WORCESTER—For the first time, the Worcester Public Schools is holding a “Gathering for Excellence: What it Means for Scholars to be Future Ready,” an event designed to invite feedback and reaction from the community on the issue of student performance.
Superintendent Rachel Monárrez leads this inaugural event, taking place on Tuesday, Jan. 30, from 5-8 p.m. at Worcester Technical High School, which hinges on discussion around the WPS Strategic Plan: Our Promise to the Future.
“We encourage students, parents/caregivers, staff, community partners, and anyone with an interest in Worcester Public Schools, to attend,” Monárrez told The Worcester Guardian. “We will explain the six focus areas of the plan and what it means for students to be ‘future-ready.’”
Monárrez, too, said that the event will involve engaging in dialogue with key stakeholders about elements of this strategic plan in a “robust panel discussion” in addition to gathering feedback from the audience.
“It’s important that the community is involved in the implementation of the plan so that their needs and aspirations are taken into account,” she said. “Community engagement was crucial to the development of the strategic plan, and it will be crucial in its implementation. We believe in doing this with people, not to people.”
The strategic plan for the schools, which Monárrez discussed with The Worcester Guardian last week, has six key priorities: equitable resources and educational programs, family and community engagement, culture and climate, acquire and retain talent, health and wellness, and modernized safe facilities.
The event will also include remarks from Mayor Joseph Petty, performances from student groups, remarks from Superintendent Monárrez, and a panel discussion with students, educators, and community members.
Monárrez said she hopes for a good turnout.
The event will be livestreamed on WEA-TV’s YouTube.
Childcare and language interpretation services will be provided.
News? Ideas? Feedback? Need to get something off your chest? Email carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
