On Sept. 8, Chef Eric Rogers, Westfield Technical Academy culinary department head, visited the transition services program at its new home at 390 Southampton Road to discuss the commercial kitchen with students and staff.
Special education teacher Carolyn Busiere said there are 24 young men and women in the program this year, and 390 Southampton Road is a great new location. “It’s quite the upgrade,” she said.
The transition program is part of the Westfield Public Schools. It gives students ages 18 to 21 who are still entitled to services the support and opportunity to achieve their goals by offering continuing education opportunities, assistance with employment and workplace readiness, and community-based opportunities and support.
390 Southampton Road is also on the bus route, and several participants said they took the bus to get there. Outside, one student was waiting for a bus to Westfield State University, where he is taking classes.
“Today, Chef Rogers from WTA has been nice enough to train our clients and staff on individual appliances,” Busiere said on Tuesday.
She said many of the students in the program are interested in cooking and have taken culinary courses in high school. Several also work or have worked in kitchens at Shaker Farms, Noble Hospital and Westfield State, and two are in the culinary program at Holyoke Community College and are ServSafe certified.
Besides the commercial kitchen, new touchscreen displays for visual learners are being installed. There is an on-site apartment for mastering life skills and budgeting. There is also a community room, a meeting room, a technology room for studying and a recreation room in development.
“We’ll be gardening; we have a large backyard,” Busiere said.
Another great new addition is a van. “We got them a van so they can go out and visit in the community. We worked with Westfield Technical Academy to work that out; it’s one of theirs that wasn’t being used. They saw the importance of the transition program and made it happen. We’re very grateful to them,” Jendrysik said.
“It’s a great facility. The kids are excited. They’re going to have a recreation room. There are so many different opportunities,” Jendrysik said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/wta-chef-tours-390-southampton-road-commercial-kitchen.html
Special education teacher Carolyn Busiere said there are 24 young men and women in the program this year, and 390 Southampton Road is a great new location. “It’s quite the upgrade,” she said.
The transition program is part of the Westfield Public Schools. It gives students ages 18 to 21 who are still entitled to services the support and opportunity to achieve their goals by offering continuing education opportunities, assistance with employment and workplace readiness, and community-based opportunities and support.
390 Southampton Road is also on the bus route, and several participants said they took the bus to get there. Outside, one student was waiting for a bus to Westfield State University, where he is taking classes.
“Today, Chef Rogers from WTA has been nice enough to train our clients and staff on individual appliances,” Busiere said on Tuesday.
She said many of the students in the program are interested in cooking and have taken culinary courses in high school. Several also work or have worked in kitchens at Shaker Farms, Noble Hospital and Westfield State, and two are in the culinary program at Holyoke Community College and are ServSafe certified.
Besides the commercial kitchen, new touchscreen displays for visual learners are being installed. There is an on-site apartment for mastering life skills and budgeting. There is also a community room, a meeting room, a technology room for studying and a recreation room in development.
“We’ll be gardening; we have a large backyard,” Busiere said.
Another great new addition is a van. “We got them a van so they can go out and visit in the community. We worked with Westfield Technical Academy to work that out; it’s one of theirs that wasn’t being used. They saw the importance of the transition program and made it happen. We’re very grateful to them,” Jendrysik said.
“It’s a great facility. The kids are excited. They’re going to have a recreation room. There are so many different opportunities,” Jendrysik said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/wta-chef-tours-390-southampton-road-commercial-kitchen.html
The Westfield Technical Academy topped Mohawk Trail 168-180 behind freshman Jakob Elmer who fired a 2- over 38, tying Mohawk’s Connor Bergeron for medalist honores. Fellow freshman Tyler LaCasse, who tallied a 4-over 40, also helped lead the way for the Tigers.
Elmer played the final seven holes one under to card his 38, a team best so far on the year, while LaCasse’s 40 tied the previous team best on the season.
