Worcester Public Schools - From Here, Anywhere... Together

⭐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. 🌟

🚀 First Meeting of Student Advisory Council with Superintendent 🎓💬 🎓 We recently held the first meeting of our Superintendent Student Advisory Council (SSAC)! These remarkable students are partnering with Superintendent Rachel Monárrez, PhD, to shape the future of our schools through leadership, collaboration, and student-driven initiatives. 💬 The council’s work is guided by a clear agenda focused on: Leadership Development: Strengthening leadership and problem-solving skills by addressing key school challenges. Community Building: Creating connections across diverse student groups to establish shared core values. Policy Engagement: Actively participating in school policy discussions to ensure all voices are heard. Student Agency: Empowering students to take charge of their school environment and make a lasting impact. 🌟 The outcomes we aim to achieve include: Empowerment: Ensuring students feel valued as critical contributors to our school community. Collaborative Problem Solving: Building teamwork and negotiation skills through group activities. Relationship Building: Establishing trust and connection among council members through icebreakers and discussions. 🏫 We’re excited to see how this council will inspire positive changes across our district! Stay tuned for more updates as these student leaders continue to drive progress in our schools.

Friendly Faces of Thorndyke Road School 👋 We recently stopped into Thorndyke Road School where students were enjoying some beautiful early fall weather during recess. Students played on the swing sets, climbed the jungle gyms and ran around the outdoor space. Inside the school, students worked on assignments on their Chromebooks, participated in group activities on the class rug and were focused on learning! Thorndyke Road School is located in the Burncoat Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools. It serves 390 students for the 2024-25 academic year, hosting grades K-6.

Burncoat High School Hosts Worcester Technical High School in Unified Basketball 🏀 The Burncoat gymnasium was buzzing with energy during a recent unified basketball matchup between the Patriots and Worcester Tech. Both teams played hard in a 22-20 overtime thriller as Worcester Tech came out with the win. At the end of the game, scholar-athletes displayed tremendous sportsmanship by coming together for a group photo. Unified basketball provides an opportunity for all students to participate. Teams are made up of equal number of students with and without developmental disabilities, promoting inclusivity in high school sports. Enjoy a few images from a great basketball game!

Thank You to WPS Coaches on National Coaches Day 👏 Today is National Coaches Day and we want to recognize the many coaches who play an important role in the lives of our WPS scholar-athletes. Whether you are a head coach, assistant coach or volunteer, your contributions are invaluable to the scholar-athlete experience in Worcester. From teaching life lessons, to helping students reach personal goals in both sports and academics, we are grateful for all you do!

WPS Nursing Department Hosts Conference on Family Health Center Model 🩺 The Worcester Public Schools nursing department recently hosted representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Health for an in-depth discussion on the school-based partnership with Family Health Center of Worcester. Family Health Center of Worcester provides preventative health care for WPS students at school-based satellite sites. These health centers are a one-stop shop for primary care, behavioral health, dental, lab services, and much more, offering services for students regardless of income or access to health care. School-based centers are run by Family Health Center of Worcester, allowing students confidential health care. It also provides translation services in more than 50 languages to ensure accessibility of health care. During the conference, employees from the Family Health Center and WPS nursing staff spoke about the benefits of the school-based health center model and its positive impact on students in Worcester. There was also a tour of the health center at South High Community School and a Q/A session with current students who shared their own personal experiences. There are currently seven Family Health Care Centers in WPS located in Doherty Memorial High School, Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School, Elm Park Community School, Goddard School of Science & Technology, South High Community School, Worcester East Middle School and a combined center for Claremont Academy and Woodland Academy.

⭐ Danielle Svendsen, First Grade Educator at Jacob Hiatt Magnet School ⭐ Miss Svendsen is a caring educator who fosters inclusive and welcoming environments for all of her students. Her dedication to learning and supportive nature make her a valued educator and colleague. Take a look at what is being said about Miss Svendsen! “Danielle is an incredibly kind and positive human being. She consistently provides high quality instruction, and is welcoming to students of ALL abilities. You can always depend on Danielle for a warm greeting and conversation. It is clear she loves all of her students and that they love her, too!" "Ms. Svendsen loves all of her students and has been instrumental in supporting inclusion for our students in SAIL,” said Jacob Hiatt Acting Principal Amanda Martinez. “She promotes a positive, inclusive classroom with high and achievable expectations for all of her students, while also being a team-oriented, supportive colleague to all staff at Jacob Hiatt.” ⭐ Do you know a WooStar? We are looking for students and staff who have gone above and beyond to feature on our social media channels. 👉Nominate a student at https://buff.ly/4g5M2aW 👉Nominate a staff member at https://buff.ly/3Mlru0N

