Quadrant Newsletter Sept 2015 Final3

Lorem IpsumDolorPellentesque sed sem nec dui eleifend tristique.September 2015 Issue 1, Volume 2 Welcome Back To The Best Year Yet! Are you ready to make this the best year yet? This is the question we should all ask ourselves as we embark on a new school year. Our goals for our newsletters are to inform and inspire. Monthly we will feature four or five schools from each quadrant as well asInside news from the district and a superintendent’s page. We will also hear from our WPS parents, students and teachers about topicsChandler Elementary that are meaningful to them! In addition, our district health and nutrition professionals, safety liason, department heads and otherAn Extended Learning Time School experts will contribute interesting insights to make all of our livesForest Grove Middle richer and stronger in the areas of education and personalSchool development.Strive for Excellence So get ready to work, and climb your own mountain of success a little each day. Remember, this will be the best year yet!Chandler Magnet Dr. Melinda J. BooneChandler Magnet Gets to WorkElm Park SuperintendentTurnaround Plan Save the Date Flu Clinics will be held at all schools during the weeks of October 19- October 29. Details, schedules, and forms to be completed will be available on the WPS website when available and in this newsletter.

LSoerpetmemIbpesru2m01D5olor Chandler Elementary Communit[IyssSuec]h::o[oDlate]Chandler Elementary Chandler Elementary: An Extended Flu Clinic Learning Time School Wed, Oct 28th Here’s a look at the great training and unique programs taking place 11:00am to 1:00pm at Chandler Elementary Community School:• Professional Development: Staff participated in 60 hours of Professional Development during August. Math (30 hours) – teachers collaborated vertically and horizontally planning standard based lessons and assessments for the first 10 weeks of the school year using our new Go Math program as a guide/tool. Literacy (30 hours) – the focus is “Strengthening the Literacy Block”. Teachers looked at data, planned lessons, and developed a schedule. Several teachers presented in the areas of Writing, Guided Reading, Science (How to develop a science block where students are reading, writing, speaking and listening every day.)• Behavioral Development: We successfully rolled out the Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) to all staff at a Universal Level. This system involves adults modeling positive behaviors and focusing on positive behaviors. We identified the 5 B’s (Be Here, Be Ready, Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful) and we established a calendar of school wide celebrations as well as incentives students can earn with their “Chandler Bucks”. This will be ongoing and evolve as we continue the school year.• Parent Workshops: Beginning in October, Chandler Elementary will be offering monthly parent workshops by grade level K-6. Ourintent is to build relationships with families so they feel welcomein our school and understand the importance of supportinglearning at home. The workshops will focus on Literacy AcrossContent, Writing, Science, and Math. We welcome new staff:• Summer Reading: More than 250 students in grades Assistant Principal, 1-6 successfully completed their summer reading. Marvin Negron They participated in a \"Sundae Party\", and were Office Bi-Lingual Asst, offered a few activities they could choose from: an extra 30 Nelly Perez minutes of recess, basketball with Mr. Jennings, a craft SAC, Melissa Fergus activity with Mrs. Fergus, or lunch with the principal/AP. ELL, Elizabeth Juneau Jessica Boss, Principal ELL, Amy Clifford Chandler Elementary ELL, Christina Tokalati Grade 1, Marie Powers Grade 1, Michelle 114 Chandler St McNamara Grade 3, Patricia Lynch (508) 799-3572 [email protected] Grade 3, Kara Kennedy Kindergarten, Melanie2 Gallagher

