Westfield

School Committee considers school readiness and safety

WESTFIELD – The School Committee met on Monday evening after a summer break, and before school is set to begin in Thursday, September 1.

New Westfield principals Joseph Langone, Salvatore Frieri and Charles Jendrysik were among the staff in attendance at the School Committee meeting on Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)

New Westfield principals Joseph Langone, Salvatore Frieri and Charles Jendrysik were among the staff in attendance at the School Committee meeting on Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)

School Committee members reported on recent tours of the schools, which Cynthia Sullivan said are made with an eye on safety.
“A lot of the point in going to the schools is to make sure of safety for the students,” Sullivan said.
While some reports mentioned outside areas that still needed trimming or repairing, all of the committee members said the schools were clean, shiny and ready for the students.
“There’s a great pride in the custodial staff of how the schools look at this point,” Kevin Sullivan said.
The School Committee also appointed Transportation Supervisor Pamela Kotarski to accept or reject bus drivers and monitors on its behalf. The list of drivers, who have all been screened and CORI checked, was also provided to School Committee members.
Also on the agenda was the approval of Westfield Athletics four-year partnership with the KEVS Foundation to screen student athletes. The screening, which is free, voluntary and requires a parent-signed waiver, will include a family history and an Electrocardiogram (EKG). Students will also have their height, weight and blood pressure taken, and receive an overview on the use of CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Tests will be done by nurse practitioners and volunteers from Pediatric Associates of Hampden County, and assisted by Westfield State University students.
Sue Canning of the KEVS Foundation said that parents are welcome to join their students for the screenings, which will take place at Westfield High School on Friday, September 9 from 3 to 7 p.m., and on Saturday, September 10 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canning said that the Foundation will return all paperwork to the students, although they do collect data for their work.
She also said that if something is discovered, the student will have a consultation with medical personnel and the parent, and results will also be given to the family’s pediatrician.
Canning, whose son Kevin Major died from sudden cardiac arrest due to an undetected heart condition, said the goal is to screen 500 student athletes. The School Committee voted to approve the partnership.
School Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski noted that most of the school principals were in attendance at the meeting, and introduced once again the four new principals to the School Committee: Joseph Langone of Westfield Technical Academy, Charles Jendrysik of Westfield High School, Salvatore Frieri of Munger Hill Elementary School, and Stacy Burgess of Abner Gibbs Elementary School, who started one week ago.
During his update, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, who chairs the School Committee, reported that in the lawsuit surrounding the new elementary school building project, the appeals court sided with the city on the site of the school.
“It’s been a long four years, sitting and waiting. I don’t know what road blocks are ahead, and frankly I don’t care. For now, we can move forward,” Mayor Sullivan said, to applause from the educators in the room.

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