Dear Worcester Public Schools Community,

I hope you are having a wonderful summer and are excited for the first day of the 2024-25 school year! My family and I were able to visit the beautiful island of Puerto Rico earlier this summer and basque in the Puerta Rican culture. I am writing with some updates on what’s been happening in the Worcester Public Schools (WPS) this summer as we prepare to welcome our scholars. 

If you haven’t heard, bus routes for students are now available on the WooEdu Parent Portal. This is the first time in recent memory that school bus routes have been available for families in early August. In addition, the school bus drivers are fully staffed for the new school year. It has been two years since WPS brought its transportation operation fully in-house, resulting in better performance and efficiencies. 

Our district level early literacy data reveals our youngest scholars are learning to read at an accelerated rate, per our STAR testing results. We are most pleased with our rising fourth graders who spent their kindergarten year in virtual learning. They have made an eleven percentage point increase in their reading abilities, which prepares them to enter fourth grade ready to tackle more rigorous text.

Our high schools are celebrating a significant achievement with the release of Advanced Placement (AP) scores that show a three-year high in student participation and qualifying scores, underscoring our efforts to expand AP access and enhance academic performance. Every high school in the district demonstrated overall improvement. Thank you to our educators for teaching our scholars to succeed at high levels as outlined in Vision of a Learner.

We are excited for the historic opening of the new Doherty Memorial High School! The school is on schedule to open on time for the first day of school. We will be sure to share photos of the opening on social media and in our ParentSquare newsletter. We will have more information soon for the community about public tours of the new building and auction items from the old building this fall.

Scholars: Have you finished your summer reading? If not, there is still time! 

Thanks to our partnership with Worcester Public Library (WPL), all students entering grades 7-10 have free digital access to their summer reading books through the Sora app on Clever. Caregivers, ask your child about what they are reading and encourage them to find reading materials that stretch their thinking! Summer reading ties into our goals outlined in Our Promise to the Future, the five-year strategic plan for WPS, which includes increasing the percentage of students reading on grade level. This summer, I started to read How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply by David Brooks.

Given last spring’s public discussions around the budget, I would like to remind our families what to expect in WPS in the new year. On average, the classroom size will increase by 2 students. Elementary schools will continue to have art, music, physical education, world language and technology programming each week. Sports at the middle and high schools will continue without any reductions to current offerings. High schools will continue to offer Advanced Placement courses and other college and career pathways options. You can read further details in my previous letter to families.

I would like to take a moment to welcome our new school principals and program coordinators, including those who are transitioning to new schools within the district. Please review the schools or programs with new principals or coordinators, respectively, for 2024-25:

• Challenge and Reach Academy: Scott Moriarty

• Chandler Elementary: Margaret Murphy

• Claremont Academy: Christopher LaBreck

• Clark Street Elementary: Christopher Dodge

• Gerald Creamer Center: Angela Plant

• Jacob Hiatt Magnet Elementary: Amanda Martinez (acting)

• Lincoln Street Elementary: Karen Allen

• New Citizens Center Secondary: Dr. Erin Goldstein

• Rice Square Elementary: Fjodor Dukaj

• Thorndyke Road Elementary: Susan Donahue

• Transition Program: Dr. Brenda Diggs

• Vernon Hill Elementary: Tammy Boyle

Remember, the first day of school is Monday, August 26 for grades 1-12 and Thursday, August 29 for Pre-K and Kindergarten. As we embark on this new school year, let us embrace the opportunities for continued growth, learning, and collaboration that lie ahead. Together, we can and will foster an environment where every scholar can thrive and reach their full potential. From here, anywhere… together in the Worcester Public Schools.

Remember, the first day of school is Monday, August 26 for grades 1-12 and Thursday, August 29 for Pre-K and Kindergarten. As we embark on this new school year, let us embrace the opportunities for continued growth, learning, and collaboration that lie ahead. Together, we can and will foster an environment where every scholar can thrive and reach their full potential. From here, anywhere… together in the Worcester Public Schools.

Sincerely,

Rachel H. Monárrez, PhD
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools

Below you will find helpful resources for parents with children entering into preschool and kindergarten in Worcester Public Schools.

• Preschool Parent Handbook

• Getting Ready for School

• School Attendance Matters

• Reading Tips

• Kindergarten in Developmental Stages

• Kindergarten Screening Information