Paper Mill second graders Kendall Beltrandi, Serge Jitov, Dylan Woering and Sophia Jitov, and fourth graders Logan Lococo and Claire Deauseault spoke to the School Committee on Monday about building community at their school. Second from right is Principal Melanie Chasse. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The School Committee meeting began on Monday with a presentation by second and fourth grade students from the Paper Mill elementary school. Principal Melanie Chasse introduced each of the students, and said they would speak about building community in their school.
Second grader Kendall Beltrandi spoke about having visitors come to their classes to meet with them. She said their goals are to learn how to be good citizens. She said Senator Don Humason came to talk about Constitution Day, and explain that city laws are made in Westfield, state laws in Boston, and national laws in Washington D.C.. She said he invited the students to email ideas for new laws to him.
Serge Jitov said the Audubon Society came to talk about wildlife in Westfield and explore nature around their school. He said they also found litter. “We need to take responsibility for protecting nature,” Serge said. He said City Council president John Beltrandi came and talked about Election Day, and how every vote counts. He invited the students to the City Council meeting this Thursday, where they will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. “That’s a good way for us to be involved in our community,” Serge said.
Dylan Woering said that City Advancement Officer Joe Mitchell came on Veterans Day and talked about serving as an Air Force pilot in the first Gulf Ward, and showed them his model planes (F-111 and F-15E, according to Mitchell). The class thanked him for his service to the country, and followed up his visit by emailing him questions, to which he responded. Bob Plasse of Westfield on Weekends also visited to talk about how kids can get involved in the community, and said he would return again in January wearing a costume to talk about Westfield’s 350 celebration.
Sophia Jitov said other guests are coming this year, including an upcoming visit from meteorologist Adam Strzempko to teach them about weather. She said they may even get to be on wwlp.com. She said a librarian will also speak about the changes at the library and help them to get library cards. “If any of you would like to visit us please let us know, because we would enjoy talking with you,” Sophia said.
Fourth grader Claire Deauseault talked about community at Paper Mill, saying the principal, vice principal, staff and students were doing great at creating a positive school community. She said they do all kinds of fun things, like board game days, where they learn how to cooperate better with each other. She said they hold assemblies and school-wide morning meetings, have a drama club that will perform two plays and a mini-play, and K-Kids, where members stay after school to help the community. She also spoke about visitors, including firefighters who teach about fire safety, community leaders who read to them, and veterans who they show respect to. “For these reasons, I love Paper Mill and don’t want to leave at the end of the year,” she said.
Fellow fourth grader Logan Lococo said the school is building a community through assemblies and morning meeting. He belongs to both the drama club, which will perform plays for the whole school, and K-Kids, which does activities like planting trees and decorating the cafeteria for the winter concert. Logan said during the school-wide meetings, they pick someone from the fourth grade to be the leader for the day, announcing the lunch menu and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. He also said visitors to the school feel comfortable and safe. “My school is doing a great job on building community,” he said.
