Join us for the next WE2BA meeting on Wednesday, March 25, at 8:00 a.m. and learn more about exciting opportunities to connect education and business in Westfield!
WESTFIELD VETERAN PROPERTY TAX WORK OFF PROGRAM!
We are looking for volunteers to serve in our elementary schools as Safety Officers - you set the dates and times! Your volunteer hours translate into a property tax abatement up to $1,500!
To apply contact Julie Barnes at julie.barnes@cityofwestfield.org or call the office at 413-572-6247 for more information.
We are looking for volunteers to serve in our elementary schools as Safety Officers - you set the dates and times! Your volunteer hours translate into a property tax abatement up to $1,500!
To apply contact Julie Barnes at julie.barnes@cityofwestfield.org or call the office at 413-572-6247 for more information.
Local businesses. Local classrooms. Real world learning.
To learn more about our programs or get involved or how you can get involved, please call Laurie Chistolini at 413-562-2298. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wwa5WiagtSyL3oe33odtVf6lrQRWJTxw/view?usp=sharing
To learn more about our programs or get involved or how you can get involved, please call Laurie Chistolini at 413-562-2298. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wwa5WiagtSyL3oe33odtVf6lrQRWJTxw/view?usp=sharing
Westfield Public Schools is hosting two events for area high school students for which they are seeking business and community participation.
The High School Career Fair, taking place on April 1 in Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University, will be attended by juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School and White Oak School.
Local businesses are sought who would like to set up tables — which will be provided — and share their fields with students. There is no cost to participate. “If they are recruiting for jobs now or work in a field they want to get kids interested in, they are welcome,” said organizer Kate Perez.
The event, which will draw 400 juniors from area Westfield schools, will run from 9:40 a.m. until 12:10 p.m., and vendors are welcome to set up beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Interested businesses may email Kate Perez at kate.perez@schoolsofwestfield.org to sign up. The Career Fair is held in partnership with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA).
Credit for Life Fair
Volunteers are also needed for the Credit for Life Fair on April 8, which will take place in the Westfield High School gymnasium, with student participation from WHS, WTA, St. Mary’s, White Oak, Southwick Regional, Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative and Gateway Regional.
At the fair, students will select a profession, receive a monthly take-home salary, and navigate various booths — such as housing, insurance, clothing, and retirement — to make “purchases” using imaginary cash, credit or savings. The goal is to help students to learn how to live within their budget.
Volunteers, who are asked to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for training, will be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. While many of the volunteers come from the financial industries, all backgrounds are welcome, and volunteers will be matched at suitable booths. The first shift of students arrives at 8:30 a.m. and the fair ends at 12 p.m.
Volunteers, who are asked to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for training, will be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. While many of the volunteers come from the financial industries, all backgrounds are welcome, and volunteers will be matched at suitable booths. The first shift of students arrives at 8:30 a.m. and the fair ends at 12 p.m.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/businesses-volunteers-sought-for-high-school-career-fair-and-credit-for-life.html
The High School Career Fair, taking place on April 1 in Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University, will be attended by juniors from Westfield High School, Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School and White Oak School.
Local businesses are sought who would like to set up tables — which will be provided — and share their fields with students. There is no cost to participate. “If they are recruiting for jobs now or work in a field they want to get kids interested in, they are welcome,” said organizer Kate Perez.
The event, which will draw 400 juniors from area Westfield schools, will run from 9:40 a.m. until 12:10 p.m., and vendors are welcome to set up beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Interested businesses may email Kate Perez at kate.perez@schoolsofwestfield.org to sign up. The Career Fair is held in partnership with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA).
Credit for Life Fair
Volunteers are also needed for the Credit for Life Fair on April 8, which will take place in the Westfield High School gymnasium, with student participation from WHS, WTA, St. Mary’s, White Oak, Southwick Regional, Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative and Gateway Regional.
At the fair, students will select a profession, receive a monthly take-home salary, and navigate various booths — such as housing, insurance, clothing, and retirement — to make “purchases” using imaginary cash, credit or savings. The goal is to help students to learn how to live within their budget.
