off, two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to help the fourth-seeded Bombers rally past No. 9 Marblehead 3-2 in the Division 2 softball state semifinals Tuesday at Worcester State University. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/magic-act-foiled-no-1-westfield-rallies-past-no-9-marblehead-in-extras-to-earn-d2-softball-state-finals-berth.html

The last day of school is on Monday, June 17. It is also an early release day. High school students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate School students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary School students at 12:15 p.m. Thank you.

Thus far this postseason, the only team that truly has been able to beat the Westfield High School boys volleyball team is the Bombers themselves. No. 1 Westfield dominated No. 5 Longmeadow in nearly every fashion, save for a few moments of mental fatigue, en route to a three-set sweep in the Division 2 boys volleyball state semifinals Monday night at Chicopee Comprehensive High School. The Bombers won 25-14, 25-19, 25-11. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/no-1-westfield-contines-revenge-tour-advances-to-play-no-3-wayland-in-d2-boys-volleyball-state-finals.html

It’s the little things that again made all the difference for the Westfield High School baseball team. From pickoffs to throw downs to timely hits, all of the X-factors added up to one big Bombers’ victory. Nick Lenfest and Andre Phaneuf drove in two runs apiece for Westfield and imposing sophomore pitcher Josh Wagner scattered four hits while striking out four batters as the third-seeded Bombers beat No. 6 Hopkinton, 7-2, in the Division 2 baseball state quarterfinals Sunday at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-baseball-earns-trip-to-boston-final-four.html

Westfield junior pitcher Shea Hurley recorded 13 strikeouts in tossing a 3-hitter en route to a 5-1 win over No. 21 Notre Dame (Hingham) in the Division 2 softball state quarterfinals Sunday at home. Grace Leduc went 4-for-4 with a run to lead No. 4 Westfield (19-3), which racked up 11 hits against Notre Dame (13-8). Bombers’ Ciara Toporowski had two hits and one run; Allie Rehor hit a hit, walked twice and scored two runs; and Ali LaPanne doubled and drove in three RBIs. https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2024/06/westfield-pitcher-shea-hurley-bombers-softball-advance-to-the-d2-state-semifinals.html

Westfield High School added a new element to its graduation ceremonies this year. On the Thursday before graduation, after seniors did their traditional walk through the halls of the high school to the applause of underclassmen, several groups then visited their former elementary schools to walk through the halls where they started their educational journeys. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-high-school-graduates-visit-former-elementary-schools-teachers.html

Liam Murphy, meteorologist from Western Mass News, visited Southampton Road School 3rd graders last week with a presentation about Weather & his career. This was the perfect way to close out their recent Project Lead the Way module on Weather: Factors & Hazards in which students were challenged with reducing the impact of a flood.

For a moment, it seemed like Saturday’s Division II quarterfinals matchup between No. 1 Westfield boys volleyball and No. 8 West Springfield would need a fifth set to declare a winner. Undeterred by the deadlock in the fourth set, Michael Zubik’s two-handed kill momentarily secured a three-point lead for the Terriers. Despite the short-lived momentum due to multiple errors, the team’s resilience shined through, as they tied the score at 23-23 before another timeout was called. https://www.masslive.com/highschoolsports/2024/06/no-1-westfield-boys-volleyball-defeats-no-8-west-springfield-in-d-ii-quarterfinals-video.html

Two days before graduation, Franklin Avenue was able to welcome back five of its scholars who are set to graduate from Westfield High School on Friday, June 7, 2024. These graduates were excited to walk the halls of Franklin Avenue and say hello to teachers. Before walking through the halls giving students high fives and being cheered on by loud applause, our Franklin Alumni visited with their former teacher, Mrs. Lauren Martins third grade class. They answered many students' questions, including assuring them that Westfield High School has a big library with lots of books and that there are many math classes to choose from. When telling third graders about their experience at Franklin Avenue, the WHS students mentioned the great teachers, the Turkey Trot, and making friendships that lasted into high school. Wunnyuriti Ziblim, Valedictorian for the WHS Class of 2024 and Princeton bound, said being a part of Key Club set him up for giving back to his community, something he has been doing since his days at Franklin. Mrs. Chris Tolpa, principal of Franklin Avenue said, "While I was not the principal when these graduates attended Franklin Avenue, I know they encompass the same characteristics we value in all of our students: kindness, perseverance, and integrity. They are wonderful role models for our students to emulate. We wish them the best as they begin their next chapter in life pursuing degrees in nursing, archaeology, biology, geosciences, and criminal justice."

Abner Gibbs students and staff were so excited to welcome back some of our former Eagles, Seniors from the Westfield High School Graduating Class of 2024! Staff and students lined the halls to celebrate the seniors with cheers, applause, and high fives. It was such a wonderful experience for everyone! Congratulations Class of '24!