Westfield Technical Academy horticulture students spent the week planting and mulching around the new outdoor classroom pavilion in the Grandmothers’ Garden, which is nearing completion.
Jacqueline McDowell of the Friends of the Grandmothers’ Garden said the pavilion itself will be completed within the next few weeks, with final touches on the painting and inside work on the ADA accessible bathroom and storage room. She said the pavilion will be all set for its grand opening and ribbon cutting in the spring.
“More than anything, we are thrilled with Westfield Technical Academy horticulture and (department head) Nate Sperry, who has worked with us since Day 1 planning the garden area around the new pavilion, and they will continue to be a part of it,” McDowell said.
“It’s right on schedule. Everything has worked so beautifully — we were so hopeful to get the planting and mulching done,” McDowell said. She said the horticulture students will be planting 600 bulbs next week around the pavilion, which should be in bloom for the ribbon cutting.
McDowell, who is the outreach coordinator for the Friends, said the project is a wonderful collaboration with Westfield Public Schools. She said the pavilion will be used by local schools for nature-based programs, STEM instruction, the arts, photography and community field trips.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/grandmothers-garden-pavilion-is-right-on-schedule-for-spring-ribbon-cutting.html
Jacqueline McDowell of the Friends of the Grandmothers’ Garden said the pavilion itself will be completed within the next few weeks, with final touches on the painting and inside work on the ADA accessible bathroom and storage room. She said the pavilion will be all set for its grand opening and ribbon cutting in the spring.
“More than anything, we are thrilled with Westfield Technical Academy horticulture and (department head) Nate Sperry, who has worked with us since Day 1 planning the garden area around the new pavilion, and they will continue to be a part of it,” McDowell said.
“It’s right on schedule. Everything has worked so beautifully — we were so hopeful to get the planting and mulching done,” McDowell said. She said the horticulture students will be planting 600 bulbs next week around the pavilion, which should be in bloom for the ribbon cutting.
McDowell, who is the outreach coordinator for the Friends, said the project is a wonderful collaboration with Westfield Public Schools. She said the pavilion will be used by local schools for nature-based programs, STEM instruction, the arts, photography and community field trips.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/grandmothers-garden-pavilion-is-right-on-schedule-for-spring-ribbon-cutting.html
On Oct. 20, the School Committee unanimously approved a new housebuilding agreement with the Westfield Technical Academy Foundation for a one-story ranch house to be built on 72 St. James Ave. by students in construction technology, cabinetmaking, electrical wiring, horticulture, and several other departments at the school.
The Westfield Technical Foundation is a non-profit entity which was set up for the last housebuilding project on 64 Mill Street, to allow the school to borrow the money to buy the property and build the house from the Polish National Credit Union at zero percent interest. When the home was completed, it sold in the first week, and proceeds were returned to the foundation for future programs.
“The experience of building a house from start to finish cannot be duplicated in a classroom setting back at the school,” Matthew Gomes, head of the construction department, said at the ribbon-cutting for the Mill Street project.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/westfield-school-committee-approves-new-housebuild-on-st-james-avenue.html
The Westfield High School guidance counselors put together its 14th annual college fair in the high school gymnasium on Oct. 21.
Over 90 colleges, technical schools and military organizations filled the gym, with juniors and seniors from WHS, Westfield Technical Academy, Gateway Regional and Southwick Regional collecting information from schools and organizations of interest to them.
WHS Counselor Merylina Asselin said the Western Mass. Consortium is assisting with 12 college fairs in Western Mass. throughout the week. Asselin, along with counselors Megan Dougherty, Tara Bean and David Breglio were on hand to answer questions from students as well.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/westfield-high-school-college-fair-draws-90-colleges.html
Over 90 colleges, technical schools and military organizations filled the gym, with juniors and seniors from WHS, Westfield Technical Academy, Gateway Regional and Southwick Regional collecting information from schools and organizations of interest to them.
WHS Counselor Merylina Asselin said the Western Mass. Consortium is assisting with 12 college fairs in Western Mass. throughout the week. Asselin, along with counselors Megan Dougherty, Tara Bean and David Breglio were on hand to answer questions from students as well.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/10/westfield-high-school-college-fair-draws-90-colleges.html
Show up. Learn. Grow. Repeat. Every day in school = one step closer to your goals! #EveryDayCounts
Stop by Tiger's Pride Restaurant at Westfield Technical Academy on Thursday, October 16, between 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 a.m. for a terrific lunch prepared by our talented students. For more information, please call 413-564-3123.
Westfield Public Schools continues to update our school district’s comprehensive safety plan in conjunction with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments. A team of Westfield Administrators and other staff members representing every level from elementary to high school, has been working collaboratively with the Westfield Police and Fire Departments to make sure our students, staff, and families have a current, research-based, and educationally sound emergency operations plan.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of October 21-24 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate). If you have any questions regarding our drills, please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495.