Forest Grove Middle School's Katherine Amankrah Illustrates Social-Emotional Learning Picture Book 🎨📖 Katherine Amankrah, an eighth grade artist at Forest Grove Middle School, recently had their illustrations featured in a newly-published Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) picture book that aims to educate kids about mental stress and anxiety. The book, titled “My Body Knows. Do I Know?” is a collaboration between Amankrah and author Ashley Hope Cournoyer-Smith, who is a school psychologist at Elm Park Community School. Katherine's vibrant illustrations are not just beautiful but also play a crucial role in helping educate children about mental wellness. “It is extraordinary that someone so young as Katherine is able to see her artwork in something that has been published. Katherine has been exceptional in her artwork as well as her academics,” said Forest Grove art teacher Sharon Mansfield. We are so proud of Katherine for sharing her talents with the world! ✨

Happy National Custodian Day! 🗑️🧽 Today, we celebrate the incredible custodians in Worcester Public Schools who work tirelessly to create a clean and welcoming environment for our scholars. Pictured are a few of the dedicated custodians in our schools: 🧹 John Culbert, a 25-year employee currently at Union Hill School. Principal Tabales says "John is a reliable custodian who can be seen setting up a safe morning transition. He is willing to assist whenever needed." 🧹 Kevin Chviruk, a 29-year employee currently at Quinsigamond School. Principal Racca says "Kevin has great pride and works hard to ensure that our school is a welcoming and safe environment for our entire school community." 🧹 Brian Letourneau, a WPS employee since 2017 currently at Doherty Memorial High School. Principal Staley says "Brian is a valuable member of the Doherty faculty. He takes pride in his work, is responsive, is a team player, and takes the initiative to find solutions to issues as they come up." 🧹 Caitlyn Berthiaume, a WPS employee since 2019 currently at Burncoat Middle School. Principal Irizarry says "She is literally the glue and backbone of the custodial staff. She is highly adored and even more respected. She is always pleasant with a cheerful disposition no matter what happens." 🧹 Stan Jackson, a WPS employee since 2018 currently at Columbus Park Preparatory School. Principal Carignan says "Stan is an exceptional custodian who consistently goes above and beyond to make our school an amazing place. His dedication and pride in his work are clear every day." Sending a huge thank you to all of our WPS custodians!

South High Community School 365z Club Pick Apples for Local Food Pantries 🍎🍏 South High's 365z Club recently took a field trip to the Community Harvest Project in Harvard, Mass. where they picked 1,600 pounds(!!) of apples to help support local food pantries around Worcester. Great job by our South High 365z scholars giving back to local communities!

Friendly Faces of the Academic Center for Transition! 😀 😊 For Hispanic Heritage Month, fourth-grade ACT students made drawings modeling the designs of Brazilian artist Romero Britto. And, every morning, a Disney song from celebrating Latin American culture is played at the school. One of the recent songs was “La Familia Madrigal” from the film “Encanto.” ACT is a therapeutic public day school serving scholars in grades K-6. Classroom sizes are between 8 and 10 students to ensure each student has individualized attention. The goal is to teach students academic and social-emotional skills to eventually transition them back into an inclusionary setting. Many of the scholars were happy to have their photos taken and share what they have learned! A big thanks to Coordinator Iliana D’Limas, the staff and scholars for welcoming us into their school!

🌅 Senior Sunrise at Worcester Technical High School 🌅 Take a look at some of the sights from the recent Worcester Technical High School senior sunrise! Even with the early hour and the dark skies, the Class of 2025 gathered to watch the sunrise and celebrate the start of their final year. Seniors enjoyed freshly baked cookies prepared by the talented students in the Culinary Program, making the morning even sweeter! 🍪✨ It was a memorable way to start a year filled with laughter, friendships, and exciting adventures ahead. We’re sending our best wishes to Worcester Tech’s Class of 2025! May this year be full of unforgettable moments. 🌟