Dear Colleagues,
I want to provide you with a brief update on our school security efforts this year. First, our comprehensive facilities upgrades across the District are nearly complete. We have significantly improved access control, with staff members now having the ability to use their “prox” cards to access doors that are otherwise locked. Similarly, we have made improvements to interior doors, particularly with improved hardware. (Additional door and lock improvements to WMS are on the way, with a specific WMS facilities project moving through the vetting process right now.) In terms of communications, we have improved our PA systems and work is nearly complete that will allow any phone in our buildings to make all-calls using that system. At all of our buildings, administrators have police radios that will allow us to communicate directly with the police in case of an emergency. Similarly, our video systems have already allowed us to investigate a variety of security threats and can be accessed live from the police station in an emergency to help ensure that first responders can direct their entry into our buildings during a crisis with the utmost speed.
While these buildings upgrades have significantly improved our ability to secure our schools, we continue to believe that our most important security measures are the relationships that we collectively build and maintain with our students and their families. Our School Resource Officers (SROs) play a key role here, and we are excited to welcome Officer Kathy Poirier in her new role as the second SRO working in our District alongside Evan Rosenberg. Evan will be based primarily at the high school and Kathy will be working at the middle and elementary schools.
Of course, the role that each of you play is critical as well. We all need to remind students to share concerns they may have with staff. Dr. Chisum frequently reminds students, “Not to worry alone.” This is an important message we should all try to reinforce.
Our fall security training for staff and then for students is well underway. I recognize that elements of this preparation may create anxiety both for us as adults and for our students. I feel it as well, but I also know that we have a responsibility for preparedness to help ensure that our schools are safe learning spaces.
I appreciate the partnerships we have with our local Police and Fire Departments to coordinate these many activities. Most of all, I am grateful to our staff for not only managing these many new activities, but also for your primary role in supporting our students.
Have a great weekend.
Best regards,
David Lussier
Calendar
9/11/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – WPD Kingsbury Room
9/19/18 – Yom Kippur – No School
9/25/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
10/2/18 – Special Town Meeting – 7 pm – WMS Auditorium
10/8/18 – Columbus Day – No School
10/16/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
10/30/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
Condolences
To Bob Callahan (WMS Art Teacher – retired) and Jill Callahan (WMS Art Teacher) on the death of Bob’s brother, Jim Callahan, on September 16, 2018.
Proctors Needed!
Associate Supervisors are needed to administer SATs for October 6, 2018 (note this is Columbus Day Weekend). Proctors are needed to monitor the halls, direct students to their classrooms and assist the Main Office staff with running the test center, as needed. The following positions are open:
Proctor (Hall Monitor): $100, 7:00am to 1:00pm*
Associate Supervisor (Test Proctor): $125, 6:45am to 1:00pm*
*All positions have the opportunity for early release should students arrive and complete testing early.
Please note the following:
According to College Board guidelines, Associate Supervisors and Proctors must be current or retired faculty or other professional staff of WPS or from a neighboring institution or a graduate student.
Also, according to College Board guidelines, an Associate Supervisor or Proctor cannot administer any SAT Program test that will be taken by a member of their household or immediate family at any test center nationwide.
If you are interested in any or all of the dates and are eligible according to the College Board guidelines, please email Kyle Getz at getzk@wellesleyps.org.
In your correspondence, please indicate which position you would be most interested in filling, as well as your current address and cell phone number.
IMPORTANT: Indicating interest doesn’t guarantee a position as the number of Associate Supervisors and Proctors required to run the test center is based on the number of students testing as well as their needs. Every effort will be made to make positions available to as many people as possible.
Dine. Dance. Celebrate! Friends of Wellesley METCO Adult Social – October 20th, 6:30 pm
Come join us for a fun-filled night, reconnecting with old friends and making new friends.
Saturday, October 20th, 6:30 – 10:00pm
William J. Devine Golf Course at Franklin Park, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester
Tickets: $10 per person in advance; $15 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at http://www. friendsofwellesleymetco.org. Click on “Donate” and put “Adult Social” in special instructions.
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 Masters, M+30, or M+60/Doctorate at the beginning of the next school year 2019-2020, must send formal notification of intent to change salary lanes to Addie Doherty dohertya@wellesleyps.org, no later than November 1, 2018. The notification should include: current lane, proposed lane, and the school year (2019-20) in which you hope to change lanes. This early notification deadline is required so that provisions for anticipated salary lane changes may 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.
Insurance Benefits Information
Health and Dental Insurance Benefits information is handled by the Town Hall Benefits Office. Inquiries should be directed to Joanne Liburd at JLiburd@wellesleyma.gov or by calling 781-431-1019 extension 2244.
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.