The Winchendon Courier
Serving the community since 1878 ~ A By Light Unseen Media publication
Week of May 28 to June 4, 2020
Patrick C., host of Murdock High School's weekly YouTube program Blue Devil Weekly, put together a special edition for the Murdock teachers, graduating seniors and the year-end that wasn't.

Graduation Parade Planned for Sunday, June 7

In a letter to families sent on May 28, Murdock High School principal Thad King announced plans for a special graduation event.

"Dear Class of 2020 Graduate Families,

"I am pleased to inform you that through coordination with the Town Manager, Chief of Police and the Board of Health Director we will be holding a parade for the Class of 2020 on June 7 - the original date of graduation.

"All the details are not yet finalized, but I can tell you the general idea. The parade will take place on Sunday, June 7 between 2:00 and 3:00 - this time frame includes setting up, organizing all attendees and the parade itself. Our graduates will line both sides of Central Street (specific locations will be identified by Winchendon PD at a later date) while maintaining all social distancing and personal protection guidance and expectations. While students are setting up on Central Street, families will stage in their cars at the high school as directed by local authorities and /or staff. Once everyone is ready, the parade of family cars will be led out of Murdcok and onto Central Street where our graduates will be waiting. Additionally, we will be placing yard signs along Central Street for each graduate as well as a banner across the street.

"Again, much greater detail will be forthcoming, but I wanted to inform families of this great event to recognize our graduates on their original graduation date. This in no way supplants the in person graduation event we are planning for Friday July 31 (Aug. 2 rain date)."

Winchendon CAC Offers Lawn Space to Recognize Graduating Seniors

Families of graduating Murdock High School seniors are invited to place a sign or banner on the front lawn of the Winchendon CAC at 273 Central St., Winchendon. Signs can be handmade or professionally printed, and may include a photo, a name, a message, or whatever shows your pride in your graduate. Contact the CAC at 978-297-1667 for more information.

Winchendon Public Schools Delivering Meals to Students During School Closings


The Winchendon food services department and the district administration are collaborating with First Student Transportation to deliver meals to Winchendon Public Schools students at designated pick-up times and places around the town.

Monday through Thursday, students receive a bagged breakfast and lunch. On Fridays, students are given three breakfasts and three lunches to cover meals on Saturday and Sunday. Families are asked to bring a bag or box from home to carry the multiple meal packages.

As of March 25, the updated pick-up times and locations are as follows:

10:00-10:15 Waterville Plaza
10:20-10:30 Toy Town Condos/ 250-260 Spring Circle
10:35-10:50 Rite Aid ( now Walgreens parking lot)
10:55-11:05 Goodrich Drive
11:10-11:20 Reedy Drive
11:25-11:35 Pearl Drive

If you have any questions related to this process, please contact Superintendant Joan Landers at 978-616-1451 or by email at jlanders@winchendonk12.org.

Schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year by order of Governor Baker.

Becker College Recognizes Graduates

WORCESTER/LEICESTER, MA (05/27/2020)-- Becker College is please to announce the graduation of more than 430 students at a virtual commencement celebration, including the following local residents:

Benedicta Fordjour, of Winchendon, has graduated with an Associate of Science in Nursing.

Emma Legrand, of Winchendon, has graduated with an Associate of Science in Nursing.

To see Becker College's Commencement page, including details on graduates, awards and a video message from President Crimmin, go to https://www.becker.edu/student-life/commencement-2020/.

Founded in 1784, Becker College is an undergraduate and graduate, career-focused private college, providing a supportive and inclusive learning community that prepares graduates for their first to last careers. Nearly 1,700 students from the United States and around the world attend Becker College, which has campuses both in Worcester and Leicester, Massachusetts. With nationally recognized programs in nursing, game design and animal studies, Becker has been consistently ranked as a "Best College" for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review.

Benedicta Fordjour inducted into Sigma Theta Tau honor society

WORCESTER/LEICESTER, MA (05/28/2020)-- Becker College is proud to announce that Benedicta Fordjour, of Winchendon, has been inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau honor society. Fordjour is pursing a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

Sigma Theta Tau is the Honor Society of Nursing. To be inducted, students must have completed at least half of the nursing curriculum, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0,rank in the top 35% of the graduating class and meet the expectation of academic integrity. Sigma Theta Tau's mission is to develop nurse leaders anywhere to improve healthcare everywhere. Sigma has recognized the value of scholarship and excellence in nursing practice. Baccalureate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing are eligible for induction.

Founded in 1784, Becker College is an undergraduate and graduate, career-focused private college, providing a supportive and inclusive learning community that prepares graduates for their first to last careers. Nearly 1,700 students from the United States and around the world attend Becker College, which has campuses both in Worcester and Leicester, Massachusetts. With nationally recognized programs in nursing, game design and animal studies, Becker has been consistently ranked as a "Best College" for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review.