WHS Principal’s Newsletter for 09 October, 2026

Dear Families, 

Happy weekend!  I want to thank all of you who made it out to Back to School Night.  The feedback I received from the parents I spoke to was overwhelmingly positive. I’m so glad you enjoyed meeting your students’ teachers and that you had the opportunity of experiencing the magic of this place.  It was fantastic to have so many students in the building to help you all find your way and to bring you into some of the exciting things the kids have planned for homecoming and class events. 

Like I said last week, I find back to school night one of the best community events in town.  I love seeing people reconnecting with neighbors or parents who used to share signup genius duties for orange slices at youth soccer games.   I really appreciate all the folks who made connections with me. I had no idea how many of you have connections with my friends and family. 

It was just great being in the same place all together with the common purpose of making this school the best place it can be for our kids. So, thank you for accepting our invitation to physically come into the space and be together.  I hope we can maintain that connection as we move forward through whatever comes this year.  We’re so much better together. 

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This coming Thursday the High School Staff will be engaging in our annual safety training in conjunction with our colleagues at the Wellesley Police Department. Students cannot be in the building for this training.  We will clear the building as quickly as possible after the last bell of the day and begin our training promptly so we can let the students back in at 3:30 pm.   

Please talk to your students and make arrangements to be anywhere else during that hour.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.  We will definitely give the students more heads up about this next week. 

Step Up Day is next Wednesday, October 14th at Wellesley High School. 

Students will participate in activities tailored to each grade.

9th and 10th GRADE: 

Due to testing, intervention and TAN block locations may change. 

Please check with your teachers regarding any changes.

PSAT Room Assignments will be posted outside the Perrin House office Tuesday afternoon before Step Up Day.  

SAT seat assignments within the library will be posted the morning of the exam.

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Scan the QR codes around the building or visit Step Up Day for further details.

Questions? Contact your school counselor or Jen Culver, WHS Testing/SSD coordinator.

Homecoming 2026 is almost here! We are excited to announce a fantastic lineup of events for the entire Wellesley community. Mark your calendars for an unforgettable weekend.

Friday, October 16: 

Saturday, October 17: 

We look forward to seeing everyone there – thank you for your support of HOCO 2026!

Congratulations to Wellesley High School Choral Director Dr. Kevin McDonald who has been selected as a 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence!  Out of an incredibly competitive group, Dr. McDonald stood out – a true testament to his talent and impact. 

The 2026 recognition honors “extraordinary educators nationwide who are using the power of music to transform lives.”  The CMA Foundation honored Dr McDonald during its Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony on Wednesday, October 7, at The Pinnacle Nashville.  

The CMA Foundation notes: “This year’s honorees represent 12 states and work across every corner of music education, from choir and band to orchestra, percussion, piano, and fine arts. Selected through a rigorous application process that considers instructional excellence, innovation in the classroom, and a demonstrated commitment to leadership, collaboration, and student success.”

APRIL 14-24, 2027: Travel with Wellesley High School Art Department!

Program Highlights: Ancient Rome & Gladiator School; Vatican City and Borghese Gallery; Assisi, Florence, Bologna, and Venice.

Application Deadline: JUST EXTENDED to October 13, 2026 Application Link

Once applications are received, students will get an email with a QR code for paying

Please check out the event flyer for further details and itinerary.

The School Nurses in conjunction with the Fitness and Health Department will be conducting postural screenings for 9th grade students during Fitness classes once per quarter during the school year. 

Please review the updated WHS Club and Extra-Curricular Activity schedule, which includes hyperlinks to club descriptions, meeting times, contacts, and meeting locations. 

I hope everyone has a great Indigenous People’s Day long weekend.  The fall weather for the first day or so looks spectacular. 

Best,

Jamie