Friendly Faces of Union Hill School 👋
Students at the Union Hill School had a blast recently during the school’s first “Tear it Up Tuesday” with Principal Ish Tabales leading a fun dance session during lunchtime to inject energy into the day.
From there, students enjoyed recess outside, taking advantage of some nice weather. It was also Cultural Day with students dressing up in cultural outfits and waving flags to showcase their cultural identity. Inside the school, second grade students were hard at work learning mathematics.
Union Hill School is located in the North Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools. It serves 390 students for the 2024-25 school year, hosting grades K-6. The school features two buildings, one built in 1893 and the other built in the early 1960’s.
🎉 Hispanic Heritage Month Museum at Worcester Dual Language Magnet School 🎉
Students and staff at Worcester Dual Language Magnet School recently held an amazing museum event for Hispanic Heritage Month! 🌍✨
Throughout the day, students showcased projects completed during Hispanic Heritage Month for their families. Projects featured Hispanic role models in the arts, sciences, athletics, politics and locally in the Worcester community.
The event also featured cultural clothing, Hispanic music and dancing and plenty of fun for staff, students and families! 💃🕺
Check out highlights from the Hispanic Heritage Museum at Worcester Dual Language Magnet School! 📸
⭐Amanda Burke, School Adjustment Counselor at Worcester East Middle School ⭐
“Amanda's commitment to excellence is evident in the meticulous quality of her work, which consistently benefits our school community. She plays a key role in leading school-wide initiatives that enhance the social, emotional, and academic well-being of our students, always going the extra mile to ensure their success. Her passion for education and her genuine care for the students shine through in everything she does. Worcester East Middle School is incredibly fortunate to have such a dedicated and compassionate staff member. Thank you, Amanda, for your invaluable contributions!”
South High Community School Hosts Doherty Memorial High School in Football 🏈
South High recently hosted Doherty High for a matchup of WPS teams on the football field. It was a terrific fall night for football with plenty of fans from both schools in attendance.
Doherty came out on top with a 28-6 victory over South. Cheerleaders from both teams were in action as well with a friendly battle taking place at the 50-yard line during halftime.
Statistically for Doherty, senior Josh Romeo threw three touchdowns with junior Ryan Dennis (two touchdowns) and sophomore Chris Lefebvre (one touchdown) on the receiving end. Donte Aghapour ran in for a touchdown while Carlos Tumer (12 tackles), Tom Kursonis (eight tackles, two sacks) and Jailen Givins-Osafo (nine tackles) bolstered the defense.
For South, sophomore running back Peyton Mosely finished with 86 yards on 21 carries while junior Uche Mba grabbed four receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Aedan Gonzalez and Mba finished with eight tackles while freshman Cyrus Johnson recorded an interception.
Take a look at some of the scenes of the game! 📸
Seasonal Clothing Donation from Cradles to Crayons 🧥
Recently the Family and Community Engagement Office received its annual donation of seasonal clothing packs from Cradles to Crayons!
Thanks to this amazing partnership, schools were able to order specific items for students, and Cradles to Crayons did the rest, delivering a truckload of essentials just in time for winter. The items donated included long sleeve shirts, pants, sweaters, socks, underwear, and winter coats! 🚚✨
A huge shoutout to everyone involved—especially our fantastic wraparound coordinators and the dedicated staff from the McKinney-Vento office—who helped sort and distribute these much-needed donations!
We can’t wait to see these items go to our WPS families! 🧦💖
Hispanic Heritage Month at Norrback Avenue School!
Fourth graders at the Norrback Avenue School recently learned more about Hispanic Heritage Month during a lesson taught by World Cultures educator Shan-Shan King.
Throughout the lesson, scholars explored the many unique Hispanic cultures and learned where Hispanic countries are located on the world map. They also learned about the achievements of Hispanic idols such as Lin Manuel-Miranda, Cesar Chavez, Frida Kahlo, Sonia Sotomayor and others!
Students also learned how to do the merengue, the national dance of the Dominican Republic. The class wrapped up the lesson with a fun dance session!
Happy National Principal Month! ✏️
October is all about celebrating the dedicated principals that help shape our school communities. Their passion and commitment to WPS students and staff inspires us every day!
We know this image doesn't capture all our amazing WPS principals, so drop a comment to give a shout-out and say thank you to yours!