Lorem Ipsum Dolor IsSseupete[#m]b::e[rD2a0t1e5]Forest Grove Flu Forest Grove Strives For Clinic ExcellenceThursday, Oct 229:00am – 11:00am The staff at Forest Grove Middle School continues our pursuit to strive for excellence in allwe do. We regularly implement our F.O.R.C.E strategy of “focusing onreading comprehension every day in every classroom”. Our teachersrigorously foster strong reading, writing, speaking, and listening skillsin all our students that will enable them to thrive in higher education Mark Williamsand prepare for college or career. Our staff provides students with the Principalacademic, social, and emotional supports that will allow them to grow ina safe, nurturing environment where they know they are valued. Our goal continues todevelop well-rounded, civic-minded individuals who will grow to be productive members oftheir communities and the world.As we move forward in this school year, we will continue to utilize our commonplanning time to address students’ needs. We will be implementing a school-wide, multi-tiered program to closely monitor and assess students’ academic and behavioral needs. Withour varied individualized students’ supports and interventions, we can efficiently andaccurately assess students’ progress toward increased academicperformance.We look forward to an exciting and productive year asthe Forest Grove Family of staff, students, parents/guardians,and community members come together to build on our strongcommitment of ensuring high levels of learning for all First Daystudents so they may become college and career ready. of School! Mark Williams, Principal Forest Grove Middle School 495 Grove St 3

Lorem IpCsuhmaDnolodr ler Magnet School S[eIspstueme]b::e[rD2a0t1e5]Chandler Magnet Chandler Magnet Gets To Work Flu Clinic Chandler Magnet Elementary School, the Academic Center for Wed, Oct 21 Transition at Chandler Magnet, and The Temporary Learning Center (TLC)9:30am-11:30am are busy from the beginning of the week to the end. As students descend from their buses or are dropped off by families, they are greeted immediately at thedoor by teachers. After breakfast in the cafeteria, students transition to the auditorium where webegin our day with a school-wide community meeting in our auditorium. Students go to theirclassrooms where they have a “morning meeting” with their classroom teachers. All Chandler Magnetteachers/staff are being trained in “The Responsive Classroom”; our teachers are working hard atmaking connections and building community with every single child in our school. As Dr. JamesComer, associate dean at the Yale School of Medicine, often reflected, “No significant learning occurswithout a significant relationship”. We believe that the better we know our students the better we willbe able to teach them.Chandler Magnet is the only school in the district with a Transitional Bilingual Education(TBE) program and one of two Worcester schools with a Dual Language Program. The goal of theTBE program is to help students transfer their skills in their native language to assist in the eventualtransition to an all-English program. The Dual Language program is a rigorous program that allowsstudents to become proficient in two languages. The instruction for half of the day is in English andthe other half of the day is in Spanish. This is offered to students in grades Kindergarten through fifthgrade, and next year, sixth grade will be added. AVID continues at Chandler Magnet with the addition of the fourth grade to the mix. Students recently participated in their first annual “Binder Rally” where they organized their “school tools and materials” to make it easier to prepare for their work day. AVID bulletin boards and student designed college banners adorn the intermediate wing at the school. Outside of each staff members’ door is a small sign that has the name of the college they attended. The fifth and sixth grade students are busily preparing for their class elections where they will select their representatives and officers for the school year. The campaign posters can be seen in many areas of the building and will culminate with a “candidates’ forum” prior to the ballots being handed out for the WEDF received a vote. $10,000 donationThe Academic Center for Transition (ACT) at Chandler for the ACT inMagnet has begun its literacy work with the inclusion of therapy dogs.The students read with and to the dogs two days per week. ACT will August!continue to be involved in literacy events such as an “Author’s Tea” and“Community Reading Day” where a guest reader comes to read to or withan ACT student. We had over 40 readers come last school year.We at Chandler Magnet are grateful for the opportunity to teach the students in our city, butwe are also appreciative of the help that we receive from our school’s community, which includes parents, staff, neighbors, Worcester State University CLEWS and the Grace Baptist Church. Their help each year helps us ready the school to open by covering bulletin boards, helping to decorate classrooms and helping us with our “curb appeal”. This year we got a new pre-school yard! It is finally finished and ready for use by our youngest learners thanks to donations by Lowe’s and Digital Credit Union’s Adopt-A- Classroom and numerous volunteers. We are currently working with a committee and some of our stakeholders to build a playground on our campus for our current students and those in many years to come. Ivonne  Perez,  Principal Chandler  Magnet  4 525  Chandler  St  