Josh Elmer and Chris Pederson each carded 45s to round out WTA’s top scorers.
Westfield golf defeats Northampton
Medalis Nathan Jarvis shot an even par score of 35 to lead Westfield to its first win of the season, 156-164.
Treygan Lemanski (39), Danny Romanelli (40) and Jonas Miller rounded out the top scorers for Westfield.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/wta-westfield-high-golf-squads-earn-victories.html
Elmer played the final seven holes one under to card his 38, a team best so far on the year, while LaCasse’s 40 tied the previous team best on the season.
Josh Elmer and Chris Pederson each carded 45s to round out WTA’s top scorers.
Westfield golf defeats Northampton
Medalis Nathan Jarvis shot an even par score of 35 to lead Westfield to its first win of the season, 156-164.
Treygan Lemanski (39), Danny Romanelli (40) and Jonas Miller rounded out the top scorers for Westfield.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/wta-westfield-high-golf-squads-earn-victories.html
Student-athletes from various sports who will play on the new athletic complex when it opens got a first look and feel on Sept. 2. Teams will start to practice on the field next week. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the stadium is scheduled for Oct. 2, a delay of a few weeks due to the late arrival of some materials.
Chief Procurement Officer Tammy Tefft, who oversaw the project for the city, spoke to the athletes before they walked on the field for the first time. “Welcome to the new athletic complex. This is your field,” she said, introducing Mayor Michael McCabe and Westfield G&E General Manager Thomas Flaherty, who she said continue to put the project forward.
Tefft said the stadium is not complete. “We just added a ticket booth, storage shed and sod, and we’re a little behind schedule.” She said while the stadium remains closed to the public, there will be opportunities for the teams to practice on the field beginning next week, but all other areas are still restricted. Rules for the field include no dragging things, no vehicles and no animals or pets.
After the visit, Tefft said the delay is mostly due to the late arrival of the masonry for the concession building which houses the bathrooms, which is being built by General Contracting Solutions. “The arrival of the masonry block was delayed, through no fault of theirs. That is the active construction on the site. A lot of the inability to feel comfortable opening is the lack of actual bathrooms on the site,” Tefft said. She said the contractor has been working double time to get it finished, weekends and nights.
Tefft said the overall project of the three fields, including the two fields at Boardman, one artificial and one natural grass, has gone well. “The project on the whole has gone very smoothly. The contractor Mountain View Landscapes has done a phenomenal job with the three fields. Boardman is up and running, and soccer and field hockey are practicing on it since Aug. 24,” she said.
Tefft said Mountain View added a second set of bleachers to the complex. “All of that they rolled with us and continued to move the project forward. If the masonry had been able to arrive on time, the concession stand and bathrooms would have been able to open on time,” she said.
As for the late additions of the ticket booth and storage shed, which weren’t in the original plans, Tefft said, “We were under budget, and so we found some additional things to enhance the whole complex for the students and the fans, that we weren’t sure we could afford in the beginning. The athletic director was very keen on some of those changes.” She said the whole project is still under the appropriation.
“We are still continuing to work to have everything checklisted and done. We’re excited to see the kids being able to practice on Tuesday,” Tefft said. “A couple of weeks to have this complex where it should be is to me phenomenal.”
Through a partnership with Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber, the City of Westfield and Westfield Public Schools, the new facilities include a lighted track, a stadium with an all-sport turf field and refurbished girls athletic and Boardman fields at Westfield High School. Funding is being provided from the Whip City Fiber division of WG&E, which pledged to give $1 million annually, for a total of $11 million, in addition to its annual payment in lieu of taxes to the city.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/student-athletes-get-first-look-at-stadium-field.html
Chief Procurement Officer Tammy Tefft, who oversaw the project for the city, spoke to the athletes before they walked on the field for the first time. “Welcome to the new athletic complex. This is your field,” she said, introducing Mayor Michael McCabe and Westfield G&E General Manager Thomas Flaherty, who she said continue to put the project forward.
