Westfield Public Schools

Now that the solar eclipsed has passed, Westfield’s public schools are passing on the special viewing glasses to students in South America. Westfield school district Curriculum and Instruction Director Susan Dargie said the schools are working with the Holyoke Fire Department to collect glasses to be donated to Argentina and Chile, where an annular solar eclipse will be visible on Oct. 2. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-students-will-donate-used-eclipse-glasses-to-kids-in-south-america.html

Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced to staff this week that Bruce Hastings, who has been serving as interim principal at Westfield Technical Academy for the last eight months, has been selected as principal of the school. “I am pleased to announce that Bruce Hastings has been offered and accepted the role of principal of WTA,” Czaporowski wrote. “A significant majority of respondents supported his candidacy after the visits last week. There were many positive comments about Mr. Hastings, citing his focus on relationships with all stakeholders; his experience as an educator and administrator in multiple settings; and his ability to improve the climate of the school.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/interim-principal-named-as-permanent-leader-at-westfield-technical-academy.html

Three up, three down is a common saying associated with baseball when a pitcher retires three straight batters, but, after Tuesday night’s contest, the Westfield Technical Academy High School baseball team left Bullens Field uttering that phrase for a slightly different reason. Westfield Technical Academy won its third game in three tries to begin the 2024 season behind a solid effort from sophomore pitcher Antonio Simpson, who scattered seven hits, two walks, and four runs (all unearned) while striking out eight batters in tossing a complete game, and some timely hitting. The Tigers beat St. Mary’s, 9-4. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-tech-baseball-downs-st-marys-for-3-0-start.html

Mrs. McMillan’s 2nd grade class at Paper Mill Elementary School had their eyes to the sky earlier today as they witnessed their first ever solar eclipse! All students fashioned the eclipse glasses provided by the district. Mrs. McMillan drummed up excitement throughout the day by delivering eclipse lessons and activities as they eagerly awaited the celestial event. Students were talking about it all day saying, “It’s eclipse day! It’s eclipse day!” During the viewing event, students could be heard saying “Whoa,” “That’s so cool,” and “It’s moving!” Students didn’t waste a moment of this experience.

It is quite obvious that the road has not been a stumbling block for the Westfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team. One week into the 2024 season, the Westfield High School boys varsity lacrosse team is perfect. The Bombers latest win came Saturday on the road against East Longmeadow, an 11-5 victory. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/westfield-boys-lacrosse-emerges-from-three-game-road-trip-3-0.html

Westfield High School welcomed 475 singers from grades 3 to 12 on Saturday, April 6, for the fifth annual Big Spring Sing. The event took place in the WHS gymnasium, where Westfield Middle School music teacher Amanda Metcalfe said, “we could better accommodate the overwhelming support and attendance of our event.” https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/big-spring-sing-brings-together-nearly-500-voices-from-many-westfield-schools.html

Western Mass News was on the front field over at Westfield High School where the Space and Astronomy Club held a viewing event for students and community members. Now, it really was a party here at Westfield High School, people brought their picnic blankets and outdoor chairs all to view the eclipse in Westfield. We spoke with some students who told us what got them so excited to see the eclipse! “Defintiely the peak and also just seeing outside it kept getting progressively darker and darker throughout the eclipse,” expressed Mirabella Prefontaine. “I just wanted to make sure that no one gets vision loss,” said Andy Liu “That was one of my main concerns because we’re not in the path of totality so no one could really take off their glasses during the eclipse.” https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/08/students-astronomy-enthusiasts-gather-westfield-eclipse/

Westfield Tech senior Deven Werbiskis took the mound for the second straight game and threw a gem in blustery conditions. Werbiskis struck out 16 over six innings, while yielding just one hit, a weak single in the fifth inning. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-westfield-tech-senior-deven-werbiskis-tosses-one-hitter-strikes-out-16.html

Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield schools, and K-6 STEM coach Lyndsey Ayers, said they are ready to distribute more than 5,700 solar eclipse safety glasses, a pair for every student and staff member in the public school system. Any leftover glasses will be given to the preschools at the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club. “Students won’t get them until Monday,” Cadigan said. She said 3,000 of them were donated from UMass Amherst, and the district purchased the rest. Administrators made sure these glasses have been tested to protect eyes from the intense rays of the sun. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/safety-glasses-pinhole-viewer-project-have-westfield-pupils-ready-for-eclipse.html

Tonight's SEPAC Meeting is now being held virtually only. Thank you.

If you missed last week's "Superintendent's Spotlight", click on the link below. Westfield Technical Academy Principal Bruce Hastings and Assistant Principal Kevin Daley talk about the school's admissions process and more. Culinary Arts students made a delicious cake to help us celebrate National Black Forest Cake Day too. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-i3JEmRu2Y

Students from Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy participated in our annual "Credit for Life" Fair on Wednesday, April 3. Students learned about credit cards, housing and transportation costs, budgeting, and more. Thank you to all of the volunteers that made this authentic learning experience possible for our students. Did you know? A course in Financial Literacy is a graduation requirement for all WPS students? #AchievingExcellenceTogether

