Westfield Technical Academy

In case you were unable to tune in this morning, follow the link below to today's action-packed episode of "Tiger Talk Live". Mr. Langone, Mr. Daley, and Mrs. Groom were joined by Senior Grace Burris from our Culinary Arts Department and the newest addition to our faculty, Mrs. Jeanine DeLand. And, of as always, Big Al Rogers rounded out the proceedings with our sports corner segment! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hCFH_AArmM&list=PLnSwTu8SRtqIA3xtNAnD_rQFSd8aXozvH&index=1

I'd like to share a wonderful email I received this afternoon from Casey Berube, Deputy DPW Superintendent, who wrote on behalf of our Horticulture Technology Department: "Good afternoon, please be aware that after a hit and run accident damaged the wall at the Prospect Hill Rotary, Professor Nate Sperry and his team of students did a great job in making repairs earlier this week, and the City of Westfield Department of Public Works would like to extend our sincerest thanks. Involved in the project were the following students: Kevin Beckett, Zachary Gaudet, Liam Pease, Teresa Pieciak, Clayton Therrien, Logan Siska, Brady Corliss Tyler Crepeau, Logan Keating, and Jacob Renaud. We've partnered with the Horticulture staff and students on countless projects now and they're always great to work with, and a huge asset to the city." Way to go, Horticulture Technology. You make us SO proud!

Take a look at our WTA Newsletter for January and February!

Last night, we were pleased to host our annual joint Westfield School Committee and WTA General Advisory Committee Meeting, which was also our first in-person meeting since the original COVID Closure in the late winter of 2019. Following a brief presentation by our principal Mr. Langone and remarks from General Advisory Committee Chair Jeff Amanti, School Committee Members, Central Office Administrators, City Councilors, and WTA Administration toured our 12 Technical Programs and listened to presentations which outlined current enrollments, accomplishments, and needs. We wish to express our sincerest thanks to Mayor McCabe, our School Committee Members and City Councilors, our superintendent, our Central Office Administrators, our General Advisory Chair, and all of our Program Advisory Chairs and Members for their continual and generous support of our mission and students. We truly couldn't do what we do on behalf of our kids each day without you!

Don’t forget to tune into WSKB 89.5 FM tomorrow morning and every Thursday morning from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. to join Mr. Langone, Mr. Daley and Mrs. Groom for “Tiger Talk Live: The Carol, Kev, and Joe Show”, which features all things WTA, from our academic and technical programs to extracurricular activities and athletics. And remember, You’re in the flow with Carol, Kev, and Joe!”

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is inviting students, parents, education professionals, and community members to participate in a survey that will provide feedback on the MCAS program and help inform improvements. The Department is seeking stakeholders’ input in several areas, including communications and support, data and reporting, and release of test questions. The survey will close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27. Please contact mcas@doe.mass.edu with any questions. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7072286/Future-Directions-MCAS-General-Survey

Behavioral Health Network Inc., which merged with the Carson Center eight years ago, has opened a new BHN WellBeing Center with expanded hours, expanded service, and walk-in care in its offices at 77 Mill St. in Westfield. The BHN WellBeing Center, along with one that opened at 417 Liberty St. in Springfield, are part of a statewide network of Community Behavioral Health Centers, or CBHCs, and are intended to shorten wait times for individuals seeking behavioral health treatment with MassHealth and Health New England insurances. The hours for walk-in care at both locations are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those seeking care can also call 413-301-WELL (413-301-9355) to be connected to services or visit bhninc.org for more information. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/walk-in-behavioral-health-care-clinic-opens-in-westfield.html

WPS is Hiring! Be a part of Westfield Public Schools! We are hiring multiple positions across the district including substitute teachers, substitute nurses, classroom and 1:1 paraprofessionals, school custodians, and many more opportunities that can be found on our district website at www.schoolsofwestfield.org.

In case you were unable to tune in this morning, follow the link below to today's action-packed episode of "Tiger Talk Live". Mr. Langone, Mr. Daley, and Mrs. Groom were joined by Mr. Kevin Grimsley from our Manufacturing Technology Department and sophomores Emily Lezhnyak, Brady LePage, and Rayan Shahid . And, of course, Al Rogers and Vince Escarpita rounded out the proceedings with our sports corner segment! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obJMcexuKMU&list=PLnSwTu8SRtqIA3xtNAnD_rQFSd8aXozvH&index=1

Don’t forget to tune into WSKB 89.5 FM this Thursday and every Thursday morning from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. to join Mr. Langone, Mr. Daley and Mrs. Groom for “Tiger Talk Live: The Carol, Kev, and Joe Show”, which features all things WTA, from our academic and technical programs to extracurricular activities and athletics. This week, we will have a visit from Mr. Kevin Grimsley and students from our Information Technology Program. And remember, You’re in the flow with Carol, Kev, and Joe!”

