Good morning, Worcester.

With MCAS no longer a graduation requirement, state and local officials are planning a new high school standard, and Worcester schools are reviewing assessment alternatives + they expect decisions in coming months.

A school committee meeting on Oct.

5 at Bay Path (serving 1,180 students) ended abruptly when officers escorted teachers and others out after a dispute over canceling public comments amid stalled contract talks; the committee will allow comments at its Nov. 2 meeting.

After witnessing a man jump from the dam on June 8, Melissa Medina launched an online petition for higher gates, railings, and surveillance cameras + the petition gathered over 100 signatures on Oct.

10 and will be presented to state officials soon.

Blackstone Valley Tech beat Bay Path 34 to 27 on Oct.

10 after scoring 22 unanswered points (a strong surge in the second half helped clinch the win).