Wellesley Public Schools
Learning • Caring • Innovating
Superintendent’s Bulletin
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Colleagues,Well, I don’t think there is any longer doubt that we are in winter! The past two weeks have been challenging indeed with a season’s worth of snow falling in approximately ten days. I can’t say enough how much we appreciate the efforts of our DPW and FMD for their work to clear our streets, sidewalks, and school grounds. With more snow coming this weekend, I know we will be leaning on them once again to support our opening early next week. As the need for any cancellations or delays arise, we will continue to use SchoolMessenger to communicate with staff and families. This remains a fast and efficient means of getting the word out so that our community can plan appropriately. The days of phone trees are long gone! On the budget front, I can report that the School Committee voted to adopt an FY16 budget that represents a 5.6 percent increase over our current FY15 Budget. On Wednesday night, we presented this budget to Advisory, where our strategic rationale and detailed descriptions were well received. The challenge that remains before us as a community is how to reconcile an approximately $3 million shortfall before Town Meeting, where a balanced budget must be approved. There will be difficult choices to make in the coming weeks, as we anticipate that we will be asked to cut more from our FY16 request.As we head into a predicted snowy weekend, please take solace in the fact that our state groundhog, Ms. G, did not see her shadow (unlike her PA cousin, Punxsutawney Phil), signaling an early spring. I know I’m ready for it at this point.Thank you for your good work in support of our students and I hope you enjoy the weekend. Best regards,David
Calendar
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 Meeting Notes – February 3, 2015
- Held a public hearing and voted not to participate in School
Choice in SY2015-16
- Discussed and voted its FY16 Budget totalling $67,114,817
- Heard a presentation on the FY15 2nd Quarter Financial Report
- Addressed Mr. Ron Alexander’s Open Meeting Law Complaints
The documents presented at School Committee meetings may be found on the School Committee page of the District’s website.
Friends of Wellesley METCO Annual Appeal
Please support Friends of Wellesley METCO’s Annual Appeal: Friends of Wellesley METCO, Inc. is very grateful for the tremendous support of our teachers, staff, and administrators each day in the schools. We also count on donations to our annual appeal, in order to fund a broad range of educational support programs and enriching experiences for our Boston students. Please click here for our 2014-15 Annual Appeal letter, or you can donate online. Thank you!
Spring is Just Around the Corner and so is the WEF Spring Grant Proposal DeadlineHave 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 9, 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 9, 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
2014-15 Professional Development Opportunities
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 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
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 AvailableElementary 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.orgWPS 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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