Colleagues,
I want to highlight two important items from Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting. The first is that after much deliberation, the Committee approved future elementary redistricting maps for the Hardy/Upham project. While either map will not go into effect until 2024 at the earliest, these maps will inform the ongoing feasibility study of both sites. Ultimately, the School Building Committee is slated to make a recommendation in April on which site to build a new school in partnership with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
Second, another important topic Tuesday night was a presentation of the Views of Climate and Learning (VOCAL) data from last Spring’s MCAS administration, as well as our results from the 2018 MetroWest Adolescent Health Survey. The VOCAL data are primarily from 4th and 5th grade and provide insight into the topics of engagement, safety, and school environment. While we presented the overall district data, I encourage our elementary colleagues to review and discuss their school-specific data.
The MetroWest results for our Middle and High School students revealed some troubling trends, particularly in the areas of vaping, alcohol use, stress levels, and mental health. Cutting across all of these areas is a trend showing higher incidents in these categories for our female students when compared to their male counterparts. I encourage our Middle and High school colleagues to look closely at these data and continue to consider ways we can address these areas in our work in schools.
Thanks for all of your great work with our students and have a great weekend.
Best regards,
David
Calendar
03/10/20 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall – 6:30 pm
03/24/20 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall – 6:30 pm
Apply Now to Enroll Children of Non-Resident WTA Members in Wellesley Public Schools
Children of teachers or nurses residing outside of Wellesley shall be entitled to attend Wellesley Public Schools without charge for tuition on a space-available basis (Article 12, WTA Unit A Contract). If you are interested in this benefit for the 2020-21 school year, please click here to access the form. Once complete, please return the form, along with a letter of intent, to District Registrar Nancy Costigliola in Central Office or email it back to her at registrar@wellesleyps.org. Requests will be accepted between March 2 and no later than May 1, 2020.
News from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is launching the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge on March 30. The 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge (aka the Racial Equity Challenge) is simple: You (along with thousands of other people across the US) commit to deepening your understanding of and willingness to confront racism for 21 consecutive days. At the very least, the Challenge will raise your awareness. But for many participants it goes beyond that and changes the way they see and interact with the world. Commit to the challenge here, and return to our website on March 30 for Day 1!
Important Lane Change/Course Approval Process Changes
Please be aware that new wording in the WTA bargaining unit contract, Article 13, Section 4 (p. 22), reads: All teachers have until June 30, 2020 to submit transcripts for all approved courses commencing prior to July 1, 2019.
This means that all courses taken, either in-district or for graduate credit, must be submitted to Addie Doherty on the attached course approval form by June 30, 2020 in order for the courses to be considered for a future lane change. If administration does not receive, by June 30, 2020, the proper documentation (course approval, description, proof of completion) for any courses taken prior to July 1, 2019, those courses cannot be considered toward a lane change.
Moving forward, course approval forms must be submitted 30 days in advance of the course start date in order for the course to be considered. In addition, tracking sheets will be maintained by the individual working towards a lane change. The course approval form, frequently asked questions page, and tracking sheet may be found on under the Human Resources General Forms section of the Wellesley Public Schools’ website. If your are currently working with Addie on a lane change, please reach out to her for a copy of your tracking sheet.
Van Drivers Needed – Employee Referral Bonus $300
Wellesley Public Schools is looking for full time/full year Special Needs 7D Van Drivers. No 7D license, no problem. We will train and assist the right candidates to obtain their 7D license to drive special needs students. Current 7D or CDL license holders can start now. $15.65 to $16.51 per hour depending on experience. If you refer someone and they are hired and work at least 6 months in the position, you will receive a $300 referral bonus after the 6 month waiting period. Interested candidates should contact Deane McGoldrick at RMcgoldrick@wellesleyma.gov. The applicants should mention that you referred them when they apply.
Do you have a question for the WPS Human Resources Department? Email AskHR@Wellesleyps.org. The Human Resources Department is happy to assist you.
New DESE License Call Center Hours
The DESE Licensure Call Center will offer an additional five hours per week of service to educators and prospective educators. Effective Monday, January 6, 2020 the Licensure Call Center (781-338-6600) will be open each business day from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Almost 50 percent of the responses from a recent survey favored these new hours over other options.
Human Relations Services
As we enter the holiday season, stress can increase. The Human Relation Services (HRS) can help. Wellesley Public Schools has contracted with HRS to provide up to ten free counseling visits for you and/or your family members. This program is designed to help you deal with stresses of life and work –including personal and family issues, drug or alcohol problems, and job related tension. It offers prevention and intervention to reduce these stresses and improve coping skills.
HRS is located at 11 Chapel Place in Wellesley and can be reached at 781-235-4950. This is a confidential service. Wellesley Public Schools is not aware of the names of employees or their family members who utilize this service.
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.