School Social Worker / Adjustment Counselor Appreciation Week 🧑🏫💙
This week, we recognize and celebrate the contributions of our School Social Workers / Adjustment Counselors. 💙 They support students, families, and educators in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. 🌱📚 School Adjustment Counselors address social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, helping students succeed. 🎯
Their work helps bridge gaps, provide resources, and support resilience in our school communities. 🤝💪
To all our School Adjustment Counselors—thank you for your work and support. 🙏 We appreciate everything you do! 🌟
Check out some of the photos of our dedicated team! 📸




🎓High School Graduation Dates for the Class of 2025!
The time is almost here! Check out the graduation dates for Worcester Public Schools’ Class of 2025:
Tuesday, May 27: Doherty Memorial High School
Wednesday, May 28: Worcester Technical High School
Thursday, May 29: University Park Campus School
Monday, June 2: Gerald Creamer Center
Tuesday, June 3: Worcester Alternative School
Tuesday, June 3: Burncoat High School
Wednesday, June 4: South High Community School
Friday, June 6: North High School
Monday, June 9: Claremont Academy
Celebrate the hard work and dedication of our graduates as they move on to their next chapter! 🎓🌟
For full details on graduation dates, visit: https://buff.ly/frXUZaR

🥣 National School Breakfast Week is here! 🥑🍎
A healthy, tasty breakfast sets students up for success—and the best part? It’s completely FREE for all students! 🎉 Come grab a breakfast and fuel up to kickstart a day of learning and achievement! 🍽️🌟
This week, we’re celebrating with delicious and healthy options, including a new recipe in the works!
Introducing waffle sticks with blueberry compote—made with real blueberries, a splash of lemon juice, and a touch of honey. 🍯🫐 The perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this tasty new breakfast could be your next favorite!
Would you give it a try? Let us know! 👇



📚✨ Attendance Matters! 🏫
March has 20 school days — let’s make each one count! 🙌
Consistent attendance helps students stay on track, succeed academically, and build great habits. 📝💪
Let’s show up, learn, and thrive together! 🎓🌟

✨ Staff Development Day in Action! ✨
Today, Worcester Public Schools educators came together for a day of collaboration, growth, and skill-building—all with the goal of better supporting our students! 📚🎶🍎
Some highlights from the day:
🎼 Music Educators – Mapped scope & sequence, reviewed, and developed curriculum maps to enhance middle and high school music instruction.
🛡️ Risk Mitigation Training – School Adjustment Counselors and Behavior Specialists engaged in professional development on proactive strategies to identify and address student needs, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
🥗 Nutrition Team Trainings – Participated in Manager/Cook training and a chemicals presentation, reinforcing best practices in food safety and kitchen operations.
👏 A huge thank you to all WPS staff for your commitment to excellence and student success!








No School on Tuesday, March 4
Teachers and school staff will have a professional development day on Tuesday, March 4, so there will be no school for students.
District offices will remain open. 🏫

Quarter Two Honor Roll Listings 📝
Congratulations to the many scholars who are being acknowledged for their academic achievements during quarter two!
Please note: If a parent or guardian has opted out of media consent for their child, their child's name will not be included in the honor roll publication.
Find your scholar here 👉 https://buff.ly/3Xhc3fW

Join us in sending a congratulations to the inaugural Pep Band National Champions — the Burncoat Patriots! 🏆
The Burncoat spirit team (dance team and pep band) brought their A-game to the National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida, taking home the first-ever national championship in the Pep Band Division, and finishing 3rd in the nation in Game Day Live Division!
A huge shoutout to the many talented students who put in the hard work, and to educators & coaches Meredith Lord, Kellie Shea, and Justine Pennucci for their unwavering guidance and support. 🙌

🍽️✨ Look What’s Coming Back on February's Menu!
Say hello to Chicken and Veggie Dumplings with Soy Sauce, paired with a tasty Edamame Salad and a sweet Fortune Cookie! 😋
This delicious combo will be back on the February menu – don’t miss it! 🌱🍜

🚗 Become an Automotive Instructor - Chapter 74🚗
Worcester Technical High School is seeking a skilled Automotive Instructor! Join our team and inspire the next generation of automotive professionals.
Visit the link here to apply: https://buff.ly/4h9YTcD

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!




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




🔥 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! 👇




📚✨ 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

🏫 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

🏫 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

🎄✨ Holiday Open House at the Dr. John E. Durkin Administration Building! ✨🎄
Worcester Public Schools recently hosted a Holiday Open House for district staff and members of the community in the Dr. Helen A. Friel Auditorium!
The event was filled with festive fun as the Worcester Arts Magnet Special Chorus Crescendo and the Burncoat Jazz Band took the stage to perform some holiday favorites!
Guests also enjoyed a delicious spread of treats and festive goodies, courtesy of the talented students from the Culinary Chapter 74 Career and Technical Program at Worcester Technical High School. 🍪🍰






🎄✨ Festival of Lights Sparkled in Worcester! ✨🎄
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Festival of Lights on Worcester Common!
A special shoutout to our WPS scholars, including performers from Burncoat High Quadrivium Chorus, Midland Street Elementary, North High School, and South High School, for making the evening unforgettable.
Your talents lit up the night and made the evening unforgettable! 🌟
Stay tuned for more events celebrating the season. 🎶❄️









📢 Help Shape WPS Core Values!
The Worcester Public Schools are developing core values to guide our actions, culture, and decision-making. These values are the foundation of our community, and we need your input!
👉 Participate by January 15, 2025—your voice matters! Help define the values that will shape our Strategic Plan, to be announced in Spring 2025.
Join now: https://buff.ly/3D9RCu1

🎄❄️ Burncoat High School's Holiday Extravaganza! ❄️🎄
What a fun time we had at Burncoat High School's annual holiday show! This year's performance, held at South High Community School, was full of festive cheer and incredible talent from the dance and music departments at Burncoat High School and Middle School.
The show featured everything, from a talented pit orchestra to stunning chorus and solo performances from the singers. And of course, the Burncoat dance team brought it to life with their terrific on-stage dance interpretations of so many holiday classics.
The multi-day holiday show helps to raise money for the Burncoat spirit team's upcoming trip to Orlando, Florida for the National Dance Team Championships in January 2025.
Check out some of the highlights from a great holiday show! 📸





