09/11/2026
James Laverty has just started his fourth year as a school safety attendant at Highland Elementary School through a Veterans Services program.
Laverty goes to Highland on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide cafeteria and playground support. He enjoys volunteering and says the added benefit for him is that his grandson Michael is in first grade at Highland, and his granddaughter Charlotte is in third grade at Highland.
Laverty, a Vietnam veteran, served in the Marines for two years. After he left the service, he received his degree in education at Westfield State and served for 20 years as a teacher and administrator in the area. However, Laverty said his experience is not necessary for the volunteer job, and he doesn’t want to deter other veterans from signing up. “I don’t want potential volunteers to think they need an educational background. If they have children or grandchildren, this is the place to be,” he said.
“It is wonderful to have a constant face,” said Highland Principal Erika Masciadrelli. She said Laverty participated in the first days of the school year for both grades 1-4 and pre-K and kindergarten. She said he also comes to concerts and open houses, “when we have lots of people in the school.”
Director of Veterans Services Julie Barnes said the volunteer program started four years ago in elementary schools that didn’t have school resource officers from the Police Department. Currently, Westfield High School and Westfield Technical Academy each have an SRO assigned, and Westfield Middle School and Westfield Intermediate School share an SRO.
At the time, Barnes met with state Sen. John Velis and Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski to discuss implementing the veterans’ volunteer program. In return for their volunteer work, veterans who work 100 hours in the schools can get a $1,500 tax abatement.
“We need people who are able to be on their feet,” Barnes said, adding, “Almost all of our volunteers put in more than 100 hours.” She said a small deduction comes out of the abatement and is returned at the end of the volunteer service. If a volunteer doesn’t work the full 100 hours, the abatement is prorated.
Director of Operations and Safety Christopher Rogers provides onboarding for all volunteers, who are all CORI-checked and fingerprinted. According to Rogers, the veteran's program is designed to identify and deter potential problems and foster a sense of security by having an extra level of protection in the schools.
Interested veteran volunteers should contact Barnes at 413-572-6247. Program guidelines and a volunteer application are also available on the city website under Veterans Services. Barnes said veterans must have served on active duty to qualify for the abatement program.
Heidi Cote, coordinator of Volunteers in Public Schools, said there are many volunteer opportunities in the schools throughout the year for the public at large, including at special events, where extra hands are always needed.
Cote said there is currently a big need for cafeteria support at both Highland Elementary and Westfield River Elementary. She said there are three lunches a day with recess between them, and volunteers who can come in for an hour or two are most welcome. “Consistency is best,” Cote said. Email [email protected] to sign up. Anyone with questions should call Cote at 413-572-6463, ext. 61417.
Westfield's Veterans' Services program places veteran volunteers in elementary schools as safety attendants, offering a $1,500 tax abatement for 100 hours of service.