Tefft said the stadium is not complete. “We just added a ticket booth, storage shed and sod, and we’re a little behind schedule.” She said while the stadium remains closed to the public, there will be opportunities for the teams to practice on the field beginning next week, but all other areas are still restricted. Rules for the field include no dragging things, no vehicles and no animals or pets.
After the visit, Tefft said the delay is mostly due to the late arrival of the masonry for the concession building which houses the bathrooms, which is being built by General Contracting Solutions. “The arrival of the masonry block was delayed, through no fault of theirs. That is the active construction on the site. A lot of the inability to feel comfortable opening is the lack of actual bathrooms on the site,” Tefft said. She said the contractor has been working double time to get it finished, weekends and nights.
Tefft said the overall project of the three fields, including the two fields at Boardman, one artificial and one natural grass, has gone well. “The project on the whole has gone very smoothly. The contractor Mountain View Landscapes has done a phenomenal job with the three fields. Boardman is up and running, and soccer and field hockey are practicing on it since Aug. 24,” she said.
Tefft said Mountain View added a second set of bleachers to the complex. “All of that they rolled with us and continued to move the project forward. If the masonry had been able to arrive on time, the concession stand and bathrooms would have been able to open on time,” she said.
As for the late additions of the ticket booth and storage shed, which weren’t in the original plans, Tefft said, “We were under budget, and so we found some additional things to enhance the whole complex for the students and the fans, that we weren’t sure we could afford in the beginning. The athletic director was very keen on some of those changes.” She said the whole project is still under the appropriation.
“We are still continuing to work to have everything checklisted and done. We’re excited to see the kids being able to practice on Tuesday,” Tefft said. “A couple of weeks to have this complex where it should be is to me phenomenal.”
Through a partnership with Westfield Gas & Electric/Whip City Fiber, the City of Westfield and Westfield Public Schools, the new facilities include a lighted track, a stadium with an all-sport turf field and refurbished girls athletic and Boardman fields at Westfield High School. Funding is being provided from the Whip City Fiber division of WG&E, which pledged to give $1 million annually, for a total of $11 million, in addition to its annual payment in lieu of taxes to the city.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/student-athletes-get-first-look-at-stadium-field.html
Please join us for Open House on Thursday, September 10th.
Westfield EATS, Westfield Public Schools Food Services, has announced a new partnership with My School Menus that offers interactive online menus to make it easier for families, students and staff to see what’s being served each day.
“My School Menus is a program that we’ve teamed up with to help us get all of the menus and pertinent information out to parents,” said Food Services Director Rachel Kania. She said parents can now scroll through the daily menu items and see pictures of the food, nutritional facts and ingredients, which is especially important for families of children with allergies, she added.
“Now we can have all of that information right at the fingertips of parents, who can go online and see all of the options available every day,” she said.
Kania said Westfield EATS gets its food from local farms and partnerships. For example, ground beef comes from North Elm Butcher Block, which grinds it fresh that day. Lettuce and produce come from local farms, and fruit from Mountain Orchard Farms in Granville.
Previously, Kania had to keep track of all the recipes, ingredients and nutritional information by hand on an Excel spreadsheet. She said her staff spent the summer transferring the information to My School Menus.
“To be honest with you, it was a pretty big undertaking. We had to enter every ingredient for every recipe we have here. It took us two months to enter over the summer,” she said. “Now parents can see what we can see, make their own decisions and navigate the menu safely.”
On the menu site, there is a drop-down list for allergies. For example, if an egg allergy is indicated on that list, any items containing egg will be crossed off the menu.
Kania said some medical conditions also require nutritional information. For a child with diabetes, parents can now see a carbohydrate count, so they know how much insulin is needed for their child. “This helps everybody, from nurses to parents to us; it’s a great program,” she said.
