Earlier this year, I was invited to participate in the Principal for a Day program run by the Worcester Educational Collaborative, an independent non-profit advocacy group that facilitates private partnerships with Worcester Public Schools to “enhance the quality of public education in Worcester and the quality of our common life.” I found the experience to be enlightening and personally moving.
I was invited to shadow Dr. Susan O’Neil, then-principal of Worcester Arts Magnet School (WAMS), which serves approximately 400 children, from age 3 through sixth grade. I recalled what I thought a principal did when I was in elementary school: sit in the office and mete out punishments to children who did not obey the rules. The reality was very different.
The arts magnet schools in the district incorporate the arts into most areas of education, tying together what can seem like disparate disciplines. Children receive a more integrated education because they are shown the connections between music and math, painting and history. At WAMS, the children receive education in visual arts, music, dance and drama every week. I saw adorable wee 3-year-olds singing and learning proper breathing, and fifth graders teaching the hot dance move “the Dab” to their teacher in a dance class.
Dr. O’Neil was a bundle of energy and in constant motion, walking through the school and talking to children and staff. She knows the name and the back story of every child and made a specific effort to introduce me to a boy, about 8 years old, who wants to be a lawyer. When she excused the boy from class to meet me in the hallway, Dr. O’Neil explained who I was, and the boy offered me a handshake. When asked why he wants to be an attorney, he was direct and articulate: “I want to help other people fix their problems so they are not in trouble with the police.” His composure, ability to interact with adults and manners are all taught or reinforced at WAMS. Later, I learned that his family is homeless; he knows no lawyers. Dr. O’Neil knew the boy had a goal and made the effort to connect him with me so he could meet an attorney in person and she could reinforce the concept of education as a way to a better life.
Dr. O’Neil worked tirelessly so that the school could provide programming well beyond its budget, including before- and after-school programming, tutoring, special classes, homework help, and clubs. A grant she obtained from the Metropolitan Opera provided a professional opera singer to teach the kids vocal techniques. Dr. O’Neil made sure that, in addition to receiving a stellar education, children were fed and clothed; were taught confidence, manners and respect; and knew that responsible adults cared for them and provided stability.
The dedication, skill and stability of the WAMS staff are reflected in the statistics:
- WAMS has an out-of-school suspension rate of 0.02% compared with 2.9% for the district elementary schools as a whole.
- WAMS is a Title I school, meaning at least 40% of the students qualify for free lunch based on annual household income at or below $31,590 for a family of four. Despite dealing with a predominantly poverty-affected student body, WAMS manages to be a Level 1 school in a district rated Level 4. The levels range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best.
The Worcester schools are faced with significant challenges. For example, at North High,
- 88% of the students live in poverty.
- English is a second or third language for about one-third of the students.
- 33 foreign languages are spoken at the school.
- Many students are new to the U.S. and require assistance with learning American customs and expectations.
Imagine trying to determine a new student’s proper grade level when you are utterly unfamiliar with educational standards in his or her place of origin. Imagine trying to communicate with a student who speaks no English. Imagine trying to provide a safe, respectful and welcoming environment when students do not speak the same language or share culture or customs. Imagine trying to do all this with little money and for a student body whose parents cannot afford to contribute.
What can be done to help these deserving students?
Donate money to the principal’s fund, help a student pay for college education, take in students as interns or volunteer as a mentor. Find the name and contact information of any principal at www.worcesterschools.org and ask him/her how you can best help. Learn more at www.wecollaborative. org. Worcester Public Schools’ motto is “TEAM – Together Everyone Achieves More.” Join their team!
