Westfield Public Schools

Click on the link below for a special joint "On the Mark" and "Superintendent's Spotlight" show from Westfield Technical Academy's Hangar 2. WTA Aviation Department Chair Galen Wilson and students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program talk about their experiences in the program and future goals. This is part one of a two-part series. Part two will air on Thursday, May 30, at 9:00 a.m. on WCPC Channel 15 and on 89.5 fm WSKB Westfield. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJoFEbcwMwE

Westfield Technical Academy Vice Principal Kevin Daley, who coordinates the cooperative education program and internships for upper class students, said the school had over 80 placements this year. “That’s the most we’ve ever had,” Daley said. “We have great partnerships with local businesses.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-tech-breaks-its-record-for-most-student-co-op-placements-this-year.html

Three strikes and the Pope Francis Cardinals are out. Westfield senior pitcher Ethan Johnson tossed a one-hitter and the second-seeded Bombers scraped together a 3-0 win over No. 6 Pope Francis in a PVIAC Class A baseball semifinal early Thursday afternoon at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/ethan-johnson-no-2-westfield-shuts-out-no-6-pope-francis-in-pviac-class-a-baseball-semifinals-3-0.html

If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff and students in our English Learner Program. Thanks for watching! #AchievingExcellenceTogether https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDh48u_8su4

Kristen Koziol, STEM Specialist at Highland Elementary School, and her third grade programmers presented projects to the School Committee on Monday night. Students completed a Project Lead the Way Computer Science module, which culminated in the creation of their own game in ScratchJR, a kid-friendly, block-based coding application. Students worked collaboratively to program a game that included a main sprite, a target, a moving obstacle, and feedback to the player on if they were successful or not. The games proved to be a big hit among School Committee members, who were very engaged in playing "Penguin Chase", "Space Invasion", and "Get the Alien to Earth". Way to go Highland Huskies!

The Westfield Technical Academy High School baseball team tied a season-high 12 hits and the fourth-seeded Tigers held off No. 5 Mount Greylock, 8-6, in a Western Massachusetts PVIAC Class C quarterfinal Tuesday night at Bullens Field. Westfield Tech (13-3) earns a trip to Thursday’s semifinals where they will face top-seeded Drury (14-3), a 9-1 winner over No. 8 Franklin Tech. First pitch at Joe Wolfe Field in North Adams is 5 p.m. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/no-4-westfield-technical-academy-outlasts-no-5-mount-greylock-in-class-c-quarterfinal-8-6.html

PVIAC CLASS A SEMIFINALS No. 1 Westfield def. No. 4 Minnechaug, 18-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-18 Westfield celebrated “Senior Night” and a trip to the Class A championship with a hard-fought, four-set victory Tuesday at home. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-no-1-bombers-volleyball-advances-to-finals-rematch-with-agawam-set.html

Westfield Community Programming will showcase the unique aviation program at Westfield Technical Academy with two programs to air this month. Both were filmed at WTA’s aviation hangar at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. The first of the two programs, filmed for “Superintendent’s Spotlight” with Stefan Czaporowski and “On the Mark” with Mark G. Auerbach, premieres in prime time at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, on Westfield Community Programming, WSKB 89.5 FM, Southwick Community Television, Agawam Media, and YouTube (search for WSKB Community Radio Channel). The second part premieres at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 30. Both programs will be repeated the following Wednesday during the regularly scheduled broadcast of “On the Mark” at 9 a.m. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-cable-tv-shows-interview-students-at-high-schools-airport-hangar.html

Westfield 15, Chicopee Comp 2 Westfield closed out the regular season with an exclamation point. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-bombers-stomp-comp-to-complete-15-2-regular-season.html

The Westfield High School softball team closed out its home portion of the regular season schedule with an emphatic victory. Westfield junior pitcher Shea Hurley and the Bombers shut out Hampshire Regional on Friday, 4-0, sweeping the regular season series with the Red Raiders. Hurley struck out 11 batters. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-softball-sweeps-regular-season-series-with-hampshire-regional.html

If you missed yesterday's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we were live from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield to talk with Kellie Brown all about the great things they have going on at the club. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYNr7FNzZlA

Westfield 8, West Springfield 2 Westfield sophomore pitcher Josh Wagner scattered four hits, six walks and two runs over seven complete innings, and the Bombers offense racked up eight runs to defeat West Springfield on the road Wednesday. Wagner finished with 9 Ks. It was the eighth straight win for Westfield (14-2). https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-josh-wagner-bombers-baseball-keep-rolling.html

Although the playoffs are still a week or so away, the Westfield High School boys lacrosse team is clearly tournament tested. Tristan Koumentakos and Luke Florek scored four goals apiece and Westfield survived a knock-down, drag-out fight against one of Central Massachusetts top ranked teams, defeating Nashoba, 14-12, Tuesday at home. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-boys-lacrosse-survives-thriller-with-nashoba-to-keep-perfect-season-intact.html

The Westfield Technical Academy High School baseball team sent their ace, Deven Werbiskis, to the mound on the road against Pathfinder at St. Joe’s Park, and he delivered in spades. Werbiskis accepted the task and struck out 13, helping the Tigers pick up a key 4-3 victory to improve to 11-3 overall. “Deven really did a good job on the mound today,” Westfield Tech coach Bob Eak said. “He consistently hit his spots and really kept the Pathfinder hitters off balance.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-technical-academy-baseball-beats-pathfinder-4-3-clinches-share-of-league-title.html

