Dear Families, 

That first week following a vacation week has its own flavor of exhaustion for us all as we get back into the rhythm of the school schedule.  With the no homework and not test restriction around the time off lifted, the return can feel like an adjustment. Thank goodness for weekends. 

This morning I hosted a coffee with special guests Niki Ofenloch and Illana Nissenbaum from our school committee.  I took advantage of the group to ask them what advice they’d give our rising 9th grade parents as I prepare for our 8th grade parent/guardian meeting on the 21st of January.  Niki and Illana took questions about the high school for about 45 minutes and we engaged on topics ranging from our continued work around aligning courses to our ongoing work around improving attendance at the high school.  

Next Friday the High School PTSO will host a “course selection” meeting at 10:00 am in the WHS faculty dining room.  That meeting will feature ½ our department leaders talking about the range of courses in their departments.  They will also take questions from the audience.  Please know we will record this and the PTSO will upload that video to their website.  The second half of our Department Leaders will present at the PTSO meeting on February 11. 

 We have two important PTSO meetings coming up in January and February. Please save the dates: January 16 and February 11 from 10:00–11:45am. 

Both meetings will focus on the upcoming course selection process, with representatives from each department sharing information and answering questions. Please see below for the January meeting schedule.

Please stop by the Wellesley Shake Shack location this Saturday, January 10th at any time from 10:30am to 10:00pm and mention DONATION at the register or use the word DONATE in a mobile/kiosk order.

The company will donate 25% of total sales with proceeds to support the boys hockey program.

Wellesley plays cross town rival Needham at 11:30am at Babson Skating Center that same day. Come out and cheer on the boys at the rink or join us at Shake Shack following the game.

Thank you for any consideration and hope to see you at either place or both. Go Raiders!

Best,

Friends of Wellesley Boys Hockey Boosters

This year‘s Cotillion will be on Saturday, January 31st at The Verve Hotel in Natick. All juniors and seniors who either live in Wellesley or go to school in Wellesley are welcome to attend.

We are looking for parent volunteers for that evening. Please complete the Sign Up Genius Form and thank you in advance for your support.

We need everyone’s help to pull off this wonderful evening!

Thank you in advance.

Jill Fischmann and Kerrie Grover 

Cotillion Co-Chairs

Additional information visit: WHS School Counseling Website 

1/21/26 – 8th Grade Parent/Guardian Night

    *This event is in person: WHS Auditorium

Past Parent Nights click link to view recording:

9/11 – Standardized Testing

9/17 – Senior Parent Night

10/15 – Navigating the College Transition for Students w/LD

10/27 – MEFA Financial Aid Night

11/12 – Junior Parent Night

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.

All meetings are from 9-10 am on Fridays in the Faculty Dining Room. Next Dates: February 13, April 10

Wellesley Scholarship Foundation application is now open and closes on March 1st. Please check in with your counselor with any other post-secondary questions.

Visit the Standardized Testing Padlet for all your testing information throughout the year.

WHS School Counseling Department

Director: Margaret Walendin – walendinm@wellesleyps.org

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.

Please visit our website for further information and to read our current issue.

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!

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, February 3, 2026 at the Wellesley Free Library Cafe (1st floor) at 7:30pm to discuss Scythe by Neil Schusterman (SciFi)

The Wellesley Free Library will have copies available for check out.

Any question can be emailed to whslibrary-group@wellesleyps.org.

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.

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. 

On Tuesday afternoon I had the pleasure of attending the Team Ultraviolet ribbon cutting ceremony.  This was the culmination of several years of work and planning with parents, volunteers and dedicated students to move all their robotics equipment into the school so these amazing students can build and practice for the upcoming competition season.  It was a privilege to see their enthusiasm.  Congratulations and good luck on the upcoming season. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Best, 

Jamie