OUR ANNUAL IMPACT: • Field trip experiences for more than 22,000 students • Warm winter outerwear for over 2,500 children • College prep for hundreds of students • Mini-grants for creative teachers • Technology, uniforms, instruments, and more
“As we celebrate this holiday season of giving, I look back over the past accomplishments of WEDF with pride, appreciation and affection for the many people who have made our work possible. Fifteen years ago, a small group of us had two things: $ 10 and a belief that many people throughout the Worcester community care about and are willing to support the Worcester Public Schools. Today, realizing that WEDF has invested more than $ 6 million in the district, that belief has proven to be true.” — Stephen Mills, President
Worcester Educational Development Foundation thanks the Major Taylor Association for its generous contribution to our Connected Kids campaign. The funds have provided Worcester Public Schools students with Chromebooks, a much needed resource during the district’s shift to remote learning.
Leveling the playing field was central to the struggles and successes of 1899 world cycling champion Major Taylor, aka “the Worcester Whirlwind.” As an African American, he was often denied equal footing, in his career and in other aspects of his life, because of his race. He used the term “square deal” 30 times in his autobiography, and he prefaced the chapters with verses about “a fair field and no favor.” He addressed advice directly to youth.
Through its free downloadable curriculum guide, as well as events and activities of Major Taylor cycling clubs across the country, the Major Taylor Association aims to teach and learn from Major Taylor’s trailblazing experiences to help shape a fair future for all.
“When we saw how the COVID-19 pandemic forced a sudden and speedy transition to online education, and how it exposed inequities on many levels, we looked for a way to respond to this urgent need,” said Lynne Tolman, president of the Major Taylor Association. “We’re grateful that the Worcester Educational Development Foundation got right on it, and we’re pleased to be able to help the Connected Kids effort to bridge the ‘digital divide’ and ensure all Worcester students can participate fully in their education.”
To learn more about the Connected Kids campaign, or to donate, click here.
On Sunday, August 30, Ken McCormack of Worcester ran a marathon distance around Worcester’s North Pond. He took on this challenge to raise funds for WEDF’s Connected Kids campaign. To date, his fundraiser has raised almost $2,000 from nearly 40 donors.
“I couldn’t have asked for better running weather in August,” noted Ken after completing his run.
Ken launched his fundraiser in late July. “Recognizing the many uncertainties faced by school communities ahead of the fall semester, I felt compelled to chip in however possible,” he said. “Combating uncertainty with programs like Connected Kids highlights the critical role WEDF plays in supporting Worcester’s schools.”
WEDF congratulates Ken on both completing the marathon and surpassing his fundraising goal. We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to this fundraiser. Huge thanks go out to Ken, as well as everyone who donated on his behalf.
Worcester Alumni & Friends, WEDF’s new network and community of support for the Worcester Public Schools, allows anyone to set a goal and run a personal fundraiser. If you’re interested in learning more, or starting a fundraiser of your own, email info@wedfwps.org.
At WEDF, we know that Worcester Public Schools alumni go on to do amazing things. To celebrate our college-bound WPS grads, we wanted to share this list of over 100 institutions in more than 20 states WPS grads will be attending.
2020 WPS College Matriculation
Adelphi University
Andrews University
Anna Maria College
Assumption College
Becker College
Bentley University
Berry College
Boston College
Brandeis University
Bridgewater State University
Catherine E. Hinds Institute of Esthetics
Central State University
Champlain College
Clark Atlanta University
Clark University
College of Our Lady of the Elms
College of the Holy Cross
Columbia University in the City of New York
Concord University
Curry College
Dean College
Delaware State University
Emerson College
Emmanuel College – Boston
Endicott College
Fairfield University
Fayetteville Technical Community College
FINE Mortuary College
Fitchburg State University
Florida Institute of Technology
Framingham State University
Franklin Pierce University
Full Sail University
Georgia State University
Gordon College
Grand Valley State University
Harvard College
Hollins University
Irvine Valley College
Johnson & Wales University, Providence
Keene State College
Lasell University
Lincoln Technical Institute
Lincoln Technical Institute – Rhode Island
Louisiana State University
Marist College
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
MassBay Community College
Merrimack College
Middlebury College
Montserrat College of Art
Morgan State University
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Saint Mary College
Mount Wachusett Community College
New England College
New England Institute of Technology
Nichols College
Norfolk State University
Northeastern University
Northern Essex Community College
Norwich University
Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Porter and Chester Institute
Princeton University
Quinebaug Valley Community College
Quinnipiac University
Quinsigamond Community College
Regis College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rob Roy Academy
Rochester Institute of Technology
Roger Williams University
Sacramento City College
Salem State University
Skidmore College
Smith College
Southern Connecticut State University
Springfield College
Springfield Technical Community College
St. John’s University
Stonehill College
Terra State Community College
The College of New Jersey
The Peterson School
Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy
Tufts University
United States Navy
Union College – Schenectady
United States Army
Universal Technical Institute
University of Bridgeport
University of Central Florida
University of Central Missouri
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Hartford
University of Maine
University of Massachusetts Boston
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
University of New England
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
University of New Haven
University of Rhode Island
University of South Carolina-Aiken
University of South Florida
University of Vermont
Utica College
Valencia College
Virginia Tech
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Western New England University
Westfield State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester State University
Did You Know?
