Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you each had a restful winter recess and a seamless return to our two-day week as we begin 2025! As we move closer to the midpoint of our school year, I want to encourage us to remain focused on our student’s academic progress as well as their social and emotional health, particularly through our efforts to ensure that each of our students feels a strong sense of belonging in our classrooms and schools. In the coming week, our School Committee will be meeting on Tuesday evening and continuing to discuss our FY26 budget. Both our cell phone working group and Future of Preschool Task Force will also be meeting in the coming week. Additionally, we will be continuing to develop our approach to establishing a district competency determination to fulfill the state requirement for our graduates, which can no longer be measured by the 10th grade MCAS exams. In short, our docket will remain full as we begin this new year. In each of these areas, leveraging our internal expertise will remain as important as ever as we navigate these complex topics. Thank you for your work in service to our students each day, and I extend my best wishes to each member of our school community for a happy and productive 2025!
With appreciation,
David
Calendar
January 7 – School Committee Meeting
January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Schools & Offices Closed)
January 21 – School Committee Meeting
January 28 – School Committee Meeting
January 29 – Lunar New Year (Schools Closed)
Apply For a WEF Grant
The deadline for submitting all grant applications is Tuesday, January 21st, 2025. Click here to apply for a grant!
Wellesley Scholarship Foundation Needs You for the Boston Marathon!
We are looking for a WPS faculty or staff member to run the 2025 Boston Marathon on our behalf! We are hoping to find a runner that has a great connection with students and can help share the mission of the Wellesley Scholarship Foundation!
We have the number…we just need the runner to “pin” our support on race day!
WSF will help you with all the fundraising and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!
If you are interested in running the Boston Marathon for the Wellesley Scholarship Foundation please contact WSF Trustee (Outreach) – Jen Mock at jennifer.mock23@gmail.com.
Nominate A Staff Member for the Educator Leadership Institute Program
Please take 1 minute and click on THIS FORM to nominate a member of your staff for the ACCEPT Educator Leadership Institute (ELI) Program.
We all want quality leadership in public education. We need your help identifying the next generation of educational leaders from your school. ELI candidates obtain DESE Administrative licensure while also earning a Master’s degree from Fitchburg State.
Our recruiting flier describes the program and info session dates at ACCEPT in Natick this fall.
Please take 1 minute and click on THIS FORM, and you will honor one of your educators with this leadership nomination. ELI will reach out to your candidate directly to invite them to the program.
Please submit your nomination now. You just might inspire the next great school leader!
COVID-19 Tests
Order your 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests by clicking this link.
Opportunities from the Town of Wellesley
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.
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