WHS Principal’s Newsletter

November 21, 2025
Dear Families,
If you happened to see a lot of students around the high school today wearing pajamas please don’t be alarmed because we have officially launched spirit week prior to the annual Thanksgiving Day football game against Needham this coming Thursday. Next week is also our annual pep rally that is always filled with special moments of kids enjoying their community together. Honestly, anytime you have over 1200 students in one place live I hold my breath a little, but somehow I still enjoy the moment of watching our kids celebrate each other with music, dance, games and school spirit. A huge thanks to our Student Unification leaders both staff and students for helping Mr. Shattuck put on this event. 
I’m certain there were a lot of assessments this week and on Monday and Tuesday. Anytime we have an extended holiday there is a build up like this leading up to it because teachers are not allowed to give short term homework during the break and they cannot access students immediately following the break. Let us know if there’s anything we can do to help. 

 

WHS Schedule for Wednesday, November 26

Early Release: Day before Thanksgiving
7:30am – 8:30am – Intervention Time
8:35am – 9:35am – Advisory Activity
9:35am – 9:50am – Transition to Pep Rally
9:50am – 11:00am – Pep Rally in the Gymnasium

 

Thanksgiving Day Football Game Parking

Please note the important parking restrictions and guidance for two upcoming events! 
Thanksgiving Football Game – Thursday at 10 a.m.
On Thursday, November 27 at 10 a.m. Wellesley hosts Needham for the 2025 Thanksgiving Day football game at Hunnewell Track & Field, the country’s longest running high school rivalry! No parking will be available on Paine Street, Rice Street, State Street, Smith Street, Clifford Street (Smith to Twitchell Streets), and Seaver Street. Signs will be posted and cars will be towed. For other streets, parking is allowed only on one side of the street unless otherwise posted. 
Parking for the Thanksgiving game will be available at:
  • Wellesley High School lot
  • Wellesley Middle School lot
  • Whole Foods lot
  • Along Washington Street
Please refer to the parking map below for football game guidance. 

A map details parking restrictions for the 2025 Wellesley Thanksgiving football game.
 

Holiday Marketplace – Saturday, November 22

Similar restrictions are in place for Saturday’s Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Holiday Marketplace at WHS. See associated map below.
Parking for the Holiday Marketplace will be available in the WHS lot, Tailby commuter rail lot shuttle service, and the Wellesley Farms commuter rail lot shuttle service. Happy shopping!

A map shows parking restrictions for the WHJWC Marketplace on November 22, 2025.
 

WHS Series of Concerts This Past Week

Our students performed an absolutely fantastic series of concerts—the Jazz Concert, Band Concert, and Orchestra Concert — all put together in this past marathon of a week. Having Rice St, both Jazz Bands, the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Sinfonia, and HCO all take the stage looking and sounding awesome is a profound achievement, and the variety of music our students get to experience is truly rich.
We know the sheer magnitude of the logistical and artistic lift required to coordinate and execute these programs—it is immense. Our students not only to bring incredible performances to fruition which consistently prioritize the growth, community, and belonging of our students.
 A highlight for us came at the Band Concert, just before opening the house after the Wind Ensemble warmed up. Band Conductor Steve Scott said to the band, “Turn to your neighbor, give them a high five, and tell them to have a great show”. This perfectly captures the spirit of what we all do.
That moment, seeing the students leave the stage smiling and feeling a deep sense of connection, is the true success. These moments are what stick with our kids and define their experience.

A young musician plays a saxophone on stage during a performance.

A young musician in a tuxedo prepares to play the timpani drums on stage.

A band performs on stage, with a conductor leading the musicians.

An orchestra performs on stage, with a conductor leading the musicians.

A cello section performs on stage during an orchestra concert.

Three violinists in formal attire perform on stage, focused on their instruments.

