Rams Remember Recent Rise to Glory
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Search for The Westfield News Westfield350.comTheThe Westfield WestfieldNews News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THE ONLY WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 cents $1.00 TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2020 VOL. 89 NO. 143 City Survey on remote auditor learning experience sent to city students gives By AMY PORTER Staff Writer WESTFIELD – The Westfield Public Schools district June 12 sent out a survey to all students about their experience notice with remote learning and thoughts about the fall. By AMY PORTER Superintendent Stefan Staff Writer Czaporowski also wrote a letter WESTFIELD – City Auditor to parents about the importance Christopher Caputo has of the survey and the status of announced he will be leaving back to school planning. A sur- Westfield in the beginning of vey to parents will also be sent July to take a position in a out mid-week. nearby community. In the letter, Czaporowski Caputo, who lives in said that no decisions have Springfield, started in February been made yet on what the of 2019 and will be leaving on return to school will look like July 10. Southwick’s Dan Burnett steals third in Westfield. Caputo said he wasn’t look- base in the 2019 West Division 3 semi- “Westfield, like most school districts, is waiting for a fall ing, but got a call, and couldn’t Southwick’s Josh Lis scores a run against St. final against Taconic at Westfield State guidance memo from Commissioner Riley. This guidance turn it down. “They gave me Mary’s in a 2019 high school baseball game. University. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and everything I wanted,” he said, (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO) FILE PHOTO) Secondary Education will be released the week of June 15 adding that he gave his written and will have additional information to support us on fall notice to Mayor Donald F. planning,” the superintendent wrote. Humason Jr. on June 12. One of the questions on the survey asks which model stu- Humason said he will be put- dents and parents would like to see in the fall; returning to ting a group together for the Rams remember school full time with health and safety requirements in a search. healthy and safe environment; continuing remote learning ”The auditor is an important full time, or a hybrid model that would combine remote job, and we’ll fill it,” Humason learning on some days and returning to school on other days. said, adding, “He will be recent rise to glory The survey to parents also includes questions such as missed.” whether they plan to use the bus service, which will be help- ful for planning. By CHRIS PUTZ in stride.” Czaporowski said planning has already begun, and com- Sports Editor Tournament hopes were high. In 2019, mittees are being formed to prepare to reopen school in SOUTHWICK – Dan Burnett. Josh Lis. Southwick fell to eventual Division 3 whichever form it will take. The committees are made up of Dalton Bessette. Nick Ensign. Dominic champion Taconic in the semifinals. The administrators, nurses, members of the Westfield Health Vercellone. Zach Karetka. Frank Wynglarz. Braves were not your typical D2 represen- Department, teachers, union leadership, and PTO and School These are the names of seven Southwick- tative either, having forged a formidable Council parents when possible, he said. Tolland-Granville Regional High School squad through the ranks as Little Leaguers However, Czaporowski said that all stakeholders are going student-athletes, who will best be remem- and Babe Ruthers before upending to be able to have a say in the critical planning process. He bered in the eyes of Rams varsity baseball Westfield a few years ago to claim the also stressed the importance of the surveys for input into the head coach Bill Dupre for their standard in Division 1 title before dropping down a policies and procedures that are being decided. excellence and continued rise to promi- division. “We are not only asking parents to fill out the parent sur- nence. “We were looking at a deep playoff run vey, but we are asking you to encourage your children to take As a team, these seven ball players fell again,” coach Dupre said, “but we couldn’t the student survey as well,” Czaporowski said. All surveys just one game short of a championship play because the world stopped.” will be due by the closing date of school on June 23. appearance a year ago and were preparing Southwick’s battery was charged to the Czaporowski said they are hopeful to receive feedback to take the next step this year when the max with ace Josh Lis, who is soon bound from as many students, parents and eventually the staff so spring season was canceled to coronavirus for baseball at American International that