Beginning on Monday, Aug. 5, hundreds of students entering Westfield Intermediate School, Westfield Middle School and Westfield High School this fall will have an opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new schools ahead of the first day at the schools’ transition programs.
Unfortunately, all of the programs are filled, but there will be scheduled orientations for some of the schools later in the month.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/08/hundreds-of-westfield-5th-7th-9th-graders-sign-up-for-transition-programs.html
Brady LePage of South Hadley, who will be a senior in internet technology at Westfield Technical Academy this fall, was waiting nervously on June 28, the last evening of the national SkillsUSA competition in Atlanta, Georgia for the finalists in “Internet of Things: Smart Home” to be called up to the podium during the awards ceremony.
His teammate, collision technology senior Adrianna Vazquez, who competed in auto refinishing, said LePage kept telling himself he didn’t know if he got it. She reassured him, reminding him to enjoy the moment.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/07/westfield-technical-academy-earns-first-national-gold-medal-in-skillsusa.html
Westfield Technical Academy’s aviation maintenance technology department is looking to build a second hangar at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport to expand its program, the only high school aviation maintenance program in the Northeast, and one of only three in the country.
Airport Manager Christopher Willenborg said the plans are in the beginning stages, with a feasibility study starting this July to look at the cost of a new hangar in a collective effort by WTA, the Westfield School Department, the city government and the airport.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-tech-aviation-shop-hopes-for-new-hangar-more-students-added-skills.html
By the year 2030, nearly 500 thousand technicians will be needed in the aviation industry, creating a major gap in the labor market.
“The need in the aviation industry for employees is probably larger now than it ever has been and so as a certain generation retires, we need people to replace the workforce,” explained Westfield Public School Superintendent, Stefan Czaporowski.
Westfield Technical Academy is offering students an opportunity to get involved in the aviation industry.
The school's aviation maintenance technology program gives high school students hands-on training with live aircraft, to help meet the requirements of the FAA.
Students are exposed to things like basic electricity, aircraft drawings, ground operations and servicing, landing gear systems, and navigation.
“We have a lot of connections that help our students get cooperative education placements, which means they can work after school in the industry that their interested in. So, once they graduate, they’ll have a job waiting for them,” said Czaporowski.
He also told Western Mass News students who show interest in aviation remain interested throughout their lives.
He added that programs like these can also help students who are under performing academically.
“We’ve had students sign up for this program and it is a rigorous program, that were not academically strong but rose to the occasion to be successful in this program and we’ve had students that really picked up better study habits and also just a desire to learn because they were so passionate about the content this program has,” Czaporowski said.
Western Mass News also spoke with the program’s department head, Galen Wilson.
He tells us, this high school aviation program is the only one of its kind in New England, and there are only two others like it in the entire country.
“We have students that are flying for JetBlue, we have students that are pilots and earning their living that way. We have the technicians that are working for gulf stream, and breeze airlines and so on and so forth,” explained Wilson.
Wilson noted to Western Mass News that their program is ideal for any student interested in flying planes or working with aircraft.
“What we look for here is that passion for aviation, its in your gut its in your belly this is something that you really want to do,” said Wilson.
https://www.westernmassnews.com/2024/06/20/westfield-school-offers-aviation-program-students/
Westfield Public Schools and offices will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth Holiday. Thank you.
The Westfield Starfires are thrilled to announce that hometown hero and finalist of NBC's 'The Voice,' Madison Curbelo, will be performing at Bullens Field as part of the pre-game entertainment on Saturday, June 29th. In addition to her pre-game performance, Curbelo will also have the honor of singing the National Anthem.
Curbelo, whose powerful performances on 'The Voice' captivated millions, will bring her incredible talent back to her roots in Westfield. This special appearance is a testament to her connection to the community that has supported her journey to national recognition.
“I am so excited to be back in Westfield for my official homecoming event with the Starfires,” said Curbelo. “My Westfield community got me through every round of The Voice and it’s an honor to be able to connect with them again after this journey.”
The festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. with Curbelo's pre-game performance, followed by her rendition of the National Anthem at 6:30 p.m., just before the first pitch. Fans will also have an exclusive opportunity to meet Curbelo during a special meet and greet during the Starfires game against the Worcester Bravehearts. The game is presented by Berkshire Heating & Air Conditioning.
Tickets for the game are available by visiting https://ci.ovationtix.com/36043
If you missed the season finale of "Superintendent's Spotlight" this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we provide updates on the new elementary school project. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts students also helped us celebrate National Strawberry Shortcake Day. Thanks for watching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyGaGLG1awI
The last day of school is on Monday, June 17. It is also an early release day. High school students will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m., Middle and Intermediate School students at 11:30 a.m., and Elementary School students at 12:15 p.m. Thank you.
Due to the weather forecast, which is predicting severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, gusty winds, and possible hail between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. this evening, WTA's graduation ceremony will be held in the auditorium. While we know this decision is disappointing, we need to consider the safety of staff, students, and guests. WTA's graduation will be broadcast live on local cable channel 12. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Principal Hastings
Superintendent Czaporowski
The 2024 Westfield Technical Prom was held May 10. The event was hosted by Crestview Country Club in Agawam.
https://www.masslive.com/prom/2024/05/2024-prom-photos-westfield-technical-academy.html
Vladyslav “Vlad” Vysotskyi, a senior in information technology, said he wasn’t really surprised at being named the Westfield Technical Academy valedictorian for the class of 2024, as he was number one in his class all through high school.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-tech-valedictorian-tells-fellow-students-to-follow-their-interests.html
Westfield Technical Academy senior pitcher Deven Werbiskis and the 34th seeded Tigers upset No. 2 Hopedale in the Division 5 baseball state tournament Round of 32 on the road Sunday at Town Park.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/the-westfield-news-scoreboard-no-34-westfield-technical-academy-stuns-no-2-hopedale-4-0-in-d5-baseball-round-of-32.html
The 12 graduates of the Westfield Technical Academy aviation maintenance technology class of 2024 were recognized in a ceremony inside Hangar 2 at Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport on May 30.
The ceremony had to wait for Air National Guard F-15s to take off from the airport runway. Despite the rain, the hangar doors were wide open for attendees to view — and hear — the military jets.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/06/westfield-aviation-maintenance-grads-told-theyll-fill-urgent-need-in-industry.html
If you missed yesterday's special "Superintendent's Spotlight/On the Mark" program, click on the link below. This show is part 2 of our interviews with staff and students in the Aviation Maintenance Technology Program at Westfield Technical Academy. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcttch5twA
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
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
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
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
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