WESTFIELD – At the end of his first full week, Charles Jendrysik, Westfield High School’s new principal held a Meet and Greet in the library for teachers, parents, and community members.
Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik at Meet and Greet. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Several teachers arrived first, to introduce themselves and chat about the upcoming first week of school. Jendrysik outlined some initial plans and spoke about his first week on the job, which included a packed freshman orientation on Wednesday morning. He said the auditorium was full, standing room only in the back. He shared some pictures he took to prove to his wife and kids that he wasn’t exaggerating.
“It’s been go, go,go,” Jendrysik said. “Everybody’s been super friendly, super accommodating, super welcoming.”
As teachers gathered in the room, Jendrysik took a few minutes to share his background. He said he 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.
One of the teachers commented that a lot of people at the school are lifers – went through Westfield Public Schools, got their teaching degrees at Westfield State, and teach at the high school.
The first day of school is Thursday, September 1 . Picture day is Tuesday, September 6, all day. Open House will be held on Thursday, September 8, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
