Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week. I wanted to take a moment to highlight the important role that our parent organizations play in supporting our work in WPS. This of course begins with our PTOs, who provide such critical support at each of our schools throughout the district. Today, for example, I had a chance to attend our high school PTSO meeting. Their agenda included introductions to new teachers at WHS as well as providing our senior class officers a chance to share their plans for a homecoming weekend in October. If you have driven around town, you have likely noticed sandwich boards advertising the upcoming Fiske Roundup and the Bates Pumpkin Fair. Both events are organized by our PTOs and help build community as well as generate financial resources that directly fund school activities. I know that, at times, our community can be intense in its engagement with our schools, but I also know that our parent organizations provide incredible support for our collective work. We are truly all in this effort together. Please take a moment to thank our PTOs for their partnership in maintaining strong public schools in Wellesley.
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)
Cell Phone Working Group
WPS is 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, we 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.
WHS Child Lab
The WHS Child Lab is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 school year. Children who will be three years old or four years old by September 1st, 2025 are eligible to apply. Please contact Heidi Marquedant at marquedanth@wellesleyps.org for an application. All applications are due by October 31st.
Opportunities from the Town of Wellesley
Teachers and Department Heads – Apply for a Wellesley Cultural Council Grant!: The Wellesley Cultural Council (WCC) is now accepting grant applications to help fund visual arts, performing arts, and more! The WCC is the local presence of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and is a grassroots funding network supporting community-based projects in the arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences. Apply for a 2025 grant here. The WCC expects to have between $7,000 and $8,000 to award this year. All grant applications must be received by Wednesday, October 16, 2024. For questions or information, contact the Wellesley Cultural Council at culturalcouncil@wellesleyma.gov
Get your event featured!: The Town of Wellesley has a new Community Events Calendar on its website. Schools or departments hosting events are welcome to submit an event for inclusion on the town-wide calendar. Send details via the event submission form.
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