SLeoprteemmIbpesru2m01D5olor Elm Park CommunityIsSsuceh[#o] :o: [Dl ate] Elm Park Flu Elm Park’s Turnaround Plan Clinic   Wed, Oct 28 The staff began this year’s work of keeping a relentless focus on8:30am – 10:30am students’ academic and social emotional needs when we engaged in 60 hours of professional development in July and August. The professionaldevelopment allowed staff to prepare to launch the turnaround plan and successfully on-boardall new staff as well as provide support to the returning staff. As we move forwardto implement a thoughtful, multi-year plan to provide a tiered system of support for academicand social/emotional needs, we focused on utilizing common planning time, implementing adedicated response to intervention block of time which will address areas of need and advanceareas of strength. By focusing on both the academic world and the social emotional realm, weare able to use a comprehensive approach to teaching and learning.As we move forward in our mission of ensuring high levels of learning for all of our students,we do so with the understanding that a community approach is key. Families, community  partners and the EPCS staff will work together to turnaround EPCS.  Joany  Santa   Elm Park isPrincipal   extending itsElm  Park  Community   school day 2 hoursSchool   for teachers and23  North  Ashland  Avenue   1.5 hours for(508)  799-­‐3568  [email protected] students!The EPCS Theory of Action is as follows:If all Elm Park Community School personnel provide or support high qualityteaching and learning, then all Elm Park Community School students will continuouslyachieve higher performance levels, thus closing the achievement gaps. We welcome additional staff this year for turnaround plan: • Wrap Around Coordinator, Mr. Rolando Cruz • Librarian/Media Specialist, Miss Christina Hatziemmanuel • Lead Teacher, Ms. Kendra Cox • The Health Center also added a school based clinician, Ms. Jennifer McClintock, who will work to add Mindfulness and Yoga to the offerings 5

Lorem Ipsum Dolor Our Voices Septem[bIesrsu2e0]1:5: [Date] Teacher Preparing Our Students for Voice: the Academic Home Stretch Bob Jennings (Lead Wrap Around Zone Coordinator) Throughout my long career in the WPS, I have had the pleasure of working in a system that cares about children, puts a huge emphasis on instruction and practice, and has honed the school leadership to develop systems that will improve student performance and instructional proficiency. I have also had the opportunity to work at every level and found that those children who are exposed to rich language development, are read to and spoken to daily, and who are challenged to learn prior to entering pre-school, are the ones who are able to take full advantage of our outstanding instructional practices of the Worcester Public Schools. Exposure means having daily opportunities to learn. It also means capitalizing on these learning experiences and praising the child for their growth. If you are our shopping, for example, talk to your child about shapes, sizes, colors, and tastes of store produce. The days of waiting for kindergarten to start the learning cycle are over; the process begins in the womb, during the neo-natal experience, helping parents to understand the importance of teaching children to read and write from birth to four years old is as important as the vaccinations they receive. Programs like “Reach Out and Read”, which provides doctors with starter kits of books and other materials to give to parents, are essential. One of the mantras of Worcester Public Schools is the most important twenty minutes of your day is reading to your child (in any language). I stand by that! Parent Elm Park Helps Student Voice: Family Heal Voice: (Laura Quinn, The Pros and Cons of Guardian) Middle School My name is Laura Quinn and I am the aunt and legal Violet Manxhari (Student, guardian of a student at Elm Park School. In the past 10 Forest Grove) months our family has been through a lot of change including (student) attending your school this year. Middle Schools is a big transition from (Student) has been through so much in the last 10 months elementary school, which includes many ups and from losing his mom and uncle in a split second and then a downs. The most difficult thing about being in a few months later he lost his grandfather on both his mother middle school is the responsibility. In middle and fathers side of the family. School was extremely hard schools you have more classes and an increase in homework, classwork, projects, and tests. for (student) last year; he attended 3 different schools and it Adjusting to the school is also very challenging, was extremely hard for me as well. I dreaded the school as you transition from a small community weeks and was on constant stand by waiting for the next elementary school to a big middle school. phone call on (student’s) behavioral issues and everything he wasn't doing. I was lost and didn't know what to do to help However, middle school also has some pros. At (student) get the education he needed and the extra help on Forest Grove Middle School there is a positive top of it. He came home mad and upset everyday. That has learning environment and helpful teachers, which all changed in just one short month and I'm excited to see makes learning easier and being in school more what the rest of the school year has to bring!!! Not only enjoyable. Forest Grove Middle School will surely (student’s) teacher, but Ms. Santa has gone above and prepare me well for my future schooling. beyond to help (student) and our family and for that I will forever be thankful! (Student) comes home happy everyday and hardly ever does he complain about his school day or going to school the next day. It's absolutely the best decision I have made by him attending your school! You guys are awesome and I want to thank everyone for everything they are doing in getting jack on the rite path to successfully learn and grow in the educational part of his life.6

