It’s time to nominate this month’s WooStars — one student and one staff member who exemplify Vision of a Learner and Vision to Action in Worcester Public Schools!
🗓️ February Nomination Deadline: Monday, Feb. 23
👉 Nominate a student: https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member: https://buff.ly/gigMJcA
Your nominations ensure we can spotlight individuals who are putting Vision to Action across WPS!
Worcester Technical High School recently hosted a ninth grade workshop designed to help students narrow down their choices to their top three Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs.
The day centered on informed decision-making, with staff supporting students as they identify their top three choices, while providing social-emotional support during an important transition in their high school journey.
Through a series of guided activities, students worked on drafting letters to families and caregivers about their shop choices, writing notes of gratitude to teachers and staff who have supported them along the way, and participating in an info session focused on addressing common myths about CTE.
Before the activities, the ninth grade class came together for a CTE-focused Q&A panel featuring alumni Ed Miner (Advanced Manufacturing instructor at Worcester Tech), Mariah Donahue (Web Marketing Support Manager), and Sharon Foster (Culinary Arts). Students had the opportunity to hear firsthand about CTE pathways and ask questions about careers, training, and life after Tech.
By aligning this workshop with CTE Month, Worcester Tech provided students with clarity, confidence, and excitement as they prepare to enter the CTE programs where they will spend the rest of their high school years building their trade skills.
WPS Spirit Wear Store Launches 🎉
The Worcester Public Schools has launched the WPS Spirit Wear Store! You can purchase WPS-branded hoodies, t-shirts, pajama pants, backpacks, and more to show your Worcester Public Schools pride!
Please note that WPS makes no profit from these items. The prices reflect the cost only.
'Product of a Worcester Public School' logo designed by Erin Flemming Baffuto, Doherty Memorial High School Class of '01 and current Guidance Counselor and Student Council Advisor at Worcester Technical High School.
🛍️ Pre-sale until March 3rd! Shop now 👉 https://sistersbrandingco.com/col.../worcester-public-school
Burncoat Middle School music teacher Andrea Cook has been named the 2026 Central Massachusetts Middle School Music Educator of the Year by the Central District Massachusetts Music Educators Association (CDMMEA).
Ms. Cook has been with Worcester Public Schools since 2010, teaching general music, chorus, and a music magnet class, and contributing to district-wide music curriculum development.
Read more here: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2688952
Burncoat High School recently hosted a forum about the work of the BRYT organization at the school to support student mental health.
BRYT has an academic and clinical coordinator assigned to Burncoat, where they support students who are experiencing disruption in their education.
Several local and state officials attended the event, which included testimonials from current and former students about how the program helped them succeed.
BRYT has worked for 20 years to bridge the disciplines of education, mental health, and youth development.
“I am nominating Ms. Conti because she is an exceptionally well-prepared educator with a deep mastery of her subject area. As a parent of four children, I can confidently say that three of them had the privilege of being taught by her. It is important to highlight that these three children are very different, not only in personality but also in the way they learn. Ms. Conti demonstrated great empathy and professionalism by recognizing and adapting to each of their individual learning styles. She creates a safe, inclusive, and supportive classroom environment where students feel valued and understood. Her ability to connect with students both academically and emotionally has had a positive and lasting impact on my children’s growth and confidence. For these reasons, I believe Ms. Conti is highly deserving of this nomination.”
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: Marly Carries, 12th Grade, Engaged Community Member at North High School ⭐️
“Marly is an exemplary student who is actively engaged with the Worcester community. She has demonstrated her strong engagement by actively being involved in the African Community Education (ACE) Organization, and various after school programs. As a North High Senior, Marly embodies all the characteristics of a Student Leader; problem solving skills, change agent, communication skills, and thoughtful leader all while being humble, graceful, and willing to always learn.”
This demonstrates that Marly is an Engaged Community Member, a key disposition of the Vision of a Learner. Marly can identify a need in her community, articulate and communicate solutions, develop an action plan and advocate for change (ECM 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
There will be no part-day (AM & PM) Head Start or preschool. Full-day Head Start and preschool are on a two-hour delay.
Administrative offices will be open normal hours.
Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures without proper clothing can be dangerous, leading to risks such as frostbite. To keep your child safe, please make sure they are bundled up in warm layers, including a heavy coat, winter hat, gloves, and scarf.
The Burncoat High School Spirit Team returned home this past Monday with another national championship, taking first place in the Spirit Game Day Live category at the National Dance Team Championships (NDTC) in Orlando, Florida!
Made up of students in grades 9–12, Burncoat’s Spirit Team competed against schools from across the country.
The Spirit Game Day Live category combines cheer, dance, and band, and Burncoat was the only team representing the Northeast during the weekend.
This marks back-to-back national championships, with the team winning first place in the Pep Band category last year.
