Westfield High School

A reminder that Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day.

Join us for our next Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) meeting and learn how your business can partner with Westfield Public Schools to support students and develop our future workforce!
📅 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
📍 Reed Institute at Mestek
152 Notre Dame Street, Westfield, MA
🔧 Westfield Technical Academy staff will share opportunities for businesses to employ students through cooperative education.
🎓 Westfield High School staff will highlight opportunities for internships, job shadows, and other work-based learning experiences.
✅ All businesses are welcome to attend!
📧 For more information, contact Stefan Czaporowski at s.czaporowski@schoolsofwestfield.org or Amanda Brodkin at amanda@westfieldbiz.org.

REMINDER: NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2026

Westfield Public Schools will be closed to students on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in observance of Election Day.

This day is also designated as a Staff Professional Development Day. While students will not attend school, district staff will participate in professional development activities focused on enhancing teaching, learning, and student success.

We look forward to welcoming students back on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.

⚽⛳ Fall Sports Take Center Stage on Superintendent's Spotlight!

This week, we welcomed student-athletes from the Westfield High School Girls Soccer Team and the Westfield Technical Academy Golf Team to talk about their fall sports seasons and experiences!
🥣 We also had some special guests from WTA's Culinary Arts Department stop by to help us celebrate National Oatmeal Day with some delicious treats!
👏 A big thank you to our students and staff for joining us and thank you for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB6VId5Z29w

DTA has mailed new chip/tap EBT cards to all clients. DTA clients must activate their new
EBT card by November 29, 2026, before their old card is deactivated. After November
29, their non-chip EBT card will stop working. Learn more by visiting mass.gov/EBT and
clicking “EBT Chip/Tap Frequently Asked Questions.”

Renee Sweeney was in her AP Physics class at Westfield High School on Oct. 20, the day after she was surprised at the Massachusetts Project Lead the Way Fall Conference to receive the 2026 Massachusetts PLTW Community Teacher of the Year award.
“I had no idea. The students knew, and I didn’t,” said Sweeney. “I was sitting at the table listening to the awards. All of a sudden, I heard a voice that was familiar.”
The voice she heard was that of WHS principal Charles Jendrysik, who Sweeney said was speaking in a wonderful video with nice, kind words from the faculty and students about her. “Even my own children; it was really an honor,” she said.
The Massachusetts Teacher of the Year shows dedication to applied learning through their PLTW courses both inside and outside the classroom, transforming learning for their students, and is an active member of the Mass. PLTW community, according to WHS Assistant Principal Lauren Cadigan, who nominated Sweeney for the award.
“Renee was nominated for her vibrant, inclusive, and deeply engaging PLTW lessons and classroom. She constantly goes above and beyond in and out of the classroom at Westfield High School,” said Cadigan, who was herself previously honored as the Massachusetts PLTW Leader of the Year.
Project Lead the Way is a mission-driven nonprofit organization founded and led by educators, which helps students develop in-demand, transferable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science.
Sweeney said she started using the PLTW curriculum seven years ago in “Introduction to Engineering” and “Principles of Engineering,” the first two classes in the new WHS engineering pathway.
“What I love about it is the applied learning. I always taught physics, and my students get to apply physics to engineering problems,” Sweeney said, bringing a level of excitement not normally found.
Jendrysik congratulated Sweeney on receiving the award. “Renee is extremely deserving of this recognition. Everything she does is about kids. She’s a teacher who has fully embraced Project Lead the Way, and is always doing new and innovative things with her students. I’m very proud to work with her,” he said.

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-science-teacher-is-honored-as-mass-project-lead-the-way-teacher-of-the-year.html

The Westfield High School counseling department led the effort to arrange 90 colleges to attend a dozen fairs at area schools, including Westfield High School on Oct. 20.

Students from Westfield Technical Academy, Pathways, and Southwick Regional School also attended the fair.

Organized by Counselors Merylina Asselin, Dave Breglio, Megan Dougherty, Patty Healy, Jenna Stolarik, Tara Bean and Administrative Assistant Carolyn Florek, the fair offered an opportunity for college representatives to showcase their programs to students and for juniors and seniors to make a connection with postgraduate programs in which they are interested, Asselin said.

Represented at the fair were state and private colleges and universities, as well as armed services opportunities, including the Air National Guard and Army National Guard, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and West Point.

The College Fair is just one of the upcoming events at Westfield High School to help prepare students for post-graduation.

The next event on the calendar is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid informational night on Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium for families, sponsored by the Title I Department. This session will be followed by one-on-one walkthrough assistance for parents who need help with their applications, to be held over the winter.

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/westfield-high-school-hosts-18th-annual-college-fair.html

Join us for our next Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) meeting and learn how your business can partner with Westfield Public Schools to support students and develop our future workforce!

📅 Tuesday, November 10, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
📍 Reed Institute at Mestek
152 Notre Dame Street, Westfield, MA

🔧 Westfield Technical Academy staff will share opportunities for businesses to employ students through cooperative education.

