Westfield Public Schools

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

On March 11, students from 13 schools in District 6 for SkillsUSA MA competed in a written competition for a chance to head to the State Leadership and Skills Conference in May. WTA had 34 students that medalled in the district competition, the most of any of the participating schools. The first and second place medalists will advance to the state competition on May 1, 2 and 3 in Marlborough. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/westfield-technical-academy-is-sending-30-students-to-state-skillsusa-competition.html

After a successful seventh and eighth grade band concert on March 25, the Westfield Middle School 125-member band is looking forward to more exciting events in April. On Saturday, April 5, eighth graders will participate in the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductor’s Association Concert Festival at Belchertown High School. WMS band leader Ryan Emken said he has been taking the students to MICCA for the last three years. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/westfield-middle-school-band-director-talks-events-collaboration.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, click on the link below. This week, we talked with Principal Michael Atkins all about Paper Mill Elementary School. We also reminisced about Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgEyWGqVaEQ

DPW Deputy Superintendent Casey Berube, in a collaborative project with city stormwater coordinator Noel Lioce-Marra, seniors in the horticulture department at Westfield Technical Academy and John Raymaakers of J.L. Raymaakers and Sons Construction, began installing a rain garden at School and Elm Streets this week. The plantings will be done by horticulture students later in the spring. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/dpw-installs-rain-garden-on-school-street-with-wta-horticulture-and-raymaakers.html

Patrick Kennedy, band director for Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy and lead music teacher for Westfield Public Schools grades 5 to 12, will be receiving the Massachusetts Music Educators Distinguished Service Award in a ceremony on Thursday, March 27, at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/patrick-kennedy-to-receive-the-mmea-distinguished-service-award-on-march-27-in-worcester.html

On the afternoon of March 13, Westfield Technical Academy played its annual student vs. faculty basketball game to support the Robert P. Ollari Memorial Scholarship fund. According to assistant Principal Kevin Daley, the students narrowly beat the staff by five in a hard-fought battle watched by over 570 students and staff, including Mayor Michael McCabe and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. The tournament raised over $1000 through donations from staff, students, and the raffle. WTA awards a $1000 scholarship each to two deserving seniors to use towards college or the workforce upon graduation. If anyone would like to donate to the scholarship, checks may be made out to the WTA Rob Ollari Scholarship Fund and mailed to Westfield Technical Academy ℅ WTA PVO-Ollari Scholarship, 33 Smith Ave., Westfield, MA 01085. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/wta-students-beat-faculty-in-tourney-to-support-robert-ollari-memorial-scholarship.html

If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. this week, our guests were Fort Meadow Principal Jonathan Scagel and Secretary Becky Decker. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCiCLirbwd0

Starting in the new innovation lab in a former woodshop on the ground floor of Westfield High School, and proceeding to the science classrooms on the second and third floors, Mayor Michael McCabe, state Sen. John Velis, City Councilor Ralph Figy, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, WHS Principal Charles Jendrysik, Science Technology and Engineering Supervisor Lauren Cadigan and others toured the school’s newly refurbished science labs on March 10. The renovations were kickstarted by a $1 million earmark in the 2023 state budget by Velis, who was the hero of the hour. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/whs-science-faculty-celebrates-new-classrooms-with-ribbon-cutting.html

Due to a power outage, Westfield High School will be closed today, Friday, March 7. Thank you.

If you missed this morning's brand new "Superintendent's Spotlight" about our English Language Learner Program, click on the link below. This week, we had the pleasure of meeting a few of our EL students from Afghanistan, Ecuador, and Ukraine. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPuO36CcpNM

Join us for Into the Arts on Saturday, April 5 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Westfield High School!

We are seeking volunteers for the Credit for Life Fair, an interactive event that teaches students real-world budgeting and money management skills. 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? To learn how to live within their budget. As a volunteer, you’ll be assigned to a booth and engage with students as they make their financial decisions. Volunteers will receive a booth overview and all necessary information before students arrive. 📅 Date: Thursday, April 10 📍 Location: Westfield High School Gymnasium ⏰ Time: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM (students arrive at 8:30 AM) High school students from Westfield and surrounding schools will attend. If you’re willing and able to volunteer, please register by scanning the QR Code on this flyer. If you have any questions, feel free to email kate.perez@schoolsofwestfield.org. Thank you for helping make the Credit for Life Fair a valuable experience for our students!

On Thursday, the teachers and staff at Westfield Technical Academy got their first chance to check out their staff lounge which has been completely renovated into a warm and inviting space to relax, or recharge. “We want our schools to know that their community supports them and values the incredible work they do,” Senior Vice President of Elm Electrical Inc. Keith Saltmarsh said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/03/elm-electric-spearheads-wta-teacher-lounge-renovation-project.html

If you missed this morning's new "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, Westfield Intermediate School students gave us an excellent preview of their upcoming drama production, Beauty and the Beast Jr. Staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department also helped us to celebrate National Frozen Yogurt Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grBbAJe8O0c

Although all 13 of the Allied Health students recognized in Westfield Technical Academy’s 18th annual CNA pinning ceremony on Feb. 14 have received their certificates as certified nursing assistants, their future goals in the health profession are diverse. Seniors honored for earning their CNA certifications were Rebecca Barlow, Christopher Ethier, Connor Gendron, Emma Gillis, Angela Gustafson, Caitlyn Hall, Emma Lilly, Jiani Rijos, Mackenzie Roberts, David Sarmiento-Bermejo, who could not attend the ceremony; Lucas Stefanik, Melanie Szczepanek and Nayleisha Williams. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/westfield-tech-cnas-are-pursuing-a-wide-range-of-health-care-fields.html

Working off a diagram, Samuel Florek programs the machine beside him to shape a part from a plain block of metal. The 16-year-old Westfield Technical Academy junior is enthusiastic about his studies in the school’s manufacturing technology program. Here, students start out on manual lathes – turning dials by hand – and work up to computer-controlled machines and 3-D printers. https://www.masslive.com/business/2025/02/if-i-can-see-it-i-can-make-it-manufacturers-broaden-appeal-to-young-workers-in-wmass-in-face-of-a-labor-shortage.html

Project 351 is an independent youth-led service where an unsung student hero from each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns is recognized for the work they do in their individual communities. Ella Golec, the Westfield Project 351 Ambassador, joins us today to talk about her involvement. https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/westfield-project-351-ambassador-explains-program/

Thirteen certified nursing assistants from Westfield Technical Academy’s allied health program were honored at a pinning ceremony on Feb. 14. Keynote speaker state Sen. John Velis, along with state Rep. Kelly Pease, Mayor Michael McCabe, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and WTA Principal Bruce Hastings were all on hand to congratulate the students for their hard work and dedication, and express their pride in the future health professionals. Czaporowski said they are entering more than a profession. “It’s a calling,” he said. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/thirteen-cnas-recognized-at-westfield-technical-academy-pinning-ceremony.html

Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski is seeking 75 businesses and organizations to sign up for the Annual Career Expo & Job Fair on March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Scanlon Hall at Westfield State University. Juniors from Westfield Technical Academy, St. Mary’s High School and Westfield High School will attend the job fair in two shifts to speak to area businesses about current job offerings and future career opportunities. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/02/area-businesses-are-encouraged-to-sign-up-for-career-expo-job-fair.html