SLeoprteemmIbpesru2m01D5olor District News Issue [#] :: [Date] Supreme Judicial Court Judicial Youth Corps 2015For twenty-four years the Judicial Youth Corps has given young people a unique opportunityto learn about the rule of law and the judicial branch of government through interactions withjudges, lawyers, and court staff. Students participate in mock trials, visit courthouses, andwork in Court departments over the course of twelve weekly educational sessions anda seven-week internship overseen by court employees who mentor the studentsthroughout the summer. On August 13, the group traveled to participate in amock trial at the John Adams Courthouse in Boston. The program is lead byJames Rosseel, Esq., Coordinator, Worcester Judicial Youth Corps.Students: North High: Maritzabel Alejo, Keyshawn O’Connell; South High: Dominik Danko, 7Phung Nhin, Esther Oluokon; Burncoat High: Sivan Amir, Hannah Popp, Doherty High:Xhino Gjokollari; Abby Kelley: Daniel Restrepo; University Park: Therese Surrette Cyber  Safety  –  Good  Digital  Citizenship  and  Protecting  Your  Digital  Footprint    Parents   • Keep  communication  open  –  Youth  today  are  extremely  savvy  with  technology.    Our  children   are  our  best  teachers.    Ask  your  children/students  what  they  are  using  for  technology,  how   do  they  communicate  with  their  friends,  what  apps  do  they  use,  what  sites  do  they  visit.   • Monitor  whom  your  children  connect  and  communicate  with,  what  apps  they  download,   sites  they  visit,  and  how  much  time  is  spent  connected  to  any  type  of  screen.   • Encourage  your  kids  to  “Tell  a  Trusted  Adult,”  whether  it’s  a  parent,  teacher,  counselor,   coach,  aunt,  uncle,  older  brother/sister,  friend  or  co-­‐worker.    Adults  can  provide  good  ideas  on   how  to  handle  situations,  deal  with  various  individuals,  and  basically  help  by  not  keeping  things   bottled  up  and  inside.      Students  and  Parents   • Know  the  Law!    Massachusetts  has  laws  regarding  Bullying  and  Harassment.    These  laws  are  posted  in  your   student  handbooks  as  well  as  on  WPS  website.    Massachusetts  also  has  laws  limiting  use  and  distribution  of   pictures  of  children  under  the  age  of  18  (even  if  the  pictures  are  sent/posted  of  themselves).   • Remember  the  statement  “Delete  does  not  exist.”    Nothing  is  ever  permanently  deleted  when  it  comes  to   technology.    Images  and  videos  can  be  saved  and  screen  shots  can  be  taken.    If  you  wouldn’t  put  an  image  or   a  conversation  posted  up  on  your  fridge  or  the  principal’s  office  –  don’t  put  it  online.    Why  is  this  statement   so  important?    Colleges,  universities,  future  employers  and  coaches  research  people  online  before  they  hire   or  accept  them  into  their  programs.    District  Attorney  Early’s  Community  &  School  Outreach  Programs  are  in  Worcester  Public  Schools  at  all  levels  each  year.    Speak  to  your  school  administration  to  see  what  events  are  booked  in  your  school  or  begin  to  set  up  programs  at  your  schools.    You  can  reach  us  at  www.worcesterda.com        508-­‐755-­‐8601  or  follow  us  on  Twitter  @worcesterda  and  Facebook.