As part of our continued work with Westfield Police Department and our ongoing training for students and staff, our city departments working together will conduct lockdown drills in our schools the week of October 21-24 utilizing the enhanced lockdown procedures known as A.L.I.C.E. (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate). If you have any questions regarding our drills, please contact Mr. Christopher Rogers, Director of Operations and Safety for the Westfield Public Schools at 413-572-6495.
Attendance = Learning + Friendships + Future Success
Strong attendance today creates brighter opportunities tomorrow.
Hey students — showing up is your superpower. Each day you’re in class you level up your skills, meet friends, and get closer to your dreams. Be here. Be curious. Be unstoppable. #AchievingExcellenceTogether
Click on the link below for the latest edition of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, our guests included Westfield High School Principal Chuck Jendrysik, Career Center Counselor Patty Healy and seven WHS students, who talked about their work-based learning experiences. The students were very impressive. Westfield Technical Academy Culinary Arts staff and students also helped us to recognize National Quesadilla Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g_15zoNN-s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g_15zoNN-s
Westfield Technical Academy's Tiger's Pride Restaurant will be open on Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26 from 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. this week. Stop by for a terrific lunch prepared by our talented students. For more information, please call 413-564-3123. Thank you!
Home really is shaping up to be a sweet venue for the Westfield Technical Academy High School golf team. Westfield Tech remained near-perfect at home, winning their third match at Shaker Farms Country Club on Thursday by defeating Turners Falls, 170-198. The Tigers improved to 3-1 at home and 3-5 overall.
Westfield Tech’s No. 1 golfer Dan O’Connor led all golfers with a 40 on the par 37 course. The Tigers’ No. 3 golfer, Owen Colbath placed second on the day with a 41. The team’s No. 4 golfer Ayden Ciavola finished with a 43. No. 2 golfer Josh Elmer and No. 5 golfer Jacob Wilson tied for fourth with a 46.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/westfield-technical-academy-golf-improves-to-3-1-at-shaker-farms-cc.html
Westfield Tech’s No. 1 golfer Dan O’Connor led all golfers with a 40 on the par 37 course. The Tigers’ No. 3 golfer, Owen Colbath placed second on the day with a 41. The team’s No. 4 golfer Ayden Ciavola finished with a 43. No. 2 golfer Josh Elmer and No. 5 golfer Jacob Wilson tied for fourth with a 46.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/westfield-technical-academy-golf-improves-to-3-1-at-shaker-farms-cc.html
Through September 12, Westfield Technical Academy's Daily Attendance Rate was 97.64%. Great job, Tigers!
✨ Consistent attendance = consistent success! ✨
Every day in school is a chance to learn, grow, and connect. When students show up, they set themselves up for achievement today and opportunities tomorrow. Let’s make attendance a priority—it’s the first step toward reaching every goal! 📚✅ #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts
Every day in school is a chance to learn, grow, and connect. When students show up, they set themselves up for achievement today and opportunities tomorrow. Let’s make attendance a priority—it’s the first step toward reaching every goal! 📚✅ #AttendanceMatters #EveryDayCounts
More than 20 people, some virtually, attended the first Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting of the school year on Sept. 11 in the Westfield River Elementary library to meet Gregory Rosenthal, Westfield’s new administrator of special services and student support services.
Most recently, Rosenthal, who started on July 1, was the director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Prior to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/parents-turn-out-to-meet-new-special-education-administrator.html
Most recently, Rosenthal, who started on July 1, was the director of special education and student services for the Douglas Public Schools. Prior to that role, he had a similar one with the Northbridge Public Schools. He has also worked as a special education teacher and administrator in public schools and out-of-district private special education schools.
https://www.masslive.com/westfieldnews/2025/09/parents-turn-out-to-meet-new-special-education-administrator.html
Click on the link below for the latest episode of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week we spoke with elementary school teachers from Southampton Road School and Highland School about developing building Thinking Classrooms in Grade 4. Students and staff from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Program also joined us in the second half of the show to help celebrate National Hot Cross Buns Day. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv_WLOadUqI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv_WLOadUqI
Everyday counts! Consistent attendance builds success in school & beyond. #attendancematters
Click on the link below for this morning's season premiere of "Superintendent's Spotlight". This week, we spoke with our new Director of Special Education, Dr. Gregory Rosenthal, and celebrated 'Eat an Extra Dessert Day' with staff and students from Westfield Technical Academy's Culinary Arts Department. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Vy78U2Agg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Vy78U2Agg
Last week, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie were guests on "Rock on Westfield", to talk about the start of the school year. Click on the link below. Thanks for watching!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLO_k13gWi4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLO_k13gWi4