
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! 🎓🌟


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


🎉 Congratulations to Ryan Smith on being recognized as one of Pulse Magazine’s People to Watch in 2025! 🎉
Ryan Smith, an educator at Burncoat High School and a proud 2018 Doherty High graduate, has made a significant impact in our community through his art and dedication to local organizations. From his role in organizing Arsen Fest to working with groups like Push Worcester and El Salon, Ryan continues to inspire and bring people together.
We are so proud to see him receive this well-deserved recognition, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him in 2025!
Learn more about Ryan here: https://buff.ly/4b8q5WP


The Black Student Unions of each WPS high school recently came together to celebrate Black History Month at Worcester Technical High School.
The event drew over 200 students from Burncoat High School, Doherty Memorial High School, North High School, South High Community School and Worcester Tech. Students from Abby Kelley Foster School also participated, highlighting the spirit of unity among Black students across Worcester.
Throughout the evening, students came together to enjoy the camaraderie of friends, play fun games with peers, and share a delicious buffet-style dinner, creating a vibrant atmosphere of celebration for Black History Month.






Join us in sending a congratulations to the inaugural Pep Band National Champions — the Burncoat Patriots! 🏆
The Burncoat spirit team (dance team and pep band) brought their A-game to the National Dance Team Championships in Orlando, Florida, taking home the first-ever national championship in the Pep Band Division, and finishing 3rd in the nation in Game Day Live Division!
A huge shoutout to the many talented students who put in the hard work, and to educators & coaches Meredith Lord, Kellie Shea, and Justine Pennucci for their unwavering guidance and support. 🙌


Burncoat High School defeated Monty Tech, 92-61, in recent boys basketball action! 🏀
The Patriots improved to 10-4 on the season with the win. Kevin Dunn led the team with 17 points, while Jaiden Johnston and Cheyton Marshall added 16 and 14 points, respectively. Nytel Johnson and Jean Carlos Pimental each scored 13 points.
Check out a few images from a strong game by the Patriots!





🍽️✨ Look What’s Coming Back on February's Menu!
Say hello to Chicken and Veggie Dumplings with Soy Sauce, paired with a tasty Edamame Salad and a sweet Fortune Cookie! 😋
This delicious combo will be back on the February menu – don’t miss it! 🌱🍜


🚗 Become an Automotive Instructor - Chapter 74🚗
Worcester Technical High School is seeking a skilled Automotive Instructor! Join our team and inspire the next generation of automotive professionals.
Visit the link here to apply: https://buff.ly/4h9YTcD


Burncoat High School's Jayden Bordes and Daniel Parke Accepted into NAfME All Eastern Mixed Choir 🎶
Burncoat High School seniors Daniel Parke and Jayden Bordes were accepted into the prestigious NAfME All Eastern Mixed Choir, which is set to perform at the All Eastern Music Festival in Hartford, Connecticut on April 24-27.
The All Eastern Mixed Choir is part of the All Eastern Honors Ensemble which brings together talented student musicians from states across the Northeast, including Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Congratulations to Daniel and Jayden on this achievement!




Worcester Public Library Hosts Book Drive for WPS Educators 📚
Thank you to our friends at the Worcester Public Library for hosting an amazing book drive! Over 12,000 books were donated to WPS K-3 grade educators, helping them build and refresh their classroom libraries.
Thank you to Worcester Public Library for your continued support to literacy in our schools!





Standard Response Protocol and Reunification Training with The I Love U Guys Foundation 🦺
Worcester Public Schools administrators recently participated in intensive safety training led by The I Love U Guys Foundation. It was the second large-scale staff training since the summer.
The two-day session, held at Worcester State University, focused on ensuring our staff are fully prepared to reunite students with their families in the case of a school evacuation.
WPS takes a proactive approach to ensuring safety and positive school climates. The district operates from the I Love U Guys safety framework with clear protocols, procedures, and a common language to ensure a systematic and organized response to any situation.
Special thanks to Jim French of The I Love U Guys Foundation for leading this hands-on training with our staff!
🔗 Learn more about WPS’s safety protocols: https://www.worcesterschools.org/page/safety





🔥 Get Ready to Savor the Flavor! 🔥
Have you tried the new Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich yet? Served with crispy Sweet Potato Fries, it’s bold, fresh, and bursting with flavor! 🥪🍟
🌟 Exciting New Items Coming Next Week:
🥖 Chicken Philly Sandwich with crispy Baked Fries – a satisfying, savory delight!
🥗 Taco Salad Bowl – choose between Beef or Plant-Based Meat, packed with all the taco goodness you love in one tasty bowl!
Check out what’s on the menu and try something new today!
View the full menu at https://buff.ly/47lkI4R
Let us know which dish you’re most excited to try! 👇





❄️ Worcester Announces Winning Names in “Name A Snowplow” Contest ❄️
The City of Worcester has officially announced the four winning snowplow names that will keep our streets clear this winter!
These names were selected after a fun and creative naming contest with our own Worcester Public Schools students. A huge shoutout to all participating students and classes for the clever submissions!
The winning names and classes are:
1️⃣ Scoop Dogg - Mrs. Stephanie Trainor’s Grade 6 Class, Francis J. McGrath Elementary School (pictured in this post)
2️⃣ Sleetwood Mac - Ms. Victoria Alexander’s Grades K-2 SAIL Class, Norrback Avenue School
3️⃣ William Scrapespeare - Ms. Aimee Kewley’s Grades 9-12 Theater Magnet Class, Burncoat High School
4️⃣ Snow More Mr. Ice Guy - Ms. Sydney Lamothe's Grades 9-10 Advisory Class, University Park Campus School


📚✨ Attendance Matters! 🏫
January has 19 school days — let’s make every day count! 🙌
Consistent attendance keeps students on track, boosts academic success, and builds lifelong habits. 📝💪 Together, we can show up, learn, and thrive! 🎓🌟
For more tips on maintaining good attendance, visit: https://buff.ly/4h75OTc


🏫 School Enrollment Begins Soon!
🎒If you are enrolling your child in the Worcester Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year, registration opens on January 2, 2025.
The Parent Information Center will begin scheduling appointments on January 6, 2025.
Visit the WPS Enrollment website for details: worcesterschools.org/enrollment


🏫 School Enrollment Begins Soon!
🎒If you are enrolling your child in the Worcester Public Schools for the 2025-26 school year, registration opens on January 2, 2025.
The Parent Information Center will begin scheduling appointments on January 6, 2025.
Visit the WPS Enrollment website for details: worcesterschools.org/enrollment


🎄✨ Holiday Open House at the Dr. John E. Durkin Administration Building! ✨🎄
Worcester Public Schools recently hosted a Holiday Open House for district staff and members of the community in the Dr. Helen A. Friel Auditorium!
The event was filled with festive fun as the Worcester Arts Magnet Special Chorus Crescendo and the Burncoat Jazz Band took the stage to perform some holiday favorites!
Guests also enjoyed a delicious spread of treats and festive goodies, courtesy of the talented students from the Culinary Chapter 74 Career and Technical Program at Worcester Technical High School. 🍪🍰







🎄✨ 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
