WESTFIELD – At Friday’s meeting of the Westfield Education 2 Business Alliance (WE2BA) at the Reed Institute of Mestek, the conference room was packed with education and business leaders from Westfield. Westfield Public Schools superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce director Kate Phelon asked for feedback on a mission statement from prior meetings that is still being reworked, and unveiled a new logo for the Alliance created by the Westfield Technical Academy’s Graphic Arts shop.
Melany Mendoza of Mass Mentoring Partnership and Jennifer Kinsman of the United Way of Pioneer Valley.
Jennifer Kinsman of the United Way of Pioneer Valley introduced herself to the group. Kinsman said she runs the community impact department for the United Way, and has been trying to work more with Westfield.
“When I came to the first one of these meetings and started talking to Stefan and Kate, I thought it was great,” Kinsman said. She announced that the United Way has set aside a small grant for training of mentors, one of the goals of the Alliance.
Westfield Schools Superintendent Czaporowski said that mentoring needs to start with training.
“We just don’t want to throw adults in with kids and see how that goes,” he said.
Kinsman also introduced Melany Mendoza of the Mass Mentoring Partnership. Mendoza said that while Mass Mentoring used to focus completely on formal mentoring programs, they are now supporting relationships where they happen. In Holyoke, for example, they are working with the school district to support teachers and guidance counselors with mentoring programs.
“Young people have expectations. You as adults have expectations, too. If expectations are not met, that can be detrimental,” Mendoza said. She said her organization has been working primarily with Holyoke and Springfield, but the WE2BA Initiative seemed like a wonderful place to get involved in Westfield. “The attendance is wonderful. I’m so excited to be here,” Mendoza said.
Czaporowski said he would like to open a mentoring program up to all the schools. He said while the high school may seem to be the logical fit, his elementary principals say their students could use mentors. He said that he was thinking of starting with two students per building, identified by the principals.
Business and education leaders meet Friday for WE2BA.
“I’m talking one student, one hour a week. Kate Phelon has already offered to be a mentor,” Czaporowski said. He said mentors can offer academic assistance, help with social skills and career direction.
Chris Tolpa, supervisor of humanities K-12 for the district, suggested setting up a meeting between mentors and students first. Mendoza agreed that a good place to start would be with a group mentorship, although one on one interaction is also important. She said they could tailor training that could support either way.
Susan Dargie, director of curriculum and instruction, asked whether the training could be offered to current volunteers and mentors as well.
Westfield City Councilor Mary Ann Babinski asked about the vetting process for the volunteers. Czaporowski said that Tina Macy, who runs the Volunteers in Public Schools program (VIPS) would have new volunteers fill out the CORI paperwork that is required. “We already have a lot of volunteers in the schools,” he said.
Phelon asked for a show of hands from people who are interested in becoming mentors.
Westfield city engineer Mark Cressotti, who was one of the ten or more to raise his hand, asked what the benefits of mentoring were to the kids or the business.
Czaporowski responded that kids stay in school, are more likely to graduate, have a more positive attitude, and are less likely to engage in at-risk behaviors.
Westfield human services director Paula Ceglowski said she didn’t want the business community to think that a student who is at risk is the same as being in trouble. “I was with a student who had earned enough rewards to go to lunch with the superintendent. That student had never been out to lunch before,” she said. After lunch, the student told Ceglowski that he wanted to become the superintendent.
On the business side, Phelon said businesses become involved in the community. She said this is part of the solution to prepare students for the workforce.
“What’s in it for the businesses? It’s an opportunity to get students interested in your business. You’re networking your business with the students and their families and friends, too,” Ceglowski said.
Joanne Hentnich, principal of Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center said that she has mentored a lot of younger children. “It’s nothing complicated. Just sitting down, talking and playing. With the world of technology, kids don’t have conversations with adults. They just don’t. Never went to Stanley Park, never saw a swan,” she said.
Rob Ollari, student services coodinator at the Westfield Technical Academy said In the co-op program, students must meet grade requirements. He said during senior year, co-op businesses keep an eye on grades. “We hate yanking kids from co-op. It doesn’t help students or businesses,” Ollari said.
Sherry Elander, WPS transition specialist said she works with special education students who are 18-22, and in Westfield Public Schools programs until they turn 22. “After 22, that’s a piece that has been missing. We currently have more men than women. The social skills are the biggest thing. There’s a huge need for our 18-22 year olds,” Elander said.
“With your wealth of experience, you can go to the schools and speak about your experience. We want to see more adults interact with young people,” Mendoza said.
After the meeting, Cressotti explained why he was interested in becoming a mentor. “I’m really excited about what I do, I believe in what I do. I’ve had a lot of good fortune.” Cressotti said he has three daughters who are in high school and college right now. “I’m happy to share. It’s a great opportunity to get kids involved in the community,” he added.
