🧹✨ Happy National Custodian Day! ✨🧹
Today, we’re celebrating the incredible custodians who help make our schools welcoming places to learn, work, and grow. 💛🏫
Every day, our custodians do so much more than keep our buildings clean. They take pride in their schools, care for the spaces our students and staff use every day, and help create an environment where everyone feels welcome.
We’re grateful for the dedication, hard work, and years of service our custodians bring to Worcester Public Schools. 👏🌟
Today, we’re shining a spotlight on a few of the amazing custodians who help keep WPS moving:
🌟 John Lemay — Midland Street School — 42 years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 Matthew Schiavone — West Tatnuck Elementary School — 31 years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 James Foley — Burncoat High School — 30 years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 James Comforti — Burncoat Middle School — 28 years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 Randy Neeland — Burncoat Middle School — 2 years with Worcester Public Schools
James is on the right and Randy is on the left.
🌟 Luis Navarro — Lincoln Street School — 13 ½ years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 Jeff Lombardi — Burncoat High School — 13 years with Worcester Public Schools
🌟 Epi Ortiz — North High School — 10 years with Worcester Public Schools
👏 Thank you to all of our WPS custodians for everything you do for our schools and our community. We appreciate you today and every day! 💛
State of Education Forum at Worcester Tech! 🎓✨
Educators, civic leaders, and community partners gathered at Worcester Technical High School for the State of Education, hosted by the Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC).
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian E. Allen shared reflections on the current state and future direction of Worcester Public Schools, highlighting district priorities, emerging opportunities, and ongoing challenges.
Superintendent Allen also provided updates on positive student outcomes in the classroom, the Burncoat Building Project, the WPS realignment project, and our commitment to Stay the Course for the 2026-27 school year.
Guest speakers included Viviana Abreu-Hernandez, President of the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center, Joshua Boucher of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, and Dr. Chad D'Entremont, Executive Director of the Rennie Center. The event wrapped up with a Q/A session for attendees.
Educators, civic leaders, and community partners gathered at Worcester Technical High School for the State of Education, hosted by the Worcester Education Collaborative (WEC).
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian E. Allen shared reflections on the current state and future direction of Worcester Public Schools, highlighting district priorities, emerging opportunities, and ongoing challenges.
Superintendent Allen also provided updates on positive student outcomes in the classroom, the Burncoat Building Project, the WPS realignment project, and our commitment to Stay the Course for the 2026-27 school year.
Guest speakers included Viviana Abreu-Hernandez, President of the Massachusetts Budget & Policy Center, Joshua Boucher of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, and Dr. Chad D'Entremont, Executive Director of the Rennie Center. The event wrapped up with a Q/A session for attendees.
🛡️ Bullying & Cyberbullying Resources for Families
October is Bullying Awareness Month, and Worcester Public Schools is committed to ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and supported in our classrooms, at school events, and online. 💙
Bullying and cyberbullying can have a significant impact on students. We’ve gathered trusted educational and digital safety resources to support families and students, including information on recognizing bullying, preventing cyberbullying, practicing digital safety, and knowing when to ask a trusted adult for help. 💬
🔗 Learn more: Visit the WPS Bullying & Cyberbullying Resources webpage for district policies, reporting procedures, and support information: https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/bullying-and-cyberbullying-resources
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our school community safe, supportive, and welcoming. 🤝
October is Bullying Awareness Month, and Worcester Public Schools is committed to ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and supported in our classrooms, at school events, and online. 💙
Bullying and cyberbullying can have a significant impact on students. We’ve gathered trusted educational and digital safety resources to support families and students, including information on recognizing bullying, preventing cyberbullying, practicing digital safety, and knowing when to ask a trusted adult for help. 💬
🔗 Learn more: Visit the WPS Bullying & Cyberbullying Resources webpage for district policies, reporting procedures, and support information: https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/bullying-and-cyberbullying-resources
Thank you for partnering with us to help keep our school community safe, supportive, and welcoming. 🤝
Belmont Street Community School Partners with Good Sports & TJX for Sports Equipment Donation 🏀⚽
Belmont Street Community School celebrated a new partnership with national nonprofit Good Sports on September 18 with a Mini Field Day featuring a major donation of sports equipment and athletic apparel.
Through the two-year partnership, the school will be able to request equipment as needed to expand after-school programming and strengthen its physical education curriculum.
The donation includes equipment for pickleball, volleyball, basketball, soccer, badminton, gymnastics and flag football, along with more than 200 t-shirts, athletic socks, training and recovery gear, and equipment maintenance supplies.
Students and staff put the new equipment to use during the Mini Field Day, taking part in pickleball, soccer drills, flag football and team games alongside volunteers from TJX Companies.
