WPS Supervisor of Humanities Chris Tolpa (on left) has been named the new interim principal at Franklin Avenue Elementary School. She is seen here with Kate Phelon, Exeuctive DIrector of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce at a WE2BA meeting.
WESTFIELD – Chris Tolpa, currently the Supervisor of Humanities K-12 for the Westfield Public Schools, has been selected to serve as the interim principal for Franklin Avenue Elementary School, replacing Frances St. Peter-Sanft, who is retiring on Jan. 1.
Tolpa has been with the district for 20 years, beginning as assistant principal at Westfield High School in 1998, before transitioning to her supervisory role after three years. As supervisor of humanities, she consults with the schools on social studies, art, English, foreign language and music curriculums. She is also a member of the Westfield Education 2 Business Alliance (WE2BA).
Although she has worked with all of the elementary schools as a supervisor, this will be her first direct role in an elementary school. “I’m looking forward to learning from and working with the teachers. It will be wonderful to be closer to teachers and students in this role at Franklin Avenue,” Tolpa said, adding, “They always had an amazing staff. It’s like a family over there.”
Tolpa’s first official day on the job is Jan. 2, but she will start the week before the holiday break overlapping with St. Peter.
A Westfield resident, Tolpa has two children in the Westfield schools, one a sophomore in high school, and the other a 7th grader at North Middle School. She is also involved in many organizations throughout the city.
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the interim position is for six months through the end of the academic year. The district will be posting the permanent position in the early spring.
“We’re excited to have Chris fill this role for us. I look forward to all of the exciting ideas she is going to bring to Franklin Avenue,” Czaporowski said.
