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

🎉 Attendance Matters at Heard Street Discovery Academy! 🥞 Each quarter, students with perfect attendance and those who have greatly improved their attendance are celebrated with a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by the staff! 🏆👏 Families join in to recognize their hard work and dedication, making it a meaningful and rewarding event. Great job, Heard Street community—let’s continue the great work and show up strong all year long! 💪🔥

🌟 Friendly Faces of Worcester Arts Magnet School 🌟 We recently had the chance to visit Worcester Arts Magnet School and see our talented students in action! 👋 Meet the inspiring scholars of Worcester Arts Magnet School! From expressing their creativity through visual arts, music, and dance to engaging in hands-on learning across all subjects, our students are passionate, imaginative, and ready to make their mark on the world. Their energy and dedication to their craft are evident in everything they do. With 371 students from PreK-6, Worcester Arts Magnet School offers a unique, arts-integrated curriculum that encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and explore their creative potential. Our students are developing skills that will last a lifetime. The school’s vibrant arts programs help foster a love of learning and an appreciation for the arts, making Worcester Arts Magnet School a special place where every student’s creativity is celebrated and nurtured. Here’s to the passion, talent, and imagination that make Worcester Arts Magnet School such an inspiring place for students to thrive! 🎨🎶🎭✨

⭐ Levi Kasten, 11th Grade Scholar at Doherty Memorial High School ⭐ “Levi transferred to Doherty last year and immediately saw the need for a student newspaper. He found a faculty advisor and developed a proposal which got approved. The paper went live a few months ago and Levi has been working hard as editor-in-chief. The newspaper is fully online with a staff of six students.” This work demonstrates that Levi is an Engaged Community Member, a disposition of the Vision of a Learner framework. Levi identified a need in the community and developed an action plan to address the need (EC.M2). ⭐ Do you know a WooStar? We are looking for students and staff who have gone above and beyond to feature on our social media channels. 👉 Nominate a student at https://buff.ly/4g5M2aW 👉 Nominate a staff member at https://buff.ly/3Mlru0N

South High Community School Girls Basketball Advance to Round of 8 in MIAA Playoffs 🏀 South High advanced to the Round of 8 in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Girls Basketball Division 2 Playoffs with a 47-28 win against #11 Pembroke on Wednesday, March 5. Freshman Stefania Kyriazis led the scoring for South with 14 points while senior Bryan Bascones tallied 13 points. Sophomore Lydia Charlonne knocked down a pair of three-pointers to help boost the offense. The sixth-seeded Colonels will now host #14 Walpole on Saturday, March 8 at 3 PM with a chance to advance to the Division 2 Semifinals. Purchase your tickets here: https://buff.ly/vhdxUda

Doherty Memorial High School Boys Basketball Advance to Round of 8 in MIAA Playoffs 🏀 Doherty continued its postseason run on Tuesday, March 4, as the Highlanders defeated #11 Norwood, 77-55, to advance to the Round of 8 in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Boys Basketball Division 2 Playoffs. Junior Ryan Dennis had a double-double with 29 points and 15 rebounds to lead the #9 Highlanders. Seniors Jamel Walker and Josh Romeo scored 18 and 13 points respectively while senior Ezekiel Wilson logged 11 points. Doherty will travel to top-seeded Malden Catholic on Friday, March 7, for a 7:00 PM matchup, with a spot in the MIAA Division 2 Semifinals on the line.

🎓High School Graduation Dates for the Class of 2025! The time is almost here! Check out the graduation dates for Worcester Public Schools’ Class of 2025: Tuesday, May 27: Doherty Memorial High School Wednesday, May 28: Worcester Technical High School Thursday, May 29: University Park Campus School Monday, June 2: Gerald Creamer Center Tuesday, June 3: Worcester Alternative School Tuesday, June 3: Burncoat High School Wednesday, June 4: South High Community School Friday, June 6: North High School Monday, June 9: Claremont Academy Celebrate the hard work and dedication of our graduates as they move on to their next chapter! 🎓🌟 For full details on graduation dates, visit: https://buff.ly/frXUZaR

🥣 National School Breakfast Week is here! 🥑🍎 A healthy, tasty breakfast sets students up for success—and the best part? It’s completely FREE for all students! 🎉 Come grab a breakfast and fuel up to kickstart a day of learning and achievement! 🍽️🌟 This week, we’re celebrating with delicious and healthy options, including a new recipe in the works! Introducing waffle sticks with blueberry compote—made with real blueberries, a splash of lemon juice, and a touch of honey. 🍯🫐 The perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this tasty new breakfast could be your next favorite! Would you give it a try? Let us know! 👇

✨ Staff Development Day in Action! ✨ Today, Worcester Public Schools educators came together for a day of collaboration, growth, and skill-building—all with the goal of better supporting our students! 📚🎶🍎 Some highlights from the day: 🎼 Music Educators – Mapped scope & sequence, reviewed, and developed curriculum maps to enhance middle and high school music instruction. 🛡️ Risk Mitigation Training – School Adjustment Counselors and Behavior Specialists engaged in professional development on proactive strategies to identify and address student needs, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. 🥗 Nutrition Team Trainings – Participated in Manager/Cook training and a chemicals presentation, reinforcing best practices in food safety and kitchen operations. 👏 A huge thank you to all WPS staff for your commitment to excellence and student success!

