Happy IT Professionals Day! 💻
Join us in celebrating the Worcester Public Schools Information Technology team!
From managing devices and networks to supporting staff and students, our IT professionals ensure schools can stay focused on teaching and learning.
Information Technology Director Bob Walton and Assistant Director Tim Williams shared insight into the work of these teams:
IT Support Specialists: The IT Support Specialists are the district’s first line of IT support. They maintain 1,500 computers, 25,000 Chromebooks, and 6,000 iPads across 55 sites. Each school has a technician for printers, projectors, document cameras, interactive boards, and more. Last year they resolved over 6,000 tickets, ensuring educators and staff had reliable technology.
Network Operations: The Network Operations team manages districtwide hardware and infrastructure that would rival Fortune 500 companies in scale and complexity. They provide connectivity for all devices, oversee wireless access, security, communications, and Internet across WPS. The team also runs the IT help desk and ensures the reliability and safety of the district’s digital systems.
Information Systems Team: The Information Systems Team develops and maintains complex systems and integrations. They oversee 13 key databases for student information and special education data and manage two dozen in-house applications, including Pay Stub, Translation Services, and Curriculum Maps. Their innovation ensures WPS staff have accurate, accessible, and effective data services.
Administrative Trainers: The IT Admin Trainer Team delivers systems training to clerical and administrative staff across 54 schools. They support key platforms such as WooEdu, Workday, and ParentSquare. Trainers enable administrators and clerks to build proficiency while passing on institutional knowledge essential to daily school operations and long-term success.
Thank you to all of our IT professionals for keeping our schools connected and secure.
Celebrating Worcester’s vibrant Hispanic and Latino community all month long! / ¡Celebramos a la vibrante comunidad hispana y latina de Worcester durante todo el mes!
Did you know? In 1973, the Concilio de Padres was founded to advocate for equal education for Spanish-speaking students in Worcester. / ¿Sabías que? En 1973, se fundó el Concilio de Padres para abogar por una educación igualitaria para los estudiantes hispanohablantes en Worcester.
Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month at https://buff.ly/2Z8hbrt / Descubre más sobre el Mes de la Herencia Hispana en https://buff.ly/2Z8hbrt
A huge thank you to our friends at Imperial Cars for their generous donation to Burncoat Street Preparatory School!
They provided over 200 backpacks 🎒, 300 boxes of school supplies 🖊️📓, and 5 large cases of teacher supplies 🏫✏️ to support our students and classrooms.
Special thanks to Mike Penner, General Manager, and owner Kevin Meehan for making this possible.
We’re so grateful for your support of the Burncoat Street Prep community! 💚
Honoring September 11th
Today, we remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001.
We pause to remember and honor the lives lost on 9/11, a moment that forever changed America and the world. We reflect on the courage of civilian heroes, first responders and the resilience of our nation. May we continue to foster a spirit of unity and hope.
Head Start provides early learning opportunities and family support for children and families in our community.
✅ Start by scheduling an in-person appointment: worcesterschools.org/headstart
📞 Prefer not to apply online or need language support? Call 508-799-3237 or 508-799-3608.
Children with disabilities are given special consideration, and families who are experiencing homelessness or receiving public assistance automatically qualify. Eligibility is also based on federal income guidelines.
Wraparound Coordinators in the Burncoat Quadrant recently met with the local Texas Roadhouse to explore new ways to partner with Worcester Public Schools for the 2025–26 school year.
Special thanks to Xolchit Roman-Polanco, Wraparound Coordinator at Burncoat High School, whose past collaborations with Texas Roadhouse helped make this connection possible.
So far, Texas Roadhouse has:
🍴 Donated meals for Teacher Appreciation Week
🎉 Brought their mascot to Burncoat High School events
💎 Supported fundraisers and donated raffle items
We’re excited to see partnerships like this grow in WPS!
Did you know Labor Day honors the contributions and achievements of American workers? Signed into law by President Grover Cleveland on June 28, 1894, Labor Day is a time to reflect on the impact of the labor movement.
We wish all of our WPS community a relaxing and restful Labor Day!
Visit the link below to learn more about the history of Labor Day.
🔗: https://buff.ly/2M10oPj
Thursday was full of bright smiles as our littlest learners began Pre-K and Kindergarten in WPS!
Check out some of the heartwarming sights from Worcester Arts Magnet School and Norrback Avenue School as we welcomed in Pre-K and Kindergarten students.
Shout out to the team at the James Garvey Parent Information Center, the heart of enrollment for the Worcester Public Schools.
From summer prep to the first week of school and beyond, the PIC team works tirelessly to support WPS families with student registration, transfers, immunization requirements, and more to get students ready for school.
On the first day of school, Superintendent Brian E. Allen stopped by to thank the staff for their dedication to helping students and families start the year off right!
South High Community School alum and Grammy-nominated rapper Joyner Lucas donated backpacks to Worcester Public Schools during a recent Wraparound Coordinator meeting.
The backpacks will be distributed to students across the district to help them start the school year ready to learn.
Thank you to Joyner Lucas and his team for supporting Worcester students and families!
