Dear Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week. As you know, next week marks an important milestone in our pandemic recovery as we make a number of transitions related to our COVID mitigation practices. This comes almost exactly two years from the date of our original closure in March 2020. We haven’t been in schools without masks since then and for our youngest students, they have never been in schools without masks. What has become so normalized in our practice would have been unthinkable just two years ago. That’s how much our world has changed.
I want to be sure we balance our sense of optimism and excitement in making these transitions with our important, ongoing responsibility to remain sensitive and responsive to the members of our staff and community who may need to continue with some of these mitigation practices, such as wearing masks, due to a personal medical condition or that of someone in their household. Thanks to our entire team for helping to maintain our strong sense of community throughout this next, important transition.
Finally, I want to welcome the newest member of the School Committee, Craig Mack, who was sworn in after the election this week. Craig and his family are already known to many of you and we look forward to his leadership and support of our collective work in the days ahead.
Thank you for all that you do to support our students each day and enjoy the weekend.
Best Regards, David
Calendar
3/8/22 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm
3/13/22 – Daylight Savings Time Begins (Spring Forward!) – 2 am
3/22/22 – School Committee Meeting – 6:30 pm
3/28/22 – Annual Town Meeting Begins – 7 pm
Good Luck to Peter Knapp (K-5 Visual Arts Teacher @ Hunnewell & Upham) who will be running the Boston Marathon in April for the Wellesley Education Foundation! If you wish to contribute to Peter’s fundraising goals in support of WEF and the amazing opportunities they afford our teachers and students, please use this link.
Congratulations to Janet Sozio (School Counselor) who was awarded the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) Presidential Award for her work on the Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. This committee worked to audit all aspects of the NDEO organization including membership (from participants to board members), website design, course and program offerings, communication and recruitment. The Committee reviewed all collected data, met with subcommittees to present its findings and offer recommendations for moving forward. A full report was created and presented to the general membership at the annual NDEO conference.
Timeline for WPS Enrollment of Faculty Children (Kindergarten – Grade 12)
Children of Unit A and B members residing outside of Wellesley shall be entitled to attend Wellesley Public Schools without charge for tuition on a space available basis (Article 12, WEA, Unit A and B Contract).
Below is the timeline for submitting applications:
March 1: Interested applicants may submit a letter of intent with the one-page application to Marissa Capone, District Registrar, at registrar@wellesleyps.org.
Use this link to access the application on the WPS website.
April 30: All applications are due to Marissa Capone, District Registrar at registrar@wellesleyps.org. Late applications will not be accepted.
Mid-to-late May: Placement decisions will be made. Once notified of a determination, applicants will be provided with access to the online registration forms. Registration of students is not completed until all forms have been received and approved by the District Registrar and Nurse.
If there are any questions, please reach out to Marissa Capone District Registrar, at registrar@wellesleyps.org. A survey will be sent out in mid-March to confirm currently enrolled faculty children will be returning in school year 2022-2023
Coaches Needed for Spring Season:
WHS Assistant Sailing Coach Vacancy
Season: Monday, March 21st through May 27th
WHS JV Volleyball Coach
Season: Monday, March 21st through Friday, May 27th
Questions or to apply, please contact: Athletic Director John Brown brownj@wellesleyps.org or 781-446-6290, ext. 4614
Extended School Year (ESY) 2022: Help Wanted!
Wellesley Public Schools is hiring for the 2022 Summer ESY Program which runs from July 5 through August 4, 2022. Dates, hours, pay rates and openings are available on under the WPS Internal Job Postings and on School Spring. Please submit your application by March 31, 2022.
Questions? Please email:
Abby Kupris (PAWS): kuprisa@wellesleyps.
Ryan St. Aubin (K-5): staubinr@wellesleyps.
John DeLuca (Middle and High School): delucaj@wellesleyps.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.