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

South High Community School & Doherty Memorial High School Students Compete in VEX Robotics Showdown at South High 🤖 Seven teams from South High and three from Doherty Memorial High School recently competed in the VEX Robotics High Stakes Qualifying Tournament, facing off against robotics teams from across Massachusetts. South High's "Interstellar" team, led by students William Thyous, Tevin Mbogo, Josue Garcia and Harrison Dennett, won the Judge's Award at the event. VEX Robotics is an educational robotics program that challenges students to design, build, and program robots to solve real-world challenges. During this event, students compete in teams of two on a 12' x 12' playing field to see which robot can collect the most rings.

Burncoat High School's Jayden Bordes and Daniel Parke Accepted into NAfME All Eastern Mixed Choir 🎶 Burncoat High School seniors Daniel Parke and Jayden Bordes were accepted into the prestigious NAfME All Eastern Mixed Choir, which is set to perform at the All Eastern Music Festival in Hartford, Connecticut on April 24-27. The All Eastern Mixed Choir is part of the All Eastern Honors Ensemble which brings together talented student musicians from states across the Northeast, including Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Congratulations to Daniel and Jayden on this achievement!

Claremont Academy Students Win Zakim Award at Massachusetts Inspire Youth Leadership Institute 🏆 Anahit Marutyan, Joel Guerrero, and Nikki Perrit from Claremont Academy recently received the Lenny Zakim Award at the Massachusetts Inspire Youth Leadership Institute for their "No Place for Hate Campaign." The award honors students who promote unity, advocacy, and positive change. The "No Place for Hate Campaign" spreads messages of love, kindness, and racial equity through social media. Launched after the National Inspire Youth Leadership Institute in Tulsa in 2023, the campaign has reached students across Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Kansas, Connecticut, and New York. The group also hosted a webinar on educational policy in September. Claremont Academy students in grades 9-12 also participated in workshops and connected with peers from across the state at the day-long leadership event.

⭐ Richard Nieves, Assistant Principal at Grafton Street School ⭐ “Mr. Nieves' perseverance and dedication to all the students and families at Grafton Street School is remarkable and a perfect example of ensuring all the students and families feel as one! Mr. Nieves strives to ensure everyone feels safe, equal, respected, but above all supported in any and all ways necessary.” ⭐ 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

Worcester Public Library Hosts Book Drive for WPS Educators 📚 Thank you to our friends at the Worcester Public Library for hosting an amazing book drive! Over 12,000 books were donated to WPS K-3 grade educators, helping them build and refresh their classroom libraries. Thank you to Worcester Public Library for your continued support to literacy in our schools!

South High Community School Hosts Leominster in Girls Basketball 🏀 The Colonels of South High opened up a 22-1 first quarter lead and never looked back, defeating Leominster 64-34 in recent girls basketball action. Sophomore Lydia Charlonne and senior Bryan Bascones each scored a game-high 17 points, while junior Madison Leighton chipped in with nine points on three three-pointers. Eight players scored for the Colonels as the team improved its record to 8-3 this season. Check out a few images from a great game by South!

South High Community School's Quiz Team Prepares for Round of 16 in the State-Wide High School Quiz Show 🎉 We recently visited a practice for the South High Quiz Team as they prepare for the Round of 16 in the High School Quiz Show, and they showed us just how quick they are with the buzzer. The team will take on Weston this Saturday (January 25) for a live taping of the Round of 16 in the High School Quiz Show. Want to show your support? You can register for a free ticket to the live taping at the link below! Register for tickets: https://gbhevents.ticketbud.com/qualifying-match-3-south-high-vs-weston-f88132b4-30a876269ad0

🧊2-Hour Delay on Wednesday, January 22 🥶Schools in the Worcester Public Schools will open on a two-hour delay tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22, due to weather conditions. All Head Start programs are closed. There will be no morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) preschool. Full-day preschool will open on a two-hour delay. Administrative offices will be open normal hours. Please check our website for any potential updates: worcesterschools.org Please use caution while traveling. Thank you and stay safe.

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s enduring legacy of justice, equality, and love. Let his dream inspire us to build a brighter, more inclusive future for all. To learn more on why we honor Dr. King: https://buff.ly/2RDvkbv

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

🎨 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! 🌟

⭐ 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

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! 🌍✨🎉

🔥 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! 👇

⭐ 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

❄️ 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