Students in Westfield got a little dose of adult life Wednesday participating in the high school’s “Credit for Life Fair.” Westfield area students were age 25 for a day and put through the paces of emerging adulthood at the fair, hosted by Westfield High School. “It’s definitely a lot more. Like there is more to it,” said Westfield Technical Academy student Maya. Each student picked a profession, was assigned a credit score and tasked with visiting 15 booths around the gymnasium, each an educational opportunity on an aspect of post-education life. “It’s a budgeting exercise and we’re doing it with seniors because these are the kids that are about to graduate and have these expenses maybe in a few months,” said Edward Nunez, a volunteer with the Springfield Credit for Life program. Some of those expenses were surprisingly high for student Savanah, “The unforeseen expenses. It could be $50 at the supermarket or $900 because your car got towed.” “I was very surprised with the student loan debt. I did think it was really going to be that much,” said student Brady. While the expenses were a revelation, job hunting was an exercise in goal setting. Students selected a career in the area they hope to go after school. Carefully planned finances and dream jobs only get you so far in life… some things you can’t plan for. That’s where the reality check booth comes in. “We did have someone who landed on a spring break trip, so they had to deduct $900 from their balance,” said Kara Wood from Westfield Savings Bank. “This is not an easy thing to do every month. Managing what you want to do with your money and what you need to do with your money,” said Linda Saltus of Western Massachusetts Credit for Life. https://www.wwlp.com/news/local-news/hampden-county/students-learn-budgeting-skills-through-credit-for-life-fair-in-westfield/

The much-anticipated solar eclipse is just days away and areas schools are preparing their students to have a front row seat for what could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “This is called a pinhole viewer…and some classrooms, we provided instructions, so that teachers can create these, and kids can use them and safely view the eclipse with things they have at home,” said Lauren Cadigan, supervisor of Science Technology and Engineering at Westfield Public Schools. Throughout Westfield Public Schools, teachers have received resources ranging from directions on how to create a pinhole viewer, reading materials, maps, and more. Some of the masterminds behind it are Cadigan and Pre-K through Grade 4 STEM Coach Lindsey Ayers. “I think students are more excited about learning when they can see something in real life. We’re excited about that real-life experience,” Ayers added. However, preparations for the eclipse are extending outside of the classroom too. Across the district, after-school sports practices and games have been cancelled so students can take in the eclipse. To view the eclipse, you need the right lenses to protect your eyes. Elementary school students were given eclipse viewing glasses, but teachers throughout the district had the chance to request them. We’re told the demand was so high that by Monday, the district plans to order and distribute nearly 3,900 pairs about 2,500 pairs were donations from UMass Amherst. “I hope we inspire the next generation of scientists. As always, we try to create a space where all kids, if they want to be, can be successful in STEM and can see themselves in stem,” Cadigan noted. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/04/03/schools-preparing-use-eclipse-learning-moment-students/?fbclid=IwAR1lAUd35NgO0rf-OqlCMdx5WBr0Y8gDgwaR-im7MpVClfrp_NcbRewMTO0_aem_AUtfRf3DEHnxeT87bc9iDiYdtPrI8iY9RQl8fnC4CRYKFiYJL5XLsB50hz-u0fQjjidQwBTV9qq_ayNSw1VdGzUQ

On Tuesday, Westfield Technical Academy senior softball pitcher Allyssa Slack saved the best for last. Slack closed out a 20-5 win over Pioneer Valley Regional with her 11th strikeout of the day. More importantly, it was the 500th of her career. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-allysa-slack-records-strikeout-no-500-in-tigers-victory.html

Westfield High School baseball sophomore pitcher Josh Wagner scattered five hits, three walks, and one run over 6 2/3 innings of a home opener Friday to pick up a win over Minnechaug at Bullens Field. He struck out eight batters. Lead-off hitter Patrick Moore paved the way for Westfield (1-0) on offense, going 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Bombers’ Nick Lenfest went 1-for-4 with a run scored and Wagner and Emmett Garfield each had a hit. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/03/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-josh-wagner-bombers-baseball-silence-minnechaug-in-opener-3-1.html

It was a pitcher’s duel that wasn’t decided until the very last out. Westfield Technical Academy senior softball pitcher Allyssa Slack scattered four hits, struck out 13 batters, walked two, and allowed just one earned run as the Tigers turned back the St. Mary’s Saints, 5-3, in a season opener Monday at Whitney Field. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/04/allyssa-slack-homers-strikes-out-13-in-westfield-technical-academy-softball-win-over-st-marys-5-3.html

Bombers junior hockey goalie Evan Mastroianni will receive the Bruce Landon Award and a $500 scholarship at the April 11 reception hosted by the Amo Bessone Awards Committee. The committee gives awards annually to several players, coaches and supporters of high school hockey in Western Massachusetts. This year, Mastroianni is the only winner representing a school in Westfield or Southwick. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/03/westfield-bombers-hockey-player-evan-mastroianni-wins-landon-award-for-goalies.html

Adopt-a-Classroom alert! Second graders from both Franklin Ave and Abner Gibbs Elementary Schools visited John Raaymakers and Allison McMordie at a job site where they were able to observe changes to the land along the bank of the Little River. Students learned about the importance of safety meetings (hard hats included), natural causes of erosion, and how contractors and engineers work together to design solutions to prevent erosion. This real-world experience is related to what students have recently learned in a Project Lead the Way Module titled "The Changing Earth". This partnership not only extended students' understanding of science concepts, but also introduced them to career options in their own hometown.

A reminder that schools are closed tomorrow, March 29, for Good Friday. Thank you. Have a great weekend!