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WHS Principal’s Newsletter
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Dear Families,
It certainly feels like the end of this week breaks the back of this lead up to the Winter Break starting on Tuesday. As I’ve said to some of the kids, we know we can make it through those two days next week. I would say the feeling in the school is that people are ready for the time off.
Last week I wrote about the challenges and joys our seniors experience this time of year as they hear from the schools they applied to under Early Decision and Early Action. We try to be sensitive to both of those moments here. Early decisions have been coming in for our students this month and of course they are coming with challenge and joy as I described. I’m writing today to address a rumor that has been going around that a particular school may be “punishing” Wellesley High School as a result of a student from last year’s senior class pulling out of an Early Decision agreement. By applying to a school under Early Decision the student and their families agree that an acceptance is binding, and barring some extenuating circumstances, the student has to attend that school. This notion of a college punishing the next year’s senior class of applicants from a high school for breaking an ED agreement has gained a lot of attention following this article in the New York Times when Tulane University punished a school in Colorado for the actions of one of their former students. Over the past few weeks we have had multiple phone calls from families to our Counseling Director and to some of our counselors to find out if this is happening to us right now. Our School Counseling department has looked into the matter and cannot find any evidence that any student from last year’s senior class reneged on their Early Decision agreement. I am assured we looked into any schools that were reported to us and only ever found evidence of students who were admitted in regular decision who then got off other wait lists and moved schools (this is allowed and not a violation of any agreement).
Of course I am writing to assure you that our counselors go over the Early Decision rule and process each year in the Counseling seminar. Our seniors take this during the first quarter of their senior year, prior to the submission of ED applications. I also know that counselors regularly remind any students who report an ED acceptance to them to follow the directions given to them by their schools when they receive this Early Decision news. Please let this note from me this evening to all of you (I always cc all the students on this newsletter) serve as an additional reminder to any senior in this position. Please reach out to your school counselor if you have any additional questions.
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A very special Thank You to the PTSO for hosting a Faculty Holiday Breakfast this morning. This group of volunteers always goes above and beyond to support our staff, and we greatly appreciate their thoughtful and kind gesture during this busy holiday season.
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TV & Video Teacher Ms Julie Spilka took our Advanced and Intensive students on a field trip to Gillette Stadium last week. Students saw the in-house broadcast studio, control rooms, radio station, and they were also able to go on the playing field and up in the lighthouse. “Very cool!”
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WHEN: Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM
In partnership with the college guidance teams from Wellesley, Wayland and Weston high schools, Jane & Jason Sarouhan, co-founders of J2Guides, ( www.j2guides.com) and nationally accredited gap year counselors, are excited present this annual community webinar to learn all about the gap year. This webinar will help you consider and plan an inspired gap year as we: define the gap time, equip you with steps for identifying your goals, and answer your questions about how to proceed with your research.
We understand that considering a gap year can feel daunting for families, and we also know that a well-planned gap year may be one of the most profound experiences of your life! We believe passionately in what we do and, above all, we believe in the power and potential of gap time to help you manifest your best version of you.
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Parent Nights
All parent nights are at 7pm on zoom unless otherwise indicated.
1/7/26 – GAP Year Presentation w/J2 Guides
1/21/26 – 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Night
*This event is in person: WHS Auditorium
Past Parent Nights click link to view recording:
Scheduling
Students will begin meeting with teachers about course recommendations for next year after February break. Course selection for the 26-27 school year will take place in March.
9th graders will prepare for course selection with counselors in seminar in January. 10th and 11th graders will have counseling seminar during the course selection window in March.
Coffee with The Director of Counseling
All meetings are from 9-10 am on Fridays in the Faculty Dining Room. Next Dates: February 13, April 10
All are welcome!
Academic Support Options
- Department Resource Centers
- Teacher Office Hours
- NHS Peer Tutoring
Seniors
Wellesley Scholarship Foundation application is now open and closes on March 1st. Please check in with your counselor with any other post-secondary questions. Testing Information
Happy Holidays & Welcome 2026!
WHS School Counseling Department
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The Spectra aims to foster inquiry and discovery through opportunities to discuss and engage in STEM exploration. Work in The Spectra culminates in publications that promote scientific literacy among the Wellesley community.
The first issue of our magazine has been published. We have a digital version uploaded on our website, and hard copies will be available for distribution.
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Subscribe to Wellesley High School’s student news publication, The Bradford, using this link! We release three print editions each year and update our website regularly. Subscriptions play a crucial role in our organization and allow us to continue publishing articles. You can also help by purchasing our merchandise here. Thank you in advance!
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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 Upcoming dates and books:
February 3 – Scythe by Neil Schusterman (SciFi) March 10 – The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo (novel in verse) The Wellesley Free Library will have copies available for check out.
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Dear Class of 2026,
This is a friendly reminder that the spring parking lottery will take place starting on January 2nd. Please note that all outstanding parking tickets must be paid by December 23rd in order to participate.
If you have unpaid tickets, you should have recently received an email detailing the amount owed. Please ensure payment is completed promptly to avoid any issues.
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The Wellesley High School Council serves as the legislative branch of the school government. The Council is responsible for conducting open discussions and making recommendations on matters of school policy, school culture, curriculum, and other issues brought to its attention from its respective constituencies of the Student Congress, Faculty Senate, PTSO, local residents and the principal.
Please see the WHS School Council page on our website for the latest updates and information.
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Our list of clubs and enrichment programs for 2025-2026 has recently been updated.
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Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2 – December Break, Schools Closed
Monday, January 5 – School Reopens
Wednesday, January 7 – Early Release Day
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Witness the beautiful musical journey of our students in this special mashup. By a stroke of holiday magic, the Hardy 5th grade choir performed “Somewhere in My Memory” this morning in the same key as the rendition in last night’s Wellesley High School choral concert. Seeing (and hearing) our youngest singers alongside our seasoned performers highlights the incredible growth that happens within our Performing Arts program.
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Click image to view video
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We wanted to share this moment of harmony with you as we celebrate the season, and send a shoutout to all of our choral educators: Thomas Corcoran, Katie Dexter, Riley Granger, Matthew Polletto, Ann Tomashefsky, Jenny Tsai, and Julie Verret (Elementary), Lauren Connors and Yoon Jung (WMS); Kevin McDonald and Chad Weirick (WHS); and IVEP (Instrumental & Vocal Extension Program) Voice Teachers: Cailin Smith, Mauri Tetreault, Jan Zimmerman.
Video credit: Lauren Saracino, Interim WPS Director of Performing Arts
If you missed our WHS Choral Concert this past Thursday, please enjoy these photos of our amazing students being led by Dr Kevin McDonald.
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And in this final newsletter of 2025, we wish our entire community all the music and all the magic of the holidays!
Best,
Jamie
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