Superintendent’s Bulletin: 9/27/19

Dear Colleagues,

Fall officially began this week and I have been enjoying the beautiful red and orange colors of the trees on my drive into work each day. 

On Wednesday, Melissa Martin, our School Committee Chair, and I were proud to accept a Green Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education for our District’s work related to sustainability. I know Melissa and I both felt humbled to accept this award, knowing full well the many staff and community members whose efforts were responsible for this recognition.  The breadth of these efforts is impressive.  For example, the work of the Facilities Management Department to monitor and calibrate energy usage, the use of sustainable cleaners and low-water devices, LED light replacement projects, and support for food recovery efforts in our schools.  I am also very excited that our two, new elementary school building projects will have energy efficiency as a priority. 

On the teaching and learning front, our science curriculum has continued to evolve and includes a number of entry points on sustainability, climate change, and understanding ecosystems. I am particularly excited about some of the recent project-based learning topics related to the environment, which challenge students to consider problem-solving around real global and community issues. 

Finally, student and adult activism continues to be supported by members of our staff and key community partners.  A special shout-out to Phyllis Theermann, who has a deep passion for these issues and works with our district in a number of ways through Wellesley Green Schools.  (Phyllis also put together our application package for this recognition a year ago!)

Clearly lots happening and lots more to do as we consider how to be better stewards of this planet. 

Thank you for all that you do to support our students and L’shanah tovah to our staff celebrating Rosh Hashanah. 

Best regards,

David

Calendar
09/30/19 – Rosh Hashanah – No School
09/30/19 – Deadline for MTEL Assistance Grant Application
10/1/19 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall –  6:30 pm
10/8/19 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall – 4 – 6:00 pm
10/9/19 – Yom Kippur – No School
10/14/19 – Columbus Day – No School
10/15/19 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall – 5 – 7:00 pm

Congratulations to: Bethany Ladd (Schofield Grade 4 Teacher) on the birth of her daughter, Evelyn (Evie) Rhodes Ladd, who arrived on September 25, 2019.

Another WEF Grant Opportunity – MTEL Assistance – Deadline September 30, 2019
The Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) has generously provided us with a $10,000 grant this school year to help employees pass the MTEL and promote from their current position to a teaching position.  

If you are interested in applying for this grant money to help you pay for the cost of the MTEL and/or the MTEL preparation program, please fill out the attached application, have your supervisor sign it and forward it to the Human Resources Office.  All applications should be received by the Human Resources Department by September 30, 2019.  

A committee will review all of the applications and you will be informed if you have been awarded a portion of the grant.  We are extremely thankful to WEF for their generosity.

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Salary Lane Change News
Letters of Intent to Change Lanes in SY2020-21 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 2020-2021, must send formal notification of intent to change salary lanes to Addie Doherty dohertya@wellesleyps.org, no later than November 1, 2019.  The notification should include:  current lane, proposed lane, and the school year (2020-21) 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.  

Help Wanted . . .
Wellesley Public Schools is seeking qualified applicants for the positions listed below.  If you know anyone who may be interested, please refer them to the Employment Opportunities section of the Wellesley Public Schools’ website.

▪ Performing Arts Production Manager/Theater Director/Teacher
▪ Long Term Substitute School Psychologist
▪ Assistive Technology Teacher
▪ Teaching Assistants
▪ Van Driver
▪ Bus Monitor
▪ Lunch Monitor
▪ Substitute Teachers and Substitute Teaching Assistants

  
2020 WEF Grant Applications 
Deadline:  Monday, January 6th    Decision Notifications:  Early April 

​​​​​​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.  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Renewing Your Educator’s License?
Information about requirements to renew your educator license is available on the WPS website.  Click here to go to the HR Licensure tab.  When you apply for your license on the DESE website under ELAR, the DESE will send you an electronic communication about what is missing from your licensure file in order to renew.   The HR licensure tab and your ELAR account are two tools to assist you with information about licensure renewal.  

WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
For all Internal Job Postings, please go to “Internal Job Postings” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website.