Wellesley Public Schools
Learning • Caring • Innovating
Superintendent’s Bulletin
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Dear Colleagues,
Well, so much for our hope of no snow days this year. Huge kudos to the Department of Public Works and the Facilities Maintenance Department for their work to clear our roads, sidewalks, and school grounds. It looks like more snow is forecast for this weekend and Monday, which we will monitor closely.
Next Tuesday evening, the School Committee will be voting on its FY16 budget, which is the culmination of its review and deliberations that began in December. There are many difficult decisions to be made and we very much appreciate the rigor and thoughtfulness that has defined the Committee’s approach to this complex task.
Finally, I am pleased to announce that the School Committee and I have reached an agreement on a new contract that will extend my term until 2019. On personal and professional level, I remain deeply committed to the Wellesley community and to our staff, whose exemplary work I am so honored to support.
Thanks for all that you do to support our students each day. Go Pats!!!
Best regards,
David
Calendar
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 – February 3, 2015
- Public Hearing/Vote: School Choice
- Vote: SC Policies AA-AE, Approval as to Form
- Discussion & Vote: FY16 Budget
- FY15 2nd Quarter Financial Report
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 WHS
Come 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 Squad
All are welcome. No sign up necessary. Contact Alison Joyce at ali11896@yahoo.com with questions
Spring is Just Around the Corner and so is the WEF Spring Grant Proposal Deadline
Have a new idea you’d like to try out in the classroom? Is there a piece of equipment you know would enrich your students’ learning experience but it’s just not in the budget? Now is the time to start putting together a request for funding from the Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF). WEF is now accepting grant proposals from all Wellesley Public Schools teachers, administrators and specialists for the spring cycle of grants; the deadline to submit a proposal for this spring is March 2, 2015.
For more than 25 years, WEF has been providing grants to educators for innovative educational projects at all grade levels. In awarding grants, WEF works closely with school administrators to fund projects that result in richer and deeper learning experiences and have the potential to impact a large number of students in innovative ways. Up to 20% of the WEF grant budget may be allocated to grants at the elementary school level. Criteria used to determine whether to fund a particular grant include (1) innovativeness, (2) potential to affect a large number of students, and (3) potential for replication by other teachers or classrooms. Last fall, WEF funded more than $75,000 in teacher and administrator requests. For an application form, additional information and some examples of well-written grants, please visit the WEF website
Completed grant applications should be submitted to Anne Allieri in the Central Office of the Superintendent by Monday, March 2, 2015. Please note that all technology requests must be reviewed by Kathleen Dooley, WPS Director of Technology. For more information or answers to questions about potential grant ideas, please feel free to email the WEF Grant Chair Susan Clapham at grants@wellesleyeducationfoundation.org
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 a 30-minute information session. 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.
- 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.
To download a Course Proposal form, go to Wellesley PD and click on “Becoming a WellesleyPD Instructor”.
Proposals must be submitted to Chelsea Bailow, Instructional Professional Development Coordinator, by Monday, March 2nd.
2014-2015 C&I ProposalsProposals 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
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.
WINGS Summer Positions Available
Elementary Summer Lead Teacher Openings 7/6/15-7/31/15: The WINGS’15 Academic and Enrichment Summer Program is seeking Lead teachers ($41.91) for both the morning (8:30-11:30) and afternoon (12:00-3:00) sessions. Academic courses are offered in the AM only and teachers must commit to all four weeks. Enrichment courses are offered in both the AM and PM and teachers must commit to at least two of the four weeks.
Academic courses will include an entering kindergarten course and concentrated courses in reading (basic literacy for students entering grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) math (skills/strategies for students entering grades 1, 2, 3,4,5), and written language (grades 3-5).
Kindergarten teachers will teach one three-hour session a day. Academic teachers will teach two sections each morning of the same grade level and content. Teaching experience and license required and familiarity with WPS learning goals is a plus. Applicants for positions within the academic strand must state their preferred grade level and whether they are interested in teaching literacy, math, or written language. Academic courses are not dependent on enrollment.
Enrichment teachers will teach two sections a morning or an afternoon. Enrichment Teacher design the courses they teach, so feel free to share your passions, special interests, and talents with students! Applicants must write an enticing description of their proposed course listing the grade levels (K-2, 3-5). The enrichment courses will not be run without sufficient enrollment so make your course description enticing. Enrichment teachers wishing to work a half-day must teach at least two different courses for the four- week period. Applicants wishing to work both the AM and the PM sessions must submit proposals for at least four different courses for the four-week period. Courses must be written to target students in grades K-2 or 3-5.
2/19/15 is the deadline for Lead Teacher applications. Preference will be given to returning WINGS staff, and to current WPS employees. Send you letter of interest explaining why your are qualified and your enrichment course descriptions to Dr. Gretchen Bravacos, WINGS Director, 40 Kingsbury St. Wellesley, MA 02481, or email wings@wellesleyps.org
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 02481
Wellesley Public Schools actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce and welcomes applications from diverse applicants.
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.
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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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