⛳ Mini Golf Night at Worcester Arts Magnet School ⛳
Students, families, and caregivers recently came together for a fun after-school Mini Golf Night, organized by the PTG at Worcester Arts Magnet School.
The hand-built course featured a mix of traditional putting and stand-up “hand golf” holes, complete with scorecards and handmade putters. The collapsible frames were designed to travel, with the goal of loaning the equipment so other WPS schools can host their own mini golf nights!
The gym was buzzing as students enjoyed mini-golfing, arts and crafts, and snacks. Check out some highlights from a night full of fun, creativity, and community at WAMS!
Students, families, and caregivers recently came together for a fun after-school Mini Golf Night, organized by the PTG at Worcester Arts Magnet School.
The hand-built course featured a mix of traditional putting and stand-up “hand golf” holes, complete with scorecards and handmade putters. The collapsible frames were designed to travel, with the goal of loaning the equipment so other WPS schools can host their own mini golf nights!
The gym was buzzing as students enjoyed mini-golfing, arts and crafts, and snacks. Check out some highlights from a night full of fun, creativity, and community at WAMS!
🏫 FAFSA Friday Held at Burncoat High School 🏫
Guidance counselors at Burncoat High School, in collaboration with MassEdCO, recently hosted a FAFSA Friday event to support students and families through the financial aid process.
During the session, families met with counselors and financial aid experts to review award packages, ask questions, and gain a clearer understanding of their options.
40 families participated throughout the day with the goal of narrowing down their choices as they prepare to commit to a school for the fall.
Burncoat High School has hosted FAFSA Friday events throughout the school year, with each session tailored to the needs of students and families. Earlier sessions focused on completing financial aid applications, with additional support planned for after April vacation.
Guidance counselors at Burncoat High School, in collaboration with MassEdCO, recently hosted a FAFSA Friday event to support students and families through the financial aid process.
During the session, families met with counselors and financial aid experts to review award packages, ask questions, and gain a clearer understanding of their options.
40 families participated throughout the day with the goal of narrowing down their choices as they prepare to commit to a school for the fall.
Burncoat High School has hosted FAFSA Friday events throughout the school year, with each session tailored to the needs of students and families. Earlier sessions focused on completing financial aid applications, with additional support planned for after April vacation.
❄️ WPS Snow Day Spotlight: Worcester Family Partnership
We continued our celebration tour visiting the families of Worcester Family Partnership, who shared a creative video from one of their weekly playgroups. It was a joy to stop by and deliver some well-earned swag! 💙❄️
Their video captured children and families enjoying playtime while singing Frosty the Snowman, before sharing a “No School” announcement in their home languages.
Thanks for representing Worcester Family Partnership with so much creativity and heart. Keep it up! 🌟
Check out all of the WPS snow day video contest submissions here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/wps-snow-day-video-contest
🚘 Learn to Drive in April!
🛣️ Driving courses available at a discounted rate are available to any eligible student in Worcester Public Schools through a partnership with the Central Mass. Safety Council Driving School.
✅ April 6-17 from 2:00-5:15 PM: Classes held at Burncoat High School
✅ April 21-24 from 7:30 AM-3:30 PM: Classes held at Worcester Technical High School
Visit worcesterschools.org/drivers-ed
🛣️ Driving courses available at a discounted rate are available to any eligible student in Worcester Public Schools through a partnership with the Central Mass. Safety Council Driving School.
✅ April 6-17 from 2:00-5:15 PM: Classes held at Burncoat High School
✅ April 21-24 from 7:30 AM-3:30 PM: Classes held at Worcester Technical High School
Visit worcesterschools.org/drivers-ed
📚 CKLA Skills Block Hour at Worcester Arts Magnet School 📚
First grade students at Worcester Arts Magnet School are strengthening their reading skills during the school’s CKLA Skills Block Hour, a daily targeted literacy period built around small-group, hands-on instruction.
Each session begins with a quick sound drill before students move into collaborative activities tailored to their needs. Some groups receive extra support with foundational skills, while others build on grade-level reading to continue progressing.
Results are already showing. Based on middle-of-year DIBELS data, 85% of Grade 1 students at Worcester Arts Magnet School are now reading at or above benchmark.
Following early success in first grade, the model is already expanding to second grade and will continue to roll out thoughtfully where it can best support student learning.
