Westfield High School

Click on the link below to view yesterday's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with STE Supervisor Lauren Cadigan and Westfield High School students that are enrolled in our Biomedical Innovation Pathway. The students told us about their coursework, phlebotomy training, internships, and future plans. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkeANImTSvY

Family and friends from Westfield High School’s transition program came out to Shaker Farms Country Club on June 9 for a meal to celebrate three young adults during the 2025 “Bridge to Adulthood.” The ceremony recognizes the young adults who have turned 22 in 2025 and are leaving the Westfield Public School system. Carolyn Busiere, lead teacher, said the three honorees, Julia Bardakova, Javian Headley and Logan Sanford, have been on a journey in the school system and entered the transition program to further work on life skills, community investment, self-advocacy, work training and college: turning challenges into strengths, interests and vision while developing true character. “You have displayed hard work, determination and resilience,” she told them. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/three-young-adults-are-honored-at-bridge-to-adulthood-ceremony.html

Dealing with delays and dodging raindrops, Westfield High School’s Class of 2025 still got their moment in the sun, celebrating their graduation day at Bullens Field on Friday, June 6.. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/westfield-high-class-of-2025-braves-the-storm-to-celebrate-graduation.html

Westfield High School Valedictorian Justin Romanelli was putting the finishing touches on his speech the day before graduation and practicing getting it ready. Asked what he wrote about, he said, “Primarily, the idea of what is permanent versus what is temporary, how it’s important to recognize which one is which, and how they impact [our lives].” Romanelli will be studying computer science and technology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, in the fall. He said he plans to study coding but isn’t sure exactly where it will lead, although his best guess is software development. The race for valedictorian was very tight this year, with Brandon Guyott, the school’s salutatorian, a close second. Romanelli and Guyott are co-founders of the Coding Club at WHS and in the Robotics Club together. The duo also collaborated for the second year on their science fair project, “Optimizing an After-Market Prototype That Operates a Window Remotely,” which earned second place at regionals, and an honorable mention in the state science fair. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/06/westfield-high-school-valedictorian-justin-romanelli.html

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

City officials, veterans, members of the community, and the Westfield High School Band gathered on Monday, May 26, to observe Memorial Day and honor those who died in service to the nation in the armed forces. A parade preceded a ceremony at the Parker Memorial Park. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/westfield-observes-memorial-day.html

Eight Westfield High School students have been nominated for The Bronze Tablet, awarded annually at the Senior Assembly to the member of the graduating class who has done the most for the welfare, good name, and progress of the school. The student’s name is permanently engraved on a bronze tablet and added to the plaque, which stands prominently in the main entrance to the school near the auditorium. The winner is determined each year by a vote of the senior class from the list of students nominated by the faculty. All eight of this year’s nominees said they were honored to have been nominated by their teachers and the staff for the award. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/05/westfield-high-school-announces-bronze-tablet-nominees-for-the-class-of-2025.html

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