The partnership will help create more opportunities for students to stay active, try new sports and enjoy outdoor play.
South High Community School Alumna and Worcester Educator Nancy Mayer Bates Honored with Court Dedication 🏀
The City of Worcester recently dedicated the basketball court at Greenwood Park to Nancy Mayer Bates '82, honoring the South High alumna whose legacy spans both athletics and education in Worcester.
Bates was a standout student-athlete at South High before going on to play women’s basketball at the University of Virginia, where she served as a two-time team captain. After her playing career, she returned to Worcester Public Schools and spent three decades as an educator at North High School.
The court dedication celebrates Bates’ accomplishments as a student-athlete and her lasting impact on generations of Worcester students and the WPS community.
The City of Worcester recently dedicated the basketball court at Greenwood Park to Nancy Mayer Bates '82, honoring the South High alumna whose legacy spans both athletics and education in Worcester.
Bates was a standout student-athlete at South High before going on to play women’s basketball at the University of Virginia, where she served as a two-time team captain. After her playing career, she returned to Worcester Public Schools and spent three decades as an educator at North High School.
The court dedication celebrates Bates’ accomplishments as a student-athlete and her lasting impact on generations of Worcester students and the WPS community.
✊🏽 Stand Against Racism with Main South ✊🏽
Fall student-athletes from the Main South co-op, made up of Claremont Academy and University Park Campus School, met earlier this week for their Stand Against Racism assembly.
Student-athletes came together to read the student pledge against racism, affirming a commitment to standing against racism in the Worcester community.
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian E. Allen and members of the WPS administration have now brought this important conversation to student-athletes at each of our high schools.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes.
Fall student-athletes from the Main South co-op, made up of Claremont Academy and University Park Campus School, met earlier this week for their Stand Against Racism assembly.
Student-athletes came together to read the student pledge against racism, affirming a commitment to standing against racism in the Worcester community.
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Brian E. Allen and members of the WPS administration have now brought this important conversation to student-athletes at each of our high schools.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes.
🤝 Clark University and Worcester Public Schools Formalize Partnership Through New Memorandum of Understanding
Worcester Public Schools and Clark University have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing and strengthening their decades-long partnership to expand educational opportunities for Worcester students and support educators and staff.
The agreement creates a framework for continued collaboration in:
🎓 College Access: Expanding scholarships, dual enrollment, and early college opportunities for Worcester students.
🍎 Grow Our Own: Supporting WPS students, paraprofessionals, and community members interested in pursuing careers in education.
📚 Teaching & Learning: Creating opportunities for curriculum development, classroom partnerships, internships, field placements, and enrichment programs.
🔬 Research & Professional Development: Expanding joint research, faculty collaboration, and professional development for WPS teachers, administrators, and staff.
Clark’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program has also served as an important pathway into WPS. Approximately 120 WPS teachers are graduates of Clark’s MAT program, with 217 Clark alumni employed by WPS as of September 2025.
Together, Clark University and Worcester Public Schools are building on a longstanding partnership to create more opportunities for students, educators, and the Worcester community.
🔗 Read the full story: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3136180
Worcester Public Schools and Clark University have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing and strengthening their decades-long partnership to expand educational opportunities for Worcester students and support educators and staff.
The agreement creates a framework for continued collaboration in:
🎓 College Access: Expanding scholarships, dual enrollment, and early college opportunities for Worcester students.
🍎 Grow Our Own: Supporting WPS students, paraprofessionals, and community members interested in pursuing careers in education.
📚 Teaching & Learning: Creating opportunities for curriculum development, classroom partnerships, internships, field placements, and enrichment programs.
🔬 Research & Professional Development: Expanding joint research, faculty collaboration, and professional development for WPS teachers, administrators, and staff.
Clark’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program has also served as an important pathway into WPS. Approximately 120 WPS teachers are graduates of Clark’s MAT program, with 217 Clark alumni employed by WPS as of September 2025.
Together, Clark University and Worcester Public Schools are building on a longstanding partnership to create more opportunities for students, educators, and the Worcester community.
🔗 Read the full story: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3136180
✊🏽 Stand Against Racism Assembly at Doherty and North ✊🏽
Doherty Memorial High School and North High School each held assemblies for fall student-athletes to Stand Against Racism this week.
Student-athletes came together to read the student pledge against racism, affirming a commitment to standing against racism in the Worcester community.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes.
Doherty Memorial High School and North High School each held assemblies for fall student-athletes to Stand Against Racism this week.
Student-athletes came together to read the student pledge against racism, affirming a commitment to standing against racism in the Worcester community.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes.
