WPS Elementary and Pre-School Principals Salvatore Frieri, Alison Hamilton, Kathleen O’Donnell, Mary Claire Manning, and Joanne Hentnick say goodbye to Frances St. Peter-Sanft (front, center) at the School Committee meeting on Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – On Monday, The School Committee said goodbye to two of its members and a retiring elementary school principal at its last meeting of 2017.
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski honored retiring Franklin Avenue Principal Frances St. Peter-Sanft, who first came to the district in 1995 as a part-time speech pathologist. After leaving for another district for a few years, she returned to Westfield in 2006 as a full time speech pathologist. In 2013, she became interim principal of Franklin Avenue. Her retirement is effective January 2.
Czaporowski said St. Peter received a note from a student this week, who wrote in part, “I’m going to miss you. I hope the next one of you is as nice as you.” Chris Tolpa has been named interim principal for Franklin Avenue through July. Czaporowski then presented St. Peter with a certificate of appreciation from the district.
“Words cannot express what a wonderful job you did,” said School Committee member William Duval. St. Peter also received a gift from her colleagues, presented by Southampton Road Principal Kathleen O’Donnell.
Outgoing members Jeffrey Gosselin and William Duval received plaques and thanks from the School Committee Monday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
School Committee member Kevin Sullivan stepped forward to thank Jeffrey Gosselin for his service on the School Committee over the last four years and present him with a plaque. “A product of Westfield and Westfield public schools, he (has been) very giving of his time, and is always there to help make sure the little things the public doesn’t see get done,” Sullivan said.
“I want to take a moment to thank all the parents that come in front of us with all those kids,” Gosselin said. “You have the right to question, challenge and ultimately reverse decisions that are made. If you think something’s not right, reach out,” he continued, adding, “You made me a better School Committee member. Make sure you continue.”
Duval, who will be leaving after two terms (eight years) on the School Committee, also received recognition and a plaque from Cindy Sullivan on behalf of the School Committee. She said she first met Duval when he pulled into her driveway and knocked on her door during his first campaign.
“You have done so much for this city. You have been everywhere, to countless events,” she said. She said the committee would miss his experience as a psychologist and professor, and the data he often shared.
“I really appreciated working with all of you over the eight years,” Duval said, adding that he intends to stay involved with the schools by joining Volunteers in Public Schools. “I always believed strong schools make strong communities,” he said.
Earlier, School Committee member Diane Mayhew, with whom Duval served on the Human Resources & Policy sub-committee, called him her “partner in crime” and said together over the past eight years they had amended, adopted, rescinded and revised 319 policies.
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” Duval said.
