Dear Worcester Public Schools Community,
We recently reached the first milestone of the 2025-26 year with the close of the first quarter. These first 10 weeks of the school year have gone by quickly and have been nothing short of inspiring. In that time, I fulfilled my commitment of visiting every school within the first month, and now I’m onto “round two.” I have observed extraordinary instruction taking place across all grade levels — with principals, assistant principals, focused instructional coaches, teachers, paraeducators, and staff working together with intention, purpose, and vision.
Schools are going deeper into our “Vision of a Learner” framework to ensure all students have future-ready skills. Recent examples of Vision to Action abound: from a digital literacy lesson at Nelson Place Elementary to hands-on STEAM Week activities at Lake View and Jacob Hiatt elementary schools, to our first WooStar of the year, a first-grader at Thorndyke Road Elementary, for being an “effective communicator.”
Elevating student voices continues to be a cornerstone of the work of the superintendent. I attended the first Superintendent Student Advisory Council meetings, held at North High and Forest Grove Middle, where I observed excellent student engagement while fostering leadership development.
Elevating caregivers' voices remains important as well. At the recent Family and Community Engagement Roundtable meeting, we discussed the annual superintendent and district improvement goals to gather feedback and perspectives, along with the ongoing effort to foster culturally responsive instructional practices. Additionally, I’m pleased to share that nearly all of our schools have re-launched School Site Councils this fall. Talk to your school principal about getting involved.
Safety is always a top priority, and I am grateful for the ongoing work of the Safety Advisory for Education Committee to proactively examine student and campus safety. As I walk through schools and hear feedback from staff, I consistently hear that our schools are safe and welcoming spaces, a testament to our culture and climate model that emphasizes a shared responsibility to proactively address student needs.
As we begin the second quarter of the school year, I would like to thank everyone for making Worcester Public Schools a great place to learn, work, and thrive. Together, we lead with purpose and deliver results.
Sincerely,
Brian E. Allen
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools