Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive first week of school to start the 2024-25 school year! I was delighted to welcome you back on Monday during our all-staff kickoff. Weren’t our students terrific in leading off the program? Special thanks for Kevin McDonald and Chad Weirick for preparing our choral students to start their year a bit earlier than their peers. And how about WPS Alumnus, Ben Elwy? Such an inspiration and I was so delighted that Ben could join us in person and offer you all encouragement to start the year.
As I mentioned at the kickoff, our theme this year will be “Linking Relationships and Learning.” To this end, our opening week with students is essential in establishing relationships and building a sense of trust and belonging, which we know lead to academic success. For example, the extra time you put into knowing your student’s names and pronouncing them correctly makes a difference! When we work together to know and be responsive to each of our student’s names, strengths, stories, and needs, there is nothing that we can’t accomplish!
Enjoy a well-deserved Labor Day weekend everyone and thanks for your collective efforts to launch our school year so successfully this week!
Best, David
![](https://wellesleyps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/EVERYONE-BELONGS.jpg)
Calendar
September 2 – Labor Day (Schools & Offices closed)
September 3 – School Committee Meeting
September 5 – School Committee Retreat
September 10 – School Committee Meeting
403(B)/457 Fund Contribution Limits
The limit for 403(b) and 457 contributions for calendar year 2024 will be $23,000. Employees who are 50 years of age and older may choose to have an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions, if eligible, bringing the limit to $30,500. Employees who are eligible for one of the additional catch-up provisions need to contact Donna Kalinowski in Payroll to have their annual limit changed in the payroll system. Changes to your contribution amounts must be made through Voya (457) or OMNI & TSACG for 403(b). Contact information for the two programs are:
VOYA: Bruce Coughlin PH: 781-237-3776 or at bruce.coughlin@voyafa.com
Additional information is available at: https://www.wellesleyma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11303/457b-Self-Enrollment-Instructions?bidId=
OMNI & TSACG: PH: 877-544-OMNI
Additional Information is available at: https://www.omni403b.com/SRA/Landing
Please use this link for information about SECURE Act 2.0. If you have additional questions about these provisions, please reach out to OMNI/TSACG directly.
If you have questions about payroll deductions, please contact Donna Kalinowski at ext. 5613
Human Relation Services
The Human Relation Services (HRS) can help. Wellesley Public Schools has contracted with HRS to provide up to ten free counseling visits for you and/or your family members. This program is designed to help you deal with stresses of life and work –including personal and family issues, drug or alcohol problems, and job related tension. It offers prevention and intervention to reduce these stresses and improve coping skills.
HRS is located at 11 Chapel Place in Wellesley and can be reached at 781-235-4950. This is a confidential service. Wellesley Public Schools is not aware of the names of employees or their family members who utilize this service.
Do you have a question for the WPS Human Resources Department?
Email AskHR@Wellesleyps.org. The Human Resources Department is happy to assist you.
WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
For all Internal Job Postings, please go to “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website. How to Apply for WPS Internal Job Postings as a New Internal Applicant