Burncoat High School Theater Dress Rehearsal of The Price 🎭 Take a look at a few behind-the-scenes photos from Burncoat High School's recent dress rehearsal of The Price by Don Zolidis. The student-run theater club performed this one-act play at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild's (METG) Drama Festival last weekend, where they were selected to advance to the semifinal round of the statewide competition! The METG Drama Festival is a one-act competition featuring 100 high schools from across Massachusetts. Shows must be under 40 minutes, with only five minutes given to build the set. Shoutout to the students and staff involved in making this one-act a success in statewide competition!

WPS High School Students Visit Superintendent's Office 🏫 Scholars from North High School and Burncoat High School visited the Superintendent's Office at the Durkin Administration Building for a recent field trip! GEAR Up and Friendly House students, a local after-school program, took part in the visit, which included a Q&A session with Superintendent Monárrez and a tour of the district offices.

No School on Tuesday, March 4 Teachers and school staff will have a professional development day on Tuesday, March 4, so there will be no school for students. District offices will remain open. 🏫

📚✨ Attendance Matters! 🏫 March has 20 school days — let’s make each one count! 🙌 Consistent attendance helps students stay on track, succeed academically, and build great habits. 📝💪 Let’s show up, learn, and thrive together! 🎓🌟

Judge Margaret Guzman Visits Students at Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School 👩‍⚖️ Judge Margaret Guzman recently visited Sullivan Middle School to speak with 7th and 8th grade scholars. During the visit, Judge Guzman shared her journey to the judge's bench and insights into the legal profession with students. Judge Guzman, who was raised in Worcester, currently serves on the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. She is an active participant in the Mock Trial Program, working directly with Sullivan Middle School students. Students enjoyed the visit from Judge Guzman, and even had the chance to try on a judicial robe!

Friendly Faces of Francis J. McGrath Elementary School 🤗 We recently visited our friends at Francis J. McGrath Elementary School in the Burncoat Quadrant! McGrath is a close-knit school that values the unique strengths and backgrounds of every student. Serving 200 scholars from preschool through grade six, it is a place where relationships, community, and a love for learning come together. Diversity is at the heart of McGrath, where many cultures, perspectives, and experiences make the school a vibrant and welcoming place. The dedicated staff works together to ensure every child feels supported, challenged, and encouraged to reach their full potential. At McGrath, staff are not only focused on academic growth, but also building confidence, character, and a sense of belonging. With a strong partnership between students, staff, and families, McGrath is more than just a school—it’s a family.

⭐ Angela Pallotta, Special Education Teacher at City View Discovery School ⭐ “Angela goes above and beyond for her students. She takes the time to get to know each and every student and needs to create an extremely successful classroom. The second she enters the classroom students are engaged and listening to her. Angela has such a positive impact on her students that will last a lifetime. She is the teacher every student needs.” ⭐ Do you know a WooStar? We are looking for students and staff who have gone above and beyond to feature on our social media channels. 👉 Nominate a student at https://buff.ly/4g5M2aW 👉 Nominate a staff member at https://buff.ly/3Mlru0N

Quarter Two Honor Roll Listings 📝 Congratulations to the many scholars who are being acknowledged for their academic achievements during quarter two! Please note: If a parent or guardian has opted out of media consent for their child, their child's name will not be included in the honor roll publication. Find your scholar here 👉 https://buff.ly/3Xhc3fW

Accelerated Learning Academy at Elm Park Community School 📝 Scholars at Elm Park participated in the Accelerated Learning Academy over winter break, collaborating with educators to enhance their learning skills. Throughout the week, scholars engaged in learning sessions with educators, focusing on open response assignments, test-taking strategies, and creative projects. Fun activities included physical exercise in the school gym, cooperative board games, and quality time with friends. The Accelerated Learning Academy was hosted across various WPS sites, including Burncoat Preparatory School, Burncoat High School, Forest Grove Middle School, North High School, and Worcester East Middle School.

Butterfly Project Mural at Woodland Academy 🦋 A mural was recently unveiled at Woodland Academy, featuring colorful ceramic butterflies painted by the school’s former sixth-grade students. The mural showcases over 60 hand-painted butterflies created during the 2023-24 school year. These butterflies are part of The Butterfly Project, an arts and education initiative that memorializes the 1.5 million children killed during the Holocaust. During the unveiling ceremony, students from last year's sixth-grade class returned to Woodland Academy to see the completed mural. The mural was created in partnership with Veronica Parretti, a local artist and daughter of Woodland Academy assistant principal Sherilynne Parretti. The words within the butterflies’ wings are inspired by WPS' Vision of a Learner and Woodland Academy's kindness values. After the ceremony, students, along with families and caregivers, enjoyed a fun evening of math games, pizza, and community.

Woodland Academy's Staff Dodgeball Tournament 🏐 Woodland Academy came together just before winter break for a staff dodgeball tournament! Students had a blast cheering on their teachers, even wearing team colors and making signs to show support. Big shoutout to the Red Team – Mr. Axford, Ms. Dorant, Ms. King, Mr. Swan, Ms. Tighe, and Ms. Yau – for taking home the win! 💪

🌟 Celebrating Black Excellence at Vernon Hill School! 🌟 Vernon Hill has been honoring the incredible contributions of Black leaders and trailblazers who have shaped our world. From researching icons like Marcus Garvey, Alma Thomas, Simone Biles, and Barack Obama, to hosting Spirit Week, door decorating, inviting community storytellers, and exploring African-American influences on modern music—students are learning, creating, and celebrating legacies that inspire us all!