Parent & Student Resources
These links are to give you quick access to the most relevant information for the start of the year.
Back-to-School Message from Superintendent for 2023-24
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Good Day, Worcester Public Schools Family,
Happy New School Year! On behalf of the Worcester School Committee and Worcester Public Schools (WPS) staff, it is my honor and privilege to welcome all of our scholars and families back to the 2023-24 school year. I sincerely hope you took time this summer to rest and rejuvenate with family and friends. My family from California visited and we were able to visit Niagara Falls, Fenway Park and The Cape. It was a New England summer adventure!
Allow me a moment of your time to update you on what has been happening this summer, and how WPS continues to improve so that your children receive the education they deserve.
During the June budget deliberations, the Worcester School Committee allocated fiscal resources to directly support our schools. These include the following:
Our elementary schools will begin the school year with a new English Language Arts curriculum and all the many books that come with the program.
Our Facilities Department was able to upgrade some much needed building repairs at a number of schools— Burncoat High, Challenge and Reach Academy, Chandler Magnet Elementary, Elm Park Elementary, Worcester Arts Magnet Elementary and several other schools.
All high schools will have a Dean of Students who will focus on the climate and culture of the school, ensuring we have schools that emulate safe and secure learning environments while supporting student wellness.
Each high school and middle school will have Climate and Culture Specialists to support positive learning environments outside of the classroom setting.
All Kindergarten classrooms were allocated full time paraprofessionals to support our youngest scholars.
All schools will have a wrap-around coordinator to support family and community engagement.
All schools received an increase of funds for their teacher supply budgets.
Finally, you can expect safety drills and training this school year. We have reorganized our Safety Office to ensure school leaders, educators, students and caregivers are informed of emergency protocols and know what to expect in the event of any type of emergency. We must be prepared.
Finally, I would like to applaud our WPS Transportation Department for making major improvements to school bus service. As you may recall, one year ago, WPS stopped using an outside company and began operating all school buses in-house. As a result, WPS saved $3.5 million dollars last school year and we allocated some of the savings to fund the teacher supply budget.
Welcome again to the 2023-24 school year. We are ready for your children and looking forward to educating them this school year. Our caring and dedicated educators are excited to welcome our scholars back to WPS: a place where ALL children will learn and thrive. Worcester Public Schools is at its best when we work together. Our children will follow our lead so let’s continue to strengthen our partnership. From here, anywhere … together.
Sincerely,
Rachel H. Monárrez, Ph.D.
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools
Tips for Preschool and Kindergarten
These tips are to help parents with children in preschool and kindergarten.