District Newsletter June

lorem ipsum Issue 2, June 2015 issue #, dateWPS DISTRICT NEWSGood News in Worcester Issue 2, June 2015 Public Schools ValedictoriansIvy Child International speaks to educators across the Art in the Park district Mindfullness Graduation pictures! News About Our Schools Across The DistrictAs we embark on our final district newsletter of the school year, it is with great pride that I introduce toyou our high school valedictorians. Each student embodies all the Worcester Public Schools have to offer,as their willingness to challenge themselves and potential to change the world is evident not only in theirimpressive achievements, but in their future plans as well. In addition, we are thrilled to announce WPS’sfirst year of participation in the city’s premier art show, Art in the Park, and our continued advocacy ofholistic education through the district’s mindfulness programs. Thank you all for a successful school year. ~Superintendent Dr. Melinda J. Boone Jennifer Roy, Communications/TV Production, [email protected]

lorem ipsum Issue 2, June 2015 issue #, date South High Community School Valedictorian, Patrick Shea South High Community School's valedictorian, Patrick Shea, was accepted to three Ivy League schools: Dartmouth College, Yale University and Brown University. After careful consideration, in the fall he plans to attend Brown University. Shea has been a participant of the Goddard Scholars Program for the last 7 years. He has successfully completed nine Advanced Placement courses which include: Human Geography, Statistics, Chemistry, English Language, U.S. History, Calculus BC, English Literature, French, and Government. Patrick is recognized nationally as an AP Scholar. His current weighted GPA is 4.76. Paul has been an active member of the South High marching band for the last four years and completed numerous volunteer hours. In addition, Patrick is involved a variety of activities, including the mock trial team, music honor society, cross country, varsity tennis and clarinet. He has also volunteered at Carriage House, a grief support group for children. University Park Campus School Valedictorian, Sara Vo This year’s UPCS valedictorian is Sara Vo. Sara will be attending The College of the Holy Cross in the fall. She earned a 4.64 weighted GPA, 4.12 unweighted. Sara has taken five AP classes in Human Geography, US History, Government and Politics, Calculus, and Biology. She also received the Harvard book award as a junior. This year, she served as National Honor Society President. Sarah is heavily involved at Pho Hien Temple. She aspires to be a pediatrician.2

lorem ipsum Issuiess2u, eJu#n,ed2a0te15North High School Valedictorian, Daniela Fraga Alvarez Daniela will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the fall. She was accepted and attended the summer Women in Technology program at MIT. Daniela will have successfully completed nine Advanced Placement courses and two Dual Enrollment courses by graduation. As a junior, Daniela was honored with the College of the Holy Cross Book Award and was the recipient of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award for excellence in Science. Extracurricular activities included: Robotics Principal's Advisory Council Collegiate Success Institute - CSI Health Occupations Students of America - HOSAOff campus Daniela studies music and plays violin with the Worcester YouthOrchestra.Burncoat High School Valedictorian, Catherine Huynh Burncoat’s valedictorian is Catherine Huynh. Catherine, who has a GPA of 4.77, is planning on majoring in Biology or Pre-Medicine at Boston University in the fall. Over the course of her years at Burncoat, Catherine has taken eight Advanced Placement classes. Those classes include Human Geography, Chemistry, Physics, Music Theory, English Language, English Literature, Calculus, and Biology. In addition, Catherine was a member of the Gifted Program at the College of the Holy Cross where she was able to take a class each semester this academic year. Catherine has played in the orchestra and string quartet as a member of the Music Magnet throughout her four years. Her musical highlights consist of playing for President Obama as a member of the orchestra last year at the Worcester Technical High School’s graduation. Lastly, Catherine has lettered in Varsity indoor/outdoor track and Cross Country since her sophomore year. 3

lorem ipsum Issue 2,isJusunee #2,0d15ate Worcester Technical High School Valedictorian, Solimar Ramis De Ayreflor Reyes Solimar Ramis De Ayreflor Reyes is the class of 2015 Valedictorian at Worcester Technical High School. She is an exemplary student, remarkable leader, and is truly one of the kindest students that has walked through the doors of Worcester Tech. She has excelled in her academic work including AP Statistics, AP English Language and AP Biology. Reyes earned a weighted GPA of 4.41. On her own time, she also earned seven college credits by taking an EMT course at Quinsigamound Community College. She placed multiple times in Skills USA for Cosmetology (most recently as a state silver medalist), is a National Honors Society Member, and a H.A.C.E. award recipient. Furthermore, Reyes volunteered her time to help cancer patients through a program called “Look good, feel better”. She will be attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute this fall and will be pursuing a degree in Biology on the Pre-Med track. Doherty High School Valedictorian: Orlee Anina Orlee Anina will be attending Brandeis University in the fall. She took her first AP class, AP Statistics, as a sophomore, then took three her junior year (Chemistry, English Composition, and US History) along with a Dual Enrollment course at Worcester State University. As a senior, Orlee took five AP classes (Biology, Calculus, English Literature, Environmental Science and Psychology) and has earned a cumulative average of 4.81! Anina has been an active participant in many clubs, activities, and she has also volunteered outside of school. She has been awarded the following scholarships: Alice Miles Scholarship, Horatio Alger Massachusetts Scholarship, Hanover Scholarship, Telegram & Gazette Student Achievement Award, Worcester County Superintendent’s Scholarship, Harvard Junior Book Award and the Daughters of the American Revolution.4

