Colleagues,
I attended two separate convenings this week where global education and 21st Century learning were discussed. A few things stood out. First, social and emotional learning continue to be themes that educators are discussing internationally. Second, American schools are still generally orientated around the traditional delivery of content. According to the Future of Jobs Report from the World Economic Forum, the learning competencies that will be most important for our students by 2020 include:
- Complex problem solving
- Critical thinking
- People management
- Coordinating with others
- Emotional intelligence
- Judgment and decision making
- Service orientation
- Negotiation
- Cognitive flexibility
As we continue to examine ways in which we can calibrate our programs and deliver instruction with what our students will need to be successful in college, career, and life, we must continue to reflect on developing these skills. To this end, some districts in Massachusetts have joined districts across the country to develop updated profiles of 21st Century graduates. I encourage you to visit profileofagraduate.org to view some terrific resources that can help inform our conversations around these topics.
Finally, this week was Teachers and Nurses Appreciation Week. The work of our teachers and nurses in WPS is second to none and I remain grateful for the commitment and expertise you bring to our community each day.
Thank you to all of our staff for all that you do for our students, with special thanks to all of our moms for, well, just about everything!!
Best, David
Calendar
05/12/17 – Open Enrollment Deadline for Health and Dental Plans
05/23/17 – SC Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
05/29/17 – Memorial Day – No School
05/30/17 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
06/01/17 – Grad Course Reimbursement Requests Deadline
06/02/17 – WHS Graduation – 5 pm
Congratulations to Matt Clarke (WMS Gr 8 Science Teacher) on the birth of his son, Asa Gabriel, on May 5, 2017.
WHS Graduation News
Wellesley High School Graduation is on Friday, June 2, 2017, Hunnewell Field, 5:00 pm.
If held outside, a ticket will not be necessary. In case of rain, the graduation will be in the GYM at Wellesley High School. Any faculty and staff planning to attend the graduation must email Mary Donahue (donahuem@wellesleyps.org) by Wednesday, May 24th, and request a ticket. Mary will send you the ticket and instructions by return mail.
March with METCO in the Wellesley Parade on Sunday, May 21
In honor of the 50th Anniversary, Wellesley METCO has been selected to receive a Special Recognition Award at the annual Wellesley Veteran’s Parade. This will be the culmination of the anniversary activities this year, and let’s make it the best!
We will have honored guests riding in two convertible cars with signs recognizing the program and students holding a large banner with the anniversary logo for all the Wellesley community to cheer. And of course we’ll have candy and other surprises to hand out along the parade route.
What do we need? MARCHERS! We hope to have a large contingent of students, family members, graduates, WPS teachers and staff, and friends to march alongside the cars. We have 50th Anniversary T-shirts for those who sign up early!
METCO marchers will meet at the Wellesley Community Center (junction of Rts 9 and 16) by 12:15pm on Sunday, May 21. The parade begins at 1:00 and the route is about a mile to the center of Wellesley. Depending on where our position is in line, will determine what time we finish…somewhere around 2:15-2:45pm.
Please use this link to let us know you’ll be marching and your preferred t-shirt size. If you normally march with other groups (school, scouts, etc.), please consider this special 50th Anniversary opportunity to honor and celebrate Wellesley METCO. We can help arrange transportation to the start/from the finish…let us know in your comments on the sign up sheet.
Google sign up sheet: Sunday, May 21 Wellesley Veteran’s Parade METCO Marchers
Affordable Housing Lottery
Please click here for information on seven rental units available on a lottery basis at 978 Worcester Street. There is a local preference component which increases the odds of receiving the unit if you work for the Town or the School Department. The application deadline is July 5, 2017.
Open Enrollment for Health and Dental Plans
Open enrollment for benefit eligible employees will end Friday, May 12, 2017. During open enrollment, you may do the following:
- Enroll in a health or dental plan
- Add family members to a health or dental plan
- Change your health plan provider
- Change your dental option (low to high or high to low)
- Change your long term disability (LTD**) option.
** LTD benefits and premium are based on salary. Please contact HR directly at (781) 431–1019, x2244 to find out what options are available to you.
Rates for all health and dental plans offered by the Town can be found here. General information and forms on all the health and dental plans the Town offers can be found here .
REMINDER: NO ACTION IS REQUIRED IF YOU WISH TO KEEP YOUR BENEFIT ELECTIONS THE SAME FOR FY18
Graduate Course Reimbursement 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.
Insurance Benefits Information
Health and Dental Insurance Benefits information is handled by the Town Hall Benefits Office. 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.