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

⭐ Melissa Aldrich, Science Educator at North High School ⭐ “Ms. Aldrich creates a positive learning environment for her students and fosters many project based experiences. Students are actively engaged in her classes, especially Forensics where on a daily basis students are investigating "crime scenes" in the classroom or performing banana autopsies. Many students have referred to her as the GOAT of the North High Science Department, and this endearment by students shows her creativity, passion and dedication as a teacher to students and curriculum.” ⭐ 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

🎄✨ Festival of Lights Sparkled in Worcester! ✨🎄 Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Festival of Lights on Worcester Common! A special shoutout to our WPS scholars, including performers from Burncoat High Quadrivium Chorus, Midland Street Elementary, North High School, and South High School, for making the evening unforgettable. Your talents lit up the night and made the evening unforgettable! 🌟 Stay tuned for more events celebrating the season. 🎶❄️

📢 Help Shape WPS Core Values! The Worcester Public Schools are developing core values to guide our actions, culture, and decision-making. These values are the foundation of our community, and we need your input! 👉 Participate by January 15, 2025—your voice matters! Help define the values that will shape our Strategic Plan, to be announced in Spring 2025. Join now: https://buff.ly/3D9RCu1

🪑 Bay State Savings Bank Furniture Donation to Worcester Public Schools 🪑 Sending a thank you to our friends at Bay State Savings Bank, including President & CEO (and WPS alum!) Seth Pitts, for a generous furniture donation to the Worcester Public Schools! Bay State’s contribution, valued at nearly $50,000, has transformed Tatnuck Magnet School's calming and organizing space. Bay State also donated to 14 other schools in WPS, making a big impact across the district! “For Worcester Public Schools, every resource contributes to the success of our scholars and educators," said Superintendent Rachel H. Monarrez. "We are grateful to Bay State Bank for their generous donation. This gift will directly enhance the learning environments in 15 of our schools, creating spaces where students can thrive and teachers can inspire. Partnerships like this reflect the strength of our community and its commitment to education. Thank you, Bay State Bank, for investing in the future of Worcester.” Read more here: https://buff.ly/3ZOrH4a

🎉 South High Community School Advances in State-Wide High School Quiz Show 🎉 Shoutout to these stellar students from South High Community for advancing to the Round of 16 in the High School Quiz Show! 🧠✨ Out of 66 competing teams, South High has made it to the next stage and is now in the running for the State Championship! The Round of 16 will air on March 1, 2025 when South High faces off against Weston High School. 📸 Pictured from left to right: South High english educator and team advisor Kitren Farrell, senior Shannon Dennehy, senior Phoebe McDermott, sophomore Jhailyn Boapea, senior William Giannopoulos, junior Muriel Gibbons and sophomore Charles Chase Norris.

🎄❄️ Burncoat High School's Holiday Extravaganza! ❄️🎄 What a fun time we had at Burncoat High School's annual holiday show! This year's performance, held at South High Community School, was full of festive cheer and incredible talent from the dance and music departments at Burncoat High School and Middle School. The show featured everything, from a talented pit orchestra to stunning chorus and solo performances from the singers. And of course, the Burncoat dance team brought it to life with their terrific on-stage dance interpretations of so many holiday classics. The multi-day holiday show helps to raise money for the Burncoat spirit team's upcoming trip to Orlando, Florida for the National Dance Team Championships in January 2025. Check out some of the highlights from a great holiday show! 📸

GEAR UP's On the Spot Acceptance Day a Success for Seniors at North High School 🎓 Hosted by North High's GEAR UP team, the recent On The Spot Acceptance Day saw 100% of participating seniors accepted into at least one four-year institution with $1,672,000 in scholarship awarded to seniors! “We are incredibly proud of our North High scholars, whose hard work has earned well-deserved college acceptances and over $1.6 million in scholarships,” said Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez, Superintendent of Worcester Public Schools. “This milestone reflects the transformative power of education and the vital role of our community partners, such as GEAR UP. Thank you to GEAR UP for opening doors to bright futures.” Read the full story here: https://buff.ly/3ZILgL6

