Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week. Our back-to-school nights have now started and will run for the next several weeks. Thank you all for your efforts to make these evenings positive engagement opportunities with our parents and caregivers as we start the year. Our families will not likely remember every detail shared about school routines and/or our curricula on these evenings. They will, however, likely remember how they felt. Most parents and caregivers want to feel reassurance that their children have been entrusted to caring and competent educators and that their schools are joyful places that foster growth, friendships, and a love of learning. Having been to many of these events in Wellesley over the years, I know this is an area in which our district shines. Thank you for continuing that tradition this year!
This was also an exciting week as Wellesley High School hosted its first night game under our newly-installed lights at the Hunnewell Track and Field. This fall, both our boys’ and girls’ teams will have opportunities to play under the lights, which we think will help continue to build community among our students. (Incidentally, our boys’ soccer team won their night game, 2-1!)
Finally, in my back-to-school message this year, I mentioned that I would be assembling a cell phone working group to assess our district practices regarding the use of cell phones and other smart devices in school, which we know can create significant distractions to teaching and learning and adversely affect our students’ mental health and overall well-being. In addition to a cross-section of students, staff, and parents/caregivers, I want to ensure that this group also includes classroom teachers, who can provide their perspective on these issues as well any proposals for changes to our current practice. If you are a classroom teacher interested in joining this group, please complete the form at this link.
Thanks for all that you do to support our students each day and have a great weekend!
Best, David
Calendar
September 24 – School Committee Meeting
October 3 – Rosh Hashanah (Schools Closed)
October 8 – School Committee Meeting
October 14 – Indigenous Peoples Day (Schools and Offices Closed)
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