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

31st Annual MLK Youth Celebration at Worcester State Many Worcester Public Schools students participated in the 31st annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Celebration at Worcester State University on Saturday, January 18. North High senior Elli Kradetska, who arrived in the U.S. from Ukraine, received the MLK Jr. Community Service Award and a Key to the City from Mayor Petty. She spoke about the need to keep the terrible conflicts in Ukraine and other parts of the world in public discussion. There were also performances by students from Grafton Street School and Burncoat High School. And, 22 WPS students were named Poetry Contest Winners. Read their names and more details: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/1975121

⭐ Joy Agurimah, First Grade Scholar at City View Discovery School ⭐ “Joy is truly a JOY to have in the classroom day in and day out. She takes initiative in first grade each day to be a great role model, helping out wherever she can. She often is one step ahead of her teacher - passing out supplies and materials, holding doors, and comforting friends who may need help throughout the day. She is such a hard worker and leads by example, being a great friend to all!” ⭐ 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

🎨 New Mural & Acrylic Sign at Worcester Dual Language Magnet School 🎨 Thanks to a PTO grant, third-grade Dual Language educator and muralist Jennifer Adams has completed a new mural and acrylic sign which are now proudly displayed at the school. The new sign features the school’s new mascot, the chameleon, symbolizing adaptability and transformation. "At Worcester Dual Language Magnet School, we are transformational, bringing the power of language learning and cultural awareness alive every day. As students travel past our mural, they are reminded that they are the blooms in the garden of learning, nourished by the love of our families, teachers, and our community," said Principal Suzanna Resendes. Thank you to Ms. Adams for bringing this artwork to life! 🌟

The WPS Budget Office has received the 2024-25 Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) for the 12th consecutive year! 🏆 This award recognizes the work of Deputy Superintendent Brian Allen, Administrative Director of Finance Sara Consalvo, and the entire Budget Office team for providing a clear and detailed breakdown of the 2025 Fiscal Year Budget. 📊 The cover artwork of the Budget Book was created by Arlo Frutaan, a second-grade student from the Academic Center for Transition. 🎨 Read more here: https://buff.ly/4jiZmdH

Worcester Technical High School Hosts Bay Path in Girls Basketball 🏀 The Eagles of Worcester Technical High School recently welcomed in Bay Path for a hard-fought girls basketball matchup. The Eagles were led by their three senior captains with Melanie Gitau scoring 12 points while Aisha Oliver and Kasia Boatwright collected eight and six rebounds respectively. Shoutout to the team for a strong effort on the court!

Standard Response Protocol and Reunification Training with The I Love U Guys Foundation 🦺 Worcester Public Schools administrators recently participated in intensive safety training led by The I Love U Guys Foundation. It was the second large-scale staff training since the summer. The two-day session, held at Worcester State University, focused on ensuring our staff are fully prepared to reunite students with their families in the case of a school evacuation. WPS takes a proactive approach to ensuring safety and positive school climates. The district operates from the I Love U Guys safety framework with clear protocols, procedures, and a common language to ensure a systematic and organized response to any situation. Special thanks to Jim French of The I Love U Guys Foundation for leading this hands-on training with our staff! 🔗 Learn more about WPS’s safety protocols: https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/safety

🌟 Friendly Faces of Lincoln Elementary School 🌟 We recently visited Lincoln Elementary in the Burncoat Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools and were inspired by the incredible scholars and their passion for learning! From exploring new ideas in the classroom to hands-on STEM adventures in the VEX Robotics Program and creative expression in the OpporTUNEity music program, these K-6 students are building skills, fostering creativity, and embracing challenges with confidence. Home to 180 diverse and remarkable scholars, Lincoln Street is a vibrant community where curiosity thrives, kindness flourishes, and every day brings exciting opportunities to grow and shine. Here’s to the unstoppable spirit of Lincoln Elementary—a place where creativity soars, and possibilities are endless! 🌍✨🎉

⭐ Justine Gould, Cafeteria Manager at Forest Grove Middle School ⭐ “Justine is an amazing kitchen manager who brings both skill and heart to everything she does, keeping the kitchen running smoothly and efficiently. She’s great at creating a supportive and motivated team atmosphere, encouraging everyone to do their best. Justine has a sharp eye for detail. She makes sure the food is always top-notch, safety standards are met, and waste is kept to a minimum. Justine’s friendly nature and strong organizational skills make her a true asset, keeping things running like clockwork and making everyone’s day better.” ⭐ 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

🔥 Get Ready to Savor the Flavor! 🔥 Have you tried the new Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich yet? Served with crispy Sweet Potato Fries, it’s bold, fresh, and bursting with flavor! 🥪🍟 🌟 Exciting New Items Coming Next Week: 🥖 Chicken Philly Sandwich with crispy Baked Fries – a satisfying, savory delight! 🥗 Taco Salad Bowl – choose between Beef or Plant-Based Meat, packed with all the taco goodness you love in one tasty bowl! Check out what’s on the menu and try something new today! View the full menu at https://buff.ly/47lkI4R Let us know which dish you’re most excited to try! 👇