Kania said parents can either navigate menus on their own with their children or utilize a menu from a registered dietitian. Food Services has a dietitian on staff who has been with the department for 25 years. The dietitian may be reached at 413-572-6493 or by visiting the Food Services office in Suite B10 in City Hall at 59 Court St.
The new online menus for Westfield EATS may be accessed at: menus.healthepro.com/organizations/3724
“It’s really a wealth of information at the parents’ fingertips, which we’re so excited about,” Kania said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/westfield-food-services-offers-new-interactive-menus-for-parents-to-safeguard-kids-choices.html
“My School Menus is a program that we’ve teamed up with to help us get all of the menus and pertinent information out to parents,” said Food Services Director Rachel Kania. She said parents can now scroll through the daily menu items and see pictures of the food, nutritional facts and ingredients, which is especially important for families of children with allergies, she added.
“Now we can have all of that information right at the fingertips of parents, who can go online and see all of the options available every day,” she said.
Kania said Westfield EATS gets its food from local farms and partnerships. For example, ground beef comes from North Elm Butcher Block, which grinds it fresh that day. Lettuce and produce come from local farms, and fruit from Mountain Orchard Farms in Granville.
Previously, Kania had to keep track of all the recipes, ingredients and nutritional information by hand on an Excel spreadsheet. She said her staff spent the summer transferring the information to My School Menus.
“To be honest with you, it was a pretty big undertaking. We had to enter every ingredient for every recipe we have here. It took us two months to enter over the summer,” she said. “Now parents can see what we can see, make their own decisions and navigate the menu safely.”
On the menu site, there is a drop-down list for allergies. For example, if an egg allergy is indicated on that list, any items containing egg will be crossed off the menu.
Kania said some medical conditions also require nutritional information. For a child with diabetes, parents can now see a carbohydrate count, so they know how much insulin is needed for their child. “This helps everybody, from nurses to parents to us; it’s a great program,” she said.
Kania said parents can either navigate menus on their own with their children or utilize a menu from a registered dietitian. Food Services has a dietitian on staff who has been with the department for 25 years. The dietitian may be reached at 413-572-6493 or by visiting the Food Services office in Suite B10 in City Hall at 59 Court St.
The new online menus for Westfield EATS may be accessed at: menus.healthepro.com/organizations/3724
“It’s really a wealth of information at the parents’ fingertips, which we’re so excited about,” Kania said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/westfield-food-services-offers-new-interactive-menus-for-parents-to-safeguard-kids-choices.html
Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield High School. Thank you!
Freshman Orientation will be held this Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at Westfield High School. We look forward to welcoming the Class of 2030!!
District teachers will take their turn at summer enrichment during a three-day curriculum summit at Westfield Intermediate School from Aug. 17-19.
Topics at this year’s summit will include the role of lead teachers, building student discourse and whether and how to use approved artificial intelligence tools in the classroom.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/08/westfield-teachers-take-a-turn-at-summer-enrichment.html
Topics at this year’s summit will include the role of lead teachers, building student discourse and whether and how to use approved artificial intelligence tools in the classroom.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/08/westfield-teachers-take-a-turn-at-summer-enrichment.html
SAT Dates and Deadlines
August 22 SAT Test
Registration Deadline: August 7, 2026
Late Registration Deadline*: August 11, 2026
*Additional fees may apply.
Keep in mind:
All registration deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S.
Late registration or a change to an existing registration may cost extra.
You'll choose your testing location during registration.
Fee waivers cover the full cost of the SAT and unlock additional benefits.
Note: Not sure if you qualify for a fee waiver? See if you qualify and learn how to unlock free SAT benefits if you do.
If you're:
Already registered, log in to Bluebook the week before test day to complete exam setup and get your admission ticket (you can print it or email it to yourself so you have it handy on test day).
Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Mayor Michael McCabe are asking the public to stay off the new athletic fields at Westfield High School while they are still under construction.
Czaporowski said the city asked the school district to get the word out due to the increase in trespassing at the site. He said that some people have pushed through the fencing and gates to use the track, causing concern and even some confrontations between members of the public and the general contractor’s staff.
“What’s happening is people are going in there. It’s an active construction site, and I don’t want anybody getting hurt,” Czaporowski said.
A similar message was sent by McCabe’s office, asking the public to respect the No Trespassing signs. “Although construction is progressing, the project has not yet been completed or accepted by the City and Westfield Public Schools. Until that time, the site remains under the control of the contractor and is closed to the public,” the city said.
“Unauthorized access to the construction site presents safety and liability concerns and may damage the playing surface or other project components before installation is complete,” the city continued. “The area is posted No Trespassing, and those restrictions remain in effect until the project has been officially completed and opened.”
Christopher Rogers, director of operations and safety for Westfield Public Schools, said, at this time, no teams, coaches, players, or community members are permitted on the field for the safety of everyone involved and the protection of the new playing surface and surrounding infrastructure.
“We know everyone is eager to get out on the new field, and we share that excitement. However, entering the site before the project is complete could delay construction, damage the new facility, or create unnecessary safety risks,” Rogers said.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to complete this outstanding facility for our students and the Westfield community,” said Rogers.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/public-asked-to-stay-off-westfield-athletic-fields-amid-ongoing-construction.html
Czaporowski said the city asked the school district to get the word out due to the increase in trespassing at the site. He said that some people have pushed through the fencing and gates to use the track, causing concern and even some confrontations between members of the public and the general contractor’s staff.
“What’s happening is people are going in there. It’s an active construction site, and I don’t want anybody getting hurt,” Czaporowski said.
A similar message was sent by McCabe’s office, asking the public to respect the No Trespassing signs. “Although construction is progressing, the project has not yet been completed or accepted by the City and Westfield Public Schools. Until that time, the site remains under the control of the contractor and is closed to the public,” the city said.
“Unauthorized access to the construction site presents safety and liability concerns and may damage the playing surface or other project components before installation is complete,” the city continued. “The area is posted No Trespassing, and those restrictions remain in effect until the project has been officially completed and opened.”
Christopher Rogers, director of operations and safety for Westfield Public Schools, said, at this time, no teams, coaches, players, or community members are permitted on the field for the safety of everyone involved and the protection of the new playing surface and surrounding infrastructure.
“We know everyone is eager to get out on the new field, and we share that excitement. However, entering the site before the project is complete could delay construction, damage the new facility, or create unnecessary safety risks,” Rogers said.
“Thank you for your cooperation and support as we work to complete this outstanding facility for our students and the Westfield community,” said Rogers.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/public-asked-to-stay-off-westfield-athletic-fields-amid-ongoing-construction.html
For the third year in a row, Armbrook Village residents teamed up with Westfield High School students at the end of the school year for the “Past Meets Present” initiative.
“This intergenerational program allows today’s seniors and students to connect and learn from one another’s experiences,” said Armbrook Director of Community Relations Jayda Handzel.
This year, 26 freshmen in social studies teacher Nicole Hamel’s AP history class invited 12 seniors from Armbrook to come to the school over several visits and bring objects from their lives that were important to them. The seniors were paired up with students who wrote about the artifacts and the history and importance behind them.
Between high school trophies and keepsakes from the 1994 Paris Olympic Games, the Westfield students were deeply drawn to not only which items each senior brought in, but also the personal meaning that they held, Handzel said.
Students then got their chance to present to seniors, faculty, and family in a museum-style exhibit, in which each student shared what they learned from their conversations with the seniors. Not only were students able to enhance their history knowledge, but seniors also learned about their neighbors’ past experiences, contributing to Armbrook Village’s goal of building connection and community, she said.
The Past Meets Present Initiative took off in 2024, when Armbrook Village partnered with Westfield High School’s AP History class, taught by Nicole Hamel, to bring their Dementia Friendly training to younger generations. In an effort to promote understanding and compassion toward those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Armbrook Village worked to make Westfield the first dementia friendly city on the east coast in 2014. Since then, Armbrook has hosted numerous trainings for students, healthcare workers and the general public.