Volunteers, who are asked to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for training, will be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. While many of the volunteers come from the financial industries, all backgrounds are welcome, and volunteers will be matched at suitable booths. The first shift of students arrives at 8:30 a.m. and the fair ends at 12 p.m.
Volunteers, who are asked to arrive at 7:30 a.m. for training, will be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. While many of the volunteers come from the financial industries, all backgrounds are welcome, and volunteers will be matched at suitable booths. The first shift of students arrives at 8:30 a.m. and the fair ends at 12 p.m.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/businesses-volunteers-sought-for-high-school-career-fair-and-credit-for-life.html
On Feb. 26, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, Director of Assessment Christine Shea and Curriculum Director Susan Dargie gathered flower bouquets and balloons for a surprise delivery to the six Westfield teachers who were honored with the Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award.
This year’s honorees included five veteran educators who have collectively impacted thousands of students, alongside one teacher new to the profession who is already making a meaningful difference.
In the nominations from their school principals, this year’s Grinspoon teachers were described as going above and beyond for their students and their school communities as a whole.
“So many of our staff members go above and beyond every day for our students, and it is both a pleasure and a privilege to honor six educators each year with the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards. I am also deeply grateful to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for continuing to make this meaningful opportunity available to our district,” said Czaporowski after the visits.
All of the Grinspoon Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching honorees will be celebrated at a banquet held at the Log Cabin in their honor on May 12. They will also receive $250 scholarships, tuition incentives for graduate courses, YMCA memberships and other gifts and benefits.
The Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards program is made possible by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation in partnership with the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation, and supported by area colleges and universities, YMCAs of Pioneer Valley, the Springfield Jewish Community Center, Arrha Credit Union, Country Bank, and Meyers Brothers Kalicka.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/six-westfield-teachers-honored-with-excellence-in-teaching-awards.html
The music for the 73rd annual pops concert, “An American Spectacular,” that will take place on March 13 and 14 at 7 p.m. in the Westfield High School gymnasium, was originally going to be mostly patriotic music, according to Band Director Patrick Kennedy.
In honor of the 250th anniversary, Kennedy first chose the concert band sheet music entitled “An American Spectacular,” which begins with “God Save the Queen” — the music underlying “My Country Tis of Thee,” and includes other recognizable tunes, ending with “America the Beautiful.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/whs-annual-pops-concert-to-mix-patriotic-songs-with-american-music-royalty.html
In honor of the 250th anniversary, Kennedy first chose the concert band sheet music entitled “An American Spectacular,” which begins with “God Save the Queen” — the music underlying “My Country Tis of Thee,” and includes other recognizable tunes, ending with “America the Beautiful.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/03/whs-annual-pops-concert-to-mix-patriotic-songs-with-american-music-royalty.html
An American Spectacular!
Celebrating 250 years of American music.
Join us for the 73rd Annual Pops Concert at Westfield High School
March 13 & 14, 7:00 PM
$10 General Admission
$5 For Students
Tickets at the door or westfieldhighschoolband.com
Celebrating 250 years of American music.
Join us for the 73rd Annual Pops Concert at Westfield High School
March 13 & 14, 7:00 PM
$10 General Admission
$5 For Students
Tickets at the door or westfieldhighschoolband.com
Due to the current weather conditions tonight's SEPAC meeting is cancelled.
The Massachusetts Statewide Graduation Council has released a proposed statewide graduation framework designed to better prepare all students for success after high school. The framework outlines seven key elements focused on ensuring students build a strong academic foundation, demonstrate mastery of course content, showcase their creativity, and develop meaningful real-world problem-solving skills.
Parents, guardians, students, and staff are encouraged to review the proposed requirements and provide feedback through the statewide survey. Input from our community is important and will help inform future decisions.
The survey will remain open through June 30, 2026.
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8612728/Statewide-Graduation-Council-Interim-Report
Parents, guardians, students, and staff are encouraged to review the proposed requirements and provide feedback through the statewide survey. Input from our community is important and will help inform future decisions.
