Westfield Technical Academy

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

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

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

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

Students at a local middle school mixed education and fun, with a special appearance from the Westfield Starfires. Westfield middle schoolers got to enjoy a baseball game in the sun, but also got to learn the science behind the sport. It was a busy day for Westfield Middle School on Wednesday, as they partnered with Westfield Technical Academy and the Westfield Starfires baseball team for a STEM career showcase. The middle school students got the chance to interact with the technical school and see if it’s a high school they would want to attend. From aviation and construction to auto-tech, manufacturing, and electric wiring, the options for industries offered varied. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/westfield-starfires-join-students-for-stem-showcase/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&fbclid=IwY2xjawK3lfdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFwS0t6dEwycnVQSWxndkhPAR4bdDFFfdwz70Z1EIfxwbOA4dpnrmAqIunR5ZSa1EZ72z7kjgFdVRnZ49_Q0A_aem_PzRQXWFcEMD_ttwvcIYmrw

Westfield Technical Academy Valedictorian Micah Reimann is ready to go to work at Bern Optics on Southampton Road in Westfield. After completing cooperative education at Bern, he will start full-time as a computer numerical control machinist after a short break. “I find it very rewarding,” Reimann said. He will begin on setups, operation and programming on milling machines. The company makes glass lenses and prisms and other specialty pieces. “For the time being, I plan to work full-time for a year. After that, I am considering going to school for mechanical engineering.” Because he attended Westfield Technical Academy’s manufacturing program, Reimann said he will get some “really nice” credit benefits going to Springfield Technical Community College, and be able to skip past the introductory courses. “If I go there, I would be able to get my associate’s, then I could pick my four-year school to get my bachelor’s,” he said. About Westfield Technical Academy, Reimann said, “I loved it - it was great. I vastly appreciate going to a technical school. I recommend it to anyone ever planning to go to high school ever. There are no downsides. I have skills I never would have acquired any other way. I recommend it highly.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/wta-valedictorian-micah-reimann-says-hes-ready-for-the-challenge.html

Westfield Technical Academy celebrated the many achievements of its Class of 2025 at its graduation ceremony, which took place at Bullens Field on Thursday, June 5. The graduating class included 134 students, including its valedictorian, Micah Reimann. https://www.masslive.com/westernmass/2025/06/wta-celebrates-graduating-class-of-2025.html

Click on the link below for yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with YMCA of Greater Westfield CEO Andrea Allard about their summer programming. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us to celebrate National Veggie Burger Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ_aJ895f3A

For High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy, the recent trip to Washington, D.C., for the Music in the Parks Festival was more than just about winning awards. The combined band, which included 10 musicians from Westfield Technical Academy along with Westfield High School members, won plenty, with each group receiving a first-place award. They earned best overall band in the festival, first place in band, jazz band and marching band in their division for schools with enrollment over 1,000 students, and best jazz soloist, Ceileigh Thomson. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/for-westfields-hs-band-director-festivals-about-more-than-winning-awards.html

Last year, in conjunction with Advance Manufacturing and the Amanti family, students in manufacturing technology at Westfield Technical Academy were given the opportunity to create parts for the American Bobsled Team. The parts were programmed, set up and manufactured by students using stock donated by Advance Manufacturing. Ron Nadeau, lead instructor of manufacturing technology, said the project was time sensitive. “Upon completion, all of the parts were inspected and presented back to Advance Mfg., where they were used in a bunch of sleds.” The result was that team member Kaysha Love won a world championship on a monobob using parts created by Westfield Technical Academy students. Recently, Nadeau was at Advance Manufacturing when the team came to the company, and an award was presented to them that was shared with the students. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/wta-manufacturing-students-make-parts-for-world-championship-american-bobsled-team.html

No Cost Treatment for Marijuana, Alcohol and other Drug Problems: MASS General Brigham is doing this research to assess a new type of intervention that combines group and individual therapy to improve substance use and related outcomes in youth and young adults. Click on the link below for more information. Thank you! https://rally.massgeneralbrigham.org/study/youthrecoveryprogram

School Principal’s Day, celebrated on May 1st every year, is a time to recognize and appreciate the dedicated leaders who guide our schools. Principals play a crucial role in shaping the educational experience, fostering a positive learning environment, and supporting teachers, students and families. Thank you to all our building Principals for all that they do each and every day for our schools.

