Dear Colleagues,
Happy Friday! I am very happy to report that on Tuesday night, Town Meeting members overwhelmingly supported moving forward with funds for feasibility and schematic design for the Hardy/Upham facilities project. In the coming year, a detailed study will be performed on both sites to assess the buildings, grounds, traffic, etc.. With these data in hand, and with considerable community input, we will work to craft a preferred solution to move forward to schematic design. While I sincerely doubt that there will ever be unanimity on what that preferred option will be, it is our hope that we can at least achieve a strong consensus in the months that will follow.
Yesterday, educators and parents from our elementary schools came together with Town Leaders and our design partners for our first elementary visioning session, which will help inform the design of the new Hunnewell and Hardy/Upham buildings. In addition to helping us consider our current strengths and challenges, we also talked about the future educational needs we wish to see addressed in these new spaces. It was inspiring to see so many examples of newly designed elementary buildings where the needs of students and staff are clearly being met in better ways than our current facilities. I believe we all left feeling an even stronger sense of urgency to bring these new facilities on line as soon as possible!
Finally, I am happy to share the news that I recently agreed to another four-year contract with the School Committee that will begin next summer, when I start my eighth year in Wellesley. I remain incredibly proud to serve this community and I can’t imagine a finer team of colleagues with whom to work. I am honored to support your efforts as we collectively stand for children each day.
Enjoy the long weekend!
Best regards,
David Lussier
Calendar
10/16/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
10/30/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
11/01/18 – Deadline to Submit Notice of Intent for Lane Change
11/12/18 – Veterans’ Day Observed – No School
11/20/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
11/21/18 – Thanksgiving Break Begins – Half Day
11/26/18 – Professional Development Day
11/27/18 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm – Town Hall
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.
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.