The Pep Band had another strong showing this year, placing third at the competition, while Burncoat’s Dance Team continued a standout season that has included first-place finishes at the Fall State Hip Hop Competition and the Central Mass. Athletic Conference Competition.
The WPS Communications Survey will be open through next week!
If you are a community member or alumni, parent/caregiver, students, or staff member, please take five minutes to let us know how we’re doing!
Thank you for your feedback
Find your survey: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2642550
Superintendent Brian E. Allen visited Quinsigamond School and Claremont Academy to congratulate our recent WooStars!
Pictured here with Quinsigamond School fourth grader Januel Rivera and Woodland Academy & Claremont Academy music teacher Luis Maldonado, Superintendent Allen recognized their outstanding contributions to their school communities.
Our next WooStars will be announced on Monday! Nominations are also open for February's WooStars, links below:
👉 Nominate a student: https://buff.ly/levYdnc
👉 Nominate a staff member: https://buff.ly/gigMJcA
Worcester Technical High School’s Black Student Union co-hosted its fifth annual Black History Month Opening Celebration yesterday, marking 100 years since Dr. Carter G. Woodson first started the month in 1926.
The student-led event featured a musical and drum performance by Crocodile River Music, a powerful message from Larry Shyler, and a high-energy, cross-cultural dance by WTHS students. Students also enjoyed Musical Bingo and Jeopardy while connecting over food and desserts.
Students from Burncoat High School, Doherty Memorial High School, North High School, South High Community School, Worcester Technical High School, and Abby Kelley Foster came together to celebrate culture, community, and student voice, joined by Superintendent Brian E. Allen, School Committee members, and school leaders. The celebration created a safe space for students to unify, collaborate, and move beyond stereotypes ✨.
A big thank you to the counselors and staff who supported students and made the event possible.
✨ A powerful start to Black History Month! ✨
Worcester Public Schools proudly recognizes and thanks our school counselors for the guidance, care, and support they provide to students every day.
From helping students navigate academic goals to supporting their social-emotional well-being and planning for the future, our counselors play a vital role in helping every learner thrive.
Thank you for all you do for students in WPS!
The Central Massachusetts Safety Council (CMSC) Driving School is offering a driver's education course for WPS students from February 16-20, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, at Doherty Memorial High School (299 Highland Street).
Through CMSC’s partnership with Worcester Public Schools, students can enroll at discounted rates.
Visit worcesterschools.org/drivers-ed to sign-up and learn more!
Vision to Action: Grow Your Own Program Begins 🌱
Worcester Public Schools has begun its first cycle of the Grow Your Own Program, a new student-to-teacher pathway designed to prepare the next generation of educators from within the Worcester community.
Through this program, students will have opportunities to:
✅ Take early college education courses at Worcester State
✅ Build skills through hands-on classroom and enrichment experiences
✅ Prepare to one day return to WPS as future educators
The Grow Your Own Program reflects a long-term collaboration between Worcester Public Schools and Worcester State University, strengthening opportunities for students while addressing the growing need for educators in urban school districts.
Burncoat High School held its annual Massachusetts College Application Celebration (MCAC) Day to recognize the many postsecondary pathways students will take after graduation.
Nearly 50 community partners attended, including colleges, trade programs, local employers, military representatives, and civil service organizations. Students had the chance to make connections and some even received on-the-spot acceptances and scholarships.
Seniors also took part in a “Paint Your Future” activity, adding a handprint to a Class of 2026 mural representing their plans after graduation.
Students from Doherty Memorial High School recently visited Forest Grove Middle School to share their interest in Latin, presenting educational activities as part of their Latin class to the middle school students.
The student-led presentation, guided by Doherty Latin teacher Steliane Thompson, featured a skit titled Pandora's Box. Students also hosted a Latin version of Jeopardy, challenging middle school students to answer Latin-themed questions.
This is an example of Vision of a Learner showcasing high school and middle school students as Curious Learners and Effective Communicators.
🏈 The Worcester Cowboys 12U Football Team has been formally recognized by the Worcester School Committee for recently advancing to the national championship in Naples, Florida.
Several of the players are WPS students. Great job, everyone!
Lake View School hosted an after-school Family Science Night that brought students and families together for hands-on learning and plenty of educational fun.
The event was hosted by Top Secret Science, an educational nonprofit organization that led those in attendance through seven interactive science experiments designed to spark curiosity and excitement.
This engaging experience highlighted students and caregivers as Curious Learners, a disposition of the Vision of a Learner.
🏫 Worcester Public Schools Pre-K, Dual Language, and Magnet Open Houses 🏫
Worcester Public Schools is hosting open houses at elementary schools across the district through January 27 for families planning to enroll students for the 2026–27 school year.
These open houses give parents and caregivers a chance to learn more about Pre-K, dual language programs, and magnet elementary schools with citywide admission, and ask questions directly to school-based staff.
