TwiThe following is the transcript from the phone message sent out by the Superintendent on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
Good Afternoon,
This is Superintendent Binienda. I am calling this afternoon to share several important updates.
The WPS has sent out remote learning surveys to students and staff through your email addresses. Parent surveys are being translated and will be sent out on social media and also posted on the WPS website on Monday, June 15, 2020. The survey asks questions regarding remote learning and communication from staff during the Covid 19 shutdown. Please take the time to fill out this survey as we will use this information to inform teaching and learning for the 2020-2021 school year.
The WPS Virtual Summer School Programs for students in K- 12 are posted on the WPS Website, Worcesterschools.org. Registration forms can be completed on the website. Parents can also contact their school principal and/or teacher for registration. Summer school begins for most programs next Wednesday June 17. Students should register this week for virtual summer school. Special Education Programs begin on July 6.
The WPS Extended Learning site, including K-6 Programs ST Math and Lexia are available for student use all summer. Your child’s report card will be mailed. Included in the mailings are Special Ed Progress Reports, information about summer feeding sites, and the APPS available for all grades for free student use during the summer.
I have shared many conversations with WPS staff, and students and families over the past week after the senseless killing of George Floyd. They shared stories of anger, fear and hurt and all discussed the shared goal of a school community free from racism and intolerance. WPS Staff shared their commitment to provide educational opportunities for success for all our students. I want to share that the WPS is committed to make sure that every child has access to learning and thrives in a culture without racism and unconscious bias. We recognize that we need to provide additional support and training for our students and staff. The WPS will expand training that began in the 2019-20 school year: Trauma and resiliency training by Dr. Heather Forkey, from the UMASS Trauma Center; Cultural Competency Practices to address inclusive curriculum; and Collaborative Problem Solving to address staff response to student discipline. The Chief Diversity Officer position will begin on July 1, 2020. Ivonne Perez, our Chief Diversity Officer, has a successful tenure in the WPS as the Principal of Chandler Magnet School. Ms. Perez will focus on building a strong culture of recognizing and appreciating diversity including increasing diversity in the workforce, since we know that students learn best when they have highly qualified teachers who represent their community.
The Commissioner of Education will release more information regarding school reopening in August later in June. I will contact you during the summer for more updates.
I want to thank our WPS parents and guardians for your collaborative work with our WPS staff during this shutdown. I wish you and your children a relaxing summer.
Respectfully,
Maureen Binienda