Friendly Faces of West Tatnuck School 😊
We recently stopped by West Tatnuck Elementary School to say hello to our friends! 👋
West Tatnuck scholars took advantage of the early fall weather 🍂 during recess, enjoying kickball ⚽, playing on the playground 🛝, and running around the school's spacious outdoor area. Inside, 5th and 6th-grade scholars played Cribbage 🃏, read their favorite books 📚, and stayed focused on their learning. 📖✨
West Tatnuck School, located within the Doherty Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools, serves 343 students for the 2024-25 academic year, hosting grades PreK-6. Since 1953, the school has evolved to meet the needs of the community, incorporating modern updates and embracing diversity.
Key features include:
• A curriculum meeting state standards
• Active family and community participation
• Extracurricular activities promoting teamwork
• A commitment to inclusivity
West Tatnuck Elementary School is dedicated to providing a supportive, engaging learning experience for student success! 💙
💫 Highlights from the Burncoat Quadrant SEPAC Meeting! 💫
A big thank you to all the amazing parents and caregivers who attended the Burncoat Quadrant Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Welcome New Parents Meeting on October 17 at Norrback Avenue Elementary! 🌟
It was wonderful connecting with everyone and sharing valuable resources on the special education support available for your children.
From speech and occupational therapy to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, we hope you left feeling more informed and confident about the comprehensive support available in Worcester Public Schools! 💬💡
Missed this one? No worries! There are still two more chances to attend:
📍 North Quadrant: Tuesday, October 29 @ Roosevelt Elementary
📍 Doherty Quadrant: Thursday, November 7 @ Nelson Place Elementary
🎒 Don't forget—every family receives a welcome packet full of helpful resources!
Childcare will be provided at both upcoming events to make attending easier for families.
We’re here to support you every step of the way! ❤️
Doherty Memorial High School Ribbon-Cutting, Plaque Dedication Ceremony 🏫
Today, an official ribbon-cutting and plaque dedication ceremony was held to commemorate the opening of the new Doherty Memorial High School at 299 Highland Street, a state-of-the-art facility that began serving students in grades 9-12 on August 26.
“There are many allies in our local, state, and federal delegation that made this project possible,” said Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty. “I feel incredibly grateful to be celebrating another school, and we are incredibly fortunate to have strong partnerships that allow us the opportunity to improve the learning environment for our scholars.”
Numerous public officials, design and construction project leaders, school staff and students were in attendance to celebrate the opening of the 425,000 square-foot high school. The new building is located adjacent to the old high school building, which opened in 1966 and was demolished over the summer.
“This beautiful facility gives our scholars the space and resources they need to thrive academically, socially, and creatively,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools. “The new Doherty is built for learning, for growing, and becoming the future-ready leaders of tomorrow.”
Worcester Technical High School Volleyball Hosts Blackstone Valley 🏐
The Worcester Tech Eagles recently faced off against Blackstone Valley Tech on the volleyball court in a Colonial Athletic League match up.
The match marked the final home contest of the season, and the final home game for the Eagles' five seniors. The seniors, pictured in the fourth slide, are captain Magdalena Sotiropoulos, captain Adyson O'Leary, outside hitter Aisha Olivier, defensive specialist Casey Lopez and middle blocker Kaya Szydlik.
Despite a tough 3-0 loss, the Eagles gave it their all, showcasing incredible effort until the final point. Swipe through to see highlights from this hard-fought match! 📸
⭐Alex Dao, Seventh Grade Scholar at Forest Grove Middle School ⭐
Alex is a thoughtful student who actively participates in classroom discussions and is making great strides in Spanish class. He shows off more of his bright personality with each passing day and his sense of humor makes him a joy within the Forest Grove community. Take a look at what is being said!
“Alex is a hard-working student with many insightful ideas that he shares with his classmates in discussions. Alex has recently increased his participation in his Spanish class and now enjoys engaging in dialogue with his classmates. He continues to increase his confidence in the classroom and take more academic risks. According to the staff at Forest Grove, Alex has a great sense of humor, a contagious laugh, and brightens any room he enters. He is quick with a witty joke or remark and always keeps us laughing!"
Worcester Public Schools Receives Game Changer Award at Worcester Chamber of Commerce Game Changers Conference 🏆
The Worcester Public Schools recently received the Game Changer Award from the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, which celebrates local organizations that drive meaningful change within the Worcester community. Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez accepted the award on behalf of WPS.
WPS was recognized as a Game Changer for its on-going commitment to Career and Vocational Technical Education (CVTE) programming for high school students and adults. WPS was also recognized for its Innovations Career Pathways programming and Adult Night Life classes, both of which provide opportunities to acquire the skills and experiences needed to enter the workforce.
