Dear Colleagues,
Our week began with many of us waking up Monday morning and learning of the tragic details of the shooting in Las Vegas. As educators, we are expected to be a resource for students and families struggling to understand how these events can happen. It strikes me that some of the honest conversations happening in classrooms around this topic are not happening with much impact among policymakers. Like many people, in the wake of each of the mass shootings of the past 5-6 years, I have been hopeful that we had reached a tipping point as a nation and could reach consensus on what common sense gun control measures could look like. And of course, each time I have been disappointed as the fervor of the moment has dissipated and nothing has changed…until the next tragedy when the cycle begins anew. I refuse to believe that this is the new normal, and I refuse to accept that we can’t find a middle ground that balances 2nd Amendment Rights with the type of reasonable regulations that already govern most aspects of our lives. It’s time for some courageous conversations. It’s time to break this cycle.
Thanks to each of you for the important work you do each day to support our students and have a great long weekend.
Best regards,
David Lussier
Calendar
10/09/17 – Columbus Day – No School
10/10/17 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
10/16/17 – Lane Change 101 – 2:45 pm – Supt. Conf Room
10/18/17 – Lane Change 101 – 3:15 pm – Supt. Conf Room
10/24/17 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
10/30/17 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
11/10/17 – Veterans’ Day – No School
Baby News!
Congratulations to Jennifer Souza (Schofield Gr 4 Teacher) on the birth of her son, Jackson ‘Jack’ Souza, on September 20, 2017; and to Jackie Decker (Sprague Teaching Assistant) on the birth of her daughter, Ava Grace, on September 24, 2017.
Working Toward a Lane Change and Have Questions About the Process?
Join us for a Lane Change 101 Session:
- Monday, October 16th at 2:45 pm
or - Wednesday, October 18th at 3:15 pm
Superintendent’s Conference Room (lower level of the Middle School)
Co-Hosted by Chelsea Bailow and Addie Doherty
This 30-minute information session will provide an overview of the steps you need to take to change lanes, as well as provide an orientation to WellesleyPD, the District’s professional development website.
Please click here to RSVP. Please note that lane changes are applicable only to those members of WTA Unit A.
More Lane Change News: Letters of Intent to Change Lanes Next School Year Are Due by November 1st
All professional staff who expect to receive a Master’s degree, M+30, or M+60/Doctorate at the beginning of the next school year 2018-19, must send formal notification of intent (email is fine) to change salary lanes to Addie Doherty dohertya, no later than November 1, 2017. The notification should include: current lane, proposed lane, and the school year (2018-19) in which you hope to change lanes. This early notification deadline is required so that provisions for anticipated salary lane changes can be included within the new fiscal year budget. Please note: The list does not carry forward. You must provide written notice each year until you have achieved the desired lane change.
Friends of Wellesley METCO Presents a Day at Franklin Park Zoo
Come one! Come all!
All Wellesley Public School students, teachers, staff and family members are invited to visit the Franklin Park Zoo on Sunday, October 15 from 1-4pm. Come tour the zoo and enjoy refreshments & entertainment at our private hospitality tent. There will be activities, raffle prizes and fun for all ages. Sponsored by Friends of Wellesley METCO, this fall social event is a great chance to connect with Wellesley METCO students and their families while enjoying a Sunday afternoon at the zoo.
Admission is just $5.00/person when tickets are reserved by October 9. Tickets purchased day-of will be regular price. For details and to purchase these heavily discounted tickets, visit FriendsofWellesleyMETCO.
The Education Department Presents
The Diane Silvers Ravitch Class of ’60 Lecture
Beyond the Bubble Test, Reforming How We Evaluate Learning and Teaching
Linda Darling-Hammond
Thursday, October 19 at 7:30 PM
Diana Chapman Walsh Alumnae Hall Auditorium
Generously supported by the Diane Silvers Ravitch ’60 Fund for Public Education and Wellesley College Education Department. Free and open to the public. For disability access disabilityservices@wellesley.edu.
Wellesley
www.wellesley.edu/events
28TH Annual Wellesley Spelling Bee
Thursday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM
The Wellesley Education Foundation is buzzing away preparing for the Spelling Bee — which is an old school community spelling bee which brings the whole town together for an evening of fun and fundraising. Over 50 teams participate in the Bee and represent local businesses, law firms, alumni groups, community organizations, and school PTOs, as well as student teams from Wellesley High School and Wellesley Middle School.
On Thursday, November 2nd, 7pm at the Sprague School Gym our community adult spelling contest and fundraising event is back for the 28th time! This high spirited community event is right around the corner! How to catch the buzz:
- Support the Bee