Wachusett School District prepares five-year plan

The Wachusett Regional School District is now beginning work on a new strategic five-year plan to provide direction to the school system’s thirteen schools which currently educate nearly  7,500 students.   Consultants have been hired to work on the study and are currently visiting each of the five towns seeking input from interested citizens.

At the meeting recently held for Holden residents,  concerns were expressed regarding  the large class sizes,  the inadequacy of the funding provided for instructional resources, the difficulties presented by lack of funding for transportation, increasing costs of health insurance for employees, and continued expenses in educating students with special needs.  Holden residents advocated more communication with legislators to defend funding for education in the state budget.

If anyone wishes to submit a suggestion or make a comment for consideration,  please email your ideas to Kenneth Mills, Holden Representative to the Wachusett District School Committee. Ken can be reach at his email address:  Kenneth_Mills@wrsd.net

Ecumenical prayer service and program in support of refugees

Worcester’s annual Ecumenical Prayer Service will be held at Assumption College on Friday, February 12 at 7 p.m. in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on campus. Christian unity is the theme of this year’s service. Music will be led by the Assumption College Chapel Choir and the Hispanic Choir of the St. Joan of Arc Church in Worcester.

Because of the tremendous challenges facing so many refugees disrupted from their homes, this year’s
Ecumenical Prayer Servie will include a collection to support the work of the Ascentria Care Alliance in
assisting refugees settling in Worcester. Prior to the Prayer Service, a social reception will
take place at 6 p.m. at the Tinsley Campus Ministry Center. All are invited to the reception and asked
to bring personal care items, including shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and
toilet paper to be donated to refugees in the Worcester Community.

A report from the State of the Union address

Holden Democratic Town Committee member, Asima Silva, attended the 2016 State of the Union address as the guest of Rep. Jim McGovern. Here are her notes and photos from the visit.


Once in a lifetime experience! Thank you congressman McGovern for this honor and opportunity. I had the pleasure of participating in a press release, interviews, meeting democratic leader, dining with the congressman, attending the State of the Union address just about 150 or so feet away from the vice President, presidents cabinet, supreme court justices, first lady, the entire congress, and the president. To top it off, meeting the president and shaking his hand. The experience has taught my the experience in real life is different than on TV. It brings the democratic process into reality, something attainable, rather than creating the feeling of distance and unapproachable. Congress and the president are real people, with reactions, thoughts and opinions. Feeling the reaction first hand at different parts of the speech is priceless. It’s motivation to do more, get involved more, speak up, and America will listen.

Asima Silva with Rep. McGovern and Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi
Asima Silva with Rep. McGovern and Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi

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