Dear Colleagues,
Greetings on a raw and wet Friday. This week has been dominated by the news coverage of the Supreme Court nomination process. As I watched segments of Dr. Blasey Ford’s testimony yesterday, I felt a variety of emotions all at once. First, I was incredibly moved by her courage in recounting her painful story before a national audience. At the same time, it became obvious that her sexual assault, while occurring 36 years ago, had profoundly affected Dr. Blasey Ford’s life into adulthood. As a father, these events, and others like them, make me feel terrified for my daughters, hoping that they will never endure such a traumatic experience. As a man, I am embarrassed by the boys-will-be-boys attitude that has sometimes been used to rationalize sexual assault as simply an honest mistake or a bad choice that should not have long-term accountability and consequences. As an educator, I feel challenged to help ensure that we are providing an environment in our schools in which we develop the capacity for mutual respect and care among all students to stand strong for themselves and for each other.
It is unnerving to think of the experience that Dr. Blasey Ford had to endure at the age of 15. My hope is that her example will lead to greater understanding and, most of all, to action.
Have a great weekend.
Best regards,
David Lussier
Calendar
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 Christina Staunton (Fiske Special Educator) on the death of father-in-law, Peter John, on September 16, 2018.
Are You Interested in After School Work?
The Fitness and Health Department is seeking teachers, paraprofessionals and teaching assistants who are interested in working in the Intramural Program at Wellesley Middle School. Responsibilities include running sessions and afterschool activities for stipended extra pay. Specific assignments and activities vary and are organized by the WMS Intramural Coordinator.
If you are interested, please email Joanne Grant, Director of Fitness and Health, at: GrantJ@wellesleyps.
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.