First grade students at Worcester Arts Magnet School are strengthening their reading skills during the school’s CKLA Skills Block Hour, a daily targeted literacy period built around small-group, hands-on instruction.
Each session begins with a quick sound drill before students move into collaborative activities tailored to their needs. Some groups receive extra support with foundational skills, while others build on grade-level reading to continue progressing.
Results are already showing. Based on middle-of-year DIBELS data, 85% of Grade 1 students at Worcester Arts Magnet School are now reading at or above benchmark.
Following early success in first grade, the model is already expanding to second grade and will continue to roll out thoughtfully where it can best support student learning.
📍School Boundary and Quadrant Alignment Project
💬Worcester Public Schools held its first of several community forums about the recently-launched School Boundary and Quadrant Alignment Project.
The first meeting was held March 23 at South High Community School, which brought about 150 attendees: parents, caregivers, staff, and community members.
Facilitated by Dillinger Research and Applied Data, a non-profit research and data analysis organization, the project is District Goal #3 for this school year, and will continue through 2027-28.
Through the project, the district will consider adjusting school boundaries and related systems to more efficiently assign students to schools and improve the experiences of students and families. This could include a student’s walk to school, the school they are assigned to, and various feeder patterns.
The project seeks to:
✅ Reduce the student population in schools that are over capacity
✅ Increase the student population in schools that are under-enrolled
✅ Ensure school programming aligns with each school’s building capacity, along with student and community needs
✅ Improve school feeder patterns (meaning the series of schools students matriculate to based on their residential addresses)
✅ And improve citywide/magnet school designations to best reflect the needs of the community
Visit the project website, worcesterschools.org/alignment, which will be continuously updated with more information throughout the life of the project.
💬Worcester Public Schools held its first of several community forums about the recently-launched School Boundary and Quadrant Alignment Project.
The first meeting was held March 23 at South High Community School, which brought about 150 attendees: parents, caregivers, staff, and community members.
Facilitated by Dillinger Research and Applied Data, a non-profit research and data analysis organization, the project is District Goal #3 for this school year, and will continue through 2027-28.
Through the project, the district will consider adjusting school boundaries and related systems to more efficiently assign students to schools and improve the experiences of students and families. This could include a student’s walk to school, the school they are assigned to, and various feeder patterns.
The project seeks to:
✅ Reduce the student population in schools that are over capacity
✅ Increase the student population in schools that are under-enrolled
✅ Ensure school programming aligns with each school’s building capacity, along with student and community needs
✅ Improve school feeder patterns (meaning the series of schools students matriculate to based on their residential addresses)
✅ And improve citywide/magnet school designations to best reflect the needs of the community
Visit the project website, worcesterschools.org/alignment, which will be continuously updated with more information throughout the life of the project.
👑 CKLA Kings & Queens Lesson at Columbus Park 👑
Kindergarten students at Columbus Park Preparatory Academy took to the throne after completing their Kings & Queens lesson block as part of the CKLA curriculum.
Throughout the unit, students listened to engaging read-aloud stories, both fiction and nonfiction, while learning about kings, queens, and royal families. The lessons helped students explore the roles, responsibilities, and traditions associated with royalty.
To celebrate the end of the unit, students arrived dressed in their finest royal attire. They created crowns, practiced their royal manners, and sipped “tea”. The celebration also included a royal parade and a special photo opportunity where students could sit on the royal throne.
It was a joyful way to celebrate both their learning and the many literacy skills they developed throughout the unit. A truly royal time was had by all!
Kindergarten students at Columbus Park Preparatory Academy took to the throne after completing their Kings & Queens lesson block as part of the CKLA curriculum.
Throughout the unit, students listened to engaging read-aloud stories, both fiction and nonfiction, while learning about kings, queens, and royal families. The lessons helped students explore the roles, responsibilities, and traditions associated with royalty.
To celebrate the end of the unit, students arrived dressed in their finest royal attire. They created crowns, practiced their royal manners, and sipped “tea”. The celebration also included a royal parade and a special photo opportunity where students could sit on the royal throne.
It was a joyful way to celebrate both their learning and the many literacy skills they developed throughout the unit. A truly royal time was had by all!
WEMS Teachers Bring Mount Washington Summit to Students 🏔️
Science teachers Megan Rogozenski and Colleen Cutting from Worcester East Middle School recently traded the classroom for the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather.” ❄️
As part of the Arctic Wednesday program at the Mount Washington Observatory, they traveled by snowcat to the 6,288-foot summit to explore advanced meteorology, extreme air pressure, and how elevation shapes climate conditions.
Back at WEMS, students joined virtually to follow along, ask questions, and analyze real-time data from the summit. Seeing their teachers in action gave students a firsthand look at how science happens in the real world.
It’s a reminder that learning can happen anywhere, even in the clouds! ☁️✨
Science teachers Megan Rogozenski and Colleen Cutting from Worcester East Middle School recently traded the classroom for the “Home of the World’s Worst Weather.” ❄️
As part of the Arctic Wednesday program at the Mount Washington Observatory, they traveled by snowcat to the 6,288-foot summit to explore advanced meteorology, extreme air pressure, and how elevation shapes climate conditions.
Back at WEMS, students joined virtually to follow along, ask questions, and analyze real-time data from the summit. Seeing their teachers in action gave students a firsthand look at how science happens in the real world.
It’s a reminder that learning can happen anywhere, even in the clouds! ☁️✨
🎉 Caught Ya Assembly at Wawecus Road School 🎉
Wawecus Road School recently hosted its monthly Caught Ya Assembly, recognizing students who demonstrate actions tied to the five Vision of a Learner (VOL) dispositions: Empowered Individuals, Curious Learners, Effective Communicators, Problem Solvers, and Engaged Community Members.
Throughout the month, students earn Caught Ya Cards for actions related to each disposition. At the full-school assembly, students with the most cards in each category were recognized, and teachers shared a few words about each student’s efforts.
The assembly ended on a fun note, as students got the chance to pie their teachers for Pi Day on March 14!
Wawecus Road School recently hosted its monthly Caught Ya Assembly, recognizing students who demonstrate actions tied to the five Vision of a Learner (VOL) dispositions: Empowered Individuals, Curious Learners, Effective Communicators, Problem Solvers, and Engaged Community Members.
Throughout the month, students earn Caught Ya Cards for actions related to each disposition. At the full-school assembly, students with the most cards in each category were recognized, and teachers shared a few words about each student’s efforts.
The assembly ended on a fun note, as students got the chance to pie their teachers for Pi Day on March 14!
📢 TODAY: Help Shape the Future of Worcester Public Schools! 🏫✨
WPS is hosting the Community Forum for the School Boundary & Quadrant Alignment Project. Our goal is to create better pathways for students from preschool through grade 12 by focusing on:
✅ Building Capacity
✅ Feeder Patterns
✅ Program Placement
Please bring your smartphone or laptop to participate in this interactive event. Flyers with QR codes and a limited number of district-issued devices will also be available.
Don’t miss this chance to share your thoughts and help improve student opportunities across the district!
🗓️ Monday, March 23
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 South High Community School, 170 Apricot St
👥 Translation services and childcare will be provided
🔗 Learn more & stay informed - check the link in our bio!
WPS is hosting the Community Forum for the School Boundary & Quadrant Alignment Project. Our goal is to create better pathways for students from preschool through grade 12 by focusing on:
✅ Building Capacity
✅ Feeder Patterns
✅ Program Placement
Please bring your smartphone or laptop to participate in this interactive event. Flyers with QR codes and a limited number of district-issued devices will also be available.
Don’t miss this chance to share your thoughts and help improve student opportunities across the district!
🗓️ Monday, March 23
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 South High Community School, 170 Apricot St
👥 Translation services and childcare will be provided
🔗 Learn more & stay informed - check the link in our bio!
📚 Voices of Empowerment Project for Women’s History Month at Jacob Hiatt 📚
In recognition of Women’s History Month, fifth grade students at Jacob Hiatt Magnet School are exploring the lives and legacies of influential women in history.
Throughout the project, students selected a woman to research, writing an essay that examines her early life, impact, and legacy while building skills in identifying reliable sources.
In part two of the project, students will choose a single adjective to define their figure, such as brave, determined, or resilient, and will record their reasoning. These pieces will come together in a technology-based project that incorporates art and music and will be displayed for families at the school’s STEM Night in May.
Students are researching figures such as Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Sacagawea, Shirley Chisholm, Simone Biles, and more.
In recognition of Women’s History Month, fifth grade students at Jacob Hiatt Magnet School are exploring the lives and legacies of influential women in history.
