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The Westfield News Serving Westfield, Southwick, and the surrounding Hilltowns
www.thewestfieldnews.com VOL. 86 NO. 66
“History is principally
the inaccurate narration of events which ought not to have happened.” — ERNEST ALBERT HOOTEN
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TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2017
Russell School decision made
Granville Village School counselor Genie Rigby and Woodland School counselor Michelle Pelletier share a laugh at Woodland School on Monday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Granville families attend open house By GREG FITZPATRICK Correspondent SOUTHWICK – The Granville students and parents attended another event on Monday night to help their transition into the Southwick schools for the 2017-18 school year. Both Powder Mill School and Woodland School hosted open houses where Granville families would be able to meet the staff, current students, and view the entire school building. At Powder Mill School, which is for grades three through six, Principal Kim Saso greeted the families and handed them a map of the school. Saso then followed up with a scavenger hunt that allowed the families to find different rooms throughout the school. Saso wants the parents and students to become comfortable with their future building before they start classes next fall. “This is a change for them, coming from a much smaller school,” said Saso. After being greeted by Saso, the Granville families were able to stop by a student-run concession table where popcorn and water was given out. Kai Albano, currently a sixth
grader at Powder Mill, was running the concession table and offering a friendly welcome to the visitors. Albano’s mother, Abby, is a part of the PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) at Powder Mill. Abby found it important to have Powder Mill students present at the open house. “There’s a face here, someone that can give them a more personal perspective than the grown-ups,” said Abby Albano.” One of several Granville parents that were touring Powder Mill was Tiffany Bixby, who has children that will be going to the school in the fall. “I can see that they’re excited,” said Bixby. “I think this was a great idea.” The teachers are also looking forward to meeting their new students. “I think everybody is really interested in getting people acclimated,” said Patty Cullen, who is a teacher at Powder Mill School. At Woodland School, there were also a number of activities and information that was available for the incoming kindergarten through second grade students from Granville. See Open House, Page 3
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – The Finance sub-committee met for the fourth time on Monday to vote on which redistricting option the School Committee would take next year. Mayor Brian P. Sullivan opened the meeting reporting on recent negotiations with the town of Russell, who he thanked for being willing to come down on the lease from $250,000 to $100,000 for the remaining year in the contract. Mayor Sullivan said the School Committee had to make a decision before the April 1 date of the lease to take the remaining two 6-month options at the lowered cost. Finance sub-committee member Ramon Diaz, Jr. told the packed audience in the City Council chambers that he got a lot of constructive feedback from the community. “I respect and appreciate your opinions when we receive them. I really appreciate your point of view, teachers and parents alike,” Diaz said. Diaz then made a motion to vote on Option 1 for 2017-2018, to keep Russell school open for one year only. During the discussion, Finance
Parents and WPS staff in attendance for Finance sub-committee vote on Russell School Monday. sub-committee member Cynthia Sullivan said when the process started, she had been convinced to move students back from Russell. She said she still is of that opinion, but having heard from so many constituents, she will support the vote. Diaz said the Russell numbers speak for themselves, and he would support the vote. Kevin Sullivan, the chair and third member of the Finance subcommittee, said this is the first
time they had held four consecutive meetings with so much public participation. “We started this process because of the school budget,” Kevin Sullivan said, adding that the lowered lease does not solve all the problems. “The one year measure is in the best interest of the kids,” he said. Mayor Sullivan said he appreciated Cynthia Sullivan changing See Russell, Page 8
Westfield Fire personnel highlight dangers of shoveling, benefits of department By DAN DESROCHERS Correspondent WESTFIELD—During last Tuesday’s snowstorm, a man in his 80’s collapsed while shoveling. However, the response from paramedics and firefighters at the Westfield Fire Department may have helped save the man’s life. According to the Westfield Fire Department, the man suffered a cardiac arrest while shoveling and the paramedics and firefighters were able to resuscitate and stabilize him, eventually bringing him to Baystate Noble Hospital for further treatment. From there, he was brought to Baystate Medical Center by the same department for further treatment, still alive. And it is this incident that prompts the department
to remind people that when it comes to shoveling, be certain that you can physically handle the strain without injuring yourself or worse. “There’s a danger, that exertion,” Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop, said. “With the heavy snow it increases your workload. An individual may attempt to try and shovel because it seems quick and easy but as it turns out it’s heavy and incredibly labor-intensive.” This incident though, not only gives an extreme example of what can happen with overexertion— especially during the wintertime with snow—it also gives an example of what Westfield firefighters, para See Westfield Fire Personnel, Page 8
Volunteers needed to Reach Out and Read
Powder Mill School principal Kim Sasso shows a Granville family a map of Powder Mill School before they tour the building. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
By AMY PORTER Correspondent WESTFIELD – Volunteers are still needed for the Reach Out and Read (ROAR) Community Reader’s Day this Thursday, March 23. Books will be read to pre-k through 2nd graders in all seven elementary schools and the Fort Meadow pre-school program. Join Representative John Velis, Mayor Brian P. Sullivan, WPS Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski, and many other district staff and community volunteers in letting the children know that reading is important from a young age. To sign up for a half-hour morning time slot, call Tina Macy, Volunteers in Public Schools coordinator at 572-6345, or email vips@schoolsofwestfield.org.
Rep Velis, Members Of Marijuana Policy Committee hold first hearing BOSTON- On Monday, members of the Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy officially met for the first time to hear testimony on the new recreational marijuana law. Both chambers of the Legislature voted in January to form the Joint Committee to oversee proposed changes to the Question 4 initiative, which was passed in November with 53% of the vote statewide. Monday’s hearing did not include any testimony on specific bills, but rather general testimony from state agencies and officials about what they believe to be the highest priorities in effectively legislating recreational marijuana. Representatives from the State Treasurer’s Office, the Attorney General’s office, the Departments of Revenue, Public Health, and Agriculture, and the Gaming Commissioner’s Office, as
Brenda Carey Receives 2017 Excellence in Teaching Award
well as organizers from the Yes on 4 Campaign, were all invited to testify. The Committee, like all Joint Committees, is comprised of 6 Senate members and 11 House members, including local State Representative John Velis. Along with his three other committee assignments, Velis has specifically been taskedwith hearing over 40 bills that would amend the existing marijuana law that went into effect in December. Major topics for the Joint Committee this session will likely revolve around public safety concerns. Notably, Representative Velis is concerned about developing regulations for the sale of recreational marijuana, such asdeveloping acceptable packaging standards foredible marijuana products in See Rep. Velis, Page 8
Mayor Sullivan reads to children during last Fall’s ROAR event.
WESTFIELD – Mrs. Brenda Wzorek Carey has been selected by White Oak School as a 2017 Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Award Winner.Mrs. Carey has worked at White Oak since 2006. She teaches Math, Oral Expression, and oneto-one language-based tutorials. Over the years, Mrs. Carey has proven again and again how much she cares about all of her students and she does her best to help them make progress and be the best they can be. Mrs. Carey does a beautiful job of preparing kids for the world beyond White Oak. Her fellow teachers are grateful for her thoughtful, kind and diligent nature as she shares teaching materials, ideas, and advice with them. She is a quiet person, who really likes to stay in the background, but it is clear to every one here in our community that REP. JOHN.VELIS
See Teaching Award, Page 8