The survey will remain open through June 30, 2026.
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8612728/Statewide-Graduation-Council-Interim-Report
Please click here for the latest newsletter from Westfield Public Schools. Thank you! https://app.smore.com/n/9a5q3x
Due to icy conditions, Westfield Public Schools will have a two-hour delayed start today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Thank you.
Due to the prediction of snow and freezing rain this afternoon, all afterschool activities are canceled today, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Thank you.
Student success starts with showing up! Daily attendance helps build strong habits, lasting friendships, and academic achievement. Let’s work together to make every day count! #AttendanceMatters
A huge congratulations to Mrs. Pamela Collins on receiving the Harold Grinspoon Excellence in Teaching Award today! Mrs. Collins is an inspirational math teacher and caring advisor to our National Honor Society. She is so dedicated to our school and is always committed to student success. We are proud and fortunate to have her on our team at WHS!
Congratulations Mrs. Collins and thank you for making a difference in our school!
Congratulations Mrs. Collins and thank you for making a difference in our school!
Due to the forecasted snowstorm tonight and tomorrow, Westfield Public Schools and Offices will be closed tomorrow, Monday, February 23, 2026. Please stay safe. Thank you.
Westfield Public Schools and the Westfield Police Department Release Drill Dates
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound emergency operations plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of March 9-12 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).
If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495 or c.rogers@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound emergency operations plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of March 9-12 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate).
If you have any questions regarding our drills please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495 or c.rogers@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you!
Westfield State University has signed an articulation agreement with Westfield High School for its Chapter 74 Criminal Justice pathway to award up to 18 credits to students who have successfully completed the pathway.
“Our newest articulation agreement with Westfield State University for students studying Criminal Justice and Public Safety at Westfield High School is truly exciting. Eighteen credits represent more than a semester of college coursework, giving our students a tremendous academic and financial advantage,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
WHS Criminal Justice teacher Kara LaValley said the students will receive the WSU credits if they stay in the pathway all four years. She said moving forward, WSU will also offer Intro to Psychology at WHS in the fall of junior year and Intro to Sociology in the fall of senior year. “This is in addition to the classes that they are already taking during the spring semester of junior and senior year.”
Students in the pathway will receive three credits each for Intro to Criminal Justice and Intro to Corrections, taught by LaValley in their freshman and sophomore years; Intro to Psychology and American Judicial Systems as juniors, taught by WSU professors, and Intro to Sociology and Criminal Investigation/Homicide as seniors, also taught by WSU professors, for a total of 18 credits.
Currently, there are 70 students enrolled in the criminal justice program at WHS, more than half of them freshmen. Last year was LaValley’s first graduating class, and this year, four students will complete all four years.
LaValley said students studying criminal justice may pursue several career tracks, including local and state police, criminology, crime data and FBI. Other tracks include crime lab work, which is more science-based and mental health. Her own master’s is in forensic psychology.
Her students are interested in entering law school, policing, or SWAT; she has students in the Westfield Police Cadets right now, and some who are more interested in the mental health side of the profession. “I told them the whole corrections system has so many different avenues if you go through the Academy — truancy officer, parks, marine units — so many.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/02/whs-signs-articulation-agreement-with-westfield-state-for-criminal-justice-classes.html
“Our newest articulation agreement with Westfield State University for students studying Criminal Justice and Public Safety at Westfield High School is truly exciting. Eighteen credits represent more than a semester of college coursework, giving our students a tremendous academic and financial advantage,” said Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski.
WHS Criminal Justice teacher Kara LaValley said the students will receive the WSU credits if they stay in the pathway all four years. She said moving forward, WSU will also offer Intro to Psychology at WHS in the fall of junior year and Intro to Sociology in the fall of senior year. “This is in addition to the classes that they are already taking during the spring semester of junior and senior year.”
