Mid-January updates from WPS administration

 largely drawn from the weekly communication of Dr. Monárrez to the Worcester School Committee

First, I failed to note her op-ed in last Sunday's Telegram:

As a district we will lead others in the commonwealth and beyond if we are willing to lean in, act courageously, ignore the noise and stay committed to our purpose for existence — educating future leaders of Worcester.

Give it a read if you haven't! 

We actually got this last week, when several of us first heard of the terms of the Old Sturbridge Village lease, but administration did confirm that no such terms are in the leases we have with the Diocese of Worcester for either the St. Casimir or La Familia buildings. 
Relatedly, our lease for St. Casimir is up this year, and this week's agenda has a request for a vote to authorize a lease of space for that program for "three years with two additional three year extensions" for wherever it is that the administration agrees to put the program. There is a similar authorization requested, though for much longer--"a ten year lease with the option of two five year extensions"--for our Transitions program, which is for students in our special education program who are supported until age 22 to prepare them to transition out of the school system, currently housed at the Fanning Building, which doesn't have enough space.

In terms of access to basketball games, which has come up at a few different schools:

High Schools sports foster a sense of community and school pride. It was brought to our attention that our facilities at some of our high schools cannot accommodate large numbers of spectators. We are working with Dave Shea to identify options that will allow for our youth to attend games and not limit access.

And relatedly, specific to Burncoat:

The bid for the new bleachers at Burncoat High School is now posted on the City of Worcester website here. The bid opening date is February 2, 2023 and it is expected the project will be complete for the beginning of the next school year. In the meantime, we are seeing if temporary bleachers are available to expand seating capacity for the remainder of this year. We will also examine any short term options for repair of the gym floor as needed until the school is accepted into the MSBA replacement pipeline.

If you review the posting of the bid, it's a big project: 

The project scope generally includes replacement of existing wood bleachers with new telescoping bleachers and other related work necessary to complete all of the Work of the respective Sections and indicated on the drawings. Construction also includes installation of a new electrical transformer and sub-panel with new feed from existing electrical room. 

And note that our resubmission of Burncoat to MSBA is on this week's agenda! Once through the School Committee, it also needs to be voted by the City Council before submission. 

DESE was in the district on Monday, meeting with the district about our nine Sustainable Improvement Schools; those are designated by where schools are in the state's accountability system, which, as federally required, specifies a lowest performing 10% of schools. Per our update:

Currently these schools are strengthening teaming structures (Instructional Leadership Teams, and Professional Learning Communities), professional development (Science of Reading, Culturally Responsive Practices), and data driven informed decision-making.

I should perhaps note that this, along with the report we had earlier this school year on data, is the first update the Worcester School Committee has received on how we are doing on such state systems in...years. Literally. 

The transition to the city's new enterprise system is starting! Procurement (purchase orders) and bill payments (non salaries) are beginning on February 6, 2023. As a result, we Friday started a limiting of transactions, along with the city. Also, administration has on Thursday's agenda a request for the School Committee to approve the position description of a Workday Implementation Specialist as this BIG (and massively overdue) shift of city systems happens over the next several years.

And note that this week's Worcester School Committee agenda is here.

Oh, and finally: CHECK YOUR BUS INFORMATION this weekend! The Great Undoubling of routes has begun, and some information (whether your route was doubled previously or not) has changed! Please check the student and parent portals for accurate information.