🌟 Friendly Faces of Forest Grove Middle School 😊 We recently had the opportunity to visit Forest Grove Middle School in the Doherty Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools to see our incredible students in action! 🌈📚 Forest Grove has been a cornerstone of the Worcester community since it opened its doors in March 1960. 🏫 Back then, the building spanned 114,540 square feet, served around 600 students, and had a dedicated staff of 53. With a Woodworking Shop, Home Economics classes, and leaders like Principal Harry Foxhall and Superintendent Dr. Leo Doherty, Forest Grove was built to inspire and empower its students. 💡✏️ Fast forward to today, Forest Grove continues to grow and thrive! 🚀 After a major renovation and expansion in 1999-2000, the school added 12 new classrooms and an elevator, further enhancing the learning environment. 🛠️🎨 Now serving 835 students with a talented team of approximately 140 staff members—including teachers, administrators, instructional aides, clerical staff, custodians, cafeteria workers, and therapists—Forest Grove is a vibrant hub of activity and learning. 🎓👩‍🏫 Here’s a closer look at what Forest Grove offers: 📖 Core Subjects: English, Math, Science, AVID/Literacy/Numeracy 🎶 Electives: Art, Music, Physical Education, Social Studies 🌟 Advanced Courses: Enrichments or Foreign Language 💙 Support Services: Special Education, Tutoring, Counseling At Forest Grove, we honor our rich history while embracing a bright future. 🌟✨ With a commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, our school provides the resources and opportunities for students to thrive academically, socially, and creatively. 🎨🤝 Let’s take a moment to recognize the students, staff, and programs that make Forest Grove a valuable part of Worcester Public Schools. 🎉👏

⭐ Ezequiel & Niomar Ventura Guzman, 10th Grade Scholars at Worcester Technical High School ⭐ “They made the Worcester Tech basketball varsity team as freshmen and still made time and a commitment to help out with the unified basketball team in their practices, games and fundraising, making a difference in the kids' lives and their own. Now this year as sophomores they are hoping to do it again. Great job, Tech Twins!" ⭐ 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

🎡 Gear Up at North High School Hosts Carnival-Themed College and Career Fair 🎡 Students at North High School were recently treated to a college and career fair in the school's gymnasium with many colleges and local organizations in attendance for students to explore and learn more about! The event is hosted by North High's GEAR UP team and is a way to bring colleges right to the students to get them thinking about their future. Following up on its beach-theme last year, the MCAC college and career fair brought aspects of the carnival big top to the gym to keep the event fresh and fun for students. Colleges in attendance included Anna Maria College, Assumption University, Boston University, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester State University to name a few. Our friends from the Worcester Police Department and Worcester Regional Transit Authority also tabled the event, giving students better insight to potential career paths locally in Worcester. The event is geared toward 10th and 11th grade students who want to learn more about what colleges and organizations have to offer. For seniors, it is meant to be a celebration for those already accepted or awaiting decisions from colleges. Take a look at a couple student insights about the career and college fair: "I think it’s an amazing opportunity because all the colleges come to you instead of you having to go to them so you can see every college, every opportunity you have and it’s a real eye-opener because most kids don’t know what to do after high school," said junior Jordi Flores. "I think that it is good and is showing people where they can go to college. It is helping me early on to be able to see all the different places that I can apply to," said sophomore Isabel Lupafya.

Massachusetts reports a rise in walking pneumonia cases, causing cough, fever, and fatigue. To learn more about this sickness, treatment and prevention: https://buff.ly/3VjkVRe

🤗 Friendly Faces of Chandler Elementary School 🤗 We recently stopped by Chandler Elementary Community school to visit the amazing students and dedicated staff! You showed us some awesome enthusiasm for learning during your daily lessons! Chandler Elementary is more than a school - it is a community! At Chandler Elementary, students feel safe to take academic risks, grow and thrive in an inclusive and supportive environment that celebrates diversity and respects every family and culture. Chandler Elementary set high standards for learning and behavior, empowering students to become lifelong learners with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the future. Together, the school works to build a foundation of belonging, positivity and growth. Chandler Elementary School is located in the Doherty Quadrant of Worcester Public Schools. It served more than 400 students in the 2023-24 school year and hosts grades K-6.

