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

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week we recognize Katie Eressy! Not only is Katie an amazing teacher, but she is also the advisor to South High's literary magazine "The Apricot Journal" which was recently recognized as distinguished as part of the annual Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazine.

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week we recognize Michael Cammuso! Michael has always put forward effort with connecting with every one of his students. His teaching style is efficient and direct making it easy for students to retain material.

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week we recognize Melissa Ayantola! Melissa is not only a source of inspiration for students but also for fellow teachers. Her boundless positive energy infuses every lesson and interaction. Melissa's teaching strategies benefit all students, not just those in LifeSkills. Her dedication to inclusivity is evident in everything she does.

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week we recognize Mrs. Clavijo! Mrs. Clavijo is a dual language first grade teacher and her passion for language, culture, and equity shines in each of her lessons. Her students adore her, her colleagues respect her, and families rave with gratitude. Our school community is better because Mrs. Clavijo chose our school to share her talents with!

Today for Teacher Appreciation Week we recognize Emily Siudela! Ms. Siudela seamlessly integrates new students. Collaborating closely with the Student Adjustment Councilor and Assistant Principal, she supports students academically and emotionally. Her dynamic teaching style sparks student interest, recently enhanced by securing a grant for a hydroponic growing system.

Today, for Teacher Appreciation Week, we recognize Anek Belbase! He meticulously crafts lessons, ensuring each day's instruction is finely tuned to address the linguistic, social, and content needs of our students. His dedication to tailoring instruction to empower SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education) learners is evident in the remarkable progress and engagement observed in his classroom everyday.

🧠 💚It’s Mental Health Awareness Month! The Worcester Public Schools’ Culture and Climate Teams are dedicated to fostering supportive environments where every student's mental health and well-being are valued. Here's how we're making a difference: -Wellness Rooms (pictured here): Providing safe spaces for students to take a breather, recharge, and access mental health support. -Restorative Practices: Empowering students with conflict resolution skills and promoting understanding through restorative mediation. -Anti-Bullying Teams: Students taking the lead in promoting kindness and inclusivity, ensuring our school is a safe and welcoming place for all. -Culture and Climate Support: Collaborating with Quadrant Teams and dedicated staff to create a positive and inclusive school culture. -Future-Ready Skill Instruction: Integrating essential skills into our curriculum to prepare students for success beyond the classroom. -Sense of Belonging: Putting every student at the heart of our instructional framework, ensuring they feel valued and supported. WPS is committed to prioritizing mental health for our students!

🍎🦸‍♂️ Happy School Lunch Hero Day! 🦸‍♀️🍔 Today, we celebrate our amazing school lunch staff! Thank you for keeping our students fed and fueled! 🍎🦸‍♂️ Join us in showing appreciation for our school lunch heroes by thanking them for their hard work and dedication. Let's make today extra special for these everyday superheroes!

⭐ WooStar Maria Sweet, Cafeteria Cook at Worcester East Middle School ⭐ "Maria is a lively and joyful team member who routinely goes above and beyond to craft creative, healthy, and colorful meals for the students of Worcester East Middle school which makes them feel cared-for and excited to eat lunch every day!"

The Worcester Technical and North High boys track and field team was recently honored by the Worcester School Committee for being the Division 3 Indoor State Championship runner up. Congratulations to all involved in a terrific season!

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month 🗓️ Let’s celebrate the diverse cultures and histories of Asian and Pacific Islander communities! Their stories are integral parts of American History. By celebrating their contributions, we enrich our understanding of our nation's history. Did you know that the concept of “labor rights” in the U.S. owes much to the activism of Asian immigrants? From the early Chinese laborers advocating for fair wages to the Filipino farmworkers igniting the fight for better working conditions, their legacy continues to inspire. 👏 Lean more https://buff.ly/3KLfzWM

⭐ WooStar Robert Thibeault, sixth grade leader at Thorndyke Road School ⭐ "Robbie is a responsible leader in our school," said one educator at the school. "Robbie is an ambassador for our younger students and guides them at the end of the day, helping to maintain order during dismissal. As a veteran member of the Robotics team he works with his team leading when necessary while also encouraging others to share their ideas and voices. He takes the initiative to support other groups if they may be struggling, which embodies both our ROAR expectation of respect and kindness as well as many qualities of the Vision of a Learner." Teachers in his school describe Robbie as kind, always willing to help, and an advocate for others. As a sixth grader he has worked hard to positively contribute to his school community and has grown into a valued member of whatever class, team or group he takes part in.