Flu Clinic DatesLorem Ipsum Dolor (in partnership with DPH) S[eIspstueme]b::e[rD2a0t1e5] Monday, Oct 19 – Monday, Oct 26 - Woodland Academy, 9:00am – 11:00am Roosevelt, 10:00am – 12:00pm Vernon Hill, 9:30am – 11:30am Grafton Street, 12:00pm – 2:00 pm West Tatnuck, 9:30am – 11:30 am Heard Street, 9:00am – 11:00am Claremont Academy, 10:00am -12:00pm Tatnuck Magnet, 11:30am – 1:30pm May Street, 9:00am – 11:00am Midland Street , 9:00am – 11:00 am Tuesday, Oct 20 – Tuesday, Oct 27- South High, 8:00am – 10:00am Burncoat Middle, 9:00am – 11:00am Flagg St School, 9:00am – 11:00am Jacob Hiatt Magnet, 8:30am – 10:30am Burncoat High, 11:00am – 1:00pm Burncoat Street Preparatory, 9:30am – 11:30am Doherty High, 11:00am – 1:00pm Columbus Park Preparatory, 11:30am – 1:30pm Wednesday, Oct 28 – Goddard School, 11:30am – 1:30pm Elm Park Community, 8:30am – 10:30am Sullivan Middle, 9:15am – 11:15am Challenge and Reach Academy, 9:30am – 10:30am Wednesday, Oct 21- St. Casmir’s, 10:00am – 11:00am Chandler Magnet, 9:30am – 11:30am Gates Lane, 9:30am – 11:30am Chandler Elementary, 11:00am – 1:00pm Worcester East Middle, 11:30am – 1:30pm Thursday, Oct 29 - Quinisgamond Elementary, 11:30am to 1:30pm Lincoln Street, 8:30am – 10:30am Clark Street, 9:30am – 11:30am University Park Campus, 11:30am – 1:30pm Nelson Place, 11:00am – 1:00pm Norrback Ave, 11:00am – 1:00pm Thursday, Oct 22 – Belmont St Elementary, 9:30am – 11:30am Friday, Oct 30 – Forest Grove Middle, 9:00am – 11:00am Gerald Creamer Center, 11:00am-1:00pm Rice Square, 9:00am – 11:00am Thorndyke Road, 9:00am – 11:00am Union Hill, 11:00am – 1:00pm City View Discovery, 11:30am – 1:30pm Francis J. McGrath Elementary, 9:30am – 11:30am Friday, Oct 23 – Worcester Technical High, 9:30am-11:30am North High, 11:00am – 1:00pm *Please fill out all paperwork sent home with Wawecus Road, 12:00pm – 1:00pm your child on Sept 28 or your child will not be Worcester Arts Magnet, 12:00pm – 2:00pm vaccinated. For more information please visit our Canterbury Street, 9:30am – 11:30am website www.worcesterschools.org Lake View, 9:30am – 11:30am Congressional Medal Of Honor Students and faculty at Worcester Technical High School were treated to an inspirational program featuring two Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients. Col. Gordon R. Roberts served for the Army’s 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1969 when he saved twenty of his comrades. Staff Sgt. Ty Carter served for the Army’s 61st Cavalry Regiment in Afghanistan in 2009 where he grabbed a wounded soldier and recovered a radio during a twelve-hour attack. In addition to special dignitaries, WTHS Principal, Kyle Brenner greeted the honorees, and North High, Burncoat High, and South High JROTC’s participated in the program.8

