The mayor announced plans to create a memorial type garden in the school's traffic circle.
City and state officials gather at Munger Hill Elementary School Friday for the ceremonial planting of a tree to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tornado that ripped the roof off part of the school and destroyed the grounds.WESTFIELD – The Munger Hill Elementary School community came together Friday not to clear debris but to commemorate rebirth.
A tree was planted marking the anniversary of last June’s tornado, and Mayor Daniel M. Knapik announced plans for a memorial garden for the school’s traffic circle area.
“Today we mark the miracle there was no loss of life and we recognize the quick response to the damage that has brought our community closer together,” said Knapik.
Munger School Principal Carla Lussier characterized the event as providing a sense of closure and celebration of everything done in the past year.
Ward 5 City Councilor Richard E. Onofrey Jr. said, it “is great to see the neighborhood bounce back both from the tornado and the October snowstorm.
A sugar maple was donated by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation and delivered by state Secretary of Environmental Affairs and former Mayor Richard K. Sullivan Jr.
The tornado struck Munger Hill School shortly after 4 p.m. and proceeded on a 39-mile path of fury through communities including West Springfield, Springfield, Wilbraham, Monson and Brimfield. Students had already left for the day, and a handful of staff and parents remained in the building.
A 20-foot section of steel roof, above two kindergarten classrooms was ripped from the building and dumped several hundred feet away on Cardinal Drive. A clock from room 102, which its hands stuck at 4:16 p.m., has been framed and hangs in the central office.
The tornado focused primarily on the Ward 5 southeast section of the city. No injuries or deaths occurred, and, except for Munger Hill School, only three homes suffered extensive damage. One home on Shaker Road, condemned because of extensive structural damage, has been razed and rebuilt. Widespread tree damage occurred in the Shaker Heights, Glenwood Heights, Birch Bluff and Knollwood neighborhoods.
The damaged school roof was repaired and classes resumed on June 6.
Replanting of trees on and around the school grounds was launched in the fall and financed through donations that included $5,000 from Peoples Bank and a matching grant from Westfield Gas & Electric Department.