Kara Schichilone Named Acting Principal at Goddard School of Science and Technology! 🍎✨
A familiar face and long-time leader is taking on a new role! Kara Schichilone will serve as Acting Principal at the Goddard School of Science and Technology for 2026-27.
Goddard has been Principal Schichilone’s professional home for her entire 26-year WPS career, where she has served as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and most recently as assistant principal for the past nine years.
Join us in sending a big congratulations to Principal Schichilone! 🥳🎉
Olga Papadopoulos Named Principal at South High Community School! 🍎✨
A proud South High graduate is officially taking the helm! Olga Papadopoulos has been named Principal for the upcoming school year after serving in an acting role in 2025-26.
With over 20 years of dedicated service to Worcester Public Schools, Principal Papadopoulos brings deep roots, incredible passion, and a commitment to ensuring every student feels valued to her alma mater.
Join us in celebrating Principal Papadopoulos as she continues leading the South High community! 🥳🎉
Emily Kokansky Named Principal at Belmont Street Community School 🍎✨
There’s a familiar face leading Belmont Street Community School! Emily Kokansky has been named Principal for the 2026-27 school year.
After serving Francis J. McGrath Elementary School as Acting Principal this past school year, Mrs. Kokansky is returning to the school where she spent nine years as a Grade 6 teacher and Instructional Coach.
Welcome back to Belmont Street, Mrs. Kokansky!
☀️ Summer Learning Highlights: 2026! 📚
Worcester Public Schools students made the most of summer learning through hands-on activities, academic enrichment, field trips, and opportunities to build skills for the year ahead!
📈 88% average daily student attendance
🎓 90% of secondary students earned a credit toward graduation requirements
🏫 Elementary: Woodland Academy, Nelson Place School, Norrback School, Quinsigamond School, and Roosevelt School
🏫 Middle & High School: Burncoat High School, Worcester Technical High School, Doherty Memorial High School, South High Community School, and North High School
From science and math to literacy, summer reading, field trips, and social-emotional learning, students stayed engaged and continued to grow all summer long. 🌱
👏 A huge shout-out to Kellie Becker, Assistant Principal at Burncoat High School, for running a fantastic summer program and helping make this experience such a success!
💙 Thank you to all our students, families, teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff for making Summer 2026 so impactful!
👉 Read more: worcesterschools.org/page/summer-learning-highlights-2026
Worcester Public Schools students made the most of summer learning through hands-on activities, academic enrichment, field trips, and opportunities to build skills for the year ahead!
📈 88% average daily student attendance
🎓 90% of secondary students earned a credit toward graduation requirements
🏫 Elementary: Woodland Academy, Nelson Place School, Norrback School, Quinsigamond School, and Roosevelt School
🏫 Middle & High School: Burncoat High School, Worcester Technical High School, Doherty Memorial High School, South High Community School, and North High School
From science and math to literacy, summer reading, field trips, and social-emotional learning, students stayed engaged and continued to grow all summer long. 🌱
👏 A huge shout-out to Kellie Becker, Assistant Principal at Burncoat High School, for running a fantastic summer program and helping make this experience such a success!
💙 Thank you to all our students, families, teachers, counselors, administrators, and support staff for making Summer 2026 so impactful!
👉 Read more: worcesterschools.org/page/summer-learning-highlights-2026
🚌 Bus Routes for the 2026–27 School Year Now Available!
Worcester Public Schools has released bus routes early to help families and caregivers plan ahead for the upcoming school year.
🛑 How to find your child's stop:
‣ Students: Log in to the WooEdu Student Portal using your WPS Google account.
‣ Parents & Caregivers: Log in to the WooEdu Parent/Caregiver Portal and click “More” on the left sidebar.
📍 For additional transportation info or help finding your stop, visit worcesterschools.org/transportation
Worcester Public Schools has released bus routes early to help families and caregivers plan ahead for the upcoming school year.
🛑 How to find your child's stop:
‣ Students: Log in to the WooEdu Student Portal using your WPS Google account.
‣ Parents & Caregivers: Log in to the WooEdu Parent/Caregiver Portal and click “More” on the left sidebar.
📍 For additional transportation info or help finding your stop, visit worcesterschools.org/transportation
Colleen Dyer Named Principal at Flagg Street School! 🍎✨
Exciting news for the Flagg Street community! Colleen Dyer has been appointed as the new Principal of Flagg Street School for the upcoming school year.
