Dear Colleagues,

I hope you each had a productive week.  Each year, once we transition to April, the final months of the school year always seem to move at light-speed! 

This week, Wellesley’s annual Town Meeting got underway with lengthy sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday night.  I’m pleased to report that the School Department budget passed as part of the Town’s omnibus budget.  As you know, this is essentially a level-service budget for FY’26 as we strive to reconcile our largely fixed costs within the townwide financial plan.  We still have two other items on the Town Meeting warrant, including funds for both an air-conditioning feasibility study as well as resurfacing of the Hunnewell tennis courts.  

At the School Committee meeting on Thursday night, the Administration brought forward a recommendation for a new food service contract.  This was the culmination of a comprehensive RFP process, which resulted in Chartwells being recommended as the district’s food service provider beginning in FY’26.  Special thanks to Cindy Mahr for leading this work along with the members of the selection review committee.  Additionally, the Administration brought forward a recommended firm to lead an audit of the district’s security infrastructure and procedures, which also followed an RFP process.  The School Committee will take action on this recommendation at an upcoming meeting.   

Finally, earlier this week, I also announced my intention to bring forward a recommendation to the School Committee for the appointment of Dr. Midge Connolly as the Interim Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, effective July1.  Dr. Connolly will be joining us after school on Monday to meet with staff and parents at Wellesley High School.

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

Best, David

Calendar

April 8 – School Committee Meeting

April 15 – School Committee Meeting

April 18 – Good Friday (Schools Closed)

April 21-25 – April Break (Schools Closed)

April 29 – School Committee Meeting

Condolences

Our sincerest condolences go out to Georgina “Gina” Condon’s family. Gina passed away on March 31, 2025.  Gina began working as a teaching assistant at the High School in 2021. She worked directly with Ms. Hodges, Ms. Frazier, and Ms. Poltrino and the students in their classes during that time. She also pushed into classes in Spanish and math to support students.  Prior to 2021, Gina worked as a substitute teacher across the entire district. Please see here for information for her services.
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Congratulations

Congratulations to Doug Curtin, who was unanimously chosen by members of the EMISCA (Eastern Massachusetts Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association) executive board and league representatives from throughout central and eastern Massachusetts as the recipient of the Jack McDonald Award. The award was established in 1997, and is the association’s highest award, as it reflects upon a person whose values, efforts, and dedication to HS Swimming and Diving go beyond what would be considered normal or typical. For over 25 years, award winners have been coaches, officials, and other very seasoned veterans of the sport. Of note, typically, the Jack McDonald Award goes to those individuals who have been involved with HS Swimming and Diving for some time. Doug Curtin is modeling behaviors and actions while still a young coach, as he truly goes above and beyond what the word inclusion means, and makes all of his swimmers and divers feel a part of something that is bigger and more important than titles and league championships.

WPS Teachers in the Boston Marathon!

Marathon Monday is fast approaching! Congratulations and best wishes to those who will be running the Boston Marathon for organizations that support the Wellesley Public Schools and their students:

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.

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 4/4/25