Student Handbook - Caregivers and Community
Parent Advisory Councils
The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, Section 59C, requires the establishment of school councils in all schools, composed of caregivers of students attending the school (who shall be selected by the caregivers of students attending the school), teachers, students, and community representatives, and co-chaired by school principals. The council should be broadly representative of the racial and ethnic diversity of the school building and community. The council will meet with the principal and assist in identifying the educational needs of students, reviewing the annual school budget and in formulating a school improvement plan. For additional information please contact your child’s school principal.
Opportunities for Caregiver Support
For information on community resources available to families, please contact your school and ask for the Wraparound Coordinator or contact the Office of Family & Community Engagement at 508-799-3115.
Volunteer Staff Regulations
Worcester Public School District Media Policy
During the school year, your child may have opportunities to have their work or activities publicized. Examples include but are not limited to students being featured on the district website, social media, or electronic newsletters, Worcester Educational Access Television (Spectrum Charter Channel 191), or local television or print news media.
When news media visit the district, they often speak with students and will use their full names and images in their articles or segments.
WPS will not share students’ names or images unless there is permission from the guardian that is documented in the Student Information System (WooEdu) or via another form of documentation. WPS will not share personal information about students that is protected by FERPA.
During after-school events, such as sports games, WPS cannot be responsible for shielding student images or names by members of the public who are taking photos for social media, or by local news media covering the events.
Procedure: Any caregiver who does not want their student’s name, photograph, or work published on the district’s website and social media channels, or included in newspaper or television coverage must complete and return the form on the inside back cover of this handbook or via WooEdu to the homeroom teacher.