“The Past Meets Present Project cultivates a sense of purpose within our residents. Not only does it positively affect our residents, but it also has a lasting impact on the students, teaching them empathy, patience, and a deeper understanding of how the things that they learn about in textbooks actually were real-life experiences,” Handzel said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/armbrook-village-seniors-and-westfield-high-students-share-stories-mementos.html
“This intergenerational program allows today’s seniors and students to connect and learn from one another’s experiences,” said Armbrook Director of Community Relations Jayda Handzel.
This year, 26 freshmen in social studies teacher Nicole Hamel’s AP history class invited 12 seniors from Armbrook to come to the school over several visits and bring objects from their lives that were important to them. The seniors were paired up with students who wrote about the artifacts and the history and importance behind them.
Between high school trophies and keepsakes from the 1994 Paris Olympic Games, the Westfield students were deeply drawn to not only which items each senior brought in, but also the personal meaning that they held, Handzel said.
Students then got their chance to present to seniors, faculty, and family in a museum-style exhibit, in which each student shared what they learned from their conversations with the seniors. Not only were students able to enhance their history knowledge, but seniors also learned about their neighbors’ past experiences, contributing to Armbrook Village’s goal of building connection and community, she said.
The Past Meets Present Initiative took off in 2024, when Armbrook Village partnered with Westfield High School’s AP History class, taught by Nicole Hamel, to bring their Dementia Friendly training to younger generations. In an effort to promote understanding and compassion toward those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, Armbrook Village worked to make Westfield the first dementia friendly city on the east coast in 2014. Since then, Armbrook has hosted numerous trainings for students, healthcare workers and the general public.
“The Past Meets Present Project cultivates a sense of purpose within our residents. Not only does it positively affect our residents, but it also has a lasting impact on the students, teaching them empathy, patience, and a deeper understanding of how the things that they learn about in textbooks actually were real-life experiences,” Handzel said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/07/armbrook-village-seniors-and-westfield-high-students-share-stories-mementos.html
Welcome Class of 2030! Please join us for Freshman Orientation on August 26, 2026 from 9-11 AM.
We are proud to recognize the hard work and academic achievements of our Honor Roll students.
Westfield Public Schools and Offices are closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day. Happy Birthday, America!
Please see the attached information regarding Summer Credit Recovery.
After a year-long focus on attendance, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Christopher Rogers, director of operations and safety, said they met their goals to improve the daily attendance rate and reduce chronic absenteeism.
“We did well. We met our goals,” said Rogers, who runs the District Attendance Task Force that meets monthly throughout the year. School Committee member Kathleen Hillman and a representative from each school are on the team. He said they review data, share their best practices and collaborate.
Czaporowski said the total daily attendance rate improved to 93.4% this school year, compared to an average daily rate of 92.7% in the 2024-25 school year.
Rogers said a year ago, chronic absenteeism was at 20.8%. He said the goal for this year was to reduce it to 19.5%, and they ultimately achieved 17.6%. “We’re basically almost 2% lower than our goals,” he said.
Looking at chronic absenteeism in sub-groups, the rate of chronic absenteeism for students in special education dropped from 28.5% last year to 25% this year. “We met that goal of exactly 25%.”
Rogers said the district beat its goal for English language learners as a group, which had a chronic absenteeism rate of 30% last year and ended up at 23% this year.
“Part of the reason we focused specifically on special education and English language learners was the achievement gap; looking at attendance, we believe that had something to do with it. Our goal was to get high needs kids in their classes,” Czaporowski said.
One of the strategies they used was home visits with mentors and other staff members to understand what barriers were keeping students from coming to school. “By going to the homes, we learned why students weren’t coming,” Czaporowski said.
