Westfield Technical Academy

The season came to a close for the Westfield Technical Academy girls basketball team Thursday with a hard-fought loss to Duggan Academy, 46-39. Senior Kristen Nutting, who Westfield Tech head coach James Davenport described as “the heart and soul of the Tigers,” scored 16 points in the final game of her high school career. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/02/westfield-technical-academy-girls-basketball-season-comes-to-an-end.html

Click on the link below to watch the latest episode of "On the Mark" featuring staff and students from the Communications Department at Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lY_RnI9lLE

Westfield Technical Academy students brought back a tradition on Feb. 17 when they visited Abner Gibbs Elementary School to read stories and demonstrate hands-on activities related to their chosen trades, something they haven’t been able to do since before coronavirus pandemic. The event was part of WTA’s celebration of Career Technical Education Week. WTA Career Technical Director Peter Taloumis and School Librarian Sarah Scott organized the event and selected the books with the help of Abner Gibbs Principal Erika Masciadrelli and school secretary Erinn Tirrell. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-students-share-their-trades-at-abner-gibbs-elementary-school.html

Next week is Winter Vacation! There is no school for students starting Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. WTA Offices will also be closed next week. Students return to school and our offices will reopen on Monday, February 27. Have fun and be safe! Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom about Career Technical Education Week at Westfield Technical Academy. We also learned a lot about almonds on National Almond Day. Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqmA_v8l7A

A reception at Tiger’s Pride on Valentine’s Day gave friends and colleagues from Westfield Technical Academy and the Westfield Police Department a chance to recognize retiring School Resource Officer Tracy Ploof, and to wish him well after 20 years of helping to keep the peace at the school, and 30 years with the city police. “The word spread to other retirees from the Police Department and Westfield Technical Academy. It was a really good turnout, a lot of people popped in,” said WTA Adjustment and Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer, who organized the event along with Lt. Eric Hall of the Westfield Police Community Services Unit. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-police-community-thank-retiring-school-resource-officer.html

The registration portal for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please visit the Westfield Public Schools website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org for more information. Thank you!

Tune in on Thursday, February 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a special Career Technical Education episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will be talking with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom all about Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching!

For the first time in three years, Into the Arts is BACK! We are excited to share that this celebration of all the arts in Westfield Public Schools will return this April 28th and 29th!

Five veteran teachers and one teacher new to the profession were named 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award winners in Westfield this week. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski surprised the winners at their schools on Feb. 7. Winners have demonstrated exemplary teaching practices and have had a strong impact on their students; they’ve inspired and motivated others, engaged their students’ families, and gone above and beyond in the classroom and school community. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-superintendent-surprises-6-educators-with-excellence-in-teaching-award.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff, students, and judges that participated in the annual Westfield Public Schools Science, Technology, and Engineering Fair. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKK_bY2Tbg

This week, we celebrate National SkillsUSA Week! We are proud to have an active SkillsUSA Chapter here of 105 members this year here at WTA which includes 92 students, 11 shop advisors and 2 administrators. To date, our students have participated at a Fall State Leadership Conference this past November, during which Senior Aaron Liu received his leadership pin. Our senior members will be participating in a "Seniors Advancing in Leadership" conference on February 9th focusing on Career and College Readiness after High School. Additionally, 69 students from WTA and other technical schools in the surrounding area will compete in district-level competition here at WTA on March 14. Students who compete successfully at districts will advance to state-level competition in late April. Congratulations to all our WTA Skills Members for their hard work and dedication, and special thanks to Mrs. Maureen Baillargeon for her continued service as our Chapter Advisor.

Don't forget to tune in this Thursday, February 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Cable Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a crossover episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" and "Tiger Talk". This week, we will be broadcasting live from Westfield High School during our Annual High School Science Fair. We will be talking with staff, students, and judges about the incredible projects from students at WHS and WTA. Thanks for watching!