Horticulture technology at Westfield Technical Academy is getting ready for its popular Annual Spring Plant Sale on Tuesday, May 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, May 7 and 8, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Friday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If any plants are left over — they are often sold out — the sale will be open on Saturday, May 10, from 9 to 11 a.m. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/annual-spring-plant-sale-at-westfield-technical-academy-begins-may-6.html

The United States Attorney’s Office will be hosting a virtual internet safety presentation for all adults who wish to keep children safe online. Assistant United States Attorney Luke Goldworm and Victim Witness Specialist Lauryn Mackey will be joined by Special Agent Andrew Kelleher from Homeland Security Investigations Child Exploitation and Digital Forensics Unit to present a Webex Webinar: Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents Wednesday, June 4th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. A Q & A session will follow the presentation. The presentation will bring awareness to how predators are sexually exploiting children online and how to keep them safe. Advanced registration is required. You may register for the webinar at the link below: https://usao.webex.com/weblink/register/r4617269953953d7a4aaa839f6c3e110b

Munger Hill’s first grade students are learning about plants with WTA students in the Horticulture program, fostering real world connections, deeper understanding, and motivation - the hallmarks of relevant learning. Jennifer Kubic, Rebeccca Conroy, and Sandy O’Connor, Grade 1 teachers at Munger Hill, and Vicky-Lynn Toro, Horticulture teacher at the Tech Academy, have brought their students together twice before. During the first and second years of the collaboration, Ms. Toro and her students visited to help plant flowers in the beds in front of Munger Hill. In the second year, a visit to WTA was planned, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that trip did not happen. This year, everything about the collaboration was coming up roses! The first-grade students were able to visit WTA, where they toured the greenhouses and shop areas. The students also had the opportunity to see the hydroponic greenhouse, where vegetables are grown without soil! Every first grade student was able to plant both an herb and a flower—one to take home and one to leave at WTA! Ms. Toro and her students will return to MH in May to help plant the flowers that stayed behind. These will be added to the front flower beds of the school. Students had the opportunity to think about whether they may want to have a career related to horticulture, and the trip was the perfect kick off for the Grade 1 Life Science Unit focusing on Plant Traits and Survival. As an added bonus, Mrs. Kubic ran into a former student she had at Fort Meadow, and he is thriving in the Horticulture program!

No EBT Card Access April 26-27: The state Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is changing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) vendors. As part of the transition, families will not be able to use their food benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP) or withdraw cash benefits (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children, TAFDC; or Emergency Aid to the Elderly Disabled and Children, EAEDC) from 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 through mid-day on Sunday, April 27. No food purchases can be made during this time.

Spring Vacation starts on Monday, April 21, 2025, and ends on April 25, 2025. School resumes on Monday, April 28, 2025. Have a safe and enjoyable break!

Westfield Public Schools and Offices will be closed on Monday, April 21, in observance of Patriots Day. Thank you.

At the School Committee meeting on April 7, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Human Services Director Michael Morris introduced Dr. Gregory Rosenthal as the search committee’s pick to be the new administrator of special services and student support services. Rosenthal will replace Debra Ecker, who is retiring after serving five years at the top special education post and previously as a supervisor. Rosenthal is the current director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Before to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools. He has led professional development on topics such as differentiated instruction, student engagement, and co-teaching, said Morris. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/dr-gregory-rosenthal-hired-as-new-administrator-of-special-services-in-westfield.html