Dear Colleagues,
I hope you each had a productive week across the district. I want to highlight several recognitions we received this week. The first is that the 2023-24 Boston Globe Holmes Award for overall excellence in high school athletics was presented to Wellesley High School on Wednesday night before the boys’ varsity hockey game vs. Needham. The award is given annually by the Globe to the school with the highest winning percentage for all varsity sports combined. Wellesley High School won for Division 2 (1,000-1,399 students). Athletic director John Brown accepted the trophy from retired high school sports editor Bob Holmes on behalf of WHS. Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches for an outstanding year! And a special shout-out to WHS Girls’ Swim Coach, Doug Curtin and WHS Girls’ Soccer Coach David Wainwright, who were both named Coaches of the Year as part of the Boston Globe’s All-Scholastics for the fall season this year.
This week we also learned that the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) announced that Becca DeGrace, Library and Innovation Teacher at Wellesley High School, is one of ten President Award Winners for 2024. The President’s Award honors MSLA members who have been identified as a “rising star” and in a career of one to five years have made a significant impact on student learning through a quality school library program. Congratulations to Becca!
Finally, as we head into the long weekend, I hope we each find time to reflect on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As educators working in public schools, we remain fully engaged in the civil rights movement as we aspire to move closer to the dream that Dr. King so eloquently described in 1963. There is no more important work than the work of teachers, who are building the future each day. Thank you for your commitment to this cause and enjoy the weekend!
With appreciation,
David
Calendar
January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Schools & Offices Closed)
January 21 – School Committee Meeting/Public Hearing on FY26 Budget
January 28 – School Committee Meeting
January 29 – Lunar New Year (Schools Closed)
February 11 – School Committee Meeting
February 17-21 – February Break (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!
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