TONIGHT Mostly Clear. Low of 10. Search for The Westfield News The WestfieldNews Search for The Westfield News “LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS Westfield350.com The WestfieldNews THOUGH YOU WERE SEEING “TIME IS THE ONLY Serving Westfield, Southwick, and surrounding Hilltowns IT FOR THE FIRST TIME OR WEATHER CRITIC WITHOUT THE LAST TIME HEN YOUR TONIGHT AMBITION. T .” Partly Cloudy. TIMEJOHN ON STEINBECK EARTH WILL Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com BE FILLEDSearch WITH for The GL WestfieldORY.” News Westfield350.comWestfield350.org The WestfieldNews — BeTTY SMITH “TIME IS THE ONLY VOL. 86 NO. 151 Serving Westfield,TUESDAY, Southwick, JUNE 27, and2017 surrounding Hilltowns 75 cents VOL.88WEATHER NO. 41 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 CRITIC75 CentsWITHOUT TONIGHT AMBITION.” Partly Cloudy. JOHN STEINBECK Low of 55. www.thewestfieldnews.com 2019VOL. 86 NO. Vocational151 school applicationTUESDAY, JUNE process 27, 2017 for Gateway students 75 cents HUNTINGTON – Parents and that include Varsity and Junior dents choosing to complete an guardians of students living in the Varsity options. online application should notify the Gateway Regional School District Also, Gateway is in the process of Gateway Middle School or High are advised that applications are securing a second Chapter 74 (voca- School Guidance Office. now available for students interested tional) program for Early Childhood, Smith Vocational has an online in applying to Smith Vocational or which will be tied to the full day application process this year; how- Westfield Technical Academy for preschool now located on the ever, any Smith Voke applicants the 2019-20 school year. Gateway MS/HS campus. who have applied online should also Applications are available in the All parents should note that an submit a hard copy of a non-resident Middle School Guidance Office for application for a vocational program tuition form to the guidance office 8th graders, and in the High School must be submitted to the Middle along with a hard copy of their Guidance Office for any interested School Guidance Office (for stu- application. high school students. dents currently in grade 8) or the Parents/guardians of 8 th grade Students looking for a vocational High School Guidance Office (for students are encouraged to contact education are reminded that students currently in high school) by Mr. William Romani regarding the Gateway offers a fully accredited Friday, March 1, 2019, in order for vocational application process. Mr. vocational program in welding. The students to be eligible. In addition to Romani can be reached by phone welding program uses a virtual submitting the application, an inter- (685-1207) or email ( wromani@ welding system that allows students view with the Vocational Program grsd.org ). Current high school stu- to safely learn and practice new should see their guidance counselor program that allows for a Career/ Admissions Counselor along with a dents who wish to apply for a voca- techniques. Students interested in to arrange a visit. This option affords Technology track with different recommendation from a Gateway tional school next year may contact visiting the Gateway welding pro- students to stay at their home school, graduation requirements. Gateway Guidance Counselor will need to be the high school guidance office gram are always welcome and which features a strong academic also offers strong athletic programs obtained for each applicant. All stu- (685-1107). Coyote sightings in Southwick cause concern By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – Recently, the Southwick Animal Control has received reports of coyotes being spotted near people’s homes. According to Liz Bennett, Assistant Animal Control Officer, she received a report of a coy- ote spotted on Vining Hill Road as recently as Monday morning. Bennett noted that the coy- ote was no threat to the homeowner or anyone else as it was just passing by near woods. John LaDue, a Southwick resident, told the Westfield News that he saw a coyote in his yard near Foster Road and South Longyard Road on Friday and also spotted another one on Sunday afternoon. LaDue noted that the coyote near his yard wasn’t startled by him and then made his way back into the woods. Having pets, LaDue is taking the proper precautions to keep his dogs safe from coyotes. “We keep our fence closed and watching them carefully when (they’re) out,” said LaDue. “Turning bright lights on at night, keeping dogs close to us at night near the deck when they go out and no wandering into (the) backyard.” According to Bennett, December until March is breeding season for coyotes. She also Westfield takes on East Longmeadow noted that the pregnant female coyotes are especially out looking for food since they’re Using the press helps Westfield gets back in the game, here Olivia Hadla (3) and Emma Pedolzky (13) double team the East hungry. Longmeadow player. See additional Local Sports coverage Page 9. (Photo by Bill Deren) See Sightings, Page 3 Superintendent’s Corner HUNTINGTON As residents