Dear Worcester Preparatory School Families, We all know this was a summer like no other, but I hope you were able to enjoy the warm weather with your families. I am sure that students are ready to come back to school, even with the protocols we have put into place to keep everyone safe. Despite dealing with the ever-changing landscape created by the COVID 19 pandemic, I am extremely excited to begin my first year as the Head of School. I cannot wait for the first day of school to welcome back and get to know our students and families. In my short time here thus far, I can see what makes this school so special- the people!  It won’t be long for our return to campus, so I hope you all enjoy the rest of the summer! In the meantime, stay informed, stay safe and stay Mallard Strong!

Dr. John C. McDonald Jr.  Head of School

For the Upcoming School Year

Honor Code (Grades 6-12): The Honor Code form is due by September 11th. Safe Homes Pledge (Grades 6-12): The Safe Homes Pledge is due at school by September 11, 2020 and can be emailed to the school. 2020-21 Academic Calendar - Updated: The calendar is now available. Uniforms: For the 2020-21 school year all families must purchase their uniforms through Flynn O’Hara.   Contact Information: Contact information is very important to us, both for regular communication and emergencies.  Please remember to update your information if it has changed by emailing [email protected].  School Textbooks: You may purchase books from our 3rd party vendor, Follett Educational Services. Book ordering is now available. Click here for more information. As with most of our world, the book distribution site has many books on back-order. In short, we do not want families stressed about the book ordering process. Please order your books and we will facilitate conversation with Follett to do our best to make sure your family receives their books by the start of school. If they do not get to you by September 1st, we will accommodate your child and provide copies of what they may need. You may also search by ISBN number and purchase books on other websites such as Amazon. iPad apps needed for students Grades 6-12 will be posted in mid-August.   Use of Your Child(ren)’s Image or Voice: We ask that you notify Diane Brown if you do not wish us to include your child(ren) in our news releases, advertisements, social media announcements, or on our website.  School Supply Lists: All supply lists for LS, MS and US are posted here.

Lower School Sara Timmons, Head of Lower School | [email protected]

All Pre-Kindergarten through grade 5 students are invited to a Zoom "Meet Your Teacher" afternoon on Monday, August 31st. You will receive your Zoom time and link the week before this date.  When your Zoom invite is sent, each family will be given specific information about student materials that can be dropped off at campus before the first student day. The two drop off times will be Friday, August 28th from 12-3:00 p.m. and Monday, August 31st from 9-12:00 a.m.  On Monday, August 31 from 10:00- 11:30 am there is an optional orientation for all NEW Lower School students of grades Kindergarten to Grade Five. Students will report to the library and do not need to wear their uniforms or bring their class materials. All Lower School students will report on Thursday, September 3, for their first day of school. Grade 4 and 5 students will not be changing into PE uniforms at the beginning of the year. Please note that we will begin to have grade 4 and 5 students change into PE uniforms when the physical distancing guidelines lift. It would be wise to ensure that your child has a PE uniform for the upcoming year as they will be incorporated into the school protocol at some point. Don't forget about the required summer assignments and optional math work. Required written assignments for grades 4 and 5 as well as optional summer reading library challenges are due to your child's homeroom teacher by Thursday, September 3rd.  Please be sure to have your child practice wearing a facial covering appropriately. Spend lots of time in practice so that your child feels comfortable wearing one while on campus. Please be sure to purchase extra facial coverings and send two additional with your child in a Ziplock bag each day to school. Due to the cleaning procedures in place for the start of this year, each student will be assigned a technology device. WPS iPads will be assigned to Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 2 students and WPS Google Chromebooks will be assigned to each student in Grade 5. If your child is in Grade 3 or Grade 4, they may bring their own iPad from home to be used in school for educational purposes only. If your child is in Grade 3 or Grade 4 and will need to use a WPS iPad, this is no problem and one can be assigned by the classroom teacher.  Your child will be asked to bring a beach towel to school. This will be an item that will be asked to be dropped off on the days specified for material drop off. Your child will use this beach towel when they are in their outdoor classroom space.  Traditional water fountains will be closed when school starts, however bottle filling stations will be available. Please send a labeled water bottle with your child each day to school. Please remember that Lower School students in Grade 2 through 5 are required to use a WPS agenda. Agendas will be distributed on the first day of school. The cost of the agenda will be posted to the student's Smart Tuition Account (Bookstore Fee) and will be due and payable at the end of the 1st semester of 2020-21.

Middle School Megan Wallace, Head of Middle School | [email protected]

As we start the 2020-2021 school year, the Middle School will not use their academic lockers. Each student will carry a backpack with them to their classes, but we encourage them not to overload it with personal items. Textbooks will be left in the classrooms and teachers will let students know what materials will be needed. On Monday, August 31 from 10:00- 11:30 am there is a required orientation for all NEW to Worcester Prep Middle School students. Students will report to the dining hall and do not need to wear their uniforms or bring their class materials. All Middle School students will report on Wednesday, September 2, for their first day of school. We will run through the new protocol, their class schedule, and begin class material. This will be the only day of instruction for Middle School that week. All Middle School students are required to use a WPS agenda. Agendas will be distributed the first day of school. The cost of the agenda will be posted to the student's Smart Tuition Account (Bookstore Fee) and will be due and payable at the end of the 1st semester of 2020-21. Don’t forget about the required summer reading and optional math packet.

Upper School Mike Grosso, Asst. Head of School & Head of Upper School | [email protected]

On Monday, August 31 from 10:00- 11:30 am there is a required orientation for all NEW to Worcester Prep Upper School students. Students will report to the dining hall and do not need to wear their uniforms or bring their class materials. All Upper School students will report on Tuesday, September 1, for their first day of school. We will run through the new protocol, their class schedule, and begin class material. This will be the only day of instruction for Upper School that week. All Upper School students are required to use a WPS agenda. Agendas will be distributed the first day of school. The cost of the agenda will be posted to the student's Smart Tuition Account (Bookstore Fee) and will be due and payable at the end of the 1st semester of 2020-21. Don't forget about the required Summer assignments. All student drivers must complete a Student Vehicle Registration form and email or return it to the front office no later than September 11th.