April has 16 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! 🎓🌟

🎉 Juniper Outreach Foundation Opens Food Pantry at Doherty Memorial High School
The Juniper Outreach Foundation has officially opened its eighth in-school food pantry at Doherty Memorial High School, providing students with access to food 🍎, snacks 🍪, clothing 👚, and other essential items.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured remarks from Mayor Joseph Petty, Principal John Staley, Tim Murray, President/CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Julie McDonald, Executive Director of the Juniper Outreach Foundation. ✂️🎤
With generous support from the Fairlawn Foundation, this new pantry joins Juniper’s growing network of school-based pantries at Burncoat Preparatory School, Lincoln Street School, City View Discovery School, Elm Park Community School, Vernon Hill School, Gerald Creamer Center, and South High School—ensuring more students have the resources they need to succeed in and out of the classroom. 📚🌟






🛑🚸 Today, we celebrate the incredible crossing guards in Worcester Public Schools who play a vital role in getting our students to and from school safely throughout the school year. 👏
Pictured are a few of the dedicated crossing guards in our schools:
🛑🚸 Brenda Davin – Crossing Guard at Flagg Street School
Principal Genese says, "We are so fortunate to have Ms. Brenda Davin as the crossing guard for the Flagg Street School community. She not only ensures students arrive safely but also brightens everyone's day with her kindness."
Parent Zack Kennedy adds, "Rain or shine, snow or sleet, Brenda greets everyone with a smile and kind words. She decorates the tree and post with holiday cheer, and her genuine affection for the kids is felt by all. We are lucky to have her as part of the Flagg community."
🛑🚸 Lilian Garcia – Crossing Guard at Union Hill School
Principal Tabales says, "At one of the busiest intersections in town, Ms. Lillian Garcia is more than just a crossing guard—she’s a community guardian. Rain or shine, she ensures the safety of children with a warm smile and a watchful eye, even carrying spare mittens for those who forget theirs."
🛑🚸 Kashanda Harris – Crossing Guard at Goddard School of Science & Technology Principal Dr. Allen says, "Kashanda Harris is one of our veteran crossing guards who crosses Goddard School students at the very busy intersection of Main Street at Freeland Street. We appreciate Kashanda's many years of service to the Goddard School community, ensuring that our students arrive at school and return home safely each and every day, regardless of the weather."
🛑🚸 Al Ruiz – Crossing Guard at Grafton Street School
Principal Hebert says, “Al Ruiz is the first face greeting students and families at Grafton Street School. He has built positive and trusting relationships with the Grafton Street Community. We are lucky to have him keeping our students safe.”
Sending a thank you to all of our WPS crossing guards for their dedication and hard work in keeping our students safe every day!




South High Community School Girls Basketball Advances to Division 2 State Championship 🏀
South High secured a spot in the state championship game with a 42-39 win over #7 Whitman-Hanson in the semifinal round! The #6 Colonels will now face top-seeded Medfield in a rematch of last year's state championship.
The Division 2 State Championship is Saturday, March 15 at 4:00 PM at Tsongas Center on the campus of UMass Lowell.
Get your tickets now ➡️: https://tsongascenter.evenue.net/events/MIAAB

🏫🎾 Worcester Public Schools Receives USA Pickleball Grant to Expand Physical Education Curriculum
Worcester Public Schools has been awarded a grant from USA Pickleball’s inaugural “Grow the Game” program! This initiative will help expand access to pickleball in our schools and communities by providing essential equipment and resources.
As part of the grant, WPS will receive 72 paddles, 3 nets, and 200 pickleballs, plus educational materials to support the integration of pickleball into the physical education curriculum. PE teachers recently participated in professional development at Doherty Memorial High School, learning how to teach pickleball to students.
This program will help students get active and engaged in a fun, growing sport that promotes fitness and social interaction. 🎾💪
Read more: https://www.worcesterschools.org/article/2075969

School Social Worker / Adjustment Counselor Appreciation Week 🧑🏫💙
This week, we recognize and celebrate the contributions of our School Social Workers / Adjustment Counselors. 💙 They support students, families, and educators in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. 🌱📚 School Adjustment Counselors address social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, helping students succeed. 🎯
Their work helps bridge gaps, provide resources, and support resilience in our school communities. 🤝💪
To all our School Adjustment Counselors—thank you for your work and support. 🙏 We appreciate everything you do! 🌟
Check out some of the photos of our dedicated team! 📸