of the six cises and consistent help from towns that the Gateway law enforcement in many Gateway Education Foundation Regional School District other ways. Most important is serves, I believe we’ve the positive relationship been fortunate to have such between these officers and an innovative school serv- our students with many stu- funds 7 new projects ing the needs of our chil- dents knowing, and interact- dren. It’s not often that a ing positively with, our local HUNTINGTON – At its January 25 Board of At the Middle School, the 7th grade team small and rural school dis- officers. While this is not rare Directors meeting, the Gateway Education received $900 to ensure that every student in the trict is able to continue in smaller districts and towns, Foundation voted to fund 7 projects totaling class will be able to go on the field trip to Ellis being an educational tech- it still does not happen in $5,400 over the next year. In the past seven Island and the Statue of Liberty, which is the nology leader while still every school across the years, thanks the generosity of area businesses culminating activity of a unit of study on immi- operating under a budget Commonwealth. and donors, the Foundation has funded 95 proj- gration. Prior to the trip, the staff will conduct that is significantly lower Gateway is pleased to ects totaling $95,414 to enhance the education an Ellis Island “mock up day” that simulates than it was 15 years ago. Gateway Regional School acknowledge that, due to of students in the Gateway Regional School what it was like for immigrants trying to enter Gateway shares many qual- District Superintendent collaborative efforts, we District. the country throughout history. ities with other small Dr. David B. Hopson. have succeeded in moving “Although we were pleased to award funding Finally, the high school received funding for schools – small class sizes forward an opportunity to to everyone who applied this round, we had to three projects: one ($1,100) by the Guidance where every student is expand our vocational offer- trim the requests by $2,000,” noted President Department to support Career Development known by staff; a cohesive student body ings. We are in the process of being Shirley Winer. Education; one ($1,250) to support dues and where students get to participate in a approved to begin an early childhood Three projects were funded at Littleville upcoming events for the Best Buddies Club, and wide range of activities; an environment vocational program that will operate in Elementary School. First grade received $800 $500 to support the upcoming music competi- that is positive and builds on community conjunction with our new full-day pre- that, with funds secured in a STARS grant tion trip to New York City for band and choir. spirit; course electives buttressed with school program at the main complex. through the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Gateway Education Foundation formed online course offerings as well as the This will provide us with two Chapter 74 will add a third classroom to the seasonal sci- in 2012 to enhance the education of students in ability to participate in dual-enrollment vocational programs in conjunction with ence lessons underway using a Naturalist from the Gateway Regional School District. Through for college credit; staff members and our wood working, broadcast and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary (application submit- donations and fundraisers, the Foundation sup- administrators who tend to stay in the STEAM programs (science, technology, ted by Jennifer Bak). Martha Gendron’s special ports teacher and staff-led projects for the ben- district for long periods of time; and, engineering, art, math programs) which education classroom will receive funding to efit of students. Upcoming fundraisers include perhaps most importantly, having towns all provide hands-on opportunities for purchase several alternative seating and work the April 13 Springfield Thunderbirds Game and community leadership that strongly our students. surfaces to see if students are better able to stay (more information out soon!). Donations may support good schools. These programs are important to stu- on task in their classwork using items like bal- be made any time of the year on the Foundation’s I’m also pleased with the positive dent success in terms of broadening ance chairs or lapdesks. Reading teachers Gail website (www.GatewayEducationFoundation. working relationship the district enjoys opportunities, exploring potential careers, Gingras and Margaret Petzold received $600 to org) or by mailing a check payable to the with local and state police. This is evi- continue to support their annual reading chal- Gateway Education Foundation to 12 Littleville dent in our safety plans, table top exer- See Superintendent, Page 3 lenge. Rd., Huntington, MA 01050. PAGE 2 - TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019 WWW.THEWESTFIELDNEWS.COM THE WESTFIELD NEWS When Two Worlds Meet: Native Americans of Western MA Presented by Gail White Usher Wednesday, February 27, 2019 6:30 p.m.