Colleagues,
I had a chance to attend the WHS Evolutions exhibition night this week. Once again, I find the student creativity in this program to be remarkable. Project subject matter included a detailed history (and model) of the Japanese battleship Yamato, research on the intersection of hip-hop and fashion, a short story written about characters who exist in a dimension of electromagnetic waves, and profiling serial killers. (And that’s just a sampling.) Linking each of these projects was an incredible passion for the topic that was clearly evident in the student descriptions as they answered questions for the many adults in the room. To see that type of confidence and demonstration of mastery, I am reminded of how much more authentic this type of assessment is when compared to any standardized test. One proud grandparent shared with me that his grandson felt lost in high school before taking this course, which has been transformative for him. These are the moments we live for as educators.
Another highlight this week was being invited by the first grade team at Sprague to describe my role as a community helper. The students were very curious about what, if any, uniform I might wear, and if I needed any special education. One student asked whether or not I have a limo in which I drive around town. These are the moments that we live for as superintendents!
Finally, a special shout-out to WHS Drama Teacher Steve Wrobleski for being named one of The Wellesley Townsman’s, “2016 Townsman 10.” This is an annual recognition for members of the community who have made important contributions to Wellesley. If you have ever attended one of our High School shows, you know this honor is well deserved.
Thanks to each of you for all that you do for our students each day and I hope you have a great weekend.
Best,
David
Calendar
1/23/17 – School Committee Meeting – 10 am – Town Hall
1/24/17 – School Committee Meeting and FY18 Budget Public Hearing – 7 pm – Town Hall
1/31/17 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
2/07/17 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
2/09/17 – Conversation on Race with Prof. Pash Obeng (See Details Below)
03/10/17 – Deadline for WEF Spring Grant Applications
Conversation on Race with Professor Pash Obeng – February 9, 2017 – WHS Caf, 7:00-9:00 pm
The event will open with a welcome from Kalise Wornum, METCO K-12 Director for Wellesley Public Schools and other members of the celebration committee, followed by a brief keynote from Rev. Dr. Pashington Obeng, Wellesley resident of 29 years, Associate Minister at Wellesley Hills Congregational Church and Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College. The evening will include table conversations facilitated by Wellesley Public School faculty, parents and community members. Our hope is that by coming together and providing a space for dialogue and learning we will build stronger relationships and understanding.
Wellesley METCO Celebration Committee
RSVP to worldofwellesley or eventbrite link.
Apply Now to Enroll Children of Non-Resident WTA Members in Wellesley Public Schools
Children of teachers or nurses residing outside of Wellesley shall be entitled to attend Wellesley Public Schools without charge for tuition on a space-available basis (Article 12, WTA Unit A Contract). If you are interested in this benefit for the 2017-18 school year, please click here to access the form. Once complete, please return the form, along with a letter of intent, to District Registrar Nancy Costigliola in Central Office or email it back to her at registrar@wellesleyps.org. The Application and Letter of Intent Deadline is May 1, 2017.
Graduate Course Reimbrusement Guidelines/Deadline
Course reimbursement funding of $30,000 is available to distribute in FY18 among qualified teachers. This funding is for graduate course work done to obtain a master’s degree and/or a teacher’s professional license. Newly added benefits this year allow course reimbursement for specialists including physical therapists and occupational therapists to recertify their professional or allied health license. The Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning must verify in advance that there are no further in-district specialist courses available in order for the specialists to apply for course reimbursement. To apply for this course reimbursement, please send by no later June 1, 2017, your name, evidence of your enrollment in an applicable master/doctoral degree program, name and description of the course, evidence of course cost (a billing statement), proof of payment (i.e. credit card statement, canceled check or receipt of payment), and transcript to Valerie Spruill, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Human Resources, spruillv. You will be notified of the amount awarded to you some time prior to the first paycheck in September 2017. Please note: all information must be received by June 1, 2017 or you will be disqualified for reimbursement. All courses must have occurred in the summer of 2016, fall of 2016 and spring of 2017 and have been completed by June 1, 2017. Any courses taken prior to the summer of 2016 will not count for reimbursement.
Attention Core Academic Teachers: Important Licensure Information
If you are a core academic teacher and you currently hold a preliminary license, you must take the RETELL course and obtain the SEI Teacher Endorsement in order to renew your license as an initial license. For RETELL purposes, a core academic teacher is an early childhood, elementary, special education, English, reading, mathematics, science, civics and government, economics, history or geography teacher. The requirement to take the RETELL course applies to teachers with preliminary licenses, regardless of whether or not they had an ELL student in their classroom.
If you are unsure about what type of license you are working under (preliminary, initial or professional), please go on your DESE ELAR account and check your license type. https://gateway.edu.state.ma.us/elar/common/EducatorWelcomePagePageControl.ser
RETELL Information
Working in collaboration with the Wellesley Teachers’ Association, tentative arrangements have been made to offer the RETELL course in-District during the Spring 2017 semester. Please watch for additional information in upcoming Superintendent’s Bulletins.
All Benefits Information
Benefits information is handled by the Town Hall Benefits Office. All benefit inquiries should be directed to Joanne Liburd at JLiburd or by calling 781-431-1019 extension 2244.
WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
Please be aware that we added a new feature called “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website. We will post all of our internal jobs under this website tab. Therefore, you will no longer see internal job postings in the bulletin. This new way of posting will allow us to post internal positions any day of the week.