Worcester Public Schools - From Here, Anywhere... Together

🎤✨ Design, Community, and Creativity at Burncoat Street Preparatory School

Students in Grades 3–6 at Burncoat Street Preparatory School welcomed Mr. Jose Cotto, an interdisciplinary artist and designer born and raised in the Great Brook Valley neighborhood of Worcester, who works with Utile, a Boston-based architecture, planning, and urban design firm focused on community-centered projects.

Mr. Cotto spoke with students about a real-world project in his own neighborhood. He and his team are leading the redesign of Great Brook Valley, which will feature larger, modern housing options, commercial and community spaces, and improved green spaces that connect two larger parks with a new pedestrian pathway, creating a safer, more accessible community. 🌳⚾🚶‍♂️

Students also took part in a creative activity, writing poems titled “My Neighborhood.” Using a fill-in-the-blank worksheet, they reflected on the places, people, and feelings that make their neighborhood special, blending design thinking with student voice and creativity. ✍️📄

📸 Take a look at some of the photos we captured from this visit!

🍪🏠 Gingerbread fun at Quinsigamond Elementary School!

Thursday morning, our 1st grade students and some 2nd grade students enjoyed a joyful gingerbread-making event with their families, decorating, creating, and making sweet memories together. Laughter, creativity, and holiday cheer filled the room! ❤️✨

A big thank you to our staff and families for helping make this event so special!

📸 Check out some of the photos from this festive celebration!

🎄✨ Holiday creativity on display at the Fanning Building!

Worcester Public Schools' Transition Program students at the Fanning Building put their creativity and teamwork on full display with festive holiday door decorations. From colorful designs to thoughtful details, each door reflects the students’ hard work, imagination, and holiday spirit.

And the fun isn’t over. This will be a friendly holiday door decorating contest, with the winning team celebrating their creativity with a pizza party! 🍕🎉

Spreading holiday cheer, check out the amazing work by our students and staff!

This Month's Staff WooStar: Anne Power, TSL Teacher at Canterbury Street Magnet Computer-Based School

"As a teacher in a 2nd–3rd grade transitional life skills classroom, Anne goes above and beyond every single day to ensure that her students not only learn, but truly thrive. Her classroom is a place of warmth, joy, and endless possibilities. She is constantly seeking out creative and meaningful ways to make each day memorable and enjoyable for her students. Whether through hands-on learning experiences, special celebrations, or small personal touches, she makes sure every child feels valued, supported, and seen. Her commitment to improving the lives of her students extends far beyond the school day—she advocates for their needs, partners closely with families, and builds strong, trusting relationships that foster growth and confidence. She is also an active and deeply valued member of the Worcester Public Schools community. Her dedication extends beyond her classroom walls—she is involved in school-wide initiatives, supports colleagues with kindness and collaboration, and is a constant source of positivity.

Outside of school, she continues to embody the values she teaches, dedicating her time to her family and raising funds for meaningful causes such as the Jimmy Fund. Her kindness, authenticity, and unwavering dedication make her not only a remarkable educator, but a true role model—for her students, for her colleagues, and for anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Worcester Public Schools is lucky to have her, beyond any words that could fully express her impact. Anne Power exemplifies what it means to teach with heart. She changes lives every day."

Do you know a WooStar? We are looking for examples of students and staff who exemplify Vision of a Learner and Vision to Action in WPS to feature on our social media channels.

👉 Nominate a student at https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member at https://buff.ly/gigMJcA

This Month's Student WooStar: Ricardo Bonilla, 11th Grade, Empowered Individual at North High School

Ricardo is an outstanding example of empowerment and determination. As a straight-A student, he consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to his academic success while also excelling as a dedicated soccer player. His ability to balance his studies and athletics shows remarkable discipline, time management, and focus. Ricardo embodies the qualities of a well-rounded individual—motivated, responsible, and driven to achieve his goals. His positive attitude and perseverance inspire those around him to strive for excellence both in and out of the classroom.

This demonstrates that Ricardo is an Empowered Individual, a disposition of the Vision of a Learner. Ricardo can effectively manage their time and workload to meet deadlines, delivering quality work and products on time (EI 2).

Do you know a WooStar? We are looking for examples of students and staff who exemplify Vision of a Learner and Vision to Action in WPS to feature on our social media channels.

👉 Nominate a student at https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member at https://buff.ly/gigMJcA