Nathan Sperry, head instructor of the horticulture shop at Westfield Technical Academy, said on May 10 that the annual spring plant sale was wrapping up, and he expected to close at 2 p.m., a few hours earlier than advertised. “We sold a lot of plants,” Sperry said. He said there was a huge crowd on May 7, the first day of the sale, and business had been steady since. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/despite-construction-customers-flock-to-westfield-techs-annual-plant-sale.html

Westfield 19, Chicopee Comp 3 Westfield won at home Friday to remain unbeaten at 13-0. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-bombers-boys-lax-beat-chicopee-comp-19-3-to-remain-unbeaten-13-0.html

Students in Westfield Technical Academy's TV/Radio Broadcasting Program visited the studios of Western Mass News last Thursday. Western Mass News staff remarked that our students had excellent questions and were one of the best groups to visit their studios yet. Special thanks to Western Mass News for hosting our students and to Instructor Steve Forni for arranging this valuable field trip for our students. #authenticlearning #AchievingExcellenceTogether

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" yesterday, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Westfield Technical Academy Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer and Westfield, MA High School Adjustment Counselor Carrie Fiordalice about student mental health on National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NksJZsQmko

Just when it looked like Westfield baseball’s five-game winning streak was in jeopardy, an unlikely hero emerged to help the Bombers stage a late rally that turned a heartbreaking loss into a thrilling victory. Westfield junior outfielder Jackson LaValley ended a hitless night with a two-out, game-tying single in the bottom of the sixth inning; junior first baseman Patrick Moore knocked in the go-ahead run; senior shortstop Nick Lenfest added some key insurance; and the Bombers rallied to defeat the Longmeadow Lancers 3-2 Thursday at Bullens Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/05/westfield-baseball-stages-late-rally-to-stun-longmeadow-3-2.html

At the ribbon cutting for the new home at 64 Mill St. built by students of Westfield Technical Academy, Matthew Gomes, head of the construction technology department, took a few minutes to acknowledge the hard work of students in the construction technology, electrical wiring and horticulture technology departments. He also acknowledged the vision of Westfield Technical Academy Foundation, the Polish National Credit Union for funding the loan at 0% interest, and the multiple other sponsors who donated thousands of dollars of materials and financial support, for making the project possible. “It’s been an incredible journey,” said Gomes. He said students were on site for the land survey, excavation and concrete foundation, framed every bit of the entire house, and installed the windows and siding. He said students formed and placed the concrete sidewalk and driveway. Students installed the finishes and millwork after watching the insulation and drywall come together. Students in the newly approved Chapter 74 cabinetmaking program planned, fabricated and installed all of the cabinetry and custom millwork in the house, including all of the kitchen cabinetry, bathroom vanities and mudroom. The electrical wiring students completed all the electrical work, and horticulture technology students designed and installed the hardscape and landscape, bringing the exterior to another level with the patio, walkway and plantings not typically found in a new home construction. “The experience of building a house from start to finish cannot be duplicated in a classroom setting back at the school,” Gomes said. Gomes said the project would not have been possible without the support of the Westfield Technical Academy Foundation and its board of directors, and with the guidance of the school’s Program Advisory Committee. “Please know that this project and all of the work of the Westfield Technical Academy is led by volunteers. 100% of the proceeds from this project will go to providing support for our students. Nobody involved in administering the nonprofit is paid,” Gomes said. WTA Foundation President Joseph Tremblay said for him, “to see the kids get an opportunity of this scale, that’s what it’s all about.” He said the students now have a full house build on their resumes. Tremblay and his wife Alexandra own Tremblay Maison in Longmeadow, an interior design, decor and home furnishings company. Alexandra Tremblay, who was not present at the ribbon-cutting, donated her interior design services to the project, overseeing the selection of light fixtures and other features. A few weeks before the grand opening, the WTA Foundation invited local real estate agents to tour the house. Within a few days it was under contract, although Tremblay said the price could not be disclosed until the sale closes later this month. “At the time of sale, this was the only new house on the market in Westfield.” Tremblay said construction items not donated for the home build were able to be purchased with the 0% loan from PNCU. Once sold, the proceeds will go to the Westfield Technical Academy, earmarked for the construction department. He said now they’re “on the hunt for more land.” Tremblay said the WTA Foundation is ready to partner with any department in the school that wants to use it. He said a couple of departments have approached him with ideas. Construction tech seniors who were on hand for the open house were themselves impressed with the work they had done, calling it “amazing” and “really outstanding.” At the end of his remarks, Gomes said the students were the greatest example of teamwork on the project. “Our students did the work here. This home you are standing in was built by students. Teenagers. Students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade. When you stop to think, it’s truly remarkable. “Reflecting on this project fills my heart with hope and promise. It can be difficult today to see through all the negativity and conflict — but here, at 64 Mill St. in Westfield, know that you can find evidence of the next generation of leaders and doers. And at the Westfield Technical Academy you will find a dedicated team of students and teachers ready to take on the challenge,” Gomes said. Sponsors for the project included American Floor Covering, Caesarstone, Chelsea Building Products, DeWalt, Huber/Advantech, Zip System, Keller Williams — Shanna Rowe, National Vinyl, Wright Architectural Millwork, Polish National Credit Union, Kelly Fradet, Boise Cascade, the Erickson family, Frank Webb Home, F.W. Webb, Lucky Sevens Carpet, New England Energy Raters, Rosati, Clean Restrooms, Dalessio Overhead Door, Ondrick Natural Earth, R. Levesque Associates, R.J. Sanding, Schluter Systems, 7 Roads Media, Simpson Strong Tie, Trex, FastenMaster, Sherwin Williams and Westfield Gas & Electric. https://www.thereminder.com/localnews/westfield/student-built-home-now-finished-purchased-in-westf/