Ms. Dyer brings over 20 years of educational experience to her new role. Since joining Worcester Public Schools in 2013, she has served as a Grade 6 ELA teacher at Worcester Arts Magnet, the district-wide K–12 ELA Liaison, and most recently as Assistant Principal at Thorndyke Road School.
Join us in giving a warm welcome to Principal Dyer! 🥳🎉
🌭🔥 WPS Summer Eats: BBQ Days at the Parks This August ☀️
Join WPS Nutrition Services for Summer Eats BBQ Days at the Parks this August! Free BBQ meals are available for all children and teens under 18. No registration or ID is required.
Locations & Times:
📍 East Park (180 Shrewsbury Street): Tuesday, August 4 | 11:15–11:45 AM
📍 Greenwood Spray Park (14 Forsberg Street): Thursday, August 6 | 11:45 AM–12:15 PM
📍 Burncoat Playground (524 Burncoat Street):Thursday, August 6 | 11:45 AM–12:15 PM
📍 Crompton Park (47 Quinsigamond Avenue): Friday, August 7 | 1:40–2:20 PM
📍 Bennett State Pool (1260 Main Street, park behind Gates Lane School): Thursday, August 13 | 1:25–1:40 PM
📍 University Park (Crystal Park) (965 Main Street): Friday, August 14 | 12:45–1:15 PM
📍 Shine Pool (184 Providence Street): Friday, August 21 | 12:30–1:00 PM
🍎 Find more Summer Eats locations and meal times at worcesterschools.org/summer-eats.
Join WPS Nutrition Services for Summer Eats BBQ Days at the Parks this August! Free BBQ meals are available for all children and teens under 18. No registration or ID is required.
Locations & Times:
📍 East Park (180 Shrewsbury Street): Tuesday, August 4 | 11:15–11:45 AM
📍 Greenwood Spray Park (14 Forsberg Street): Thursday, August 6 | 11:45 AM–12:15 PM
📍 Burncoat Playground (524 Burncoat Street):Thursday, August 6 | 11:45 AM–12:15 PM
📍 Crompton Park (47 Quinsigamond Avenue): Friday, August 7 | 1:40–2:20 PM
📍 Bennett State Pool (1260 Main Street, park behind Gates Lane School): Thursday, August 13 | 1:25–1:40 PM
📍 University Park (Crystal Park) (965 Main Street): Friday, August 14 | 12:45–1:15 PM
📍 Shine Pool (184 Providence Street): Friday, August 21 | 12:30–1:00 PM
🍎 Find more Summer Eats locations and meal times at worcesterschools.org/summer-eats.
🎓 Where Are They Headed? | Class of 2026
August is here, which means many of our recent Worcester Public Schools graduates are getting ready to begin college, settle into their first jobs and careers, deepen their technical skills at trade schools, or embark on military service.
We are proud to celebrate the success of the WPS Class of 2026 one more time and wish you the very best in this next chapter. Class of 2027, you're up next!
Check out a complete list of where the Class of 2026 is headed next: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2984362
🔬 AbbVie, Heart of America Bring New STEAM Learning Space and School Enhancements to Norrback Avenue School 🔬
AbbVie and the Heart of America Foundation donated a new STEAM Lab and completed a series of school improvements at Norrback Avenue School, increasing access to engaging learning spaces and educational resources for students in Worcester Public Schools as part of AbbVie’s Week of Possibilities annual community outreach event.
More than 150 volunteers from AbbVie, Heart of America, and Worcester Public Schools worked together to transform a classroom space originally designed as a science classroom and return it to its original purpose as a new STEAM Lab. Additional volunteers also supported enhancements to indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the school.
The new STEAM Lab, a redesigned classroom space, will support fifth grade science and social studies instruction beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The space features new technology and instructional materials, including 3D printers, Chromebooks, electronic microscopes, and other STEAM-related resources.
Additional improvements included freshly painted walls, updated furniture, murals throughout the school, refreshed outdoor murals, an enhanced outdoor patio space, a more accessible location for the school’s clothes closet, and a new STEAM Corner within the library featuring hands-on activities for students across all grade levels.
Read more on our website: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3011777
AbbVie and the Heart of America Foundation donated a new STEAM Lab and completed a series of school improvements at Norrback Avenue School, increasing access to engaging learning spaces and educational resources for students in Worcester Public Schools as part of AbbVie’s Week of Possibilities annual community outreach event.
