A state grant totaling $1,005,000 will be used for science labs, safety initiatives, tennis courts and improvements at Westfield High School.
“We are very pleased to have Senator Velis present this check for much their needed success,” Superintendent of Schools Stefan J. Czaporowski said. Senator John Velis, D-Westfield, stood in the small crowd of officials and educators on Tuesday and reminisced about where he used to stand in the parking lot when he attended Westfield High School in the late ‘90s.
“This is my hometown, my community and I am a Bomber through and through,” he said, referring to the high school sports nickname.
Velis was joined by Westfield Mayor Michael A. McCabe, Czaporowski, and high school Principal Charles Jendrysik to announce the $1,005,000 grant that will go directly to support students.
According to Jendrysik, he got a call from Velis asking to talk about the school’s needs and they discussed them. The funding was a part of the 2023 state budget.
About $1 million will go towards the new science labs, tennis courts and security initiatives while the $5,000 will go toward the school’s Community Closet. The closet supports students and families with pantry, clothing, supplies and personal care items at no cost.
“If we don’t keep up with STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), we will fall by the wayside,” Velis said. “There are serious concerns about safety, and I think the tennis courts needed repair way back then.”
It was Marissa Otero, an aide in Velis’ office and Westfield High alumni, who told the senator about the Community Closet and its needs, he said.
Jill Keenan, who oversees the Community Closet, said part of the funds will be used for a washer and dryer and to replenish supplies.
“We want to use the funds to purchase things that will hopefully make the Community Closet more attractive to students,” Keenan said.
Jendrysik said the grants are directly filling the critical needs of students in a time where the social and emotional needs are high.
“It is a little way to help get kids something they don’t have,” Jendrysik said. “It takes a community to work together and support the many needs of students.”