Fort Meadow PTO President and paraprofessional Mariana Sullivan with student Luka Farneth.
Reminder Publishing photos by Amy Porter
WESTFIELD — The final-ever day of preschool at Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center was hosted on June 10, followed by an end-of-year family picnic on June 11, and a Parent Teachers Organization “Farewell Fort Meadow” celebration on June 12.
Fort Meadow Principal Jonathan Scagel wrote to families about the events marking the closing of the Fort Meadow building on White Street, which has served as a preschool center since 1988.
“As we come together to mark the closing of Fort Meadow Early Childhood Center, we do so with full hearts and deep gratitude. For years, Fort Meadow has been more than just a preschool — it has been a place where children took their very first steps into learning, where curiosity was nurtured, friendships bloomed, and a lifelong love of school was born,” Scagel wrote.
“It has been a warm, welcoming home for students, families, and educators alike. To the incredible teachers and staff, whose dedication, compassion, and joy made Fort Meadow a true gem in the heart of Westfield — thank you. You have touched lives in ways words can never fully capture. Though the doors may close, the spirit of Fort Meadow will live on in every child who passed through its halls,” Scagel said.
Last fall, the Westfield School Committee took a final vote after a years-long study to close the 1914 building in need of an estimated $2 to $3 million rehabilitation, and move its preschool programs into available classrooms in Munger Hill and Highland Elementary Schools.
At the time of the vote, Westfield Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski emphasized that the building is closing, not the preschool program, and he hoped to keep all of the staff in the district.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
“Almost all Fort Meadow staff stayed on, with one retirement,” said Scagel, who will himself be moving up to become the preschool program supervisor for the district, and will be traveling to every elementary school except Paper Mill, the only one without preschool classrooms.
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll still be able to see all our staff and paras, plus those in CPPI [the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative],” he said.
At the PTO farewell celebration on June 12, highlighted by balloon twisting by Brie’s Balloons of Granby, songs by Sarah Soller, a former paraprofessional at Fort Meadow who taught music; and refreshments available from Macken’s Specialty Sliders and Holyoke Ice Cream, people’s feelings were mixed about the closing.
Pre-K teacher Nicole Turgeon said she has spent her whole career at Fort Meadow, starting at age 21. She will be moving over to teach preschool classes at Highland Elementary in the fall.
Turgeon said all of the teachers and staff are packing up. She said they have been preparing for the school closing for a few years, and she is excited for the move, but expecting to be emotional packing is done.
“I just wish we could have all stayed together. I’m thankful to keep my staff. Four of us will stay together,” Turgeon said.
Reminder Publishing photos by Amy Porter
One of the staff going to Highland with her is paraprofessional Jennifer Schulz, who has been with Turgeon for 20 years. Another paraprofessional, Denise Mercure, who has been at Fort Meadow for 17 years, is the one staff retirement this year.
“It’s bittersweet. I’m glad we can celebrate it, but it’s our last event,” said PTO President Mariana Sullivan. Also a para, Sullivan and many of her students, including her own children, will be moving to Munger Hill Elementary.
“They’re trying to pair them with classmates. We won’t know until the fall. I’m lucky that’s my school,” said Sullivan, who lives near Munger Hill. “Other people will go to Munger Hill then go to another school.”
Sullivan gave a hug to her student Luka Farneth, who will be entering kindergarten in the fall.
Shannon Hallock, Luka’s mom said Munger Hill is only 10 minutes from her home. Still, she said, “I’m sad this place is closing. I was hoping my youngest would go here.”
Sarah Timmerman, a classroom paraprofessional, will be transferring to Highland. She has worked at Fort Meadow for six years, but said all four of her daughters had previously attended preschool there.
Timmerman also got a hug from her student Anthony Rodriguez, who will also be attending preschool at Highland in the fall.
Anthony’s parents both grew up in Westfield, and his mother Nicole Rodriguez said she had attended Fort Meadow for preschool herself, before going to Franklin Avenue. His father, Anthony Rodriguez, also attended Franklin Avenue.
“It’s sad to see another school go, but sometimes it’s necessary,” said Anthony’s father. “I went to the last day of Franklin Ave. My third grade teacher remembered me — 12 years later. It just goes to show that teachers care,” Rodriguez said.
“It’s crazy This is where it all started for so many kids,” said Timmerman.
