Burncoat Street Preparatory School

📚🎒 Back to School in Worcester Public Schools! 🏫🍎 The countdown is on! We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for the 2024-25 school year. Mark your calendars for the first day: • Grades 1-12: Monday, August 26 • PreK & Kindergarten: Wednesday, August 28 For all the info you need to get ready, visit our Back to School page at worcesterschools.org/backtoschool or scan the QR code in this post. Let’s make this school year amazing! 🌟

Today, we celebrate the spirit of freedom and unity that defines our great nation. Let's cherish the values of independence, diversity, and community that make our school district strong. Wishing all our students, families, and staff a safe and joyous Independence Day! 🎉🗽 Learn more at https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th

Worcester UNITES hosted its summer concert at Sullivan Middle School earlier this week! 😎🎷 The summer concert featured performances from the string orchestra and concert band and brought together more than 100 WPS musicians from over 20 district-schools. Great job to our Worcester UNITES musicians and thank you to our instructors and families for supporting the program!

Worcester Public Schools, Worcester Public Library Team Up For Accessible Summer Reading 📚😎 This summer, all Worcester Public Schools (WPS) students who will enter grades 7, 8, 9, or 10 in the fall will have free access to digital versions of their summer reading books thanks to a new partnership with the Worcester Public Library (WPL). The students will receive free access to digital summer reading books through the Sora app on Clever. The digital books are now available for 90-day checkout at no cost to WPS students or their families.

 🎉It's official! School's out for summer!  Congratulations to all our incredible students for their hard work and achievements this year! 🎓📚 A big thank you to our dedicated teachers, staff, and families for their support! 🙏 Wishing everyone a fantastic summer break filled with fun, relaxation, and new adventures!☀️ 😊 We can't wait to see you all refreshed and ready to learn again in the fall!

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a significant day in American history marking the end of slavery in the United States. This day reminds us of the importance of freedom, equality, and justice for all. Let's honor the resilience and contributions of the Black community and continue to educate ourselves and our students about the importance of this historic day. Wishing everyone a meaningful Juneteenth! ✊🏽🖤❤️💚 Learn more at https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

School canceled on Thursday, June 20th!🌞 We are anticipating hot weather this week with high temperatures forecast above 90 degrees Tuesday through Friday. As a result, school will be canceled on Thursday, June 20. In addition, Burncoat High School will be canceled on Friday, June 21. Last day of school will be tomorrow, Tuesday, June 18!

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. Click the link in our bio to find your scholar! #WorcesterPublicSchools

🤖 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. #WorcesterPublicSchools #WorcesterMA #WorcesterAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIK12 #EdTech

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!

🧠 💚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!

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

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

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

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀 May you have the luck of the Irish today and every day! 💚 Did you know? The Irish have observed St. Patrick’s Day for more than 1,000 years as part of the Christian season of Lent. Learn more: https://buff.ly/2pbDYgz

Ramadan Kareem! 🌙 Today begins the period of Ramadan on the Islamic lunar calendar. “It is a month filled with spiritual growth, community love, and delicious iftars,” explained Kowsar, a senior from Worcester Technical High School and intern in the WPS Communications Office. Many Muslims participate in fasting over the course of the month. The end of Ramadan marks the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the festival of the breaking of the fast, which includes religious services and gifts. Learn more: https://buff.ly/3P4tjkm

No School on Tuesday, March 5! Teachers have a professional development day on Tuesday, March 5th 🗓️ so there will be no school for students! 🏫 Make sure to mark your calendar!

⭐WooStar Arlenne Zelayandia, paraeducator at Burncoat Street Preparatory School⭐ "Arlenne is a hardworking team player who is always willing to help anyone in need. She steps into difficult situations selflessly and is consistently giving helping hands to students and staff in need. She is compassionate, empathetic, and an amazing educator and colleague to have at Burncoat Prep. " - colleague