TONiGHT: Becoming Cloudy. Low of 62. Search for The Westfield News The Westfield Search for The Westfield News News E ARE ALL SNOBS “W Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns “TIME IS THEOF THEONLY INFINITE, WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT PARVENUS TONIGHT OFAMBITION THE E.”TERNAL .” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com — JamesSearch Gibb forON Thes Hu WestfieldNeker News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL. 86 NO. 151 Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns WEATHER TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 75 centsCRITIC WITHOUT VOL. 88 NO. 183 MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2019 75 Cents TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 151 CaptureTUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 the iconic cake 75 cents before it’s gone By HOPE E. TREMBLAY Correspondent WESTFIELD – It’s almost time to blow out the candles on the city’s birthday cake. The 2,000-pound cake’s 350 can- dles have been burning on Park Square Green in celebration of the city’s 350th birthday for the better part of a year, but it will soon be dismantled and move on to another Jill Phelan, new interim principal at Highland Elementary with community. Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, and Christopher Manfredi, who Westfield 350 President Harry will be on loan to HIghland from Munger Hill as assistant principal Rock said the wooden cake, con- until Nov. 1. (Photo by Amy Porter) structed by Westek Architectural Woodworking of Westfield, will be removed over several days begin- The iconic birthday cake commemorating Westfield’s 350th birthday New leadership for ning Sept. 3 and will be recon- will be dismantled after Labor Day. (File Photo) structed in Hatfield in celebration downtown. He has seen numerous everything that makes Westfield of that town’s 350th birthday. posts in his social media newsfeed great.” Rock said the cake was the sym- with side-by-side photos of people The 25-foot wide, 16 1.2-foot tall Highland Elementary bol of Westfield’s celebration and in front of the 1969 cake and the cake was constructed by Westek By AMY PORTER he hopes people who have not yet 2019 cake. He hopes more people using materials provided, in part, Correspondent captured this moment in time will will do this in the coming weeks. by Betts Plumbing and was wired WESTFIELD – Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced on do so before Labor Day. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” he by Elm Electric. Rock said Westek Friday that Highland Elementary Assistant Principal Jill Phelan has been “When I was asked to take on said. “I want kids who are young was the baker and the other donors appointed for one-year as the interim principal for the school, replacing this celebration, there were three today to be able to have their pic- provided the ingredients. Mary Claire Manning, who is leaving Aug. 9 for a new position in things people kept talking about ture as a souvenir and if the 400th Rock said Hatfield may replace Connecticut. from the 300th birthday in 1969: birthday includes a cake, they can the hand-painted carnations with “The district is very appreciative that Jill was willing to step up, and we The Parade, the mummers and the take another photo. Don’t hesitate something that fits that community look forward to a great year at Highland,” Czaporowski said, following a cake,” said Rock. “For me, the cake though – it’s coming down in four and the city will retain the topper, meeting informing Highland staff of the changes. was the defining symbol of weeks!” which he plans to donate to the Phelan, of Southampton, has served Highland as assistant principal for Westfield’s 350th.” Rock said this is an opportunity Westfield Athenaeum. Rock hopes three years, although she said this is her twentieth year in education. She Rock said he has watched as to capture the spirit of the celebra- after Hatfield’s celebration, another started as a teacher in a private pre-school, taught kindergarten for four school groups, teams and others tion. community will use the cake. years in Springfield, then second grade in Chicopee for 12 years before have taken photos in front of the “It’s about civic pride,” he said. “It is well-constructed,” he said. coming to Westfield. now iconic cake in the heart of “The cake is the physical symbol of “It’s built for a long life.” Czaporowski also announced the short-term appointment of Munger Hill Assistant Principal Christopher Manfredi as interim assistant princi- pal in Highland until Nov. 1. Czaporowski said Manfredi is “on loan” from Munger Hill during the transitional period. “I’m just willing to do anything I can to make sure it’s a smooth transi- tion,” Manfredi said, adding that for him, “It’s like coming back to my Mobile home communities purchased by residents first home.” Manfredi started at Highland as assistant principal in 2002, By PETER CURRIER and since has served administrative roles in the Juniper Park, Paper Mill Correspondent and Munger Hill schools. Prior to coming to Westfield, Manfredi taught