Whether it’s helping out with homework, playing games or making arts and crafts, the Westfield-Plainfield Connection really knows how to put a smile on the faces of the students of Stillman Elementary School in Plainfield. WPC is a club at WHS, which visits the Stillman Elementary School every Monday with snacks, tutoring and fun.
Last year, WPC started a fundraiser where they collected checks, gift cards, clothes, furniture and anything else that could benefit a Plainfield family who lost their home in a fire. Fletcher, who will be going on her fourth year as advisor, said: “[The fundraiser] was humbling and wonderful and made me so proud of the club. This really is a group that is out to help and they really sprang into action around this horrible event.”
Ms. Yvonne Hernandez-Padilla, a Social worker at Stillman Elementary School, has been working with this club for over 3 years. Hernandez-Padilla said: “When the [elementary school] students know names [of the WHS students] you can tell they have trust. To actually see that they know remember the students are coming every Monday, that says a lot. It shows that they are looking forward and feel a sense of respect.”
Each member in WPC is paired with a Plainfield student in either fourth, fifth or sixth grade. Senior Lauren Anzevino said: “When you walk in every week, the little kids’ faces light up and they get so excited to see you. They’re always so grateful for us being there.”
Said Fletcher: “The main purpose of the club is two-fold: we work to help mentor and tutor elementary students in Plainfield, but also we exist to help educate and enrich the lives of the tutors- who sometimes learn more through this experience than the Plainfield students.”