Report cards are now on ParentSquare! Starting this quarter, we are transitioning to a more efficient and environmentally friendly method of distributing report cards! Report cards can now be accessed electronically through ParentSquare, our two-way communication platform for WPS families and staff! By delivering report cards electronically, we can streamline communication and ensure that you receive timely access to your child's academic progress. What you need to know: - Report cards will be sent directly to your ParentSquare account. - You will receive a notification once the report cards are available for viewing. - If you haven't already, please ensure that your ParentSquare account is up-to-date to avoid any delays in receiving your child's report card. We understand that this change may be different from what you're accustomed to, but we believe it will ultimately enhance the efficiency and convenience of accessing student academic records.

Happy Passover! Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' Exodus from Egypt, and their transition from slavery to freedom. Learn more about the history of Passover: https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/passover

🤖 Artificial Intelligence in Teaching: Denmark Comes to Worcester Public Schools Worcester Public Schools recently hosted a delegation of 30 principals and assistant principals from Denmark! They wanted to understand the district’s strategy of artificial intelligence in classroom learning. The event was held at Worcester Technical High School. “One of the significant shifts facing educators today is the increasing presence of AI technologies in classrooms,” the Centre wrote. “As these tools become more prevalent, it’s essential for educators to comprehend both the challenges and opportunities they bring.” This year, WPS launched an initiative called the “Spark Team,” a group of educators who are early adopters of “future-ready” teaching and learning practices, and who share these practices with colleagues. During the panel discussion, 15 educators shared examples of how they used artificial intelligence in classroom settings. Examples included: -A 4th grade lesson focused on the fundamentals of machine learning and AI. -A Burncoat Middle School lesson about racial bias in AI, sharing how it can misidentify people of color and use job hiring algorithms that favor males. -A graphics design class at Worcester Technical High School, where students used AI to develop more robust business plans and presentations. - A Doherty High School English class that used AI picture-generation to allow students to visualize what they were writing about. AI was also used to expand sentence structure, and encouraged students to develop deeper vocabulary. The Spark Team training ties into the district’s new “Vision of a Learner” framework, which outlines the “future-ready” skills and dispositions all WPS students aim to have when they graduate from high school. Read more: https://worcesterschools.org/denmark-educators-visit-wps-to-learn-about-artificial-intelligence-in-teaching/

⭐ WooStar Dr. Amy DeFeudis, Adjustment Counselor at Worcester Tech ⭐ “Amy goes above and beyond the call of duty for the betterment of the students and staff,” said one co-worker. “She is always leaving cards of encouragement on my desk or to others showing us all how much she cares and actually listens not only to us, but the students as well.” Amy is described as someone who comes in early and stays late, spreading her kindness to everyone she meets. Co-workers describe working with Amy as “an honor” due to her ability to make anyone near her feel special. “She deserves to be recognized for not only devotion to her job and herself, but for her care towards the wellbeing of everyone around her. She is magnetic, and you always seem to find yourself stopping by her office just to say hello.”

⭐ WooStar Isla Brazile, third-grade scholar at Flagg Street School ⭐ "Isla is a hard worker who loves to learn, never gives up and stands up for herself,” said teacher Susan Ryan-Smith. “I am so proud of her every day.”’

Happy Easter! 🐣🌸 Did you know that Easter’s roots trace back to ancient festivals celebrating Spring? Discover the fascinating history behind this holiday and how it evolved over time! Read this article for more information https://buff.ly/2prGpwk

⭐ WooStar Jacky Pickett, paraeducator at Dr. Arthur F. Sullivan Middle School ⭐ “Jacky is a positive light in our classroom,” said fellow staff member Emily Siudela. “He is calm in the face of chaos and truly tries to form strong relationships with students. He always wants to improve his practice, whether it’s academics, data collection, substitute teaching, helping students with coping skills or just competing with me in the morning for who gets to school first (he usually wins). Jacky is an excellent role model for all.”

Quarter 2 honor roll listings for the 2023-24 year are now posted! 🏆 Congratulations to the many scholars who are being acknowledged for their academic achievements. Find your scholar here 👉 https://buff.ly/3IYnTnn #WorcesterPublicSchools