🚲 E-Bikes: Know the Rules. Ride Safe.
E-bikes can be a convenient way for students to get to and from school, but they’re heavier, faster, and handle differently than traditional bicycles.
Road safety is a shared responsibility. Riders and drivers can each help keep our roads and school communities safe.
Visit worcesterschools.org/e-bikes for information and safety tips.
Before you ride, remember to:
→ Practice in a safe area and start slow
→ Follow the rules of the road
→ Ride predictably and yield to pedestrians
→ Wear a helmet
→ Use a white front light and red rear light when riding at night
→ Know where e-bikes are allowed to ride
Riders, stay safe! 🚲
🏫 Know Your School Night Dates Announced! 💙💛
Worcester Public Schools will host its annual Know Your School Nights at schools across the district!
These events are a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to:
👋 Meet teachers and school staff
📚 Learn about curriculum and programs
🏫 Visit classrooms
🤝 Connect with your school community
💡 Learn about PTO and volunteer opportunities
📅 Dates and times vary by school. Find your school’s Know Your School Night date and time: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3104835
Questions? Please contact your school’s main office.
Worcester Public Schools will host its annual Know Your School Nights at schools across the district!
These events are a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to:
👋 Meet teachers and school staff
📚 Learn about curriculum and programs
🏫 Visit classrooms
🤝 Connect with your school community
💡 Learn about PTO and volunteer opportunities
📅 Dates and times vary by school. Find your school’s Know Your School Night date and time: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/3104835
Questions? Please contact your school’s main office.
Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸 🎉
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
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
✊🏽 Stand Against Racism Assembly at South High ✊🏽
Fall student-athletes at South High Community School came together this week to take the Stand Against Racism pledge ahead of the fall athletic season.
South High student-athletes read the pledge together, affirming their commitment to standing against racism directed toward Worcester Public Schools student-athletes.
Fall student-athletes at Burncoat High School also took the pledge this week during a similar assembly, standing united against racism. 🤝
During the assembly, Superintendent Brian E. Allen and WPS Athletic Director Dave Shea spoke with students about the campaign, encouraging them to have each other’s backs and lead by example in their school communities.
The campaign stems from racist comments shared online about members of the South High girls basketball team during the 2025–26 basketball season.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes. ❤️✊🏽
Fall student-athletes at South High Community School came together this week to take the Stand Against Racism pledge ahead of the fall athletic season.
South High student-athletes read the pledge together, affirming their commitment to standing against racism directed toward Worcester Public Schools student-athletes.
Fall student-athletes at Burncoat High School also took the pledge this week during a similar assembly, standing united against racism. 🤝
During the assembly, Superintendent Brian E. Allen and WPS Athletic Director Dave Shea spoke with students about the campaign, encouraging them to have each other’s backs and lead by example in their school communities.
The campaign stems from racist comments shared online about members of the South High girls basketball team during the 2025–26 basketball season.
WPS has partnered with the Worcester NAACP and YWCA of Central Massachusetts to stand against racism throughout the 2026–27 school year.
Together, we stand against racism. Together, we stand with our student-athletes. ❤️✊🏽
🎉 First Day of Pre-K and Kindergarten in WPS! 🎉
It was big day for our littlest learners as they headed into their first day of Pre-K and Kindergarten!
We stopped by Francis J. McGrath Elementary School and City View Discovery School to say hello as families and caregivers dropped off their little ones.
To all our Pre-K and Kindergarten students and their families, good luck on this exciting new journey! We wish you great success! 📚✨
📚🎉 Happy First Day of School, Worcester Public Schools! 🎉📚
We stopped by Flagg Street School and Worcester Dual Language School earlier today to celebrate the start of a new school year!
At Flagg Street, students kicked off the year in style on the red carpet alongside Superintendent Brian E. Allen, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, district leadership, and members of the School Committee.
Over at WORDL, the school was buzzing with excitement as they welcomed seventh and eighth graders for the very first time! Here’s to an amazing school year ahead.
We can’t wait to welcome our Pre-K and Kindergarten students for their very first day on Thursday, September 3! 💙
We stopped by Flagg Street School and Worcester Dual Language School earlier today to celebrate the start of a new school year!
At Flagg Street, students kicked off the year in style on the red carpet alongside Superintendent Brian E. Allen, Mayor Joseph M. Petty, district leadership, and members of the School Committee.
Over at WORDL, the school was buzzing with excitement as they welcomed seventh and eighth graders for the very first time! Here’s to an amazing school year ahead.
We can’t wait to welcome our Pre-K and Kindergarten students for their very first day on Thursday, September 3! 💙
Happy First Day of School, Worcester! 🎒✨
We want to see those big smiles and memorable moments as we kick off the 2026–27 school year together!