❄️ Worcester Announces Winning Names in “Name A Snowplow” Contest ❄️ The City of Worcester has officially announced the four winning snowplow names that will keep our streets clear this winter! These names were selected after a fun and creative naming contest with our own Worcester Public Schools students. A huge shoutout to all participating students and classes for the clever submissions! The winning names and classes are: 1️⃣ Scoop Dogg - Mrs. Stephanie Trainor’s Grade 6 Class, Francis J. McGrath Elementary School (pictured in this post) 2️⃣ Sleetwood Mac - Ms. Victoria Alexander’s Grades K-2 SAIL Class, Norrback Avenue School 3️⃣ William Scrapespeare - Ms. Aimee Kewley’s Grades 9-12 Theater Magnet Class, Burncoat High School 4️⃣ Snow More Mr. Ice Guy - Ms. Sydney Lamothe's Grades 9-10 Advisory Class, University Park Campus School

📚✨ Attendance Matters! 🏫 January has 19 school days — let’s make every day count! 🙌 Consistent attendance keeps students on track, boosts academic success, and builds lifelong habits. 📝💪 Together, we can show up, learn, and thrive! 🎓🌟 For more tips on maintaining good attendance, visit: https://buff.ly/4h75OTc

🌟 Friendly Faces of Quinsigamond Elementary School 🌟 We recently had the opportunity to visit Quinsigamond Elementary School in the South Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools to see our incredible students in action! 👋 Meet the inspiring scholars of Quinsigamond Elementary! From bright smiles to big dreams, our students represent the heart of our school community. Whether they’re diving into books, creating music or art, or exploring new ideas in the classroom, their enthusiasm and joy inspire us every day. With 748 students from PreK-6, Quinsigamond celebrates the vibrant diversity of its student body, where every student’s unique background and experiences contribute to making our school a rich and dynamic community. 🌍✨ Here’s to the energy, kindness, and curiosity that make Quinsigamond Elementary such a special place!

As we say goodbye to this year, let’s celebrate the memories made and the possibilities ahead. Wishing everyone a bright start to the new year! 🎆 To learn why we celebrate this worldwide tradition: https://buff.ly/2Lx2PFc

🏫 School Enrollment Begins Soon! 🎒If you are enrolling your child in the Worcester Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year, registration opens on January 2, 2025. The Parent Information Center will begin scheduling appointments on January 6, 2025. Visit the WPS Enrollment website for details: worcesterschools.org/enrollment

🕯️Heri za Kwanzaa! (Happy Kwanzaa!) 🕯️ Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration honoring African-American culture, family, and community. Let’s celebrate unity, history, and shared values together! ❤️💚🖤 To learn more about this celebration: https://buff.ly/3Rmi8nv

🕎 Wishing you a bright and joyful Hanukkah from Worcester Public Schools! 🕎 May your holiday be filled with light, love, and meaningful moments with family and friends. Wishing everyone a joyful celebration and a season of warmth and blessings! To learn more about this bright holiday, check out this article: https://buff.ly/2BxokTO

🎄Merry Christmas from Worcester Public Schools! 🎄 Wishing all our students, families, and staff a joyful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and togetherness. Here's to a bright and successful new year ahead! To learn more: https://buff.ly/2Q9l5Lg

☃️ Winter Wonderland at Chandler Elementary Community School ☃️ Students, families, and staff celebrated the holiday season at Chandler Elementary on the last day before winter break! The day kicked off with a holiday concert in the cafeteria, where students performed classic songs like Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Feliz Navidad, and many more. There was also a special visit from Mr. and Mrs Claus who stopped into each classroom to hand out winter gloves and other small gifts to students! Throughout the school, holiday door decorations lined the halls, including an impressive Charlie Brown Christmas display in the main hallway. Check out a few images from a fun day at Chandler Elementary 📸

Gifts for Giving at University Park Campus School 🎁 Students at University Park recently had the opportunity to select a gift for a loved one during the school's Gifts for Giving event. What started a few years back as a raffle with a small number of gifts available has grown significantly thanks to community donations and staff fundraising efforts. Now, every student at the school is able to choose a gift to give to someone special in their life. A variety of gifts were available, including toys, jewelry, and clothing. Students had their gifts wrapped on the spot, along with a heartfelt note to make the gift even more personal.

⭐ Jolayssa Calcano Puig, Ninth Grade Scholar at North High School ⭐ "Jolayssa is a great student who has demonstrated incredible dedication and hard work, graduating with all A's. Her academic success is a reflection of her passion for learning and commitment to excellence. Beyond her achievements in the classroom, Jolyassa is known for her kindness and genuine care for others. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, support her friends, and create a positive environment wherever she goes. Her combination of academic brilliance and a kind heart makes her truly remarkable and an inspiration to everyone around her.” ⭐ 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