Students in the pathway will receive three credits each for Intro to Criminal Justice and Intro to Corrections, taught by LaValley in their freshman and sophomore years; Intro to Psychology and American Judicial Systems as juniors, taught by WSU professors, and Intro to Sociology and Criminal Investigation/Homicide as seniors, also taught by WSU professors, for a total of 18 credits.
Currently, there are 70 students enrolled in the criminal justice program at WHS, more than half of them freshmen. Last year was LaValley’s first graduating class, and this year, four students will complete all four years.
LaValley said students studying criminal justice may pursue several career tracks, including local and state police, criminology, crime data and FBI. Other tracks include crime lab work, which is more science-based and mental health. Her own master’s is in forensic psychology.
Her students are interested in entering law school, policing, or SWAT; she has students in the Westfield Police Cadets right now, and some who are more interested in the mental health side of the profession. “I told them the whole corrections system has so many different avenues if you go through the Academy — truancy officer, parks, marine units — so many.”
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/02/whs-signs-articulation-agreement-with-westfield-state-for-criminal-justice-classes.html
Recently, students in Culinary Arts I at Westfield High School completed their annual food truck unit. “It’s one of their favorite projects,” said Ekaterina Rosario, hospitality and culinary arts teacher at the school. She said she introduces the project towards the end of the semester, for which the students create their own signature dish and food truck concept.
The students create teams and come up with the name of the food truck, the concept, logo and truck design. They also make a whole recipe book of six dishes featuring a signature dish, along with a menu with descriptions and prices. They also make up a grocery list, and Rosario does the shopping. “I literally give them free rein, as long as we can afford it,” she said.
The students then execute the signature dish in class in three days, two days for prep and one day for cooking. This year’s offerings included triple berry cheesecake, seven-layer burrito, several versions of mac and cheese, Oreo cinnamon buns, strawberry cupcakes, juicy burgers, a steak and cheese sandwich, orange chicken with rice, and a chicken burrito bowl, among others.
Culinary Arts I is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Anyone can sign up for the class, which is an elective credit at WHS, and very hands-on, she said. Upon successful completion of the course, students may advance to Culinary Arts 2 and Hospitality.
In Culinary Arts 2, students build the skills necessary to pursue careers in the food service and hospitality industries through a wide range of food preparation methods in the classroom, lab setting and real-world experiences. Additional areas of focus include etiquette, hospitality practices, banquet planning, facility operations, presentation skills and catering.
Hospitality introduces students to the structure and scope of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Students examine key components of tourism such as transportation, accommodations, food and beverage service and attractions. The course also explores a variety of career pathways in hospitality while helping students build essential industry knowledge and skills needed for success.
The long-term goal is to create a Chapter 74 program in hospitality. Rosario has been working towards that goal since she first started at WHS, making plans to upgrade the kitchen classroom at the school. She said last year, significant improvements were made to modernize and enhance the kitchen space.
Improvements included removing all of the upper kitchen cabinets to create a more open and functional layout, completely gutting on corner kitchen area, installing wire shelving to improve organization for food ingredients and kitchen equipment, adding a new three-bay sink and stainless steel worktable, and upgrading to larger, industrial-sized refrigerators.
Upcoming renovations and upgrades include removing and gutting the remaining wooden kitchen cabinets and replacing them with stainless steel workstations, upgrading additional kitchen equipment to industrial-grade standards, including ovens, worktables, mixers, wire shelving and handheld equipment.
Also included in the plans is enhancement of the WHS café area across the hall by completing the barista counter currently being built by the WTA Carpentry and Cabinetry Shop, updating the bakery display case, installing commercial coffee machines and refreshing tables and chairs in the space.
Each renovation and upgrade demonstrates the school’s collective dedication to equipping students with practical, hands-on skills aligned with industry standards.
Rosario also offered her appreciation for the support the program has received, both from the school district and the community.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Westfield Women’s Club and our community for their generous donation of much-needed kitchen equipment and utensils. Their support has made a meaningful difference,” she said.
“Thank you to our dedicated custodial and maintenance staff for their hard work and commitment throughout the renovation process. I am also deeply grateful to our administration, especially Principal Charles Jendrysik at WHS and Pete Taloumis at WTA, for their continued support and leadership,” Rosario added.