lorem ipsum issue #, dateClaremont Academy Valedictorian: Kwaku Amponsah Kwaky Amponsah, a Poss Scholarship recipient, will be attending Bucknell University in the fall. Kwaku is the consummate gentleman, scholar, and athlete. His academic capabilities are unrivaled. He is ranked number one in his class; he has taken five AP courses including Calculus, Statistics, United States Government and both English Literature and Language. In addition to this, Kwaku has also taken college courses at Holy Cross and Clark University where he out performed many of the college students in his class. On top of his efforts in the class, Kwaku has also worked hard as the senior class president and has shown tremendous leadership capabilities in organizing a plethora of school events. He is an outstanding public speaker and his poise and charm are infectious. Kwaku is also a talented athlete excelling at almost any sport he plays. This year he was the senior captain on the boys’ basketball team that made it to the third round of district play. As impressive as these accolades are, Kwaku’s finest attributes are personal. He is caring, kind, considerate, compassionate and giving. We look forward to a remarkably bright future for Kwaku, and we are proud to have played a small role in his development. Crossing Guard Retires After 45 YearsShirley Wyman a crossing guard for the last 45 years for Thorndyke School was presented the Keyto the City by Mayor Joe Petty during a surprise retirement ceremony on the front steps of theschool Monday morning. 5

lorem ipsum Issue 2, June 2015 issue #, date High School Graduations University Park Watch University Park Campus School graduation here: Campus School http://ec4.cc/fea58b85 Doherty High School Watch the Doherty High School graduation here: http://ec4.cc/fedfee466

lorem ipsum Issue 2i,ssJuunee#2, 0d1a5te Burncoat High School Watch the Burncoat High School graduation here: http://ec4.cc/fef5fb62North High School Watch the North High School graduation here: http://ec4.cc/fefe5e7e 7

lorem ipsum Issue 2, June 2015 issue #, date Worcester Technical High School Watch the Worcester Technical High School graduation here: http://ec4.cc/fecd4f49 South High Community School Watch the South High Community School graduation here: http://ec4.cc/fee375b3 Images  photographed  at  the  North,  South  and  Worcester  Technical  graduations  by   Casson  Foster  Photographers  are  available  for  viewing  and  purchasing  @  http://www.cassonfoster.com/graduations8

lorem ipsum Issue 2, iJsusnuee 2#0,1d5ateClaremont Academy Watch the Claremont Academy graduation here:http://ec4.cc/fe479325 Nelson Place School Wins National Art Contest Supporting   “Healthy Eating”       (Worcester, MA) –June 5, 2015 – Nelson Place students have plenty of artistic talent. And now, two of their artworks will be on a moving display across the city. Nelson Place is among seven national grand prize winning schools in the 2015 Preferred Meals “Healthy Lunch for a Healthier Me!” Art Contest for 4th through 6th graders. The school had two winning designs, which were unveiled at the school on Thursday June 11th and became a featured billboard display on a 23-ft truck delivering school meals. In addition, the students who designed the winning art entries were honored at Thursday’s presentation hosted by special guest Corey Rich aka Corey the Dribbler. Preferred Meals, who provides school meals to Nelson Place as well as many other schools across the country, created the art contest and school lesson plan program in 2012 to support healthy eating in a fun and imaginative way. Preferred Meals is one of the country’s largest suppliers of healthy, affordable and well-balanced meals to public and private school districts and charter schools. Winners were selected based on originality of design, theme message clarity and artistic merit by a special judging committee. Second place winners will be featured on school tray liners during the 2015-16 school year and all entries are on display on the Preferred Meals Facebook page. Winners will be featured on the Preferred Meals website and in the monthly Preferred World newsletter. 9

lorem ipsum Issue 2, June 2015 issue #, date Mindfulness On Wednesday, May 27th, the Worcester Public Schools held a “Mindfulness in Urban Education Summit” at Claremont Academy. Ivy Child International, a non-profit that teaches children and communities mindfulness, self-regulation, and leadership, offers a program at Claremont Academy. Educators, parents, school counselors, safety officers, business leaders, health care providers, faith based and community leaders, as well as elected and appointed leaders attended the event. Congressman James P. McGovern presented at the summit along with special guest, Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Ohio). Ryan has been a long time advocate of mindfulness and meditation and believes the time has come to integrate this into our health care and education systems, the corporate world, and the U.S. Military. Ryan published a book about his own experience with mindfulness and meditation in 2012.10