As part of our ongoing efforts to promote a safe learning environment at WTA, we were privileged this morning to host a visit from the Hamden County Sherriff Department's K-9 Unit. After the call went out for the school community to shelter in place, four dogs, trained to detect THC, together with their handlers, performed locker and bag searches in the shops. We offer our sincerest thanks to the Sherriff's Department and to our SRO, Tracy Ploof, who coordinated the visit.

The Department of Mental Health has launched a new Behavioral Health Help Line that people can call or text at 833-773-2445. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in more than 200 languages. The help line can help individuals and families navigate the behavioral health system and access treatment, including mobile crisis services. Please click on the link below for more information. https://www.masshelpline.com/

Reminder: Westfield Public Schools will be closed on Monday, January 16 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Thank you.

The 24th annual High School Science and Engineering Fair on Feb. 9 in the Westfield High School gymnasium is a day to celebrate the science and engineering cycles and hard work of students at both WHS and Westfield Technical Academy. Judges are being sought to score projects and engage with high school students as they share the results of their work. Judging takes place from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 9, beginning with registration and orientation. Lunch will be provided by WHS culinary students at the end of the fair. https://www.masslive.com/news/2023/01/westfield-seeks-volunteers-to-judge-projects-at-high-school-science-fair-feb-9.html

The latest win had much more meaning for the Westfield Technical Academy boys basketball team – and for good reason. Westfield Tech outscored Hampden Charter School of Science 25-14 in the second half Thursday evening to win the 7th Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, 45-34. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-latest-westfield-technical-academy-boys-basketball-victory-means-a-lot.html

For several years, the Westfield Technical Academy girls' basketball team toiled away in mediocrity. No more. Unbeaten Westfield Tech won its third straight game to begin the season, handing Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School a 36-21 loss Thursday night at Hampshire College. https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2023/01/westfield-technical-academy-girls-basketball-wins-3rd-straight-game.html

The United States Attorney’s Office is hosting a virtual Internet safety presentation for parents the evening of Wednesday, January 18th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. The presentation, entitled Keeping Kids Safe and Secure Online: A Project Safe Childhood Presentation for Parents will bring awareness to the dangers of the internet, including gaming and social media platforms that predators use to groom children with the intent of exploiting them sexually online or for an in person meeting. The presentation will focus on prevention by educating parents and community members how to help keep children safe online. We will be covering the following topics: Social Media 101 & Digital Footprint, Cyberbullying, Sexting, Gaming, Victim Support, Protecting Against Online Predation Who should attend? Parents, guardians, local police departments, school administrators, youth program leaders and anyone who would like to learn how to keep children safe from online dangers. The presentation is free. Registration is required. The link to register is included on the attached flyer and is also included here: REGISTRATION DETAILS Please register at the following link: (via Chrome browser)) Event address for attendees: https://usao.webex.com/usao/onstage/g.php?MTID=ec3d8ccd61ccdd26ee39d8c6ffd5c57aa Password: PSC1 Questions or difficulty registering? Please contact Karen Legace @ USAMA.PSCOutreach@usdoj.gov

I happened to be passing by our House Building Site at the corner of Mill and Paper Streets this afternoon. As you can see from my photos, things are REALLY beginning to take shape. Way to go Construction Technology!

If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week we talked with MIAA Coach of the year Tyler Wingate, New Westfield High School Assistant Principals Dr. Tonia Bonner and Mr. Andrew Joseph, as well as staff and students from the WHS Preschool Program. In our last segment, a very talented Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts student demonstrated how to make homemade whipped cream in recognition of National Whipped Cream Day. Thanks for watching! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDP778HeVUU

Our very own School Librarian Sarah Scott recently applied for and was granted a Westfield Cultural Council Grant in the amount of $1005 to bring Michael Tougias Storytelling to the WTA. Mr. Tougias will be performing "The Finest Hours" and "A History of the Quabbin" for our ELA and Social Studies Classes sometime this June. Special thanks to Mrs. Scott for pursuing this opportunity and to the Cultural Council for generously approving her request and underwriting the initiative!