Colleagues,
I hope you enjoyed the Labor Day weekend and that you are starting to get your sea legs back in our second week of the new year. We were incredibly saddened by yet another school shooting this week that took the lives of students and staff in Georgia. I fear that we are becoming desensitized to a phenomenon that doesn’t exist at this scale anywhere else in the world. Ensuring the safety of our students and staff at all of our schools remains a top priority. This includes the many physical safety features present in each of our buildings, along with our annual safety training for students and staff. Of course, the most important thing we can do to support safe school environments is to know each of our students extremely well. The human connections we create through our work helps to ensure that we can be proactive in our interventions. It’s also important to remind our students to continue to look out for each other and to seek support for friends and classmates who may be in crisis. I am so grateful for the work you each do to create such a supportive environment in WPS. At the same time, my thoughts this weekend will be with our colleagues and the families of Winder, Georgia, whose community has been shattered by this senseless violence.
Best, David
Calendar
September 10 – School Committee Meeting
September 24 – School Committee Meeting
October 3 – Rosh Hashanah (Schools Closed)
Congratulations
To grade 7 ELA teacher Alex Stanmyer and his wife Natalie who welcomed baby Hugo last weekend.
Condolences
To Tim Eagan, WMS/WHS World Languages Department Head, on the loss of his father.
403(B)/457 Fund Contribution Limits
The limit for 403(b) and 457 contributions for calendar year 2024 will be $23,000. Employees who are 50 years of age and older may choose to have an additional $7,500 in catch-up contributions, if eligible, bringing the limit to $30,500. Employees who are eligible for one of the additional catch-up provisions need to contact Donna Kalinowski in Payroll to have their annual limit changed in the payroll system. Changes to your contribution amounts must be made through Voya (457) or OMNI & TSACG for 403(b). Contact information for the two programs are:
VOYA: Bruce Coughlin PH: 781-237-3776 or at bruce.coughlin@voyafa.com
Additional information is available at: https://www.wellesleyma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11303/457b-Self-Enrollment-Instructions?bidId=
OMNI & TSACG: PH: 877-544-OMNI
Additional Information is available at: https://www.omni403b.com/SRA/Landing
Please use this link for information about SECURE Act 2.0. If you have additional questions about these provisions, please reach out to OMNI/TSACG directly.
If you have questions about payroll deductions, please contact Donna Kalinowski at ext. 5613
Human Relation 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. How to Apply for WPS Internal Job Postings as a New Internal Applicant