📸 Share your photos here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/forms/2026-27-first-week-of-school-photos
We want to see those big smiles and memorable moments as we kick off the 2026–27 school year together!
📸 Share your photos here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/forms/2026-27-first-week-of-school-photos
🎉📚 WPS Schools Are Ready to Welcome You!
The back-to-school excitement is growing across Worcester Public Schools! Here’s a look at just a few of the schools that recently welcomed students and families for fun-filled events: Goddard School of Science & Technology, Gates Lane School of International Studies, Clark Street Community School, and Woodland Academy.
From connecting with school communities to enjoying activities and treats, these events were a great way to kick off the new school year together! 🍎📚✨
The back-to-school excitement is growing across Worcester Public Schools! Here’s a look at just a few of the schools that recently welcomed students and families for fun-filled events: Goddard School of Science & Technology, Gates Lane School of International Studies, Clark Street Community School, and Woodland Academy.
From connecting with school communities to enjoying activities and treats, these events were a great way to kick off the new school year together! 🍎📚✨
New Teacher Orientation 🎓
A new school year means welcoming a new group of educators to Worcester Public Schools!
Over three days at North High School, more than 170 of Worcester’s newest Unit A and B educators and staff took part in New Teacher Orientation, kicking off a year-long onboarding experience designed to help them feel prepared, supported, and connected to the district.
The orientation provided new staff with information and resources from departments across the district, giving them the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to start the new school year and their careers in WPS with confidence.
Following lunch, experienced WPS educators answered questions during a panel session, sharing their insights and tips for getting started on the right foot. Superintendent Brian E. Allen also stopped by to welcome the district’s newest educators and staff and wish them well as they begin the school year.
Welcome to WPS! We’re excited to have you here. 🍎
A new school year means welcoming a new group of educators to Worcester Public Schools!
Over three days at North High School, more than 170 of Worcester’s newest Unit A and B educators and staff took part in New Teacher Orientation, kicking off a year-long onboarding experience designed to help them feel prepared, supported, and connected to the district.
The orientation provided new staff with information and resources from departments across the district, giving them the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to start the new school year and their careers in WPS with confidence.
Following lunch, experienced WPS educators answered questions during a panel session, sharing their insights and tips for getting started on the right foot. Superintendent Brian E. Allen also stopped by to welcome the district’s newest educators and staff and wish them well as they begin the school year.
Welcome to WPS! We’re excited to have you here. 🍎
Countdown to Kindergarten! 🌟
We had a blast getting ready for the start of school with hundreds of incoming kindergarteners and their families at Polar Park!
Our newest students explored school buses, played games, made art, picked out free books, and learned what to expect during their first year.
Preschool and Kindergarten begin on Thursday, September 3—we can't wait to welcome you on your very first day! 🎒✨
We had a blast getting ready for the start of school with hundreds of incoming kindergarteners and their families at Polar Park!
Our newest students explored school buses, played games, made art, picked out free books, and learned what to expect during their first year.
Preschool and Kindergarten begin on Thursday, September 3—we can't wait to welcome you on your very first day! 🎒✨
WPS Kicks Off Year-Long Teacher Mentorship Program with Mentor Training Day 🍎📚
On August 19, Human Resources hosted a Teacher Mentor-Training to launch the district's year-long mentorship program for early-career educators. 🏫 Volunteer mentors from across WPS reviewed the program's new roadmap, curriculum, and materials to ensure they are prepared to guide new teachers throughout the school year. 📝
To maximize the impact of the program, mentors and mentees are paired based on school location, grade level, subject area, and individual preference. 🤝 This matching process creates strong alignment, such as pairing a veteran teacher with an early-career colleague in the same building teaching the same content, fostering seamless daily collaboration and long-term professional growth. 🌱
We are excited to see how these mentor-mentee relationships grow and develop this school year! ✨
Join us for Countdown to Kindergarten from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM at Polar Park!
Polar Park is located at 100 Madison Street. Parking for a fee is available at nearby lots. Complimentary parking is available in the lot across from the Madison Tower Condominiums at 70 Southbridge Street. (The lot will have a sign for the event.)
Countdown to Kindergarten is a day to help your child (and you!) prepare for their first year of school. Enjoy hands-on, family-friendly activities, receive free books and other learning materials, and get your questions answered directly by WPS early childhood staff.
Children and their families will:
🚌 Climb aboard a school bus
🚸 Meet a crossing guard
🎶 Make music
📚 Get a free book
🥦 Learn about healthy eating
🏃♂️ Play the "Lunch Tray Relay"
🧱 Build with blocks – and more!
