Wellesley Public Schools
Learning • Caring • Innovating
Superintendent’s Bulletin

 
January 23, 2015

Dear Colleagues,This week, the Wellesley community mourned the loss of Dr. Michael Davidson, an accomplished surgeon, devoted husband, and WPS parent.  While many of us did not know Dr. Davidson personally, it is hard not be touched by this week’s events.  As I listened to the heartfelt tributes offered by colleagues, friends and family at today’s funeral service, I marveled at Dr. Davidson’s accomplishments and how his sense of service and social responsibility were so visibly present in his life.  In this regard, I suspect he would have felt a strong kinship with Wellesley educators, who feel a similar calling and devote their lives to service.  Our community has truly lost a remarkable individual. I also want to thank the entire team at Bates Elementary School, who supported our students and families in the wake of this tragedy, as well as the school psychologists from many of our buildings who offered counseling at Bates this week.  What a great team of caring professionals we have working in our schools.Please continue to keep the Davidson family in your thoughts and prayers, and thank you all for your service to our community.Best regards,David

Calendar
1/27/15 – School Committee Meeting & Public Hearing – FY16 Budget – Selectmen’s Meeting Room – 7 pm
1/31/15 – Deadline for HRA Medical Reimbursements for CY2014
2/1/15 – Deadline:  WHJWC Grant Applications Due
2/3/15 – School Committee Meeting – Selectmen’s Meeting Room – 7 pm
2/16-2/20/15 – February Break
2/24/15 – School Committee Meeting – Selectmen’s Meeting Room – 7 pm
3/2/15 – WellesleyPD Course Proposals Due

School Committee Agenda – January 27, 2015 

  •     Public Hearing:  FY16 Budget
  •     FY16 Budget Discussion
  •     VOTE: Superintendent Contract

The documents presented at School Committee meetings may be found on the School Committee page of the District’s website.

WELLESLEY HIGH SCHOOL’S GAY, LESBIAN, OR WHATEVER CLUB
INVITES YOU TO ITS ANNUAL

COFFEE HOUSE

January 30th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at WHSCome have a refreshment and perform or watch!
Featuring performances by:
Wellesley High School’s Improv Troupe Robot and The Ready Readys
Wellesley High School Acapella Groups
Thunder Step SquadAll are welcome. No sign up necessary. Contact Alison Joyce at ali11896@yahoo.com with questions

Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club:  Call for Grant Applications

The Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club is beginning its annual review of applications for grants.  Each year we award grants to a variety of educational, elderly, healthcare, recreational, civic and community programs, with particular emphasis on those programs that have a significant impact on the Wellesley community as a whole and its individual residents.  An application is available on our website: www.whjwc.org.   If you are unable to download the application, please contact us at whjwcdonations@gmail.com. Please note this is a new email.Applications must be completed in full before submission.  Please be sure to identify the specific activity or program for which you are requesting funding and the dollar amount corresponding to your request.  Please feel free to include any supplemental information you feel will support your request.  If your organization produces an annual report, we request that you submit a copy with your application.  Please email your application by February 1, 2015 to: whjwcdonations@gmail.com

We will inform you of the Donations Committee’s decision in writing by mid-May 2015. You will receive a letter whether or not you have been awarded a grant. Our committee looks forward to your application. 

Lesley Robertson
2014 -2015 Donations Committee
Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club

2014-15 Professional Development Opportunities

WellesleyPD Instructor Information Session
Are you interested in offering a course to colleagues this summer or next school year? Come to one of three 30-minute information sessions. We’ll discuss the process for becoming an approved graduate level instructor for Framingham State University, the course proposal and approval processes, and the requirements for submitting a course for approval.

  • Wednesday, January 28th, 3:00pm – 3:30pm, Wellesley High School
  • Tuesday, February 3rd, 3:30pm – 4:00pm, Sprague Elementary
  • Thursday, February 5th, 3:00pm – 3:30pm, Wellesley Middle School

Please RSVP using the following link.  If you have any questions, please contact Chelsea Bailow (bailowc@wellesleyps.org or x5437).
Share Your Expertise with Colleagues
Teach a WellesleyPD course this summer or during the 2015-2016 school year!  
The rate of pay is $60 per course hour for non-graduate level courses or $100 per course hour if the course is approved for graduate credit through Framingham State University. The rate of pay is adjusted for multiple instructors.Click here to download a Course Proposal form.Proposals must be submitted to Chelsea Bailow, Instructional Professional Development Coordinator, by Monday, March 2nd.  If you have any questions, please attend a WellesleyPD Instructor Information Session (see above for details).
2014-2015 C&I Proposals
Proposals for C&I projects are now being accepted for work beginning June 2015 thru June 2016.   The rate for work completed prior to July 1, 2015 is $223 per six-hour day; the rate for work completed on or after July1, 2015 is $228.  To access a C&I Proposal Form, go to the Curriculum & Instruction Workshops page on the WellesleyPD website. Regular Education C&I Proposals
C&I compensation is granted for curriculum development projects or task force members to work on planned Curriculum Review Cycles or Strategic Plan Initiatives as outlined on WellesleyPD.  Proposals must be submitted to Anne Allieri, Asst. to Assistant Superintendent, Teaching & Learning, no later than March 2nd. Approval notifications will be emailed before April vacation.Special Education C&I Proposals
C & I Proposals that focus on specialized instructional inclusive practices, e.g., co-teaching models, and/or emotional/social/behavioral support systems will be given priority for approval.  Proposals should be submitted to Lori Cimeno, Director of Student Services, no later than March 2nd.  Approval notifications will be emailed before April vacation.
Register now for Winter/Spring Professional Development Offerings on WellesleyPD
WellesleyPD can be accessed from the WPS website. Under the “Faculty” tab, select “Professional Development”.  