they can better plan for what the fall will look like. concerns. College, and third-year starting catcher “When we initially had to start with remote learning, we City Auditor Christopher “We held out hope, but the players kind Dalton Bessette behind the plate. didn’t have anything to go on. This data and the guidance Caputo will be leaving at the of knew there would be no spring sports,” from the state will help us to develop our plan,” Czaporowski start of July. (Photo by Amy Porter) coach Dupre said. “They all took it kind of See Rams, Page 5 said. Librarians Southwick Board considers Green Communities program set reading By HOPE E. TREMBLAY post construction. The Performance option, Editor which is what the Stretch Code is based on, SOUTHWICK – Southwick could be includes pre- and post-construction energy going green. modeling and inspection during and after challenges Mark Rabinsky, western regional coordi- construction. nator for the Green Communities division of Members of the Select Board thanked the Massachusetts Department of Energy Rabinsky for the presentation and said they Resources, met with the Southwick Select would discuss the options at a future meet- for all ages Board last week via zoom to tout the Green ing. Communities program. Rabinsky said there are benefits, including Summer Reading Olivia Eberli, youth services and young grants, to being designated a Green adult librarian at the Westfield Athenaeum, Community. programs to holds a Boston Bruins jersey signed by “I’m hoping the town will consider join- Captain Zdeno Chára which is among the ing,” he said. “One of the reasons is our start June 27 many prizes to be won during this summer’s grants program.” reading program. (WESTFIELD ATHENAEUM Rabinsky said qualifying communities can By LORI SZEPELAK PHOTO) receive up to $20 million per year in grants Correspondent to fund energy efficiency initiatives and GREATER WESTFIELD – As the corona- gram for both libraries is “Imagine Your innovative renewable energy projects. He virus pandemic shows no signs of slowing as Story,” and will feature fairy tales, folklore, estimated Southwick would receive $140,000 the days tick away, librarians in Southwick mythology and fantasy stories. from a Designation Grant, which is based on and Westfield are anticipating that readers of The summer reading program is planned population and per capita income. After that all ages will be eager to explore a wide vari- from June 27 through Aug. 7 with pre-regis- initial grant, the town could apply for addi- ety of worlds beyond their home through a tration beginning June 22. Both libraries are tional grants for projects. summer reading program. using Beanstack this summer to implement “We have five criteria we base on whether “Librarians look forward to this program their respective programs. Beanstack is an or not a community can become a Green every year because it’s fun,” said Heather online service that allows librarians to create Community,” Rabinsky said. Paparella, young adult specialist at the reading challenges. To be designated a Green Community, a Southwick Public Library. “We love to see For Southwick participants, visit south- town must adopt as-of-right siting for renew- new and familiar faces over the summer who wickma.beanstack.org to get started as well able and advanced energy generation, may not make it into the library as often dur- as view events and activities planned, and in research and development or manufacturing; ing the school year. It’s also rewarding to Westfield, visit westath.beanstack.org or adopt an expedited permitting process; cre- support both academic reading for the school download the app “Beanstack Tracker” and ate an energy reduction plan; adopt a fuel system, and reading for pure enjoyment.” search for the Westfield Athenaeum. efficient vehicle purchase policy; and adopt Olivia Eberli, youth services and young “This is the first time we’ve used the construction Stretch Code. adult librarian at the Westfield Athenaeum, Beanstack, and this online program is per- Rabinsky noted the criteria is municipal, shared a similar sentiment. fectly timed for these uncertain times,” said not per business. He said the Stretch Code “During this difficult time, I feel that there Gretchen Hohmeyer, youth services librari- looks at performance and is a major part of is nothing better than reading a good book,” an, Westfield Athenaeum. “The entire family the designation. Green CommunitGreen Communities said Eberli. “It can transport you to a whole can participate in a cohesive summer reading The current base code allows for two Western Regional Coordinator Mark new world. And I think that is something program that is not entirely dependent on the options for residential and commercial con- Rabinsky, seen in the top right, gave a pre- people need right now.