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JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com BingoVOL. 86 NO. 151 event TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2017 WE2BA School to 75 cents will benefit Business Alliance ‘survivors teaches essential and warriors’ skills to future By LORI SZEPELAK Correspondent WESTFIELD-For more than 25 years, April Lassard has been raising funds for the fight workforce against cancer and now as a board member of By AMY PORTER Western Mass Mom Prom, she sees firsthand The Kiwanis Club of Westfield serves up some chili with a smile. Correspondent how fundraisers make a difference in the lives of See additional photos Page 8. (Photos by Marc St.Onge) WESTFIELD – The Westfield Education to Business Alliance local residents. (WE2BA) is making a difference by bringing businesses and “This will be my second year on the board and students together to work on essential skills that prepare stu- I have to say this is a great organization of vol- dents for the workforce. unteers,” said Lassard, noting three generations YMCA’s Chili, Chowder, Chamber of Commerce direc- of her family have been affected by cancer. “Last tor Kate Phelon explained that year was different. I was able to see how volun- Chocolate Cook-Off back in 2013 when teering can brighten someone’s day.” Superintendent Stefan Lassard and a team of volunteers are currently Czaporowski was principal of working behind the scenes on the latest Mom Westfield Technical Academy, Prom fundraiser, the second annual Handbag/ they invited technology compa- Purse Bingo, slated for May 2 at Tekoa Country nies to the school. “We listened Club on Russell Road. to them talk about essential “We are well past where we were last year at skills,” she said, things like firm this time with ticket sales and have our sights set handshakes and eye contact, and on selling out,” said Lassard. “Readers should how to communicate with peo- keep an eye out for some early bird ticket bonus ple. “The school started listen- (before April 1) and extra incentives if we sell ing,” she added. out.” “In moving forward, what we Proceeds raised from the bingo event will ben- initially called soft skills, we efit the American Cancer Society and the Cancer now call essential skills. Skills House of Hope, as well as “survivors and war- you need to be a successful per- riors.” Both organizations were chosen to receive son,” Czaporowski said. funds because of the commitment made to sup- “Engineers in particular port cancer services in Western Massachusetts. noticed a big gap, and had an “The yearly fundraising efforts allow us to issue with that in new hires,” make large donations to our charities, as well as Good food puts smiles on the faces of Ciara Toporowski and said Science, Technology and host an amazing 80’s dance party prom themed Natalie and Nick Melo. Engineering supervisor Lauren WPS English Supervisor ladies’ night out,” said Lassard, adding that tick- Figy. Mary Keane strikes a ets are limited to the prom and are available now. One of the new initiatives that Superman pose, which helps Also, nominations for survivors/warriors are WE2BA is piloting this year is students with confidence currently being accepted. Adopt a Classroom, which pairs before presentations. (Photo “We sponsor a member of the business com- by Amy Porter) nominated survi- Discussions continue on Safe munity with a teacher to present vors and warriors a mini-session to students. The to attend our Routes to School program themes of this year’s sessions are presentations, empowerment prom event, free and self-care. of charge,” said By GREG FITZpaTRICK need to initiate the program into Peter Letendre, plant manager of Mestek paired up with Lassard. “They Correspondent the school system. The program WHS chemistry teacher Ben Hatch for the first Adopt a are treated to the SOUTHWICK – Late last week, would allow the school district to Classroom project, to teach students how to give a good presen- works, including DPW Director Randy Brown and fix infrastructure issues that are tation. Hatch, Figy, and Mary Keane, English supervisor for hairdo, makeup, Select Board Vice-Chairman Russ two miles or less from an elemen- Westfield Public Schools worked with Letendre on a lesson gown, dinner, Fox met with Steve Presnal of the tary or middle school in the dis- plan and tips to make it friendly and engaging before teaching dancing, special Southwick-Tolland-Granville trict. the class. raffles, gift bags Regional School District to discuss At the meeting last week, it was Keane said Letendre started with a really bad presentation, and more. The the Safe Routes to School Program. agreed that Brown would continue and asked the students for feedback. He then gave a better pre- energy at our A federally-funded program to gather more information on the sentation. Following the workshop, Letendre told Keane that event is truly established in 2005 by the program and explore any potential the students’ comments were perceptive and articulate, and that A Kate Spade purse will be amazing, there’s Massachusetts Department of grant opportunities that could go he was excited for the future workforce. among the gifts to win dur- laughter, dancing, Transportation (Mass DOT), the along with the program. There were immediate results as well. Figy said at the annual ing the Western Mass Mom singing, a night of Safe Routes to School Program If the school district decided to Science and Engineering Fair at Westfield High School, of the Prom bingo fundraiser at nothing for them (SRTS) works with schools to enter into the program, Brown has 30 projects that went to a second round of judging, 50% of the Tekoa Country Club. to do but smile increase transportation for children already identified which streets students came from Mr. Hatch’s class. Letendre, who served as (Submitted photo) and have fun with that are in elementary or middle could be involved. Those include a community judge, said he could tell the difference in presen- friends and fami- school. Powder Mill Road, Depot Street, tations by the students who were in his group and those who ly.” In order for a community to be a Birchwood Street, and Fernwood weren’t. The cost to attend the bingo event is $30 per part of the SRTS program, the The second Adopt a Classroom will be run by the Forum person in advance or $35 on the night of the respective school district would See Safe Routes, Page 8 House, a social service organization in Westfield. In prepara- event if tickets are still available. Doors open at tion, Keane met with Forum House director Sally English and 5:30 with a vendor and craft event and bingo had a tour of the facility. starts promptly at 7. “It was an organization in the community I didn’t know much “We have changed the location to Tekoa about,” Keane said, adding that it was beneficial to her as an Country Club,” said Lassard. “With the move, American Legion Post 124 hosts educator. She said one of the goals of WE2BA is community we’ve opened up more room for local vendors building. and artisans, more room for guests, more room 72nd March of Dimes dinner The Forum House Adopt a Classroom will teach empower- for our raffle, and we’ve also added catered food By GENE H. THEROUX ment and resiliency skills, how to overcome obstacles and draw on your strengths. The class will be taught by a staff person and to this year’s event.” Past Commander American Legion Post 124, The pre-purchased ticket price at $30 is for 10 a member of Forum House to WHS teachers Paul Mason and Commander The Sons of The American Legion Squadron 124, Sarah Corbett’s tenth grade classes. bingo games (triple plays per sheet and a daub- Chairman Post 124 Americanism Committee er), and for an extra $10, participants can pre- Keane said the workshop and exchange will benefit both the order from three dinner options, catered by WESTFIELD – This past Friday evening, American Legion Post 124 students and the members of Forum House, because the stu- Tekoa. Dinner selections include a sandwich, opened its doors and hosted the 72nd consecutive annual spaghetti dinner dents will be interested in what they have to say. chips and cookie or an entree sized garden salad to benefit the March of Dimes Foundation . The third project will be with Melissa Richter of Peoples with or without grilled chicken. Members of the Westfield Bank, who will be working with teachers Joyce Manchino and “This will allow guests to come over and High School National Honor Kathy Hedge at Abner Gibbs elementary school. The students enjoy the craft and vendor fair before bingo Society volunteered as servers are researching different states, and will present their projects without having to worry about dinner or being for the guests. Ed Dougherty, hungry, as well as help us offset the cost of the the March of Dimes Executive See WE2BA, Page 8 venue,” said Lassard.