“The task force will continue its work,” said Czaporowski. “I also give a lot of credit to our principals and their site teams. They made a big push on attendance this year, along with the district. Each team came up with strategies to get their kids in school.”
“Attendance will remain a focus for us as we move forward. We know that for students that come regularly to school, socially, emotionally and academically, their potential for growth increases exponentially,” Czaporowski said. “It was a very good year, and we look forward to welcoming everybody back in the fall.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/districts-focus-on-attendance-produces-results.html
“We did well. We met our goals,” said Rogers, who runs the District Attendance Task Force that meets monthly throughout the year. School Committee member Kathleen Hillman and a representative from each school are on the team. He said they review data, share their best practices and collaborate.
Czaporowski said the total daily attendance rate improved to 93.4% this school year, compared to an average daily rate of 92.7% in the 2024-25 school year.
Rogers said a year ago, chronic absenteeism was at 20.8%. He said the goal for this year was to reduce it to 19.5%, and they ultimately achieved 17.6%. “We’re basically almost 2% lower than our goals,” he said.
Looking at chronic absenteeism in sub-groups, the rate of chronic absenteeism for students in special education dropped from 28.5% last year to 25% this year. “We met that goal of exactly 25%.”
Rogers said the district beat its goal for English language learners as a group, which had a chronic absenteeism rate of 30% last year and ended up at 23% this year.
“Part of the reason we focused specifically on special education and English language learners was the achievement gap; looking at attendance, we believe that had something to do with it. Our goal was to get high needs kids in their classes,” Czaporowski said.
One of the strategies they used was home visits with mentors and other staff members to understand what barriers were keeping students from coming to school. “By going to the homes, we learned why students weren’t coming,” Czaporowski said.
“The task force will continue its work,” said Czaporowski. “I also give a lot of credit to our principals and their site teams. They made a big push on attendance this year, along with the district. Each team came up with strategies to get their kids in school.”
“Attendance will remain a focus for us as we move forward. We know that for students that come regularly to school, socially, emotionally and academically, their potential for growth increases exponentially,” Czaporowski said. “It was a very good year, and we look forward to welcoming everybody back in the fall.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/districts-focus-on-attendance-produces-results.html
On June 15, the Westfield Community-Based Transition Program hosted its annual Bridge to Adulthood Ceremony to celebrate four graduates who are all aging out of the program.
The evening ceremony’s honorees included Ibrahim Al Nageeb, Chris Barber, Finley Gilmet and Jocelyn Monjares-Abundes.
According to organizers, the program supports students with disabilities who have aged out of the traditional school system but require additional assistance in developing the skills needed for independent adult living.
“The transition from student to adult life is a significant milestone. Our program is designed for students aged 18 to 22, focusing on the individual vision for each student,” said Carolyn Busiere, head teacher of the Westfield Community-Based Transition Program. “Whether that involves functional academics, independent living or professional internships.”
Through the program, students gain valuable real-world experiences and opportunities to build independence. Participants are also able to take part in inclusive college and educational programs through partnerships with Westfield State University’s Inclusive Postsecondary Education program and Holyoke Community College’s Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education program.
These partnerships provide students with meaningful educational experiences, opportunities for social engagement, and career preparation as they transition into adulthood, according to leaders of the program.
In addition to educational and career-focused opportunities, students participate in a variety of daily activities designed to strengthen their independence and life skills. These experiences include visits to local organizations and attractions such as the YMCA and the Springfield Science Museum, daily walks, participation in a sewing club and other community-based activities.
The Bridge to Adulthood Ceremony was held at Shaker Farms Country Club, where students, faculty, and family members gathered to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments. The event featured speeches recognizing each student’s achievements, a dinner that included chicken parmesan, meatballs, pasta, salad, rolls, beverages and dessert, and a heartfelt slideshow showcasing memorable moments and milestones from each graduate’s journey through the program.
Busiere concluded the ceremony with words of encouragement for the graduates.
