Westfield Technical Academy

Families, educators, school leaders, and public education advocates across the country are joining together in celebrating public schools, Feb. 27–Mar. 3; a week designated to highlight and show support for our local public schools. Public Schools Week 2023 (#PSW23) is part of a larger campaign—#HerefortheKids—one that brings together families, educators, and community members to shine a light on local public schools and share the stories of the positive things happening in classrooms and school buildings nationwide. The teaching and learning in our local K-12 public schools positively impacts students and families, the neighborhoods, and communities they live in, and our nation as a whole. With commitment, creativity, and critical thinking, educators and school leaders continue to provide welcoming and engaging learning opportunities for our children. #Hereforthe Kids #AchievingExcellenceTogether

Mixed emotions took over the Westfield Technical Academy boys basketball team Tuesday as the Tigers capped off their regular season with a 62-46 win over Palmer, finishing with an overall record of 9-11, one game out of the state tournament. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/02/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-westfield-technical-academy-boys-basketball-finishes-season-on-high-note.html

The season came to a close for the Westfield Technical Academy girls basketball team Thursday with a hard-fought loss to Duggan Academy, 46-39. Senior Kristen Nutting, who Westfield Tech head coach James Davenport described as “the heart and soul of the Tigers,” scored 16 points in the final game of her high school career. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/02/westfield-technical-academy-girls-basketball-season-comes-to-an-end.html

Click on the link below to watch the latest episode of "On the Mark" featuring staff and students from the Communications Department at Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lY_RnI9lLE

Westfield Technical Academy students brought back a tradition on Feb. 17 when they visited Abner Gibbs Elementary School to read stories and demonstrate hands-on activities related to their chosen trades, something they haven’t been able to do since before coronavirus pandemic. The event was part of WTA’s celebration of Career Technical Education Week. WTA Career Technical Director Peter Taloumis and School Librarian Sarah Scott organized the event and selected the books with the help of Abner Gibbs Principal Erika Masciadrelli and school secretary Erinn Tirrell. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-students-share-their-trades-at-abner-gibbs-elementary-school.html

Next week is Winter Vacation! There is no school for students starting Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24. WTA Offices will also be closed next week. Students return to school and our offices will reopen on Monday, February 27. Have fun and be safe! Thank you.

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom about Career Technical Education Week at Westfield Technical Academy. We also learned a lot about almonds on National Almond Day. Thanks for watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DqmA_v8l7A

A reception at Tiger’s Pride on Valentine’s Day gave friends and colleagues from Westfield Technical Academy and the Westfield Police Department a chance to recognize retiring School Resource Officer Tracy Ploof, and to wish him well after 20 years of helping to keep the peace at the school, and 30 years with the city police. “The word spread to other retirees from the Police Department and Westfield Technical Academy. It was a really good turnout, a lot of people popped in,” said WTA Adjustment and Substance Abuse Counselor Kristine Hupfer, who organized the event along with Lt. Eric Hall of the Westfield Police Community Services Unit. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-tech-police-community-thank-retiring-school-resource-officer.html

The registration portal for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year is now open. Please visit the Westfield Public Schools website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org for more information. Thank you!

Tune in on Thursday, February 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a special Career Technical Education episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we will be talking with Assistant Principal Kevin Daley and School Counselor Carol Groom all about Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching!

For the first time in three years, Into the Arts is BACK! We are excited to share that this celebration of all the arts in Westfield Public Schools will return this April 28th and 29th!

Five veteran teachers and one teacher new to the profession were named 2023 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award winners in Westfield this week. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski surprised the winners at their schools on Feb. 7. Winners have demonstrated exemplary teaching practices and have had a strong impact on their students; they’ve inspired and motivated others, engaged their students’ families, and gone above and beyond in the classroom and school community. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/02/westfield-superintendent-surprises-6-educators-with-excellence-in-teaching-award.html

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we talked with staff, students, and judges that participated in the annual Westfield Public Schools Science, Technology, and Engineering Fair. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZKK_bY2Tbg

This week, we celebrate National SkillsUSA Week! We are proud to have an active SkillsUSA Chapter here of 105 members this year here at WTA which includes 92 students, 11 shop advisors and 2 administrators. To date, our students have participated at a Fall State Leadership Conference this past November, during which Senior Aaron Liu received his leadership pin. Our senior members will be participating in a "Seniors Advancing in Leadership" conference on February 9th focusing on Career and College Readiness after High School. Additionally, 69 students from WTA and other technical schools in the surrounding area will compete in district-level competition here at WTA on March 14. Students who compete successfully at districts will advance to state-level competition in late April. Congratulations to all our WTA Skills Members for their hard work and dedication, and special thanks to Mrs. Maureen Baillargeon for her continued service as our Chapter Advisor.

Don't forget to tune in this Thursday, February 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. to WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC Cable Channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a crossover episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" and "Tiger Talk". This week, we will be broadcasting live from Westfield High School during our Annual High School Science Fair. We will be talking with staff, students, and judges about the incredible projects from students at WHS and WTA. Thanks for watching!

Last week, Mr. Chretien's and Mr. Davenport’s U.S. History II Classes participated in Springfield Museums’ presentation of "Us & Them: Discrimination During the Holocaust and Today", during which the students learned about the experiences of local Holocaust survivors. The students used primary source materials to track the progression of hate from prejudice to genocide, and they also learned the difference between "bystanders" and "upstanders". We are grateful to Sarah Christensen from the Springfield Museums who did a wonderful job with her presentations on this important topic!

This week, we celebrate National School Counseling Week, which highlights the impact that school counselors provide through their work in helping students succeed. School counselors focus on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development. They are a valuable part of our educational team. They support the entire school community by helping to create more positive academic, vocational, and social-emotional experiences for our students. I know I speak for everyone when I say how truly fortunate we are to have Carol Groom, Andrea Arvanites, Casey Keefe, Kristine Hupfer, and Michael Quinn as part of our family!

Tune in on Thursday, February 9 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. on WSKB 89.5 FM, WCPC cable channel 15, or westfieldtv.org for a crossover episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight" and "Tiger Talk". This week, we will be broadcasting live from Westfield High School during our Annual High School Science Fair. We will be talking with staff, students, and judges about the incredible projects from students at WHS and WTA. Thanks for watching!

In case you were unable to tune in this morning, follow the link below to today's action-packed episode of "Tiger Talk Live". While Mr. Langone was proctoring MCAS Retests, Mr. Daley and Mrs. Groom were joined by Mr. Langone's Executive Administrative Assistant Kelly Liptak; student wrestlers Joshua Castell, Ethan Connors, and Tristan; and skiiers Rudy Charland and Owen Freeman. And THE Vince Escarpita rounded out the proceedings with our Sports Corner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJa9Vo9trmk&list=PLnSwTu8SRtqIA3xtNAnD_rQFSd8aXozvH

February is National Career Technical Education Month. Celebrate with us here at WTA, where we put education to work!