Dear Colleagues,

I hope you each had a productive week. I know the news of yesterday’s executive order aimed at eliminating the U.S. Department of Education is disconcerting on many levels.  This begins with the uncertain status of important federal funding for states and local school districts, which support programs, for example, for low-income students and students with disabilities.  (WPS receives approximately $1.2 million in IDEA funds, which support our special education programming.) Similarly, Governor Healey shared her fear yesterday that over $2 billion in federal funding for students in Massachusetts is at risk. For families struggling to pay the enormous expenses associated with college tuitions, the status of the federal student loan program is also concerning. 

Finally, what gives me the most pause is the signaling that this action, and last week’s layoffs of nearly one-half of the USDE staff, sends about our national commitment to a free and appropriate public education for all. Massachusetts is the birthplace of public education in this country and our founders recognized the importance of education in maintaining a vibrant democracy.  Our education system is far from perfect, but we have made great strides as a country to be far more inclusive in our reach and to cast a spotlight on the disparate outcomes that we seek to address.  It’s up to us to maintain this forward progress as a district on behalf of our students and families and it is my sincere hope that the federal government will remain a partner to us in this important work. 

I want to give a shout-out to the Fitness and Health Department and the WEA for their sponsorship of a blood drive this week, which yielded 41 units of blood, which will support as many as 120 people in need.  Thanks to everyone who came out to donate.  WPS educators both shape lives and save lives!    

Lastly, if you are looking for something to do, please consider checking out the WMS musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Jr. There is a show tonight (Friday) at 7pm and two shows on Saturday at 2pm and 7pm.  Thank you to the staff and many volunteers who have put in so many hours of work to help our students shine on stage! 

Thanks for what you each do in support of our students and have a great weekend! 

Best, David

WPS Teachers in the Boston Marathon!

Marathon Monday is fast approaching! Congratulations and best wishes to the following amazing WPS teachers who will be running the Boston Marathon in support of the WPS community:

Calendar

March 31 – Eid al-Fitr (Schools Closed)

April 3 – School Committee Meeting

April 18 – Good Friday (Schools Closed)

April 21-25 – April Break (Schools Closed)

Timeline for WPS Enrollment of Faculty Children (Kindergarten – Grade 12)

Children of Unit A and B members residing outside of Wellesley shall be entitled to attend Wellesley Public Schools without charge for tuition on a space available basis (Article 12, WEA, Unit A and B Contract).

Below is the timeline for submitting applications:

March 1:  Interested applicants may submit a letter of intent with the one-page application to the District Registrar, at registrar@wellesleyps.org.
Eligible staff members can also access the application on the WPS website.

May 1:  All applications are due to the District Registrar, late applications will not be accepted.

The district will review all applications in May and school placement decisions will be made in June. Placement decisions are made based on available space and staff will be notified of their school when decisions have been made.  Once notified of a determination, applicants will be provided with access to the online registration forms.  Registration of students is not completed until all forms have been received and approved by the District Registrar and Nurse.

If there are any questions, please reach out to the District Registrar, at registrar@wellesleyps.org. 

A survey will be sent out in mid-March to confirm currently enrolled faculty children will be returning in school year 2025-2026.

For enrollment of younger faculty children, please contact Isabel Cashman cashmani@wellesleyps.org for PAWS Preschool or Heidi Marquedant marquedanth@wellesleyps.org for the WHS Child Lab Program.

Affordable 1 Bedroom Unit Available Now – 53 Grove Street

A 1-bedroom affordable condominium opportunity is available in Wellesley Square! As this is not a lottery, interested individuals should reach out immediately to Avi Glaser, aviglaser@comcast.net. Please see application and flyer for eligibility requirements and more information.

Movie Screening: Plastic People

Join us for a special screening of Plastic People: The Hidden Crisis of Microplastics, an award-winning 2024 documentary investigating our addiction to plastic and the growing threat microplastics pose for human health.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Newman Elementary School Auditorium
1155 Central Avenue Needham, MA 02492

Tickets are free. Click here to register.

6:30 p.m. – Poster Session

7:00 p.m. – Film Screening

8:30 p.m. – Discussion

COVID-19 Tests

Order your 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests by clicking this link.

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

Superintendent’s Bulletin 3/21/25