🦃 ✨ Wishing our students, families, and staff a joyful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude, reflection, and appreciation for the diverse traditions, histories, and cultures that enrich our communities.🍁 We are thankful for the opportunity to learn, grow, and support one another. May everyone have a restful and enjoyable break! 💛

💃 Burncoat High School Spirit Team Fashion Fundraiser 💃 The Third Annual Burncoat High School Spirit Team Fashion Fundraiser at Union Station’s Grand Hall was a huge success and so much fun for those in attendance! The event raises funds for the talented Burncoat High School Spirit Team’s trip to the National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida, coming up in January 2025! ✈️🏆 During the fashion show, school and city officials showed their best runway strut, including Superintendent Rachel H. Monárrez, Mayor Joseph Petty, Burncoat High School Principal Joseph Ewick, WPS Quadrant Directors Will Foley and Ellen Kelley, members of the school committee, and other local representatives. The Burncoat Spirit Team got the night started with an amazing game day performance! Guests also enjoyed a delicious meal by Maxwell Luciano’s, a silent auction, and amazing raffle prizes generously donated by our community. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and made this event special. Let's keep cheering on our Spirit Team as they head to Nationals!

🥧 South High Community School Culinary Arts Pie Fundraiser 🥧 The Culinary Arts Chapter 74 Career Technical Education (CTE) program at South High put the finishing touches on dozens of pies for its annual Thanksgiving fundraiser! The pie fundraiser helps the Culinary Arts program pay for its sophomore class field trip to Johnson & Wales University, one of the top culinary arts schools in the country. Teachers at South High pre-order pies in advance, selecting from Apple Pie, Blueberry Pie, Pumpkin Pie and Cheese Babka. From there, the Culinary Arts students get to work, freshly baking pies from scratch—and they looked delicious! Check out some of the sights from a busy day in the kitchen! 📸

🦃 Worcester Technical High School Serves Hundreds for Thanksgiving Lunch 🦃 Worcester Technical High School students in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Chapter 74 Career Technical Education (CTE) programs have been busy this Thanksgiving season, serving a holiday lunch to over 300 guests in the school's restaurant. The Thanksgiving lunch is a complete collaborative effort between the two CTE programs, simulating a high-paced restaurant environment. Students in Culinary Arts prep, cook and plate a buffet-style meal with the typical Thanksgiving favorites. Students in Hospitality Management run food out, maintain the restaurant and serve the many guests looking to gobble up the festive lunch. Thanksgiving is typically the busiest time of the year for students in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management CTE programs. Preparations for the meal start at the beginning of the school year to ensure things run smoothly once the busy season begins. It was amazing to see students get hands on career experience while managing the busy season with pose and expertise! Take a look at some of the sights 📸

⭐ Lindsay Prescott, Kindergarten Teacher at Gates Lane School of International Studies ⭐ “Both my boys were in Mrs. Prescott’s class and far exceeded my expectations for development. Mrs. Prescott sees the individual needs of each student and works to strengthen their weaknesses. She is always available and goes above and beyond with the kids. She is also patient and kind, yet firm when she needs to be. She balances their social skills with their learning and my boys, especially my youngest, came in shy but graduated kindergarten a confident and social little man. Even though my sons have both graduated kindergarten, they continue to talk about Mrs. Prescott. The legacy she has left in their hearts will take them through both their lifetimes.”

Turkey Donation to Families at Burncoat High School, Burncoat Middle School and Lincoln Street School! Thanks to a generous donation from the Lincoln Street Plaza Stop & Shop, families at Burncoat High School, Burncoat Middle School and Lincoln Street School will have turkey on the menu this Thanksgiving! 🦃 A total of 200 turkeys were donated, with 100 going to Burncoat High, and 50 each to Burncoat Middle and Lincoln Street. The turkeys will be handed out to families before Thanksgiving break so they can enjoy a festive meal. Pictured in this post, students from Burncoat High's Legacy Club and Latino Unidas Club help unload, organize and store the turkeys so they are ready for families to pick up. They even stood after school to help with the donation effort!

🎶🎓 Inspiring the Next Generation of Music Educators! 🎓🎶 This week, five outstanding Burncoat High School students—Nicholas Lewis, Jayden Bordes, Daniel Parke, Emersynne Jones, and Gianna DiPietro—attended a conference at the DCU Center to explore careers in music education. 🎺🎻 These students, chosen for their dedication to music and interest in becoming educators, spent the day participating in workshops, engaging in meaningful discussions, and connecting with area college representatives. 🌟🎤 We’re so proud of their ambition and passion for music! Their commitment to learning and growth continues to inspire us all. 🎶 📸 Check out the photos from this incredible experience!

More than 50 staff and community partners were celebrated at Worcester Public Schools Evening of Innovation! It was a great night to honor the incredible staff and community partners who make a difference every day. View the complete list of honorees: https://buff.ly/3OhAvcb