WEST SPRINGFIELD – Faculty from West Springfield Middle School had a presentation during the School Committee meeting on April 27 to request to name the West Springfield Middle School gymnasium after former Principal Thomas McNulty.

He started off as vice principal at the older West Springfield junior high before the middle school existed. When the middle school was built, he was acting principal of the junior high while the principal worked on the construction of the middle school.

McNulty became vice principal at the middle school in 1998 and principal in 2002, then later retired in 2015.

Initially, staff was interested in naming the gymnasium after McNulty in 2015 as he was approaching retirement, and at that time all the policies for naming facilities were under review.

“We consider him to be one of the founding administrators of the middle school. There was no middle school prior to 1998. Tom really created the heart and soul into how middle school operates,” Library Media Specialist Susan LaFlamme said.

“Tom created the identity, the spirit, the hard work, and we’re family,” sixth grade math teacher Mary Patruksi said.

He included all staff including custodians and cafeteria workers to create the first mission statement at the school, and many things he put into practice exist today. He also used the gym as a congruent for the students and did a lot behind the scenes that the student wasn’t aware about, LaFlamme stated.

“He paid for them to have shoes, clothes, go to park and recreations, etc. He took in every child as of they were his own,” Patruski said.

Patruski credits McNulty for the school reaching level 1 and level 2 MCAS due to his philosophy.

She is also on the School Council and mentioned they would vote in favor of the naming every year and had the full approval of the council.

McNulty was recognized by the New England League of Middle Schools in 2007, considering him to be an A+ administrator.

Becky Bryant is currently a sixth grade science teacher and has been at the middle school since it opened. She said she immediately saw the difference the first few years McNulty transitioned to become the principal. She felt he gave the staff the safe space they needed to have a voice and feel heard.

School Committee member Patricia Garbacik mentioned one of the suggestions they previously had was to have a tree outside of the school to honor people who did an exceptional job working with the students.

This presentation was taken under advisement and will be further discussed at a later meeting.

Superintendent Tim Connor gave an enrollment update that included registration for the upcoming school year. Kindergarten students had the largest decline in enrollment last year for registering to in person learning, and he is hoping to change that.

All high schools will be returning to full time in person learning May 17. They will continue the COVID–19 guidelines and safety precautions that include 3-foot distancing and mandatory face masks.

Assistant Superintendent Vito Perrone gave an update on the summer program that will have six applicants that have committed to summer programming this year.

Perrone mentioned they will be infused in between the Park and Recreations and Boys and Girls Club prior to the summer program being moved to the high school. They will bring literacy, math and intradisciplinary project-based learning exercises for the students.

“Our goal is that those opportunities for learning are going to be fun, active, student-centered and recoup some of the losses that they might have had this year,” Perrone said.

They also have a school adjustment counselor who is going to work in the program to bring social and emotional peace.

One position that is needed is another nurse for the summer programming. There is currently a job posting up for anyone interested.

The program is serving all grade levels and will have three to six rotating teachers. Perrone is also finding ways to scholarship kids that are interested, as well as accommodating transportation.

This program is one of five to six other programs they already have that includes STEAM and special education programs.