E-sports teams being considered for Westfield Virtual School

by Michael Ballway | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — After successfully duplicating the classroom via the internet, the Westfield Virtual School is looking at an online version of another pillar of high school: sports. “It’s essentially playing video games, but you’re doing it competitively,” Principal Stacy...

Obstacle course helps teach heart health to Westfield kids

by Amy Porter | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — On March 13, Southampton Road Elementary School students from preschool to fourth grade participated in an obstacle course of the circulatory system, as part of the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. Southampton Road Elementary School...

Creamery owner awarded for contributions to community

by Hope Murray Tremblay | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Westfield

WESTFIELD — Last month, local business owner Petrina Fondakowski was recognized during a Westfield State University Black History Month celebration. Fondakowski could also be feted this month for Women’s History Month. She could also be lauded every day for her...

‘Slave auction’ prompts criminal charges for 6 teens at SRS

by Cliff Clark | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Southwick

SOUTHWICK — Six eighth graders face criminal charges, an elected official asked a School Committee member to resign, the town is looking at writing a formal DEI policy and administrators uncovered racist graffiti as Southwick Regional School continues to reel from...

Splash pad ready this summer, pickleball project is ‘rolling’

by Cliff Clark | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Local News, Southwick

SOUTHWICK — That the splash pad project could be open to the public by mid-June and a local resident and pickleball instructor has volunteered to assist the town in building six courts were the top items discussed during a recent meeting of the Parks and Recreation...

Outside tuitions drive proposed hikes in STGRSD budget

by Cliff Clark | Mar 21, 2024 | Hampden County, Hilltowns, Local News, Southwick

SOUTHWICK — While residents of Southwick and Granville will be asked to increase their annual allocation to the schools for fiscal year 2025, Tolland would pay less. During a March 15 hearing at the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District offices, it was...