The WPS College and Career Readiness team were also on-site, sharing insights directly with employers about the career technical education programs available in our high schools. Career technical educators from Worcester Technical High School were also in attendance to network with local industry leaders.
The Game Changers Conference connects local industry leaders, employers, and training experts to explore innovative strategies for workforce development.
Happy National School Lunch Week! 🎉🥗
From October 14-18, we are celebrating the delicious, nutritious meals served every day in Worcester Public Schools! Our amazing Nutrition Department works hard to provide breakfast, lunch, snacks, and more, fueling students for success in the classroom.
This week, we're featuring some exciting new menu items that are being sampled across the district, including:
🍽️ Plant-Powered Nuggets
🌮 Empanadas & Tamales
🍜 Veggie Dumplings & Vegetable Lo Mein
🍛 3-Bean Chili & Vegetable Egg Rolls with Fried Rice
Let’s give a big round of applause to the team behind these tasty and healthy school meals!
🎉 South High Club Fair Recap 🎉
Last Friday, the energy was electric ⚡ at South High Memorial School as students gathered for the 2024 Club Fair!
It was a day full of excitement, discovery, and connection, where students got to explore a wide range of clubs and activities. From academic teams 📚 and creative arts 🎨 to cultural groups 🌍 and leadership opportunities 🌟, the Club Fair had something for everyone.
📚 Some of the standout clubs include the Latin @ Hispanic Alliance, Black Student Union, Apricot Journal Club, Lion Dance Club, Newspaper Club, LGBTQIPA / Gay Straight Alliance, Nature Club, National Honor Society, Chess Club, and Crochet Club.
Did you miss the fair? You can still join any of these great clubs by reaching out to club advisors or checking the school website for more information.
📢 Get involved, make new friends, and have fun!
No School on Monday, October 14 🗓️
Worcester Public Schools will be closed on Monday, October 14 for Indigenous People's Day / Columbus Day. District offices will also be closed.
🧥 Coats & Kindness at Columbus Park! 😊
🎉 Columbus Park Preparatory Academy students recently had a fun time shopping for new winter jackets in the school’s gym. Winter jackets were donated thanks to the school’s partnership with Operation Warm! 🧥💙
A big shoutout to all the volunteers from T.J.X. Corporation, who spent the morning helping our students with warm smiles, patience, and kindness. Fourth grade students also gave a wonderful performance under the leadership of music teacher, Ms. Garcia. 🎶✨
Special thanks to wraparound coordinator, Ms. Ana Soto-Andrews, for organizing every detail and making this experience possible for our Columbus Park students! 🙌
💚 World Mental Health Day 💚
At Worcester Public Schools, we are committed to supporting the mental and emotional health of our students, staff, and families.
We have numerous health and wellness resources for students, families and staff on the WPS website, including healthy recipes, after-school care, and fitness activities 🍏🏫🌟, to adult wellness support with yoga, meditation, self-compassion and more. 🧘✍️
Our Health & Wellness Roadmap and Strategic Plan ensure emotional wellness is a priority for both students and staff, fostering a thriving and caring community for all.
For more resources and information, visit our website today at https://buff.ly/4dGPLJG
Burncoat High School Football Hosts Gardner 🏈
It was a great fall night for football recently as Burncoat High School welcomed Gardner for a non-league matchup at Foley Stadium.
Burncoat junior DJ Daniels paced the Patriots offense with 107 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries while classmate Marcus Dascelin sang the national anthem for fans prior to kickoff. The Burncoat band and cheerleaders provided in-game entertainment under a vibrant sunset.
Burncoat (3-1 season record) will have its homecoming game next as it hosts North High School on Saturday, October 12 at noon in a matchup of WPS teams.
🌅 Senior Sunrise at South High Community School 🌅
Take a look at some of the sights from the recent South High Community School senior sunrise!
Although it was a chilly October morning, it turned into a beautiful day as the Class of 2025 gathered to watch the sunrise and celebrate the start of their final year.
Seniors enjoyed delicious coffee ☕ and donuts 🍩 from the Donut NV food truck and were warmly welcomed by the 365z Kindness Club as they celebrated World Smile Day. 😊
It was a memorable way to start a year filled with laughter, friendships, and exciting adventures ahead.
We’re sending our best wishes to South High’s Class of 2025!
May this year be full of unforgettable moments. 🌟
