Colleagues,
I’ve been following the numerous news stories from around the region about school approaches to homework. There seems to be a growing trend, particularly at the elementary level, to reduce—or completely eliminate—homework in order to reduce student stress levels, free up time for students to engage in other activities, and take pressure off of families. These are certainly all important considerations.
In thinking about this topic, I know there are multiple layers of complexity. For example, what counts as homework? Is the expectation that our younger students read for 30 minutes a night defined as homework, or is that more of a lifelong behavior that we are trying to develop? There is also the issue that one student may only need 15-20 minutes to complete the same assignment that takes another student one hour to complete. This certainly complicates the effectiveness of defined guidelines about assignments.
I’m guessing we all agree that homework should be meaningful and extend learning outside of school. Additionally, the type of executive functioning required to manage homework and other coursework is an essential skill that our students need to manage their lives.
With so much interest in this topic right now and given our focus on social and emotional learning, it seems like an appropriate time to check in with our staff, students, and parents on the degree to which our current approach to homework is working well or if our practice needs any adjustment. I hope you will each think about these questions and begin those conversations at your schools.
Finally, don’t forget that tonight is our annual Friday Night Football game under the lights! This year we are grateful to Weston for hosting our game while our field is being renovated. I hope to see you there tonight and thank you for all that you do for our students each day.
Have a great weekend!
Best regards,
David
Calendar
09/23/16 – Friday Night Lights! Wellesley vs Natick – 7 pm – Weston High School
09/26/16 – School Committee Working Meeting – 8:45 am – Town Hall
10/04/16 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
10/18/16 – School Committee Meeting – 7 pm – Town Hall
Baby News!
Congratulations to new mom Christine Archer Desrosiers (Schofield & Fiske Art Teacher) on the birth of her daughter, Hannah Mary, on July 26, 2016, and to Kristen (Roberts) Cerreta (WHS Math Teacher) on the birth of her son, Brycen Philip, on September 15, 2016.
DON’T FALL BEHIND – WEF Grant Applications are due Friday, October 14, 2016
Now accepting applications on-line at www.wellesleyeducationfoundation.org
Quick Tips
- Go to WEF’s website to read about our grant process and see examples of past grant awards
- To apply, go to the menu tab – Grants and Login to Grant Applications
- Complete all required fields on the application
- Upload any additional info relevant to your grant request
- Provide the name and email of the administrator(s) required to sign off on your application
- Remember to click Submit
For over 25 years, the Wellesley Education Foundation has provided grants for educational projects and equipment at all grade levels. WEF works closely with WPS administrators. Criteria for funding grants include innovativeness, potential to affect a large number of students, and potential for replication by other teachers or classrooms. A new idea to try? Supplies that would enrich student learning? Not in the budget? Consider a request for WEF funding.
Questions or for more info, email Yolanda Tong or Judy Zimmerman at grants@wellesleyeducationfoundation.org
Celebrate Wellesley METCO and Connect!
You are invited! Friends of Wellesley METCO is sponsoring a back-to-school social event on Saturday night, October 1st. Please join us for an evening of socializing, food, music, and fun. It will be a great way to connect and kick off the celebrations of METCO’s 50 years in Wellesley. We hope to have a strong turnout of teachers and staff to meet and build relationships with Boston parents, especially.
Where: Mother Brook Arts & Community Center, 123 High Street, Dedham
When: Saturday, October 1st, 6:30pm – 10:00pm
Tickets: $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased via credit card or Paypal on the FWMI website (friendsofwellesleyMETCO.org) or by check to FWMI, P.O. Box 81163, Wellesley, 02481. For more information, email FriendsofWellesleyMETCO
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.