WESTFIELD – The Westfield Education2Business Alliance met for the third time on Tuesday morning at The Reed Institute at Mestek, Inc. to continue the discussion of bringing greater collaboration and exchange between students, teachers and businesses in the city.
Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce (standing), listens to group discussions at the meeting. (Photo by Amy Porter)
More than thirty leaders from both the business and educational communities broke into groups representing pre-k to grade 5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12, to consider the mission and goals of the task force, and possible activities for the spring of 2017.
“We’re going to try to solidify activities, bringing business into the schools, or schools into the business community,” said Kate Phelon, executive director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce.
Some of the businesses represented at the meeting included Mestek, H&R Block, Armbrook Village, Home Depot, Peoples Bank, Westfield G&E, City of Westfield Engineering Department, Gaudreau Group, Alternative Health, Western Mass Hospital and Westfield State University.
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski said the goal of Tuesday’s meeting was to develop a mission statement, and at least one project for the elementary, middle and secondary levels.
North Middle School guidance counselor Vincent Baker and Westfield Public Schools superintendent Stefan Czaporowski participate in a group. (Photo by Amy Porter)
When asked his thoughts on the mission, Czaporowski said, “Collaboration with the purpose of benefiting our students and our community. Many of our students are going to live and work here. Or, if they do leave, let’s give them a reason to stay.”
He also said that the collaboration has already borne fruit. Last month, the Westfield district held its monthly leadership team meeting at The Reed Institute, and administrators received a tour of Mestek for the very first time. He said next month they will be meeting at Tighe and Bond.
Despite the variance in grade levels being discussed, the small groups all thought that some sort of career fair would be good for the students at any age.
“If our students can identify a career interest early on, they can work toward that goal the rest of their schooling,” Czapowski said.
The high school small group spoke about holding career and college fairs cooperatively between the two high schools. They also spoke about working on interpersonal skills with students, and about long term goals of empowering students, and helping keep them in the Westfield area.
The Westfield Education2Business Alliance meeting Tuesday morning at The Reed Institute. (Photo by Amy Porter)
The middle school group talked about bridging transitions, and connecting staff and students to careers. They also discussed having career days and job fairs for teachers, to focus on how careers can fit into the curriculum. The group also talked about having ongoing exchanges with businesses that might include multiple visits.
Frances St. Peter, principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary School said the elementary group came up with a written mission statement, because “elementary always tries harder.’ The statement, penned by Paper Mill principal Cynthia Kennedy, said, “The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce and Westfield Public Schools will utilize resources and opportunities that match and enhance curriculum standards to prepare our students to be productive citizens and employees in the community.”
Frances St. Peter, principal of Franklin Avenue Elementary, Peter Letendre, senior engineer at Mestek and Christopher Rogers, district administrator of student interventions, in the elementary small group. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Czaporowski said he and Phelon would use this as a starting point to develop a mission statement to bring to the next meeting.
The elementary group also discussed being more deliberate when guests come to the schools about having them talk about their careers with students. They also talked about having a career day for the upper level elementary students, with people from lots of sectors.
“Keep in mind, because we’re starting at the elementary level, to prepare them for jobs that don’t even exist yet,” said Ward 1 Councilor Mary Ann Babinski, a former teacher who sat with the middle school group. “I’m sure there is a list of up and coming careers, especially for the elementary level,” she added.
Czaporowski said that all the groups were looking at some sort of career day as a starting point.
“The next step, if we’re going to plan this for the spring, will be to make this happen,” he said. He announced that the next meeting will be held at the Tiger’s Pride Café at the Westfield Technical Academy on January 10, where they will serve breakfast.
Diane Prusank, chief of staff at Westfield State University. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Phelon said she will also invite representatives from the state’s economic development group to come to the next meeting, as they have expressed an interest in the task force’s work.
Following the meeting, Diane Prusank, chief of staff at Westfield State University, said she is participating in the task force because President Ramon S. Torrecilha and the entire university are dedicated to the economic development of the area, and committed to engaging with the school system and businesses in Westfield.
“I’m very excited about the energy in this room. I’m really impressed with the way the business community and the educational community are putting aside obstacles and barriers to make this work. Their commitment to work with both students and parents in this project is very insightful,” Prusank said.
