Colleagues,
One of our special traditions in Wellesley is the “Chair Ceremony.” Sponsored by the Wellesley Education Foundation, staff members who have served in WPS for 25 years receive an actual chair commemorating their service. This year, we had ten colleagues who reached that milestone and at a wonderful, in-person ceremony last night, they were each recognized for their service. Listening to wonderful testimonials provided by the colleague who introduced each honoree, I was reminded about the deep bonds and impact we each establish through our work in the district. So please join me in saluting the following colleagues who earned their chairs this year:
Adam Blumer – Wellesley Middle School
Kimberly Kaufman, Ann Riley, and Michael Reidy – Wellesley High School
Janet Rixon – Hardy School
Roxanne Scott – Hunnewell School
Heather Sanborn and Norma Megerian (recently retired) – Schofield School
Cheryl Grosso (recently retired) – Upham School
Karen Thurber – Central Office
Thanks for all that you do for our students and for each other. Enjoy the weekend.
-David
Calendar
5/11/21 – SC Meeting 6:30 pm
5/19/21 – Return to School Listening Session: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
5/19/21 – Deadline for Equity Facilitator Applications
5/25/21 – SC Meeting 6:30 pm
5/31/21 – Memorial Day – No School
06/1/21 – Deadline for Course Reimbursement Submissions
Condolences to Liz Wheeler (WMS Teacher of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing) on the loss of her father, Henry Januskiewicz, on April 2, 2021; and to Kate Mahoney (WMS Dept. Head of Guidance) on the loss of her mother, Carol Clark, on April 20, 2021.
Teacher Leadership Opportunity: Equity Facilitator
The Offices of DE&I and Professional Development are seeking teacher leaders to join the District’s cohort of Equity Facilitators for Fall 2021. One opening exists at each of the following schools: WHS, Bates, Hardy, Hunnewell, Schofield, Upham and P.A.W.S. An overview of the responsibilities and expectations of the role are available here. This stipended opportunity is on School Spring, and interested internal candidates may apply here. The deadline is May 19.
Please email curryc@wellesleyps.org with any questions.
Return to School Listening Session
The Wellesley Public Schools will host a listening session to gather the opinions, beliefs and attitudes about the reopening of schools this spring, and later in the fall, and the impacts of COVID19 on community members. We value the voices of all community members in the District’s ongoing decision-making. Please join us on 5/19/2021, 6:00- 7:30 p.m., via Zoom. You may register here.
Faculty Graduate Course Reimbursement Information:
Course reimbursement funding of $30,000 is available to distribute in FY21 among qualified teachers. This funding is for graduate course work done as part of a master’s degree program to fulfill a teacher’s obligations for the Massachusetts Educators Professional License and for course work required to achieve the next stage of licensure culminating in a professional license and/or when a specialist teacher’s immediate supervisor, subject to the approval of the Assistant Superintendent, verifies that there are no further in-district courses available for recertification in that specialist’s field, that specialist may apply for tuition reimbursement. Any Unit A member for whom no DESE license exists, including but not limited to occupational and physical therapists, so long as that member maintains appropriate certification and/or licensure required to perform his or her duties, shall be eligible to apply for tuition reimbursement. To apply for course reimbursement, please send no later than June 1, 2021, the completed reimbursement form, along with 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@wellesleyps.org. Please note: all information must be received by June 1, 2021. Late materials will not be accepted. All courses must have occurred during the summer 2020, fall 2020 and spring 2021 and have been completed by June 1, 2021. Any courses taken prior to the summer of 2020 will not count for reimbursement.
Salary Lane Change Process Reminder
Effective November 1, 2020, a teacher must submit a Course Approval Form (CAF) if: 1) a course may lead to a lane change; or 2) a course is paid by District funds. Forms should be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the expected start date of the course. Course approvals are active from the date of approval through June 30th of the following school year (e.g., approved 1/20/2021 for a course starting 3/1/2021 would be active through 6/30/2022). Approvals are based on the course title and course description and cannot be exchanged for another course without prior written approval of the Superintendent or designee. A teacher has until June 30th of the following school year from the course completion date to submit the transcripts (e.g., course ended 4/1/2021 transcript must be submitted by 6/30/2022).
Human Relations 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.