Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week.
On Tuesday night, we presented our annual MCAS report to the School Committee. (Special thanks to Sandy Trach and Dr. Anne Beauchamp for their preparation and presentation.) While I know there have been ongoing conversations about these results at the school level, I wanted to highlight a few specific themes. First, to no one’s surprise, the pandemic had an impact on our students’ academic progress, as it did throughout Massachusetts. In particular, we saw significant changes in our math performance, which was acute at some grade levels. Again, we know the pandemic required us to make scope and sequence choices last year that were done with student development—and not the MCAS test—in mind. Of course, the important issue is not where our students were last spring, but where they are today and where we are collectively going this year. As a recovery year, I know how hard our team has been working to fully assess our students’ academic and social/emotional status. We have been differentiating our practices to be as responsive as possible in order to meet our students where they are. Most importantly, I want to reaffirm our desire to support your efforts to help our students recover. If there is something you or your students need this year, please bring those requests forward to your building and/or department leaders and we will do our very best to accommodate those requests. Recovering from this pandemic will undoubtedly take more than one school year. Please know how much I value the critical role you have continued to play in supporting these efforts, which none of us could have imagined less than two years ago.
Thank you for what you do to support all of our students each day and have a great weekend!
-David
Calendar
11/16/21 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm
11/24/21 – Early Release – Thanksgiving Break Begins
11/29/21 – WPS Professional Day – No school for students
11/30/21 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm
12/14/21 – SC Meeting – 6:30 pm
METCO Directors’ Association Annual Educators Conference Friday, December 3, 2021 | 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM – Seats Are Limited!
Four Points Sheraton Norwood Hotel, 1125 Boston-Providence Turnpike, Norwood, MA 02062
For more information click on the following link: 36 Annual METCO Directors Conference.
Announcing 2021-2022 ACCEPT’s Educator Leadership Institute (ELI):
Part-Time Preparation for Administrative Leadership and Licensure Program for Educators (Pr/AP at one of two levels: Pre-K-8, 5-12).
Classes begin January 12, 2022 . Application deadline: December 15, 2021
Last information session is scheduled for Wednesday, December 1st, 5:00 – 6:30 pm at ACCEPT headquarters, 4 Tech Circle, Natick, MA 01760. Sessions will provide sample classroom activities and an opportunity to discuss the program with current students, graduates and faculty. To register for the Information Session email: eliadmin@accept.org
The 18-month part-time program includes:
·High engagement pedagogy with extensive fieldwork opportunities
·Firsthand involvement with practicing administrators
·Optional Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Management (Financial Aid Available)
·Excellent placement record
·Strong peer and faculty Support Network
For more information, please go to: ELI Website or Click Professional Development tab at Accept.org.
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.