WESTFIELD – The Westfield Education 2 Business Alliance (WE2BA) met Wednesday morning at the Horace Mann Center of Westfield State University after a summer break. Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski led the gathering of district administrators, university representatives and members of the business community, who were there to discuss ways to work together for the benefit of all. Some of the businesses represented included the Polish National Credit Union, Peoples Bank, Ski Butternut, Western Mass Hospital, Westfield Gas & Electric and Westfield Bank.
Small groups broke up to brainstorm about expanding the Adopt a Classroom program. After a lively discussion, the groups reported on some of their ideas. One group which included Highland Elementary Principal Mary Claire Manning and Southampton Road Principal Kathleen O’Donnell gave the example of a teaching on financial literacy which could be tailored to elementary students, such as keeping checkbooks, and making change. Ideas included giving each class a certain amount of money, and having them decide what to do with it.
Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) coordinator Tina Macy said Adopt a Classroom is a relationship building program. Speakers could go into the schools, and students could visit the businesses on field trips. She said benefits for teachers might include help with materials needs; and for businesses, advertising and partnerships.
Joanne Hentnick, principal of the Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center, said for her school it might involve adopting a project, such as a garden. She said she already has a partnership with the DPW, Westfield G&E, and the Westfield Fire and Police Departments who come in annually with their trucks and other work vehicles for her preschoolers to learn about and sometimes climb into. “Adults enjoy it just as much,” Hentnick said.
Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik said for the high schools, it would be an ongoing commitment with two-way visits, internships and job shadows, which he said are important to the schools and the career centers. He said he would like to see a variety of visitors from a company, to see the breadth of careers within a business.
“It’s helpful to have people coming in from different parts of business,” Jendrysik said, adding that it’s not necessarily about donations, but more about the students learning about the businesses, and developing lasting relationships over multiple years.
Westfield G&E manager Dan Howard said Adopt a Classroom is centered on the student, while Adopt a School focuses on what a company can do for a school. He said his small group talked about materials and the challenges teachers have because they are lacking resources.
Howard said five or six years ago, the Project Adventure ropes course was put up at the high school, but it had degraded to the point of a safety issue. He said WG&E got the program up and running again. “We’ve helped schools with playgrounds,” Howard said, adding that Adopt a School may be more appropriate for some businesses.
City Outreach Coordinator Amber Danahey said another idea would be to adopt a graduating class, such as the Class of 2020.
Alan Lieb of Ski Butternut said they had an intern last year who rotated through everything. He said they also have people that will come out and share with the schools. He added that WPS Chief Financial Officer Ronald R. Rix still teaches there.
A university representative summed up the different areas where schools and businesses might interact, including increasing awareness of resources available in the community; learning/teaching soft skills, social and professional norms; well-being, to help students live a good life; and professional development, helping the businesses that go in, and also helping the teachers.
Another participant commented that there are different levels at which a business might participate; some by offering financial support, and some by sending in a professional to speak or teach.
District and business leaders reconnect at WE2BA meeting Wednesday. (Photo by Amy Porter)
“We need to do a better job of acknowledging companies that do help the schools,” Czaporowski said. He said for example, some landscaped street islands have “adopted by” signs. He also said he always chooses to support businesses that support the schools. WPS Director of Assessment and Accountability Denise Ruszala said students are aware of that, too.
Czaporowski said a big push by the district is to get students involved in “real world authentic work.” Westfield Technical Academy Principal Joseph Langone agreed, adding that Robert LePage, Assistant Secretary for Career Education has announced that Governor Charles Baker has designated the week of Oct. 22 as Massachusetts STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) week. He said LePage will be circulating through the state that week, looking at STEM programs in the schools.
Langone said one of the nice things about the redistricting this year, is that WTA can focus on the eighth graders at the Westfield Middle School. He said he plans to invite them to come in for a hands-on STEM activity in the technical shops.
Jendrysik said an engineering/woodworking teacher is retiring from the high school, and he hopes to transform the position to include robotics.
“We are trying to modernize; it’s about being able to apply your knowledge. The skill set is different than what it used to be,” Czaporowski said, adding that soft skills, including perseverance, punctuality, appearance and social skills are also a focus.
Czaporowski said the last two years, the district has held career fairs for pre-k to high school, which they plan to continue. The date has been set for the high school career fair for Thursday, April 25.
Tina Macy also passed around a mentoring flyer, encouraging new mentors to sign up by contacting her at [email protected]. She said being a mentor is a 30-60 minute commitment a week for someone who would like to provide a young person with support, friendship, a listening ear and a constructive example.
The next WE2BA meeting is scheduled for Oct. 24 at The Reed Institute. For more information about WE2BA, contact the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce at www.westfieldbiz.org.
