Tag: Winchester Public Schools

  • Winchester students speak at State House about MCAS alternatives

    Winchester students speak at State House about MCAS alternatives

    Rep. Michael Day sits and speaks with students about their experiences with the assessment tests. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    Students from Winchester Public Schools accompanied their teachers to the State House this month to share their experiences with performance-based assessments.

    Winchester school officials and teachers have attended briefings with legislators annually since 2016, but this was the first time students went with them. In these briefings, educators present their experiences with performance-based testing and how it influences learning.

    Legislators and Winchester students and teachers gathered at the State House for a briefing on performance-based assessments. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    Jennifer Elineema, assistant superintendent of the Winchester Public Schools, said the district will continue to bring students to briefings in the future.

    “This should come to the people at impact, from the people it impacts the most – the students, “ Elineema said.

    Winchester schools have been part of the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovation Educational Assessments, which champions alternatives to standardized testing and has been holding these briefings with the Legislature.

    The effectiveness of standardized testing has long been debated. Opponents say the tests have implicit biases surrounding race, class and disabilities. They also argue the tests do not provide a proper measurement of students’ learning. Proponents argue the tests have improved Massachusetts’ quality of education.

    In 2024, Massachusetts voted to repeal the requirement that high school students obtain a specific competency level on MCAS – the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System – to graduate. Students are still required to take the test so that families see their child’s and the school’s academic progress.’

    Josh Perez, a junior at Winchester High School, stands at a podium to speak to legislators while visiting the State House. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    In Winchester, educators are using performance-based assessments to measure students’ academic learning and career-related skills. The district hopes these assessments will replace the MCAS as a measurement tool.

    Each department has created different assessments for its students.

    The high school’s English department ran its performance-based assessments from the summer of 2024 to the summer of 2025. The assessment had students create a portfolio of their English work.

    Each department had different criteria for selecting which students would come to the State House.

    Carolyn Plosky, the English director for grades 6-12, said the English department had teachers select students who had experience presenting in front of government officials from being part of the School Committee in December 2024.

    Math teachers at Muraco Elementary School selected four students who persevered through the assessment and were able to explain the steps they took to get to their final results.

    Stephanie Andella, a fifth-grade teacher, said one of the students was hesitant at first, but found their footing.

    “I can’t tell you how proud they were of themselves and how proud we were of them,” Andella said. “It was probably one of the highlights of my academic career to see this.”

    Winchester tudents showcase their article on neuroscience to legislators. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    For students, the trip was one to remember. It offered them an opportunity to take control of their learning and feel heard by legislators.

    “It was really transformative for me,” said WHS junior Josh Perez. “This should really become commonplace where students get a say in how their learning experiences are.”

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence hosting 23rd Trivia Bee

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay

    Winchester’s brightest fifth graders and adults will gather soon to compete in a fierce trivia competition that will raise money for Winchester schools.

    The Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence (WFEE), a nonprofit that provides grants for Winchester’s public schools, will host its 23rd annual trivia bee March 11 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

    Each adult team pays a $375 registration fee. Usually, the event raises between $16,000 and $18,000.

    The money goes toward grants in Winchester Public Schools. Grants have funded experiences and resources for students, including a visit from an archaeologist and new biotech equipment for science classrooms.

    The event begins with five teams of three fifth graders – one team from each of the five elementary schools competing in a round of trivia for a trophy, a stuffed bee sitting on a plaque, that will be kept in the winning school for a year.

    Last year, the fifth-grade team from Lincoln Elementary School won the fifth-grade Trivia Bee round. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Then, teams of three adults take to the floor to compete in seven rounds of trivia, with the winners of the first five rounds competing against one another in the remaining rounds. There are usually 56 teams for the adult portion, and the winning team will receive a trophy.

    “It’s a really incredible community event that brings together people that would normally never be in the same room,” said Maggie Vande Vrede, the foundation’s executive director.

    This year’s emcee will be Britney DeLorme, the head of the children’s services at the Winchester library. DeLorme will create questions for each of the trivia categories including pop culture, geography, history, sports and literature.

    Volunteers often dress up as bees, and attendees are encouraged to dress up as well to win the costume contest that runs alongside the event.

    In the past participants have dressed up in bee-themed costumes, while others have gotten more creative.

    Elana Rudiger, president of the education foundation, recalls a team dressing up as Wednesday Addams of “The Addams Family” a few years ago. Vande Vrede’s favorite was when a team, the BeeLTs from last year’s bee, dressed up as the ingredients of their namesake.

    The trivia bee is open to all, drawing in a crowd not just of competitors but also of onlookers, who come to cheer on their favorite teams.