WEDF is working to build Worcester Alumni & Friends, a network for alumni, teachers, parents, and friends of the Worcester Public Schools.
Worcester Educational Development Foundation thanks IPG Photonics for its significant contribution to our Connected Kids campaign. The funds will provide Worcester Public Schools students with Chromebooks, and supports the district’s commitment to a 1:1 student to device ratio.
IPG Photonics is a global developer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber lasers and amplifiers with world headquarters in Oxford, MA and is committed to giving back to its communities, funding educational programs and improving our environment for future generations. WEDF is grateful for IPG’s support!
To learn more about the Connected Kids campaign, or to donate, click here.
The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. (WEDF) is please to announce the recipients of the Elizabeth “Betty” Reidy Scholarship. As a testament to her commitment to children and families, Reidy’s family has established this Scholarship for North High School graduates who intend to pursue a course of study and career in nursing, education, social work, counseling, or the ministry. We heartily congratulate Karina Herreira, Jocelin Kegbeth, Maria Morfe, Sara Sebbai, Abigail Boafo, and Dalena Le.
Mrs. Reidy, a North High School graduate and lifelong Worcester resident, dedicated her life to improving the quality of life for individuals in our community. She graduated from Emanuel College, received her Master’s in Social Work from Boston College, and later an Honorary Doctorate from Assumption College. She nurtured her own children to go on and become highly successful individuals.
WEDF extends a special thank you to Charles Steinberg and the Worcester Red Sox for donating the ceremonial first pitch at a Worcester Red Sox Game at Polar Park as an auction item to benefit our Connected Kids campaign. Congratulations and thanks go out to the winner of the item, Peter Caparso of Worcester.
To learn more about WEDF’s Connected Kids campaign or to donate, click here.
The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. (WEDF) is please to announce that the 2020 Dr. Lee Gurel Award for Teaching and Learning in Advanced Placement English has been awarded to student Lily Gandolfo of North High School and her teacher, Courtney Brousseau. Each year, the student honoree is chosen by lottery from the pool of WPS students who receive the highest score on the AP English exam.
Worcester Public Schools alumni Dr. Lee Gurel established this award in 2006 in honor of his 8th grade english teacher, Miss Wilmot, at Woodland Street Preparatory School. He donated an endowment for the award to thank the Worcester Public Schools for the educational foundation he received that prepared him to become a nationally recognized psychologist.
The Worcester Educational Development Foundation, Inc. is responding to COVID-19 by doing whatever we can to keep pursuing our mission of supporting the students and teachers in the Worcester Public Schools.
Our staff is staying safe by working remotely, but our services are up and running and we are ready to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any suggestions at 508-688-4773 or info@wedfwps.org.
The Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame honors Worcester’s elite competitive athletes.
The Hall of Fame was created to both honor our best athletes but also highlight the incredible diversity and the lifelong spirit of sportsmanship that Worcester’s athletes exemplify.
2019-2020 Inductees:
Robert Bailey – Burncoat High School
Stephen Brunelle – Doherty Memorial High School
Lenny Carlson – North High School
Richard Eid – Classical High School
Robert Goodney – Worcester Trade High School
Steven Hennigan – South High School
John McGrath – North High School
Michelle Legacy Montville – Doherty Memorial High School
