Superintendent’s Bulletin: 10/28/22

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you each had a productive week.  This week, we were delighted to welcome Sharon Gray to our WPS team as the District’s Coordinator for Community Engagement.  This new position, which we have long discussed, will help support our broader communications efforts along with strengthening our public engagement work with students, staff, families, and community.  Sharon is no stranger to WPS, having previously served two terms on the School Committee, while also being a WPS parent.  Sharon also has extensive prior experience as a journalist and freelance writer, along with marketing and communications roles.  Please join me in welcoming Sharon to our team! 

I also want to highlight two opportunities for staff to lend their voices to our District’s work.  The first is through our strategic plan development process.  Some of our staff signed up to participate in focus groups that were held this past week, which we very much appreciate.  We are in the process of looking at other options for staff to join focus groups, knowing that your schedules are often very tight.  Next month, we will be issuing a district-wide survey that I hope all of our staff will complete as the next step in our strategic plan process this fall.  

The second opportunity for staff to lend your voice to our District efforts is through the Panorama survey.  This is the third year in which we have surveyed staff about important issues related to school climate.  Students and parents will be participating in the same survey process later this year.  If you haven’t already completed the Panorama survey, please check your inbox for the link as the window will close on October 31st.  

Thanks for all that you do each day to support our students and have a great weekend.

-David
 

2022-2023 ACCEPT Educator Leadership Institute (ELI)

Part-Time preparation for Administrative Leadership and Licensure Program for Educators (Principal/Assistant Principal at one of two levels: Pre-K-8, 5-12).

Application deadline: December 15, 2022
Classes begin: January 11, 2023

Information Sessions: (same session repeated both dates)
Monday, November 7, 2022, 5:00 – 6:30 pm 
Tuesday, December 6, 2022, 5:00 – 6:30 pm 
Sample classroom activities and an opportunity to discuss the program with current students, graduates and faculty are provided.

Location of Information Sessions: 
ACCEPT Headquarters
4 Tech Circle
Natick, MA 01760 

To register for an Information Session: eliadmin@accept.org

ELI has prepared and licensed over 500 distinguished educational administrators in districts across Massachusetts since 2003. Graduates have assumed roles as Principals, Assistant Principals, Supervisors and Directors (ELI no longer offers a Supervisor/Director License). 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

Calendar

11/01/22 – Early Release PreK-5 – Parent Teacher Conferences
11/11/22 – Veterans’ Day – No School
11/15/22 – Flu Shot Clinic for Faculty
11/23/22 – Early Dismissal Thanksgiving Eve
11/24/22 – Thanksgiving Day
11/28/22 – Professional Development – All Schools 

FLU CLINIC for Faculty

In partnership with the Wellesley Health Department, there will be a free flu shot clinic on Tuesday, November 15th from 2:30PM to 4:30PM at Wellesley High School in the cafeteria. 
Please fill out the registration link below as soon as possible, you will be assigned a specific time slot and receive a confirmation email. The clinic is for staff only.

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/wellesleyhealth

Reminders Regarding Salary Lane Change Process  

Letters of Intent to Change Lanes are due annually by November 1 for the following school year.  The letter/email should include your present lane, intended lane and year in which you plan to make the change.  Please email or send your letter of intent to Jackie Meyer meyerj@wellesleyps.org.  To change lanes in SY23-24, your letter must be submitted no later than November 1, 2022.  Please note that your letter of intent does not carry over from year to year.

Also:  For professional staff slated for a lane change this school year (SY22-23):  All transcripts and other proof of completion must be submitted by November 1, 2022.

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.