🎓 Westfield High School staff will highlight opportunities for internships, job shadows, and other work-based learning experiences.

✅ All businesses are welcome to attend!

📧 For more information, contact Stefan Czaporowski at s.czaporowski@schoolsofwestfield.org or Amanda Brodkin at amanda@westfieldbiz.org.

Harvest traditions are a part of every community, and Westfield is no different.

This Saturday, families will attend Westfield on Weekends’ 10th annual PumpkinFest at Westfield Middle School Athletic Fields, behind Amelia Park, off South Broad Street, rain or shine, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event is free admission with live performances, games, activities, costumed characters, strolling performers, craft/local vendors, food trucks, pumpkin carving/decorating, trunk or treat and much more.

This year, WOW has a new layout featuring themed villages for families to enjoy: Westfield G&E and Whip City Fiber’s “Autumn Arcade”, Home Depot’s “Homer’s Harvest Workshop,” “Make Some Magic” with TruNorth Bank, KidzBiz Village where young entrepreneurs ages 7-17 showcase their own businesses, products, crafts and services.

There will also be the Peaceful Low-Sensory Pumpkin Grove, a place where folks who want to take a break from the activities can find a calm, quiet space to enjoy the festival at their own pace.

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/10/wows-pumpkinfest-returns-with-updated-layout.html

This week on Superintendent’s Spotlight, we welcomed staff and students from Westfield High School to learn about the exciting ways students are exploring their career interests through internships, job shadowing, and other work-based learning opportunities! 💼🌟

We also had a delicious visit from Westfield Technical Academy’s Culinary Arts Department, who helped us celebrate National Pierogi Day with some tasty treats! 🥟👨‍🍳

A big thank you to our students and staff for joining us, and thank you for watching!

#AchievingExcellenceTogether #CareerReadiness #workbasedlearning #NationalPierogiDay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8TsG_gi1qg

Please click below for the latest newsletter from Westfield High School. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/rxth0

This week on Superintendent’s Spotlight, we welcomed students from Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy to talk about their experiences with Early College—including taking college-level courses and earning college credits while still in high school.

Our friends from Westfield Technical Academy also stopped by to help us celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day with some delicious homemade pumpkin cheesecake!

Thanks for watching and for helping us celebrate the great opportunities available to our students! 🎓🎃🍰

#AchievingExcellenceTogether

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GXAsjvrFc

City of Westfield New Ordinance regarding E-Bikes, Scooters, Mopeds & Skateboards.

It’s a big year for the Bombers.

With 22 seniors and a new turf stadium, Westfield has all the ingredients to rebound after back-to-back 4-6 seasons. The Bombers got off to a promising start in their new stadium debut Friday, when they cruised to a 55-12 win over Fitchburg.

Westfield’s speed on the outside will certainly be worth the price of admission this fall. Junior QB Aiden Purdy, who went for 325 yards and five TDs in the win over Fitchburg, found receivers David Berdecia and Cole Russell early and often, while tailback Adrian Colon also ran for more than 100 yards and two scores.

https://www.masslive.com/highschoolsports/2026/09/week-1-winners-5-western-mass-football-teams-that-made-a-statement.html

James Laverty has just started his fourth year as a school safety attendant at Highland Elementary School through a Veterans Services program.

Director of Veterans Services Julie Barnes said the volunteer program started four years ago in elementary schools that didn’t have school resource officers from the Police Department. Currently, Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy each have an SRO assigned, and Westfield Middle School and Westfield Intermediate School share an SRO.

At the time, Barnes met with state Sen. John Velis and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski to discuss implementing the veterans’ volunteer program. In return for their volunteer work, veterans who work 100 hours in the schools can get a $1,500 tax abatement.

Director of Operations and Safety Christopher Rogers provides onboarding for all volunteers, who are all CORI-checked and fingerprinted. According to Rogers, the veteran's program is designed to identify and deter potential problems and foster a sense of security by having an extra level of protection in the schools.

Interested veteran volunteers should contact Barnes at 413-572-6247. Program guidelines and a volunteer application are also available on the city website under Veterans Services. Barnes said veterans must have served on active duty to qualify for the abatement program.

Heidi Cote, coordinator of Volunteers in Public Schools, said there are many volunteer opportunities in the schools throughout the year for the public at large, including at special events, where extra hands are always needed.

Cote said there is currently a big need for cafeteria support at both Highland Elementary and Westfield River Elementary. She said there are three lunches a day with recess between them, and volunteers who can come in for an hour or two are most welcome. “Consistency is best,” Cote said. Email heidi.cote@schoolsofwestfield.org to sign up. Anyone with questions should call Cote at 413-572-6463, ext. 61417.

https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/09/veterans-who-volunteer-in-the-schools-receive-tax-abatement.html

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

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

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