More than 150 volunteers from AbbVie, Heart of America, and Worcester Public Schools worked together to transform a classroom space originally designed as a science classroom and return it to its original purpose as a new STEAM Lab. Additional volunteers also supported enhancements to indoor and outdoor spaces throughout the school.
The new STEAM Lab, a redesigned classroom space, will support fifth grade science and social studies instruction beginning in the 2026-27 school year. The space features new technology and instructional materials, including 3D printers, Chromebooks, electronic microscopes, and other STEAM-related resources.
Additional improvements included freshly painted walls, updated furniture, murals throughout the school, refreshed outdoor murals, an enhanced outdoor patio space, a more accessible location for the school’s clothes closet, and a new STEAM Corner within the library featuring hands-on activities for students across all grade levels.
Read more on our website: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3011777
☀️ Summer fun starts with a healthy meal! 🍎
From June 23 through August 21, Worcester Public Schools Nutrition Services is offering FREE meals for all children and teens 18 and under.
✅ No registration
✅ No ID
✅ No paperwork
📲 Scan the QR code or visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.
See you this summer! 🍉
From June 23 through August 21, Worcester Public Schools Nutrition Services is offering FREE meals for all children and teens 18 and under.
✅ No registration
✅ No ID
✅ No paperwork
📲 Scan the QR code or visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.
See you this summer! 🍉
🎶 Burncoat High School Chorus Performs at Fenway Park! ⚾
This past Saturday, members of the Burncoat High School Quadrivium Chorus had the incredible honor of performing the National Anthem before the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, showcasing their talent on one of the country's most iconic stages. 🇺🇸
Congratulations to these outstanding student musicians and their directors on this unforgettable experience and for representing Worcester Public Schools with pride!
📷 Swipe through to see highlights from this unforgettable day at Fenway Park!
📸 Photo credit: Max Berger
This past Saturday, members of the Burncoat High School Quadrivium Chorus had the incredible honor of performing the National Anthem before the Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park, showcasing their talent on one of the country's most iconic stages. 🇺🇸
Congratulations to these outstanding student musicians and their directors on this unforgettable experience and for representing Worcester Public Schools with pride!
📷 Swipe through to see highlights from this unforgettable day at Fenway Park!
📸 Photo credit: Max Berger
🍎 Summer Eats Is in Full Swing! ☀️
Summer is here, and Worcester Public Schools is helping kids and teens stay fueled all season long! Through the Summer Eats program, we’re serving fresh, delicious, FREE meals throughout the community with no registration or ID required.
A huge shoutout to our incredible Nutrition Services staff who prepare these healthy meals and help make Summer Eats possible all summer long. 💚
Swipe to see some of our Nutrition Services staff in action and the smiles they help create along the way! 🥪🥦🍏
📍 Visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.
Summer is here, and Worcester Public Schools is helping kids and teens stay fueled all season long! Through the Summer Eats program, we’re serving fresh, delicious, FREE meals throughout the community with no registration or ID required.
A huge shoutout to our incredible Nutrition Services staff who prepare these healthy meals and help make Summer Eats possible all summer long. 💚
Swipe to see some of our Nutrition Services staff in action and the smiles they help create along the way! 🥪🥦🍏
📍 Visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.
Quarter 4 Honor Roll!
Congratulations to all WPS students being recognized for their hard work and academic achievement in the fourth quarter. We’re proud to celebrate your success!
Find your student here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3013300
Congratulations to all WPS students being recognized for their hard work and academic achievement in the fourth quarter. We’re proud to celebrate your success!
Find your student here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3013300
🍎 Summer Eats Is Serving Up Smiles! ☀️
We’ve been visiting some of our Summer Eats locations across Worcester and seeing the program in action! From nutritious meals to friendly faces, it’s great to see our community coming together to keep kids and teens fueled all summer long. 🥪🍏
Through Summer Eats, free meals are available for children and teens ages 18 and younger. No registration or ID is required!
📍 Visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.
We’ve been visiting some of our Summer Eats locations across Worcester and seeing the program in action! From nutritious meals to friendly faces, it’s great to see our community coming together to keep kids and teens fueled all summer long. 🥪🍏
Through Summer Eats, free meals are available for children and teens ages 18 and younger. No registration or ID is required!
📍 Visit worcesterschools.org/summer-eats to find a Summer Eats location near you.