Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week. There was a powerful article in the Boston Globe Magazine this week focused on the importance of language use in providing a supportive environment to our transgender and nonbinary students. In particular, the author highlighted the impact of using appropriate pronouns and preferred names when engaging with our students. Kim Topping, program manager of the Massachusetts Safe Schools Program, noted in the article, “Simply respecting a student’s chosen name and pronoun is the single most important thing you can do to prevent suicide and mental health issues.” One student quoted in the article further noted, “The language we use to describe ourselves is a choice, but the gender I am is not a choice.”
I know many of you have adopted the practice of checking in with students at the outset of the year regarding their preferred names and pronouns. I’d love to see that happening with more regularity throughout the district. Something seemingly so simple can clearly go a long way in making our students feel seen, respected, and enhance their sense of belonging.
One father quoted in the article said, “I think it’s not asking very much to simply ask a child what they would like to be called…It’s basic human decency to ask somebody.” Those words resonated greatly with me as I hope they will with us all.
Thank you for what you do to support all of our students each day and have a great weekend!
-David
Calendar
10/05/21 – SC Webinar: Swingspace/Redistricting – 6:30 pm
10/11/21 – Indigenous Peoples Day – No School
10/12/21 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm
10/14/21 – Offices of Teaching & Learning and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Open House – Equity Initiatives 7-8:30 pm
10/25 & 10/26/21 – Special Town Meeting, School Building Projects – 7 pm
Reminders Regarding Salary Lane Change Process:
New Reminder: For professional staff slated for a lane change this school year: All transcripts and other proof of completion must be submitted by November 1, 2021.
Letters of Intent to Change Lanes are due annually by November 1st for the following school year. The letter should include your present lane, intended lane and year in which you plan to make the change. For instance, the intent to change lanes letter due on November 1, 2021 is for a lane change in school year 2022-23. Please note that your letter of intent does not carry over from year to year.
Also, effective November 1, 2020, a teacher must submit a Course Approval Form (CAF) if: 1) a course may lead to a lane change or 2) a course is paid by District funds. Forms should be submitted at least 30 days in advance of the expected start date of the course. Course approvals are active from the date of approval through June 30th of the following school year (e.g., approved 9/1/2021 for a course starting 10/1/2021 would be active through 6/30/2023). Approvals are based on the course title and course description and cannot be exchanged for another course without prior written approval of the Superintendent or designee. A teacher has until June 30th of the following school year from the course completion date to submit the transcripts (e.g., course ended 1/1/2022 transcript must be submitted by 6/30/2023).
Human Relations Services
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.
Do you have a question for the WPS Human Resources Department? Email AskHR@Wellesleyps.org. The Human Resources Department is happy to assist you.
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.