Monfredo: Worcester Arts Magnet Honored for Achievement by State
Sunday, January 12, 2020
The National ESEA distinguished schools program highlights selected schools that have successfully used their federal funds to improve the education for all students–including economically disadvantaged students.
Needless to say, Principal Mary Ellen Scanlon and her staff were ecstatic to hear the good news for a great deal of hard work goes on at Worcester Arts Magnet. The school prides itself on parent involvement, good attendance, and academic achievement.
Let’s start by looking at the attendance rate for it’s that important. "You want to improve academic achievement? Get your kids to show up," said Hedy Chang, director of Attendance Works, a policy group focused on chronic absence and a strong advocate on this issue. She went on to say, "You can innovate all you want, but if the kid’s not there, the benefit from the innovation is going to have limited impact." Case in point for WAMS in the most recent chronic absentee data show only seven listed as chronically absent. Their most recent attendance rate is 97.94% and that’s the best in the school system.
Principal Scanlon affirmed that it has been a collaborative effort by students, teachers, parents and community stakeholders. She echoed, “All groups are committed to the success of our students. We work together and support one another, consistently monitor our effectiveness and our shared work, making adjustments as needed to ensure a good outcome for our students. These efforts are guided by our Instructional Leadership Team that meets bi-weekly and takes the initiative to propose changes for the good of the school. The key tasks of the ILT are to analyze student data and to identify professional development opportunities for staff and learning opportunities for families. Our work is continually evolving and we are dedicated to making sure that our teaching practices and school design are meeting the needs of every student.”
Assistant Principal, Chris Mc Sherry, agreed, stating, “Collaboration has paid off. Our grade-level teams and partners are working together and our students are confident and successful.” Other staff members chimed in with excitement… Nancy Anne Driscoll, Grade 2 teacher- "I'm proud. It's amazing!", Tina Pugliese Savage, Drama Specialist - "Wow, What an amazing award to honor all of our years of hard work. I'm so proud of all of us. It has taken many years to build this program into the gem it is." The same enthusiasm was shown at the intermediate level with four grade teacher, Shannon Savage confirming, “I’m proud that I am part of a teaching and learning community that is being recognized!" On the sixth grade level there was, again, lots of excitement as teacher Daniel Zaorski stated, “I am really excited because a lot of people work hard in this school. Everyone is doing their best to assist our students."
Let’s not forget our students for when they heard the good news they were energized as Kamrie Ababio and Elizabeth Allario both declared that they love their school and how everyone learns to work together. The same can be said by the parents as Demalcom Cyrus acknowledged “ It’s a beautiful thing that happened and we are very happy to hear about this award.” Also, parent Misty Verdini summed it best for all the parents at the school by stating, "I am proud of the staff and students at WAMS. A lot of hard work and effort goes into this. It makes me really proud to be a parent of WAMS students.”
In addition, the school will receive a special award package next week that will include an official banner – personalized with the school’s name to be placed within the school, a certificate and distinguished buttons for staff members. The school will be honored and recognized at a School Committee meeting in February.
Related Articles
- Monfredo: Superintendent Binienda Releases Goals for Upcoming School Year
- Monfredo: Mix Up Summer Learning With Play Time
- Monfredo: Financial Literacy Course Could Benefit High School Students
- Monfredo: Tenacity Continues to be Attractive Program for Worcester Children
- Monfredo: Fond Memories of the Happy Time Page
- Monfredo: Could a Future Worcester Teachers Program be the Answer for Recruitment?
- Monfredo: Parents, Make Fun Math Ideas a Priority This Summer
- Monfredo: Report From Early 2000’s Asked for Additional Goals Funding
- Monfredo: Reading in Our City Week Starts June 9
- Monfredo: Attendance Critical to Success in School - Improvements Seen This Year
- Monfredo: Parents, Don’t Let the Summer Slide Enter Your Home
- Monfredo: It’s Back to School Time - Parents Are Key to a Great Year
- Monfredo: Worcester Public Schools Open at the DCU
- Monfredo: Worcester Public Schools Continue to See Many Positives
- Monfredo: Worcester School District Continues to Make Progress - New Data Shows
- Monfredo: Moving Forward, Make Reading a Priority
- Monfredo: Worcester Public Schools Strategic Plan Shows Progress
- Monfredo: Consider Gifts of Love This Holiday Season
- Monfredo: The Buddy Bench is Making a Difference in Our Schools
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It