Lorem Ipsum Dolor Issue [#] :: [Date] HealthSchool-age children, from preschoolers to college students, need vaccines. Making sure that children receive all theirvaccinations on time is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to ensure your children's long-termhealth—as well as the health of friends, classmates, and others in your community. The Massachusetts schoolrequirements for vaccines are included in the WPS Policies Handbook for your review. If you're unsure of whatvaccines your child needs, please check with your child's doctor or your child's school nurse.Infectious diseases account for millions of school days lost each year for kindergarten through 12th-grade publicschool students in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 40% of children aged 5–17years missed 3 or more school days in the past year because of illness or injury. Receiving a yearly flu (influenza)vaccine is another very important way to support the health of your child and family. The CDC reports that nearly 38million school days are lost each year due to the influenza virus. Additionally, nearly 22 million school days are losteach year due to colds alone. Unfortunately, schools inherently foster the transmission of infections from person toperson because they are a group setting in which people are in close contact and share supplies and equipment. As aparent of a school-aged child you can do your part to help keep our community healthy:Keep your child home if: Ø He/she has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater. Temperature should be normal (98.6) for 24 hours without the help of Tylenol or Motrin before returning to school. Ø A diagnosis of strep throat. Your child should remain at home until he/she has been on an antibiotic for a full 24 hours. Ø If your child has vomited or had diarrhea during the previous night or in the morning. Your child should remain at home for 24 hours after symptoms have stopped. Ø If your child has a red swollen eye that itches and has a yellow drainage. Your child should remain at home until he/she has been on an antibiotic for a full 24 hours. Ø If your child has live head lice. Your child may return to school if treatment has been completed and no evidence of live head lice.Please contact your school nurse for guidance if your child has a communicable disease such as head lice,scabies, ringworm, impetigo, molluscum contagiosum, whooping cough, chicken pox, or measles. Universal Free Meal Program You are invited Worcester Public Schools Department of Health and Physical Education’s Fall Mini- Olympics • Since good nutrition supports academic When: Wednesday, October 14 programming, Worcester Public Schools has In case of rain: Friday, October 16 implemented universal free school meal programs where every student has access to healthy and nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost! • Free breakfast and free lunch for ALL students Where: Commerce Bank Field at Foley ensures that that no student has to try to learn Stadium on an empty stomach. • Even if a student is brining a lunch from home, Time: 10:00am Opening Ceremonies he/she is entitled to three  (or  more)  menu  items   Competition will end at 1:00pm at  no  cost,  although  one  menu  item  does  have  to  be  a     fruit  or  vegetable.       In this exciting event, students in our Lifeskills, Coast and SAIL classrooms, grades 4-8, will participate in • An  example  of  menu  items  complementing  and   activities that will emphasize the body and character potentially  further  “balancing”  the  home  lunch  would   building aspects of athletics, as well as pure, bone- be  fresh  fruit,  vegetable,  and  8  oz.  bottled  milk! tingling joy of extending heart, mind, and body in competition with one’s peers. 9

Science From ScientistsOn Thursday, September 17, students at Burncoat StreetPreparatory School learned what happens when oneintroduces potassium iodide to a mixture of dish soap andhydrogen peroxide: it “explodes”. The experiment waspart of a kick-off ceremony by the Science from Scientistsprogram, which will bring scientists to Burncoat onceevery two weeks to hold a 90-minute science class.Chandler Magnet School will participate in the program aswell. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito was on hand to celebrate.www.sciencefromscientists.orgLoremIpsumDolor [Issue] :: [Date] MSLSC Grant“Cradles to Crayons provided Middle School ScienceWPS 3-6 graders with Teachers and students arebackpacks that contained excited about the new sciencepens, pencils, markers, equipment they are receivingsharpeners, notepads, folders, as part of the Massachusettsglue, a calculator and water. Life Science Center grantThose students sent thesethoughtful cards to the award. New microscopes and slides, graphingorganization to thank them.” calculators, hand held data collection devices, electronic balances, and molecular model kits areBob Jennings all part of the $238,000 equipment grant awardedLead Wrap Around Zone Coordinator to WPS middle schools last spring. The goal of this grant is to develop some common labs for middle school students so that no matter which school they are enrolled in, they will have opportunity to use the same equipment and materials to conduct the same lab investigations as students across the city.If you have a story to share Kathy Berube(and a photo) please email to Worcester Public SchoolsJen Roy at Science and Engineering [email protected]

11