fifth grade in Ludlow for WESTFIELD- Two mobile home communities have seven years. been collectively purchased by their residents this month Czaporowski said the district will be posting for an interim assistant after the owner put both of them up for sale. principal to start in November. The Arbor Mobile Home Park and the Heritage Mobile For the permanent position of principal, a search committee will be Home Park were sold to their residents on July 24 in a formed in December, at which time the district will list the position. complicated sale that involved three parks in two states. Czaporowski said he hopes to fill the position by February, for a July 1 The Heritage and Arbor Parks were owned by the same start. He also said it will be up to Phelan if she wishes to apply for the person alongside another mobile home park in Rhode permanent position. Island. All three of the parks were put up for sale at the “I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to it. same time. We have an amazing community of staff, students and parents here,” “The ultimate reason for Heritage to purchase our park Phelan said. was dissatisfaction towards the previous owner,” said After the sale, a message was left on the fence at “I look forward to continuing the great work we’ve been doing,” she the front of Heritage Mobile Home Park. (Photo added. See Residents, Page 8 by Peter Currier) Community education initiative flourishes for adults WHS grad is By LORI SZEPELAK Language), and also teaches computer Classes are scheduled at the Westfield Correspondent literacy at the Forum House in Senior Center which has eight work WESTFIELD-Since 2008, residents Westfield. stations, as well as the regular space at new high school in the Greater Westfield area have ben- “The classes help area residents be the Clark Building technology class- efitted from a unique educational arm better prepared for the job interview room which has 12 stations on the of Domus Incorporated. process, gain basic computer skills, campus of Western Massachusetts athletic supervisor Registration for Westfield and find and use Internet job sites,” Hospital on East Mountain Road. By AMY PORTER Community Education fall classes is said Pelkey, adding that other class- General public computer classes will Correspondent planned Aug. 26 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. in room highlights include learning how also be offered free this fall at both WESTFIELD – Westfield Public Schools the Lang Auditorium of the Westfield to attach documents to online applica- beginner and intermediate computer Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski has announced the Athenaeum, according to program tions, write cover letters and create a literacy levels. Topics covered will appointment of Westfield resident and Westfield High coordinator Kelly Pelkey. Classes are resume. include using Google documents. School graduate (Class of 2003) Ryan Dunphy as the offered free to the public. Pelkey noted that classes are offered “The public computer classes are new supervisor of athletics, intramurals and physical One of the fall offerings includes during the late afternoon and evening conducted in a relaxed atmosphere,” education for grades 9-12, for both WHS and Westfield WorkForce Development Classes that and are structured “college style.” said Pelkey, adding, “We serve a lot of Technical Academy. features online job search and applica- “Text books are purchased by the the older workforce population and Dunphy’s official start date is Aug. 12, but he isn’t tion process assistance, as well as students for $35,” she said, adding, elderly.” waiting to get started. instruction on resume development. “there is homework and we have great Rounding out the classroom offer- “I’m looking forward to working with the kids and Jane Toomey is the instructor and has instructors.” ings by Domus include HiSET/GED the coaches, and continuing the strong athletic program been with Westfield Community Pelkey noted that classes are “con- preparation classes and HiSET prepa- Westfield has. I’m excited to get started,” Dunphy said Education since 2013 teaching com- tent focused.” ration level 1 and 2 classes. on Saturday, adding, “There are a lot of people I need to puter literacy and workforce develop- “Most of our students want to get HiSET preparation classes move at a ment classes. Toomey currently teaches this done yesterday,” said Pelkey. “We slower pace and focus on mathematics, See Dunphy, Page 8 at the Elms College in Chicopee with a are a no-nonsense program. We focus focus on ESL (English as a Second on test-related content only.” See Education, Page 3 PAGE 2 - MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS Westfield Farmers’ Market’s Mission to Feed the Hungry WESTFIELD — The Westfield recently signed a $6.5 mil- Upon receiving a munity, every Loyalty Card cus- Farmers’ Market is held every lion extension of the fund- report from Rebecca tomer who makes a cash donation Thursday from noon to 6:00 pm, ing when he signed the Hart of the Westfield to the Westfield Food Pantry at the rain or shine, until October 10, on annual budget.