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Safety

Safety in the Worcester Public Schools

The Worcester Public Schools (WPS) provides safe and supportive environments for all students, staff, families and visitors, but safety is not something we can ever take for granted. The physical and mental safety of our students, staff, and families must always be our top priority. WPS continues to take a proactive approach to ensuring safety, while also establishing concrete safety measures with clear protocols, procedures, and a common language to ensure a systematic and organized response to any situation.

Key Contacts:

Director of School Safety

Dr. Matt Morse
115 NE Cutoff
Worcester, MA 01606
Phone: 508-799-3472
Email Matt

Dr. Morse is responsible for supporting schools and sites with safety planning, crisis management, crisis response teams, crossing guard training, drills, and supporting schools with safety infrastructure needs.  He is a liaison between schools, the Worcester Police Department, Worcester Fire Department, and Worcester Emergency Management.

Administrative Director of Positive Youth Development

Tom Toney
Durkin Administration Building
20 Irving St.
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: 508-713-7466
Email Tom

Mr. Toney is responsible for matters relating to safety and discipline issues within the student cohort. He is also responsible for the Safety Center and Turn it Around programs. Hs connects schools with the Worcester Police Department’s School Liaison Officers on matters relating to supporting students.

Helpful Links:

Social Media Safety: Visit the website of Common Sense Media, a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing parents/caregivers with real-time information about the safety and appropriateness for children of specific social media apps, video games, movies, television shows, and other forms of media. 

Bullying Prevention: Learn about the district rules and state laws regarding bullying prevention.

Walking to School Safely: Read these safety tips about walking to and from school with your children.

Child Safety ID Cards: Learn more about the Smile Safe Cards program to help find missing children.

“I Love You Guys” Standard Response Protocol for Emergencies:

The WPS Standard Response Safety Protocol follows the I Love You Guys Foundation school safety framework, which uses easy-to-understand language to assist school staff and families in an emergency. 

Updates for 2023-24:

WPS has taken the following steps to enhance safety in our schools for the 2023-24 school year:

  • A third-party audit on district safety was conducted by Guidepost Solutions. The results are being reviewed and will be released publicly at a Worcester School Committee meeting in November. 
  • WPS created a new Crisis Communication and Response Manual for schools and departments for 2023-24. The manual outlines the Standard Response Protocol along with crisis protocols and communications templates to assist school leaders in an emergency.
  • WPS continues to maintain a positive relationship with the Worcester Police Department. WPD’s School Liaison Officers are regularly working with our schools. Our staff communicate closely with the SLO’s on any actual or potential situations that could compromise school safety.
  • The WPS Administrative Director of Positive Youth Development works with schools to implement bullying prevention, restorative practices, and programs that incentivize students for practicing positive behavior. The Director regularly consults with principals to assist with discipline issues and strategies to steer students in the right direction. The Director works directly with the School Liaison Officers from the Worcester Police Department.
  • The hiring of Climate and Culture Assistants and Deans at every high school to promote a positive school culture and climate, which in turn leads to greater safety. The roles support a positive school culture through interactions with students and staff and to ensure a climate of inclusion and belonging, and another way to proactively identify potential safety issues.