The following is a summary of the planned timeline of events surrounding the WPS elementary building projects. With the upcoming opening of two new buildings, the closing of a school, and redistricting for the 2024-25 school year, WPS has created a detailed schedule of events to share with the community. This page was last updated on May 31, 2024 and will be further updated as details become finalized and/or events are added.
2023-24 School Year
September 1:
Hardy Topping Off – Brief ceremony was held during the school day for the school community. Beam signing by students, staff, town officials was on 8/31. See photos and more information from the event.
October 3:
School Committee Meeting – Present plans and timeline to School Committee and community. Share with the community on October 4.
After October 1:
After 2023-24 enrollment data is finalized, begin internal review of redistricting map, with focus on a small number of areas.
November 12:
Hardy 100th Anniversary – Mark the anniversary mainly with student activities at the school.
January 2024:
Hardy time capsule deadline – As the class gift from the Hardy class of 2024, a time capsule box was purchased. The time capsule includes artifacts that will teach the audience of the future about the Hardy School in 2024 and the present day culture at large. Artifacts included:
- A school yearbook from the Hardy class of 2023 that contains photos of the current Hardy School building, groundbreaking ceremony, and modern day culture (student clothing, interests etc).
- A sample of modern day technology including an iPad, Keyboard, and mouse
- A One Wellesley T-shirt that all Wellesley school children received in 2023 and names the 7 elementary schools currently in use in Wellesley.
- Student writing: Letters to future Hardy students by the current 5th graders
- Results from a student survey that included the favorite book, movie, song, and recess activity as voted by Hardy students in 2023.
- The favorite book voted by students: Lion Lights- My Invention That Made Peace with Lions by Richard Turere.
January/February:
Public review of redistricting map and School Committee approval of any adjustments. The WPS Administration recommended changes to the map on January 23, and School Committee approved the changes on January 30. Please see the new approved map that takes effect in the 2024-25 school year. Please see this link for more information on the changes and process.
February 12 & 15:
School-day tours of new school for Hunnewell students – K-2 on Monday 2/12; 3-5 on Thursday 2/15. Students take a bus, tour the school and have lunch.
February 15:
Evening open house opportunity for Hunnewell parents – Similar structure to back to school night starting with grades K-2, all parents meet together, then grades 3-5.
February 16:
End-of-day clap out for Hunnewell students at swing space host schools (Bates, Hardy, Sprague, Upham).
Week of February 19 (February Break):
Hunnewell teachers/staff move from swing space and set up new classrooms.
February 26:
Hunnewell Opening Day/Ribbon Cutting – Students’ first day in the new school – combine with a ceremony for the community to mark the day.
Winter/Spring TBD:
School Committee discussion/updates on future use of Upham.
May 18 (Saturday):
Hunnewell Grand Opening event in the school’s “cafetorium.” Brief celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Hunnewell community tours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend, in partnership with the Town Celebrations Committee. Promote Hardy Lights Out and Upham Celebration events.
June 6:
Celebration of Upham Event – The final all-school assembly for Upham (2-3 p.m.) will be followed by a community celebration featuring entertainment and refreshments on the Upper Field from 3:05 to 5 p.m. Alumni and community members are welcome!
Redistricting Tours at Bates, Hunnewell, and Sprague. Open house at 6:30 p.m. for students who are being redistricted to these three schools. Familiarize yourself with the building, meet your new principal, and ask questions. (The new Hardy will is still under construction and will be available to visit in August.)
June 10:
Hardy Lights Out Event – Evening event for the Hardy School alumni and community to visit the 100-year-old school before it is demolished over the summer, 6-7:30 p.m.
June 11:
Final Upham Moving on Ceremony for 5th Graders.
June 12:
Upham Lights Out Event – An opportunity for alumni & community members to visit the Upham building for “One Last Walk” before the building closes. Self guided-tours will be available from 4-7 p.m.
2024-25 School Year
Late June:
Demolition of Hardy building.
Late July/Early August:
Scheduled substantial completion of the new Hardy building.
August 26:
Hardy teachers return and set up classrooms.
August 27:
Redistricting Tours from 2-3 p.m. at Bates, Hardy, Hunnewell and Sprague. The Hardy event will be open to the entire Hardy community.
August 28:
Hardy Opening Day/Ribbon Cutting – Students’ first day in the new school – combine with a ceremony for the community to mark the day.
First day in new schools for redistricted students.
Fall TBD:
Hardy community tours; likely a Saturday.
Fall TBD:
Hardy site work and playground complete.
2025 TBD:
Temporary use of Upham School (approximately 4-5 months) by Recreation and Health departments.