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
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
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
A reminder that schools are closed tomorrow, March 29, for Good Friday. Thank you. Have a great weekend!
Westfield Technical Academy had 59 students participate in the SkillsUSA District 6 qualifying competition against nine area high schools, and did very well against the competition in the written portion.
“We received 30 medal winners: 14 first-place gold medals, five silver second-place winners and 11 bronze third-place winners,” said allied health department head and SkillsUSA advisor Maureen Baillargeon.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2024/03/westfield-skillsusa-district-winners-raising-funds-for-state-competition.html
In Massachusetts, students with attendance rates consistently above 95% in pre-kindergarten through grade 3 outperformed students with lower attendance rates during any year between pre-kindergarten and grade 3 on the grade 3 MCAS tests.
Students from the Westfield Technical Academy (WTA) Aviation program are intently listening to Ms. Colleen D'Alessandro, New England Region Regional Administrator. Ms. D'Alessandro is the principal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) representative for the six New England states: Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
WTA’s FAA students will play an incredibly important role in keeping people safe while flying. Upon graduation, and as a licensed FAA technician they will perform inspection checks, troubleshoot, repair and maintain aircraft, and ensure that aircraft continue to function as expected, and safely.
Click below for the Quarter 3 Newsletter from Westfield Public Schools.
https://www.schoolsofwestfield.org/documents/district/district-newsletters/quarter-three-newsletter/598820
If you missed "Superintendent's Spotlight this morning, please click on the link below. This week, we spoke with students from Munger Hill Elementary School about their new Student Council. Westfield High School Assistant Principal Andrew Joseph joined us to tell us about pi on Pi Day, and Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts staff and students helped us to celebrate the day with some freshly made chocolate cream pie. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtSyZgbck-8
Students in grade 11 from Westfield, MA High School, Westfield Virtual School, Westfield Technical Academy, and St. Mary's High School participated in our 6th Annual Career Fair at Westfield State University this morning. After the event, students were treated to lunch at the Dining Commons on campus. Special thanks to Westfield State University, Westfield Gas + Electric/Whip City Fiber, the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce, and the over 75 businesses in attendance for making this even a success again this year!
Tryouts are currently being held for Gator Swim Club's spring and summer season! Gator Swim Club is a nationally-ranked USA Swim Club based right here at Westfield High School. We accept swimmers as young as 6 years old, of varying ability levels. We even offer a discount for Westfield High swimmers looking for somewhere to train when the high school season ends!
For more information about the club, visit us at www.westernmassgators.com, or follow us on instagram @westernmassgators. To arrange a tryout, contact Coach Tom Avila at (978) 771-0332 or CoachTAvila@gmail.com
If you missed this morning's "Superintendent's Spotlight", please click on the link below. This week, we had the Westfield Intermediate School Choir on the show. The students sang two songs for us and were also able to help us celebrate National Flapjack Day, with assistance from Westfield Technical Academy staff and students from the Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMyPgAFv0tw