“Finally, thank you to our superintendent and school committee for believing in and supporting the vision of growing the hospitality program into a fully developed vocational pathway here at WHS. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and excited for what lies ahead. The future of the hospitality program at WHS is bright,” Rosario said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/02/whs-culinary-arts-and-hospitality-program-is-on-a-roll.html
The students create teams and come up with the name of the food truck, the concept, logo and truck design. They also make a whole recipe book of six dishes featuring a signature dish, along with a menu with descriptions and prices. They also make up a grocery list, and Rosario does the shopping. “I literally give them free rein, as long as we can afford it,” she said.
The students then execute the signature dish in class in three days, two days for prep and one day for cooking. This year’s offerings included triple berry cheesecake, seven-layer burrito, several versions of mac and cheese, Oreo cinnamon buns, strawberry cupcakes, juicy burgers, a steak and cheese sandwich, orange chicken with rice, and a chicken burrito bowl, among others.
Culinary Arts I is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. Anyone can sign up for the class, which is an elective credit at WHS, and very hands-on, she said. Upon successful completion of the course, students may advance to Culinary Arts 2 and Hospitality.
In Culinary Arts 2, students build the skills necessary to pursue careers in the food service and hospitality industries through a wide range of food preparation methods in the classroom, lab setting and real-world experiences. Additional areas of focus include etiquette, hospitality practices, banquet planning, facility operations, presentation skills and catering.
Hospitality introduces students to the structure and scope of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Students examine key components of tourism such as transportation, accommodations, food and beverage service and attractions. The course also explores a variety of career pathways in hospitality while helping students build essential industry knowledge and skills needed for success.
The long-term goal is to create a Chapter 74 program in hospitality. Rosario has been working towards that goal since she first started at WHS, making plans to upgrade the kitchen classroom at the school. She said last year, significant improvements were made to modernize and enhance the kitchen space.
Improvements included removing all of the upper kitchen cabinets to create a more open and functional layout, completely gutting on corner kitchen area, installing wire shelving to improve organization for food ingredients and kitchen equipment, adding a new three-bay sink and stainless steel worktable, and upgrading to larger, industrial-sized refrigerators.
Upcoming renovations and upgrades include removing and gutting the remaining wooden kitchen cabinets and replacing them with stainless steel workstations, upgrading additional kitchen equipment to industrial-grade standards, including ovens, worktables, mixers, wire shelving and handheld equipment.
Also included in the plans is enhancement of the WHS café area across the hall by completing the barista counter currently being built by the WTA Carpentry and Cabinetry Shop, updating the bakery display case, installing commercial coffee machines and refreshing tables and chairs in the space.
Each renovation and upgrade demonstrates the school’s collective dedication to equipping students with practical, hands-on skills aligned with industry standards.
Rosario also offered her appreciation for the support the program has received, both from the school district and the community.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Westfield Women’s Club and our community for their generous donation of much-needed kitchen equipment and utensils. Their support has made a meaningful difference,” she said.
“Thank you to our dedicated custodial and maintenance staff for their hard work and commitment throughout the renovation process. I am also deeply grateful to our administration, especially Principal Charles Jendrysik at WHS and Pete Taloumis at WTA, for their continued support and leadership,” Rosario added.
“Finally, thank you to our superintendent and school committee for believing in and supporting the vision of growing the hospitality program into a fully developed vocational pathway here at WHS. I am incredibly proud of how far we have come and excited for what lies ahead. The future of the hospitality program at WHS is bright,” Rosario said.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2026/02/whs-culinary-arts-and-hospitality-program-is-on-a-roll.html
Reminder: There will be no school for students from February 16–February 20 due to Winter Vacation. Have a wonderful break and stay safe!
Click on the link below to view the latest "Superintendent's Spotlight" featuring students from the Westfield High School/Westfield Technical Academy Hockey Team. We also took time to recognize National Paczki Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZtkh_KjZQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZtkh_KjZQ