🎓High School Graduation Dates for the Class of 2025!
The time is almost here! Check out the graduation dates for Worcester Public Schools’ Class of 2025:
Tuesday, May 27: Doherty Memorial High School
Wednesday, May 28: Worcester Technical High School
Thursday, May 29: University Park Campus School
Monday, June 2: Gerald Creamer Center
Tuesday, June 3: Worcester Alternative School
Tuesday, June 3: Burncoat High School
Wednesday, June 4: South High Community School
Friday, June 6: North High School
Monday, June 9: Claremont Academy
Celebrate the hard work and dedication of our graduates as they move on to their next chapter! 🎓🌟
For full details on graduation dates, visit: https://buff.ly/frXUZaR

South High Community School Girls Basketball Advance to Round of 8 in MIAA Playoffs 🏀
South High advanced to the Round of 8 in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) Girls Basketball Division 2 Playoffs with a 47-28 win against #11 Pembroke on Wednesday, March 5.
Freshman Stefania Kyriazis led the scoring for South with 14 points while senior Bryan Bascones tallied 13 points. Sophomore Lydia Charlonne knocked down a pair of three-pointers to help boost the offense.
The sixth-seeded Colonels will now host #14 Walpole on Saturday, March 8 at 3 PM with a chance to advance to the Division 2 Semifinals.
Purchase your tickets here: https://buff.ly/vhdxUda

🥣 National School Breakfast Week is here! 🥑🍎
A healthy, tasty breakfast sets students up for success—and the best part? It’s completely FREE for all students! 🎉 Come grab a breakfast and fuel up to kickstart a day of learning and achievement! 🍽️🌟
This week, we’re celebrating with delicious and healthy options, including a new recipe in the works!
Introducing waffle sticks with blueberry compote—made with real blueberries, a splash of lemon juice, and a touch of honey. 🍯🫐 The perfect balance of sweet and tangy, this tasty new breakfast could be your next favorite!
Would you give it a try? Let us know! 👇



📚✨ 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! 🎓🌟

✨ Staff Development Day in Action! ✨
Today, Worcester Public Schools educators came together for a day of collaboration, growth, and skill-building—all with the goal of better supporting our students! 📚🎶🍎
Some highlights from the day:
🎼 Music Educators – Mapped scope & sequence, reviewed, and developed curriculum maps to enhance middle and high school music instruction.
🛡️ Risk Mitigation Training – School Adjustment Counselors and Behavior Specialists engaged in professional development on proactive strategies to identify and address student needs, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
🥗 Nutrition Team Trainings – Participated in Manager/Cook training and a chemicals presentation, reinforcing best practices in food safety and kitchen operations.
👏 A huge thank you to all WPS staff for your commitment to excellence and student success!








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. 🏫

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

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.





🎉 South High Community School's Lunar New Year Festival! 🐉🌟
The Asian Student Association (ASA) hosted an unforgettable evening with delicious food, vibrant music, and fun games! Guests enjoyed Sushi, Spring Rolls, Lo Mein, Banh Mi, and more. 🍣🎶
Students were joined by GongCha, Mia Cane, and Mochi Dough, who added to the celebration with their booths. A huge thank you to Chef Quy from Kyoto Bar and Grill for supporting the Culinary Arts team and contributing several dishes. 🍽️
This event was made possible by the dedication of the ASA council and the entire South High Community School community! We look forward to making this an annual tradition! 🙌🎉




South High Community School's Bryan Bascones Reaches 1,000 Career Points!
Congratulations to South High senior Bryan Bascones for reaching the 1,000 career points milestone in girls basketball!
Bascones surpassed the career mark with a 17 point, 11 rebound performance in the team's win against Sandwich this past weekend.

WPS High School Scholars Join 2025 Pipeline Dreams Program at UMass Chan Medical School
High school juniors and seniors from Worcester Public Schools (WPS) will be participating in the 2025 Pipeline Dreams Program, a 12-week learning experience organized by the UMass Chan Collaborative in Health Equity.
The Pipeline Dreams Program, which began on January 15 at UMass Chan Medical School, is intended to expose students to future careers in medicine, scientific research and public health. It is a program of Patients R Waiting, Inc.
Click here for more information: https://buff.ly/40Nc9g6

South High Community School Hosts College Application Celebration Day 🎓
South High seniors recently had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with college admissions counselors during College Application Celebration Day.
The event, organized by the school’s guidance counseling team, was open to all seniors who signed up in advance.
Admissions counselors from local universities, including Assumption University, Nichols College, Worcester State University and Quinsigamond Community College, attended. Students even received on-the-spot acceptance after interviews.
There was also a room dedicated to Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) with community partners helping students complete the FAFSA.
High schools from around WPS also held recent college acceptance events. University Park Campus School hosted two on-the-spot acceptance days, and similar events were held for students at Burncoat High School and Doherty Memorial High School.





🍽️✨ 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