  • iPad Boot Camp:  An Introduction to the iPad
    Instructors: Amy Jankins & Jackie Hoglund
    Participants: PreK-12 Educators 
    Dates/Times:   2/25/15, 3:30 pm – 7 pm;   3/4, 3/11, 3/18/15, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm 
  • Advanced iPad: 2nd Offering
    Instructors:  Rosey McQuillan & Ranjani Sriram
    Participants:  PreK-12 Educators
    Dates/Times:  Online Only – Weeks of 4/6/15 – 5/10/15
  • Using Thinking Maps to Enhance Student Performance
    Instructors:  Lizzy Floyd & Sarah Fontaine
    Participants:  PreK-12 Classroom Teachers & Special Educators
    Dates/Times:  6/23/15 and 6/24/15, 8 am – 5 pm;   6/25/15, 8 am – 4:30 pm
  • CPI Restraint Training – Full Course SPRING
    Instructors: Adam Diliberto, Elisa Buchsbaum & Jody Steinhilber
    Participants: PreK-12 Educators, TAs & Paras
    Dates/Times: 6/15/15, 6/16/15, 8:00a – 3:00p
  • CPI Restraint Training – Refresher Course SPRING
    Instructors: Adam Diliberto, Elisa Buchsbaum & Jody Steinhilber
    Participants: PreK-12 Educators, TAs & Paras
    Dates/Times: 3/31/15, 3:45p – 6:45p​

Director of Performing Arts (K-12)Wellesley Public Schools is seeking an experienced leader to guide/steer/take the helm of our world-class Performing Arts Program.  Throughout our K-12 system, we seek to meet the needs of all students-those who will go on to become professional musicians as well as those who enjoy a lifetime of engagement with the performing arts.We seek candidates for Director who have experience with and foster excellence and engagement across all areas of Performing Arts and who can build on our strong tradition of including all students in performing through our vibrant general music curriculum. This position also requires managing a large department budget as well as fee based programs and income from performances.  Above all, our next leader should have strong communication skills, an energetic and organized leadership style, be creative and enthusiastic in developing staff and student growth, and provide an engaging vision for the future of our program. Candidates must have at minimum a Master’s Degree and appropriate licensure.  Previous teaching experience and administrative experience at the building or district level is required.  The work year is 204 days, effective July 1, 2015.   Current salary range for FY16 is: $99,687 – $117,722.Please send a cover letter, resume, three current letters of reference, transcripts, and licensure by February 6, 2015 to:  Gayle McCracken, Director of Human Resources, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481Wellesley Public Schools actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce and welcomes applications from diverse applicants.Are you interested in a Job Share? Would you like to be considered for a Transfer in 2015-16 School Year?
Teachers with Professional Teacher Status who would like to request a job share position or a transfer in the 2014-2015 school year must notify Gaylle McCracken in writing by May 1, 2015.  Requests should be sent to:  mccrackeng@wellesleyps.org .Apply Now to Enroll Children of Non-Resident WTA Members in Wellesley Schools.  Children of teachers or nurses residing outside 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 2015-16 school year, please contact spruillv@wellesleyps.org include your child/ren’s name, birth date, and current grade level.  Application Deadline:  May 1, 2015

Graduate Course Reimbursement Course reimbursement funding of $30,000 is available to distribute in FY15 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.  To apply for this course reimbursement, please send, by June 1, 2015, 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 Human Resources Director, spruillv@wellesleyps.org   You will be notified of the amount awarded to you sometime prior to the first paycheck in September 2015.  Please note:  all information must be received by June 1, 2015 or you will be disqualified for reimbursement.  All courses must have occurred in the summer of 2014, fall of 2014 and spring of 2015 and have been completed by June 1, 2015.   Any courses taken prior to the summer of 2014 will not count for reimbursement.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.
 
Wellesley Public Schools • Wellesley, Massachusetts www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/district/superintendent David Lussier, Superintendent

The Superintendent’s Bulletin is posted weekly on Fridays on our website. It provides timely, relevant information about meetings, professional development opportunities, curriculum and program development, grant awards, and School Committee news. The bulletin is also the official vehicle for job postings. Please read the bulletin regularly and use it to inform colleagues of meetings and other school news.

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Superintendent’s Bulletin 1/23/15
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