“To our students aging out, your individual differences are not just traits; they are your greatest strengths,” said Busiere. “You are lifelong learners and productive members of this community. As you move forward into this new chapter, keep smiling and continue to make a positive impact on the world around you.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/transition-program-honors-four-graduates-at-bridge-to-adulthood-ceremony.html
The evening ceremony’s honorees included Ibrahim Al Nageeb, Chris Barber, Finley Gilmet and Jocelyn Monjares-Abundes.
According to organizers, the program supports students with disabilities who have aged out of the traditional school system but require additional assistance in developing the skills needed for independent adult living.
“The transition from student to adult life is a significant milestone. Our program is designed for students aged 18 to 22, focusing on the individual vision for each student,” said Carolyn Busiere, head teacher of the Westfield Community-Based Transition Program. “Whether that involves functional academics, independent living or professional internships.”
Through the program, students gain valuable real-world experiences and opportunities to build independence. Participants are also able to take part in inclusive college and educational programs through partnerships with Westfield State University’s Inclusive Postsecondary Education program and Holyoke Community College’s Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education program.
These partnerships provide students with meaningful educational experiences, opportunities for social engagement, and career preparation as they transition into adulthood, according to leaders of the program.
In addition to educational and career-focused opportunities, students participate in a variety of daily activities designed to strengthen their independence and life skills. These experiences include visits to local organizations and attractions such as the YMCA and the Springfield Science Museum, daily walks, participation in a sewing club and other community-based activities.
The Bridge to Adulthood Ceremony was held at Shaker Farms Country Club, where students, faculty, and family members gathered to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments. The event featured speeches recognizing each student’s achievements, a dinner that included chicken parmesan, meatballs, pasta, salad, rolls, beverages and dessert, and a heartfelt slideshow showcasing memorable moments and milestones from each graduate’s journey through the program.
Busiere concluded the ceremony with words of encouragement for the graduates.
“To our students aging out, your individual differences are not just traits; they are your greatest strengths,” said Busiere. “You are lifelong learners and productive members of this community. As you move forward into this new chapter, keep smiling and continue to make a positive impact on the world around you.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/transition-program-honors-four-graduates-at-bridge-to-adulthood-ceremony.html
Please see the link below for the Science Fair Summer Assignment. This is for students taking: Honors Chemistry, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Bio, and AP Environmental.
Any student who needs a hard copy can pick one up in the main office.
Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, for the Juneteenth Holiday. Thank you.
Not. This. Time. The Chicopee Comprehensive Colts beat two of the state’s premier boys volleyball teams during the regular season, knocking off Westfield and Agawam in back-to-back contests. The Bombers were more than ready for the rematch.
No. 2 Westfield received a gargantuan effort from senior Gio Gonzalez (13 kills, two aces, five digs) as the Bombers swept third-seeded Chicopee Comp in a state Division 2 boys volleyball semifinal on Tuesday evening at West Springfield High School, 25-23, 25-20, 25-18.
With the victory, Westfield advances to play top-seeded Wayland (22-2) in the D2 boys volleyball championship on Thursday evening at Worcester North High School at 6 p.m. It is Westfield’s eighth trip to the finals since 2015. The Bombers have won five state championships in seven tries.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/westfield-boys-volleyball-sweeps-chicopee-comp-advances-to-d2-finals.html
No. 2 Westfield received a gargantuan effort from senior Gio Gonzalez (13 kills, two aces, five digs) as the Bombers swept third-seeded Chicopee Comp in a state Division 2 boys volleyball semifinal on Tuesday evening at West Springfield High School, 25-23, 25-20, 25-18.
With the victory, Westfield advances to play top-seeded Wayland (22-2) in the D2 boys volleyball championship on Thursday evening at Worcester North High School at 6 p.m. It is Westfield’s eighth trip to the finals since 2015. The Bombers have won five state championships in seven tries.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/06/westfield-boys-volleyball-sweeps-chicopee-comp-advances-to-d2-finals.html