(L-RO Highland Elementary School’s new Assistant Principal Jill Phelan, Director of Assessment Denise Ruszala, and Highland Principal Mary Claire Manning at open house. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and his team in the Central Office hosted an open house on
VIPS Coordinator Tina Macy with WTA Career Tech Director Peter Taloumis and WTA Principal Joseph Langone at open house. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Wednesday at the Westwood Building on North Elm Street. Public school and city employees were invited for a light lunch, to meet new members of the team and catch up with familiar faces.
“Our purpose is to let people know the Central Office is here as a resource for them. We want to do whatever we can to make this year a success,” said Czaporowski during the well-attended event. He added that half the people that came had never visited the Central Office before.
“We’ve had a lot of transitions with the new superintendent, new administrative team members and new special education director. It’s been very exciting,” said WPS Director of Assessment & Accountability Denise Ruszala.
WPS Director of Curriculum and Instruction Susan Dargie agreed.
WPS Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski (3rd from left) with city IT technicians Steve Zawada, Baraka Baraka and Lenore Bernashe. Both public school and city employees were invited to the open house. (Photo by Amy Porter)
“I’m excited for new opportunities in working with a new team,” Dargie said. She also appreciated the open house. “This was a great idea. There are people here from other city departments,” she added.
Lisa Kennedy and Sue Crawford, WPS Account Payable, whose office is in City Hall, also were in attendance. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Also in attendance was Dr. Adam Garand, who began July 1 as the Administrator of Special Services.
“So far, without a doubt, this is the most positive, optimistic, friendly district I’ve ever worked in. I’m really happy to be here,” said Garand.
One of the newest members of the team, Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik, who started on Friday, did not make it to the open house. Catching up with him at the high school, where he had held freshman orientation earlier in the day, he spoke about his new position.
“It came up very quickly. Obviously, it worked out really well for me. The staff here has been extraordinary, so helpful and kind,” Jendrysik said.
Jendrysik has spent his entire 15-year career in Chicopee, where he also grew up and graduated from Chicopee High School in 1997. After getting an undergraduate degree from Westfield State, a master’s in education from Framingham, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies (CAGS) also from Westfield State, he returned to Chicopee Comprehensive High School to begin his teaching career. There he taught social studies and served as department head, before becoming one of the vice presidents five years ago.
“I’m looking forward to creating stability after a lot of transitions,” Jendrysik said about his new position at Westfield High School. “I’m interested in working with the teachers here to empower them to be the best they can be, and to make the learning experience here in Westfield as rich as it can be for our students,” he added.
