Westfield High School

The Westfield High School Show Choir returned from its second year attending the Music in the Parks festival in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with another set of awards. “The choir had a fantastic time during competition in Hershey, [Pennsylvania]. We competed in four categories: Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus, Men’s Choir, and Show Choir. We won Superior first place in three categories and one Superior second place,” said Director of Choral Activities Korey Bruno. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/whs-show-choir-excels-at-music-in-the-parks-festival.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

The Westfield High School Drama Club presents “All Shook Up,” a new musical screenplay by Joe DiPietro, inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley on Thursday and Friday, May 8 and 9. Tickets, which are sold at the door, are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. The play is directed by Owen Snyder and choreographed by Hannah Bruno. Music directors are Korey Bruno and Patrick Kennedy, and costumes are by Gwen Newton. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/whs-drama-club-presents-all-shook-up-on-may-8-and-9-featuring-the-songs-of-elvis-presley.html

Westfield Career Services Counselor Patricia Healy was recognized this week as the Western Massachusetts recipient of the General Colin L. Powell Service Award. The award is presented to one high school counselor from each of the eastern and western half of the state that best supports young adults in making their individual educational and career choices in high school and upon graduation. “I could not think of a more deserving person for this award,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski in making the announcement. Healy was nominated by Tech. Sgt. Brian Whitman of the Air National Guard 104 and AT2 Micaela Veronese of the U.S. Navy, and was told this is the first time a counselor has ever been nominated by two different recruiters in the same year. Healy is also invited to be recognized at the Enlistee Recognition Ceremony at 3 p.m. on May 10 at Gillette Stadium, which she said she will gladly attend. She said the majority of the ceremony is to honor and acknowledge students who are among the one percent of their peers to enlist. “I feel very blessed, very lucky,” she said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/whs-career-services-counselor-one-of-two-recognized-for-state-service-award.html

On May 1, Westfield High School celebrated College and Career Reveal Day, where seniors are asked to come in wearing t-shirts or other outward indications of their plans beyond graduation. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/whs-students-celebrate-their-college-and-career-futures.html

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.

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

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

Young adults ages 14-25! Are you in high school or out of school? Are you looking for a job? Come to our Job Fair to explore paid and volunteer opportunities through one of our many job and career pathways. Tuesday, April 22, 2025 1:00 P M – 4:00 PM MassHire Springfield Career Center Dress to Impress Bring your resume For list employers go to www.masshiresprinfield.org/YouthWorks For more information contact: Phylis Gedeon—pgedeon@masshirespringfield.org/413-858-2818 Katherine Perkins—kperkins@masshirespringfield.org/413-858-2831

At the Credit for Life Fair on April 10 at Westfield High School, the students entered the gymnasium in two shifts, with upperclassmen from Westfield High School visiting first, followed by Westfield Technical Academy, Gateway Regional and St. Mary’s High School. The interactive event of the Western Mass. Credit for Life Committee, co-chaired by Melissa Taylor of Berkshire Bank and Linda Saltus, formerly of MassHousing, teaches students real-world budgeting and money management skills. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/students-learn-real-life-costs-at-credit-for-life.html

High school seniors should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or, for students who are eligible non-citizens, the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA), by May 1, the priority deadline for state aid. Both can make higher education more affordable. All federal and state student aid and some private sources require completion of the FAFSA. The FAFSA or MASFA are required for students to access MassGrantPlus for four-year colleges and to access no-cost community college through MassEducate. https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/massgrantplus.asp

The School Committee Budget Review Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2025, has been postponed to Monday, April 28, 2025, at Westfield intermediate School at 6:00 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. Thank you.

Click on the link below for a brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, our guests included Patrick Kennedy and members of the Westfield High School Jazz Band. We also took some time to recognize National Sibling Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yuf-ru8PXc

Hear ye, hear ye! Amelia Park Children’s Museum invites you to join our tea party on Friday, May 9th. Come dressed as fairytale royalty or your favorite fantasy character. Adorn yourself with jewels and designs, paint a teapot, and decorate a mask (we provide the supplies). Your reign lasts from 10am to noon, with light refreshments beginning at 11am. Regular admission fees apply. Members of Amelia Park Children's Museum are admitted free of charge. Amelia Park Children's Museum is located at 29 South Broad Street in Westfield, MA and is open 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday-Tuesday. The museum offers hands-on learning for children ages 1-7 in a safe and welcoming environment. Cost of admission is $8 per person. Grandparents and seniors are admitted at a reduced rate of $4. For those who present a valid EBT card, the rate is $2 per person (up to 6 people). Questions? Call us at (413) 572-4014 or email us: fun@ameliaparkmuseum.org. Learn more about the museum at ameliaparkmuseum.org.

Westfield High School Band Director Patrick Kennedy and seven members of the high school’s jazz band entertained folks at the Westfield Senior Center during breakfast on April 4, as a makeup for the Senior Citizens Pops Concert on March 7, which was canceled due to a power outage caused by downed trees. Raffle prizes previously donated for the Pops Concert by MGM Springfield, Westfield Technical Academy, the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA were also given out, to the delight of the seniors. “The concert was such a huge success, that we all decided it just has to be an annual event,” said COA Special Projects Coordinator Tina Gorman, referring to herself as well as COA Executive Director Michael Squindo, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Kennedy and the seniors in attendance. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/jazz-band-performs-makeup-concert-at-the-senior-center.html

The annual Career Expo & Job Fair took place on March 27 in Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University. More than 400 students from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School and White Oak School connected with over 65 area employees to explore career pathways, network with professionals, and gain valuable insights into their futures. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/students-engage-with-area-businesses-at-westfield-career-fair.html

Elm Electrical, the Westfield Food Pantry and engineering students at Westfield High School and Middle School teamed up on March 28 in the Parenzo Gym at Westfield State University for a CANstruction Contest and Food drive to benefit the Westfield Food Pantry. The event showcased larger-than-life structures built entirely from canned goods and non-perishable food items raised by the participants to be donated to the Food Pantry. All of the structures were judged, and cash prizes awarded to the winning teams. Judges included Paul Nesbitt, minister of First Congregational Church in Westfield, Ward 3 Councilor Bridget Matthews Kane and Superintendent of Schools Stefan Czaporowski. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/04/elm-electrical-and-westfield-food-pantry-team-up-for-canstruction-contest.html