The Westfield Education to Business Alliance got off to an energetic start this week. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The Westfield Education to Business Alliance (WE2BA) got an energetic start this week, filling a room at the Amelia Park Ice Arena.
Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kate Phelon and Denise Ruszala, director of assessments and accountability for Westfield Public Schools, talked about new collaborations for the group, whose purpose is to find ways to involve businesses and individuals in the community within the schools and with individual students.
English Supervisor Mary Keane said she has been meeting with principals for the Adopt a Class program, and is putting together texts to describe the program to businesses that might want to participate. She said the program is a facilitated one that offers businesses support and guidance in their projects.
Keane said several new projects are in the works, including a new Adopt a Classroom collaboration between second grade teacher Kathy Knapik at Paper Mill School and Hope Tremblay, editor of The Westfield News and Pennysaver.
Tremblay said that she decided to participate after a second grader asked her about fake news, and she found herself telling the student what gathering news is all about. She has already met with the class, who interviewed her. The end goal of the project will be to produce a newsletter. She also intends to invite the sports editor in to talk about taking photos.
Hope Tremblay, editor of The Westfield News and Pennysaver and WPS English Supervisor Mary Keane talk about the Adopt a Classroom program. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Daisha Serrano of MassHire, who coordinates the Career Center in Westfield High School, said they are looking for internships and job shadowing opportunities for students in the community. Serrano said many high school students do not know what career they’re working towards, and MassHire wants to expose them to different real world opportunities. They are also working on making students job ready with resumes, business plans and essential skills. Businesses with job opportunities for students, may contact MassHire at MassHireHolyoke.org, or by calling 413 532-4900.
Susan Leggert, chief of staff for Westfield State University, spoke about the renovation of Parenzo Hall. Among the goals for the new student center are the Center for Student Success and a Co-Lab, to work with students on job readiness and with community partners to work on transitioning students into the work force. She said the construction of Parenzo Hall will conclude at the end of 2022.
WSU Professor Jennifer Hanselman, the dean of WSU’s College of Math and Science said the college is now the lead institution in the Pioneer Valley Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) network. Hanselman said she will be working with WPS on the upcoming STEM week, Oct. 21 to 25, ending with a STEM Fest at the Thunderbirds on Oct. 27. She said there will be many opportunities to collaborate with businesses through tours, mentorships and classroom visits.
US Army Recruiter Yamil Lorenzo of the Westfield Union St. office. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
Capt. Calvin T. Johnson, of the U.S. Army Springfield Recruiting Center, introduced himself and 1st Sgt. Yamil Lorenzo of the Union Street, Westfield office. Johnson said they are part of the community.
“The military is a viable option for your children. We’re all in this together,” Johnson, a former mental health counselor, said, adding that not all kids are going to go to college. He said they are available for career days to talk about some of the 150 job opportunities available in the Armed Services.
“We understand that not every kid will want to go into the Armed Services. Every kid deserves to learn about it,” he said.
One elementary school principal in the room asked if Johnson and Lorenzo might be available for mentoring. “We mentor the lost ones and the found ones,” Johnson said.
Westfield State Assistant Professor Charles DiStefano is assigning graduate students to WE2BA this semester. (Photo by Hope E. Tremblay)
Phelon then introduced a new WE2BA collaboration with Dr. Charles DiStefano, assistant professor of Organizational Behavior at WSU. DiStefano will have graduate students in Public Administration working with WE2BA as community partners.
“This is the first time we’re doing this. I’m excited that the Chamber will be a business partner,” DiStefano said, adding that he is looking forward to the students’ presentations on the collaborations in December.
Phelon said that WE2BA has signed a memorandum of understanding with WSU on the project.
Phelon also said they are looking for businesses to host upcoming WE2BA meetings. Anyone interested may contact the Chamber at [email protected].