lorem ipsum Issue 2i,sJsuunee#2,0d1a5te 2015 Student Achievers Each year, the Telegram & Gazette honors top high school students from Central Massachusetts. Here are the WPS student achievers, class of 2015. 11

lorem ipsum Issue 2i,sJsuunee#2,0d1a5te Art in the ParkWorcester Public School students have created art installations for the city’s popular aDndosuncceecssful Art inthe Park show at Elm Park. The new addition to the exhibit this year will be sculptiunrets cereratdedubymartteachers and their students, with guidance from professional artists with public art backgrounds. Among the pairings were Tatnuck Magnet School science teacher Mark Tozen, who teamed up with well-known local artist Susan Champeny to meld a group of 70 sixth-graders into a mini engineering and artistic army. The result is an artistically designed bench Pellentesque: made out of books. The piece is titled \"# Read 20\" to tie into the \"read twenty minutes a day\" slogan the Worcester Public Schools are promoting. Initially, the kids came up with the idea of a bench with bookcase on the side with books for people to read. Champeny encouraged the students to think outside the dust jacket. \"It was her advice to actually use the books as materials, and we were able to get some books that were being discarded from the Worcester Public Library,\" Tozer said. It was a challenge encouraging 70 kids to compromise for the sake of a unified vision, but it all came together in the end. \"No matter what they say out loud - they're sixth-graders - as they see it becoming a reality, that's when it's hitting them that it's really kind of cool,\" Tozer said. The school-based projects will add yet another dimension to an already varied exhibition. The show will have a changing rhythm of scales, Cross said, including some sculptures that are of an intimate, human size and others that have a more monumental presence. \"Some of the works present thCemosnelsveecstreetaulleyrb:oldly, changing the landscape of the park, while others are quieter and might be stumbled upon like a welcome surprise,\" she said. Art in the Park, Worcester, is a celebration of large-scale sculptures, artists, friends, families, and community in historic Elm Park, Worcester, MA. The show debuted in 2008 as a Worcester Cultural Commission, now Worcester Arts Council, grant project. It was founded to present public art to a broad community, to promote the works of artists, enhance outdoor spaces, enrich lives and create visibility for the greater Worcester area. Art in the Park is good for the community, the City, and the soul.12

lorem ipsum Issue 2i,sJsuunee#2,0d1a5te2015 National Scholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 19-21, 2015, North Carolina A&T University For the 1st time in school history, WTHS/North Track and Field has 11 Boys and Girls Qualified for the NB National Scholastic Outdoor Track and Field Championships. On June 19-21, 2015, the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation celebrated its 25th outdoor national championships – known as the New Balance Nationals Outdoor since 2010 – at North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., the meet’s home since 2005. Also, for the first time, Burncoat High School also had 11 Boy's and Girl's qualified. This was a tremendous achievement for all of our athletes, representing Burncoat High, North High, Worcester Tech, and the Worcester Public Schools.All our athletes set new personal and school records, which will be difficult to surpass in thefuture.Worcester Tech Boys 800m Sprint Medley Relay National Championship Section 2-New Balance NationalsOutdoor 2015 (16th Place out of 41 Teams)http://www.nbnationalsout.com/eprofile.php?event_id=3689&do=videos&video_id=149711Worcester Tech Girls 800m Sprint Medley Relay Emerging Elite Section 2-New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2015(36th Place out of 55 Teams)http://www.nbnationalsout.com/eprofile.php?event_id=3689&do=videos&video_id=149440    Worcester Tech Boys 4x200 Relay Emerging Elite Section 1-New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2015 (12th Place out of32 Teams)http://www.nbnationalsout.com/eprofile.php?event_id=3689&do=videos&video_id=149374Worcester Tech Boys 4x100 Relay Emerging Elite Section 1-New Balance Nationals Outdoor 2015 (25th Place out of40 Teams)http://www.nbnationalsout.com/eprofile.php?event_id=3689&do=videos&video_id=149325Each month, our District Newsletter shares some of the most exciting news taking place at our   Worcester Public Schools. Our teachers do more than simply educate students in the classroom; Worcester Public Schools are immensely focused on creating productive citizens throughparticipation in charitable events and cultural activities. We open our schools to leaders like RosePavlov at Ivy Child to assist our students with techniques to become resilient and navigate theirschool years in positive and healthy ways. It’s no wonder why our students are excelling in APcourses, breaking school athletic records, and getting accepted into the best universities; it is hardwork, pride, and the desire to serve others that help these youth develop into successfulprofessionals that impact our world each day. Have a wonderful summer, we look forward toseeing you all next year. ~Marco Rodrigues Chief Academic Officer