    Last year’s winners were Lincoln Elementary’s fifth-grade team and the Parental Prodigies, the Winchester High School Parent and Faculty Association team. Winning the bee is a “great community honor,” Rudiger said.

    John McMahan, a second-grade teacher at Lynch Elementary School, has been participating in the trivia bee consistently since he started at the school 10 years ago.

    While the elementary school’s faculty team hasn’t won the bee, the fifth-grade team has. McMahan likened the atmosphere in Lynch that year to seeing Tom Brady win the Super Bowl.

    “They show off what they know, which is obviously really cool as a teacher,” McMahan said. “But then at the same time, seeing them get so jazzed up for a community event I love.”

    Last year, the adult trivia winners were the Parental Prodigies from Winchester High School. COURTESY PHOTO/MAGGIE VANDE VREDE

    Though many go for their love of trivia, the fifth-grade trivia round is always beloved by the crowd.

    “There’s a lot of pride there and a lot of excitement,” Vande Vrede said. “They always bring a crowd.”

    While trivia is competitive, the atmosphere in the town hall during the bee is lighthearted. Attendees quickly overcome their nerves once they sit on the trivia stage.

    “No matter how stressed out you are, you realize you’re doing it for fun,” Rudiger said. 

    Though the Trivia Bee tests competitors’ knowledge, it is also widely loved for the way it builds community within Winchester.

    “It’s one of those things that not every town has, but every town should because it’s just such a fun way to get the community together,” Rudiger said.

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester students earn spots in competitive music festival

    More than half of the Winchester High School students who auditioned for the Senior District Festival have been selected for the competitive music event.

    The Senior District Festival, hosted by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Northeast District, is scheduled for Jan. 10, with the concert band and orchestra performing at 10 a.m., followed by the jazz band and chorus at noon.

    Students performed Nov. 15 for judges who ranked their auditions, selected top performers for ensembles, and recommended standout musicians for All-State Festival auditions, said Mary Costello, music director for Winchester Public Schools.

    “So it’s kind of an all-star type of experience for the kids,” Costello said. “It’s really quite an honor for the kids to be selected and then be part of a whole series of festivals.”

    Musicians from the Northeast Senior District Festival stand with their instruments moments after completing their performance. COURTESY PHOTO/CAMILLE GLANCEY

    For many students, such as Ha Yong Choi, a senior at Winchester High School, the process involves a blend of independent practice and mentorship. She is part of the choir and auditioned as a singer for the festival.

    “I practice two days per week. And I keep listening to my solo.” Choi said. “Mr. [Joel] Buford, my choir teacher, he helped me a lot. I came to Mr. Buford and checked sometimes, like, ‘Do I seem right?’”

    Camille Glancey, a Winchester senior who plays the cello, recalled being overwhelmed the moment she walked into North Andover High School.

    “Everyone is carrying some sort of case, or they’re singing to themselves, which is, I think, really fun to see,” she said.

    ​​When her number was called, she and the only other Winchester cellist were led to the quieter audition rooms. Waiting outside, she said, her nerves peaked.

    “Once the person before you leaves the classroom, then the judge will call you in,” Glancey said. “Then the next thing you know, it’s over and you’re walking back.”

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    Costello said the courage to audition is as commendable as success itself.

    “Auditioning is a scary thing,” she said. “It’s an intimidating thing. It takes a lot of preparation. It’s brave.”

    That bravery paid off for Winchester students this year. Out of roughly 60 auditionees, 30 were selected for the festival, and 18 moved on to All-State auditions, including Choi and Glancey.

    Glancey said she improved each year, moving from the 16th chair as a sophomore to the 4th chair this year, earning her the chance to audition for All-State.

    For Choi, who had auditioned since her sophomore year, success came with its own mix of relief and excitement.

    “I was kind of nervous this year because I thought I did really bad on my solo piece,” she said. “But I also really [wanted] to get [into] All-State also this year. So I was like, even if I get into senior district, I might not get into All-State. But I got a really high score. I was really happy.”

    Both she and Glancey highlighted the support and encouragement from teachers and peers as essential to their preparation. Students often practiced together, offered feedback and motivated each other despite the event’s competitive nature.

    Selected students will spend three days in intensive rehearsals, culminating in a final performance in early January. Those moving on to All-State will face even more practice and competition, including auditions in late January and a performance in March.

    Costello reflected on what makes the process meaningful.

    “I’m actually more proud of the number of kids who took the audition than I am for the ones that I’m obviously proud of, the kids who were successful in their audition,” she said. “We’re happy for the kids who were successful. It shows their commitment, how hard they’ve been working.

    Aayushi Datta is a student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.