 

Wellesley Student-Athletes Sign College Letters of Intent

Seven members of the Wellesley High Class of 2026 have either officially signed or are committed to compete at the collegiate level. At Wednesday’s ceremonial signing event, the student-athletes were cheered on by Principal Jamie Chisum, Athletic Director John Brown and dozens of family, friends, and staff members. The students:
  • Tara Battaglino, Brown, lacrosse
  • Abby Beggans – Villanova, lacrosse
  • Emily Burnham – Penn, soccer
  • Enzo Desviat Ruiz, Stanford, swimming
  • Alexa Heller – Cornell, lacrosse
  • Emma Tuxbury – Bucknell, track & field
  • Quinn White – Duke, swimming

A young man signs a document at a table with a Stanford banner.

Four young women sit at a table with a 'Wellesley Raiders' banner.

A young woman in a Villanova Lacrosse shirt poses with friends at a signing table.

A young woman smiles, surrounded by balloons and Duke University gear.

 
Poster for Wellesley High School's production of Legally Blonde: The Musical.
 

WHS Library Parent Book Club

Ever wonder about the books teens are reading?
Ever read a popular YA book and wished you had someone to discuss it with?
The librarians at Wellesley High School host a monthly Book Club for parents where we read YA books and discuss. If you are interested in participating please email us at whslibrary@wellesleyps.org
Our next meeting will be held on
Tuesday, December 9th at the Wellesley Free Library Cafe (1st floor) at 7:30pm
to discuss The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin (1st runner up in the MTCBA awards) 
Upcoming dates and books:
January 6 – The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky by Josh Galarza
February 3 – Scythe by Neil Schusterman (SciFi)
March 10 – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (novel in verse) 
April 7 – Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green (nonfiction)
May 5 – Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt (middle grade novel)
June 9 – The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (realistic fiction)
The Wellesley Free Library will have copies available for check out.
Any question can be emailed to whslibrary-group@wellesleyps.org.

 

The Junior Parking raffle is OPEN NOW!

Parents and Guardians,
The Junior Parking Raffle is now open! This is a chance for your student to win the coveted year long parking spot in the WHS lot for senior year. A year long, guaranteed spot that can save time, reduce stress, and make mornings much smoother for both students and families! 
This raffle is also a primary fundraiser for the traditional junior boat cruise and our senior year. 
Tickets are available today through December 19th when the first winner will be announced. Prices are: 1 ticket for $50, 3 tickets for $135, and 5 tickets for $200. To purchase tickets, please Venmo @Wellesleyhigh2027 and be sure to include your full name and email/phone number so you can be contacted if you win! All proceeds go directly back into the junior class fund to support upcoming events and activities. Thank you so much for your support! Here is a VIDEO to learn more!
Best,
2027 class officers 
Audrey Tushman, Amiah Vargas, Cooper Munro, and Dhiren Sivapala

 

WHS Clubs and Enrichment Programs for 2025-2026

Our list of clubs and enrichment programs for 2025-2026 has recently been updated.
To print your own copy or access the list, see Complete List of 2025-2026 Clubs on the WHS website. 

 

WHS/WPS Online Resources and Calendars

 

WHS Calendar – Upcoming Events

Monday, November 24: PTSO Meeting @ 6:00pm – WHS Challenge Success Senior Fishbowl
Wednesday, November 26: WHS Pep Rally and Early Release Day
November 27-28 – Thanksgiving Recess (Schools & Offices Closed)
December 1 – Professional Day (Schools Closed)

 
I also wanted to tell you all about an opportunity this coming Monday evening in the high school faculty dining room. The high school PTSO will be hosting a “fish bowl” conversation where students past and present from Wellesley High School will be discussing their experiences here.  We have done this a number of times in the past, and while the audience does not get to engage with the students directly in this format, they do get to process with each other about what they heard the students say when the conversation is over.  Most attendees find this one of the most engaging meetings they’ve ever attended. 
I hope you all have a great weekend preparing for the holiday next week.  
Best, 
Jamie

 
 
View in ParentSquare
 
 
 

WHS Principal’s Newsletter for 21 November 2025