Throughout the project, students selected a woman to research, writing an essay that examines her early life, impact, and legacy while building skills in identifying reliable sources.
In part two of the project, students will choose a single adjective to define their figure, such as brave, determined, or resilient, and will record their reasoning. These pieces will come together in a technology-based project that incorporates art and music and will be displayed for families at the school’s STEM Night in May.
Students are researching figures such as Ada Lovelace, Frida Kahlo, Sacagawea, Shirley Chisholm, Simone Biles, and more.
❄️ WPS Snow Day Spotlight: Columbus Park Preparatory Academy
We made a stop at Columbus Park to drop off some well-deserved swag bags for the talented sixth grade students who created a news-inspired snow day broadcast, with help from Mrs. Henry. 🎤🌨️
Their video put a fun, humorous twist on the classic breaking news announcement, delivering the message of a districtwide snow day in a creative way. Thanks for showing off your creativity and representing Columbus Park with so much talent. Keep up the great work! 💙
We made a stop at Columbus Park to drop off some well-deserved swag bags for the talented sixth grade students who created a news-inspired snow day broadcast, with help from Mrs. Henry. 🎤🌨️
Their video put a fun, humorous twist on the classic breaking news announcement, delivering the message of a districtwide snow day in a creative way. Thanks for showing off your creativity and representing Columbus Park with so much talent. Keep up the great work! 💙
WPS at the Annual Wellness and Resilience Summit 🌟
🌟 Last week, Worcester Public Schools joined the Worcester Department of Public Health and local partners for the Annual Wellness & Resilience Summit.
💬 Information on the HOPE Framework was shared, highlighting how positive experiences and strong communication help youth grow and thrive.
🎭 Highlights included interactive youth participation and an inspiring performance by the Drug Store Theater Group.
🤝 We’re proud to strengthen these community connections to make sure our students have the support they need to succeed.
🌟 Last week, Worcester Public Schools joined the Worcester Department of Public Health and local partners for the Annual Wellness & Resilience Summit.
💬 Information on the HOPE Framework was shared, highlighting how positive experiences and strong communication help youth grow and thrive.
🎭 Highlights included interactive youth participation and an inspiring performance by the Drug Store Theater Group.
🤝 We’re proud to strengthen these community connections to make sure our students have the support they need to succeed.
📢 Help Shape the Future of Worcester Public Schools! 🏫✨
WPS is launching the School Boundary & Quadrant Alignment Project, and we want to hear from you. Our goal is to create better pathways for students from preschool through grade 12 by focusing on:
✅ Building Capacity
✅ Feeder Patterns
✅ Program Placement
Join us at our Community Forum to learn more and share your feedback!
🗓️ Monday, March 23
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 South High Community School (170 Apricot Street)
👥 Translation services and childcare will be provided
🔗 Learn more & stay informed: worcesterschools.org/alignment
WPS is launching the School Boundary & Quadrant Alignment Project, and we want to hear from you. Our goal is to create better pathways for students from preschool through grade 12 by focusing on:
✅ Building Capacity
✅ Feeder Patterns
✅ Program Placement
Join us at our Community Forum to learn more and share your feedback!
🗓️ Monday, March 23
🕕 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 South High Community School (170 Apricot Street)
👥 Translation services and childcare will be provided
🔗 Learn more & stay informed: worcesterschools.org/alignment
📚 Springboard Literacy Workshop at Burncoat Prep 📚
Students and caregivers at Burncoat Street Preparatory School are building stronger reading habits together through the school’s Literacy Workshops, an after-school tutoring program offered in partnership with Springboard Collaborative.
The program provides small-group literacy support across different age groups, with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Students work in two groups of five, and teachers spend 30 minutes with each group, giving every student focused time to strengthen their reading skills.
During the workshops, caregivers learn tips and strategies to support reading at home and spend time practicing those skills alongside their students with support from tutors. Each workshop also includes a family book raffle, and students can select two books to continue building their home libraries.
These literacy workshops take place in elementary schools across Worcester Public Schools, giving more students and families the opportunity to learn and read together.
Students and caregivers at Burncoat Street Preparatory School are building stronger reading habits together through the school’s Literacy Workshops, an after-school tutoring program offered in partnership with Springboard Collaborative.