Last week, Mr. Chretien's and Mr. Davenport’s U.S. History II Classes participated in Springfield Museums’ presentation of "Us & Them: Discrimination During the Holocaust and Today", during which the students learned about the experiences of local Holocaust survivors. The students used primary source materials to track the progression of hate from prejudice to genocide, and they also learned the difference between "bystanders" and "upstanders". We are grateful to Sarah Christensen from the Springfield Museums who did a wonderful job with her presentations on this important topic!

This week, we celebrate National School Counseling Week, which highlights the impact that school counselors provide through their work in helping students succeed. School counselors focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. They are a valuable part of our educational team. They support the entire school community by helping to create more positive academic, vocational, and social-emotional experiences for our students. I know I speak for everyone when I say how truly fortunate we are to have Carol Groom, Andrea Arvanites, Casey Keefe, Kristine Hupfer, and Michael Quinn as part of our family!

Tune in on Thursday, February 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a crossover episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" and "Tiger Talk". This week, we will be broadcasting live from Westfield High School during our Annual High School Science Fair. We will be talking with staff, students, and judges about the incredible projects from students at WHS and WTA. Thanks for watching!

In case you were unable to tune in this morning, follow the link below to today's action-packed episode of "Tiger Talk Live". While Mr. Langone was proctoring MCAS Retests, Mr. Daley and Mrs. Groom were joined by Mr. Langone's Executive Administrative Assistant Kelly Liptak; student wrestlers Joshua Castell, Ethan Connors, and Tristan; and skiiers Rudy Charland and Owen Freeman. And THE Vince Escarpita rounded out the proceedings with our Sports Corner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJa9Vo9trmk&list=PLnSwTu8SRtqIA3xtNAnD_rQFSd8aXozvH

February is National Career Technical Education Month. Celebrate with us here at WTA, where we put education to work!

Hello WTA Family! We begin the month of February here at the Academy on the heels of our annual Joint School Committee/General Advisory Committee Meeting, which was held on January 17. As part of that meeting, our Mayor and the members of the Westfield School Committee had the opportunity to tour our technical programs; interact with our staff, students, and community and business partners; and experience first-hand our technical programs’ many successes and accomplishments. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Michael McCabe, Mrs. Kathleen Hillman, Mrs. Diane Mayhew, Ms. Heather Sullivan, Mr. Timothy O’Connor, Mr. Bo Sullivan, Mr. Michael Tirrell, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, and General Advisory Committee Chair Jeff Amanti for their on-going and steadfast commitment to the mission and work of WTA. I also want to recognize City Councilors James Adams, Brent Bean, Michael Burns, Ralph Figy, and William Onyski for their presence and support. In a word, we simply couldn’t do it without your support. Thank you! Among other things, February brings with it the celebration of National Career Technical Education Week, which will take place from February 13 to 17. As part of our observance here at the Academy, we will begin the week with our annual National Technical Honors Society on Tuesday, February 14, at 12:45 in the auditorium. We will also resume our tradition of “Adopt a School” on Thursday, February 15, when a cohort of our students, accompanied by their CTE Teachers, will head to Abner Gibbs to do live demonstrations and to read to all grade levels. We thank Principal Erika Masciadrelli for hosting us, and we are looking forward to spending the morning as part of the Abner Gibbs Community of Learners! As a reminder, all Westfield Public Schools will be closed from Monday, February 20, through Friday, February 24, for Winter Vacation. Happy Valentine’s Day, and, as always, please know how grateful I am for all that you do on behalf of WTA! Regards, Joe Langone

The First Veteran Appreciation Luncheon hosted by Westfield Veterans Services took place Wednesday at Westfield Technical Academy. The goal is to show our military vets some much needed admiration for their service. Moving forward, lunch will take place on the first Wednesday of every month until May and will have dining space for up to 60 vets. On behalf of the Veterans Council, we want to thank Elm Electrical for sponsoring the lunch, Westfield Technical Academy Tigers Pride Restaurant for making a great meal, and Westfield High School Band providing some spectacular entertainment! Veterans that would like to sign up for the March luncheon, please call 413-572-6247.