🎉 Burncoat High School Opens 25-Year Time Capsule! 🎉
Former teachers and students reunited today at Burncoat High School to uncover a time capsule from 2000! 📦✨
Some highlights from the capsule:
- Class photos and letters from students of 2000
- Memorabilia from school clubs, sports teams, and activities
- Local newspaper clippings from the Telegram & Gazette
- Art projects and personal mementos that capture the creativity and spirit of the students
- Student artwork envisioning the future, featuring online learning and innovative sneaker designs
- Yearbooks and other items documenting school events and achievements
💚🤍 Students also contributed notes to a new time capsule, keeping Burncoat’s legacy alive for future generations!
The event was a joyful celebration of Burncoat’s history, connecting past and present while giving everyone a glimpse into the school’s vibrant culture 25 years ago.
📖✨ Read more: https://buff.ly/Y1xktJA
Families and students, Worcester Public Schools offers daily breakfast and lunch menus for every school—healthy, tasty, and always available! From fresh fruits 🍓 and veggies 🥕 to your favorite hot meals 🍝, there’s something for everyone.
➡️ Check out today’s menu and all your meal options.
👉 https://buff.ly/kQTdEup
Keep your student fueled and ready to learn!
Hundreds of incoming kindergarteners and their families joined us for a fun-filled day to celebrate the start of school!
Our youngest students played games with future classmates, rode a school bus, made music, received free books, and explored what to expect in Kindergarten.
Countdown to Kindergarten gives students and caregivers a preview of the first days of school, while offering families the chance to ask questions and connect with district staff and community resources.
Pre-K and Kindergarten begin Thursday, August 28 — we can't wait to welcome you on your first day! 🎒✨
We’re counting down the days until the start of the 2025–26 school year, and we’re excited to welcome students, families & caregivers, and WPS staff back to school.
➡️ Grades 1-12 start Monday, August 25.
➡️ PreK & Kindergarten begin Thursday, August 28.
Visit the Worcester Public Schools Back to School webpage for resources to help you start the year strong, including bus information, meals & nutrition, FAQs and more.
👉 https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/information-for-new-families
Let’s make this school year a great one!
🎉 Celebrate 20 Years of Impact with WEDF! 🎉
Join us for an unforgettable night with Jimmy Cash, Worcester Public Schools’ very own, as we honor two decades of supporting our students and teachers.
🗓️ Friday, September 19
🕡 6:30–9:00 PM
📍 Hogan Center, College of the Holy Cross
Enjoy great comedy, connect with community, and help raise funds that directly benefit WPS classrooms.
🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://tr.ee/ENsA18l1jF
For sponsorship info, email execdir@wedfwps.org
Be part of the celebration and support education in Worcester!
The Worcester Public Schools Facilities Department recently conducted several improvement projects over the summer, investing in building upgrades that enhance safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and learning environments for students.
The improvement projects spanned multiple schools including Worcester East Middle School, Worcester Technical High School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Thorndyke Road School, Lincoln Street School, Gerald Creamer Center and Challenge & Reach Academy.
“These projects aim to improve the day-to-day operations of our buildings by enhancing accessibility, safety, insulation, and overall learning conditions for students and staff,” said Superintendent Brian E. Allen. “Investing in these upgrades ensures our schools remain safe and functional places where students can focus on learning. A big thank you to our Facilities Department staff and contractors for all their hard work.”
Read more, including a complete list of upgrades: https://buff.ly/Bt5Gvz4
Over two weeks, 200 rising 9th & 10th graders got a taste of college life at Worcester State University! From forensics and physics to art, yoga, and TV production, students explored hands-on workshops, enjoyed campus dining, and used university athletic facilities.
Next up: these students will earn college credits while still in high school — a free head start on their future! 🎓
📸 Take a look at this year’s camp highlights!
Bus routes for the 2025–26 school year were released early on August 1 to help families get ready.
What’s new this year?
✅ Fully staffed with drivers
✅ 104 routes serving nearly 12,000 students daily
✅ 20 brand-new electric buses rolling out this fall 🌱
Find your student’s bus stop:
Students can log in to the WooEdu Student Portal with their WPS Google account.
Parents and caregivers can find stops on the WooEdu Parent/Caregiver Portal — just click “More” on the left sidebar.
📖 Read more: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2349277
🔧 $400,000 Grant for Adult Diesel Technology Program Awarded to Worcester Public Schools 🔧
Worcester Public Schools recently received $399,996 in state grant funding to offer a free 15-week evening Diesel Technology program starting on Tuesday, September 2 at South High Community School!
The funding for this opportunity, which comes from the state's Career Technical Initiative Grant, will help WPS Night Life and MassHire North Central train local adults for in-demand careers in Diesel Technology at no cost to those who qualify.
Eligibility:
✔️ MA resident
✔️ 18+ by end of training
✔️ Authorized to work in the U.S.
✔️ Unemployed or earning under $56,100/year
Representatives from St. Mary’s Church in Jefferson recently dropped off hundreds of school supplies for WPS students, following their summer-long donation drive to support our schools.
Among the group was a former WPS kindergarten teacher — making the gesture even more special.
These school supplies will be distributed to students this fall, and we are so grateful for the generosity and partnership of the St. Mary’s community.