The program provides small-group literacy support across different age groups, with a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Students work in two groups of five, and teachers spend 30 minutes with each group, giving every student focused time to strengthen their reading skills.
During the workshops, caregivers learn tips and strategies to support reading at home and spend time practicing those skills alongside their students with support from tutors. Each workshop also includes a family book raffle, and students can select two books to continue building their home libraries.
These literacy workshops take place in elementary schools across Worcester Public Schools, giving more students and families the opportunity to learn and read together.
❄️ WPS Snow Day Spotlight: Belmont Street Community School
We continued our celebration tour with the creative 6th graders at Belmont Street Community School. A huge shoutout to Miss Dilling’s and Mrs. Schmitt’s classes. It was such a joy to deliver some well-earned swag to celebrate their creative snow day projects! 🐾💙
Their videos turned a simple snow day into a full-blown creative adventure, and it was awesome to see them get so inventive. Thanks for representing Belmont Street with so much talent. Keep up that school spirit! 🌟
We continued our celebration tour with the creative 6th graders at Belmont Street Community School. A huge shoutout to Miss Dilling’s and Mrs. Schmitt’s classes. It was such a joy to deliver some well-earned swag to celebrate their creative snow day projects! 🐾💙
Their videos turned a simple snow day into a full-blown creative adventure, and it was awesome to see them get so inventive. Thanks for representing Belmont Street with so much talent. Keep up that school spirit! 🌟
❄️ WPS Snow Day Spotlight: Burncoat High School
We kicked off our celebration tour with the creative crew at Burncoat High School. A huge shoutout to our Student Government Ninth Graders. We loved dropping off some well-deserved swag to celebrate their “Breaking News! Snow Day!” broadcast. 🎤🌨️
Their video put a fun, imaginative twist on the usual snow report. Thanks for showing off your creativity and representing BHS with so much talent. Keep up that Patriot Pride! 💙💛
We kicked off our celebration tour with the creative crew at Burncoat High School. A huge shoutout to our Student Government Ninth Graders. We loved dropping off some well-deserved swag to celebrate their “Breaking News! Snow Day!” broadcast. 🎤🌨️
Their video put a fun, imaginative twist on the usual snow report. Thanks for showing off your creativity and representing BHS with so much talent. Keep up that Patriot Pride! 💙💛
📰 South High’s The Apricot Journal Earns REALM First-Class Award 📰
South High Community School’s student-led literary magazine, The Apricot Journal, has been named a REALM First Class magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English — a national honor recognizing excellence in student-produced literary publications.
Read more about The Apricot Journal: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2758880
South High Community School’s student-led literary magazine, The Apricot Journal, has been named a REALM First Class magazine by the National Council of Teachers of English — a national honor recognizing excellence in student-produced literary publications.
Read more about The Apricot Journal: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2758880
🎲 Family Math Night at Columbus Park 🎲
Students, families, caregivers and staff came together for a fun evening of learning at Columbus Park Preparatory Academy’s Family Math Night.
This event brought together the school community while engaging students, families and caregivers in math through hands-on activities, games and problem-solving.
For Grade 3 and Grade 4 students, the evening also highlighted the school’s Promise Cards program, which encourages students to keep working toward mastering their math facts, an important foundation for future math success.
Students, families, caregivers and staff came together for a fun evening of learning at Columbus Park Preparatory Academy’s Family Math Night.
This event brought together the school community while engaging students, families and caregivers in math through hands-on activities, games and problem-solving.
For Grade 3 and Grade 4 students, the evening also highlighted the school’s Promise Cards program, which encourages students to keep working toward mastering their math facts, an important foundation for future math success.
🌟 Call for WooStar Nominations 🌟
It’s time to nominate this month’s WooStars — one student and one staff member who exemplify Vision of a Learner and Vision to Action in Worcester Public Schools!
🗓️ This Month's Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 30
👉 Nominate a student: https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member: https://buff.ly/gigMJcA
Your nominations ensure we can spotlight individuals who are putting Vision to Action across WPS!
It’s time to nominate this month’s WooStars — one student and one staff member who exemplify Vision of a Learner and Vision to Action in Worcester Public Schools!
🗓️ This Month's Nomination Deadline: Monday, March 30
👉 Nominate a student: https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member: https://buff.ly/gigMJcA
Your nominations ensure we can spotlight individuals who are putting Vision to Action across WPS!
