{"id":9454,"date":"2025-12-19T14:04:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T22:04:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/?p=9454"},"modified":"2025-12-19T17:09:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T22:09:46","slug":"whs-principals-newsletter-for-19-december-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/2025\/12\/19\/whs-principals-newsletter-for-19-december-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"WHS Principal’s Newsletter for 19 December 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WHS Principal’s Newsletter<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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December 19, 2025<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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\"Seasons<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Dear Families,\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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\u2019ve said to some of the kids, we know we can make it through those two days next week.\u00a0I would say the feeling in the school is that people are ready for the time off.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0We try to be sensitive to both of those moments here.\u00a0Early decisions have been coming in for our students this month and of course they are coming with challenge and joy as I described.\u00a0I\u2019m writing today to address a rumor that has been going around that a particular school may be \u201cpunishing\u201d Wellesley High School as a result of a student from last year\u2019s 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\u2019s 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<\/a> when Tulane University punished a school in Colorado for the actions of one of their former students.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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\u2019s senior class reneged on their Early Decision agreement.\u00a0I 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).\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0Please 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.\u00a0Please reach out to your school counselor if you have any additional questions.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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A very special Thank You<\/em> 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. <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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WHS TV and Video Students Visit Gillette Stadium<\/h2>\n
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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!”\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Gap Year Night 2026<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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WHEN: Wednesday, January 7th at 7:00 PM\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n
JOIN: <\/strong>www.j2guides.com<\/a> <\/div>\n
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In partnership with the college guidance teams from Wellesley, Wayland and Weston high schools, Jane & Jason Sarouhan, co-founders of J2Guides, (www.j2guides.com<\/a>) and nationally accredited gap year counselors, are excited present this annual community webinar to learn all about the gap year.<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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WHS Counseling Department: Winter 2025-26 News to Use <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Additional information visit:\u00a0<\/strong>WHS School Counseling Website<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong> <\/div>\n
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Parent Nights<\/u><\/strong><\/div>\n
All parent nights are at 7pm on zoom unless otherwise indicated.<\/em><\/div>\n
1\/7\/26\u00a0– GAP Year Presentation w\/J2 Guides<\/div>\n
1\/21\/26\u00a0– 8th Grade Parent\/Guardian Night<\/div>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0*This event is in person: WHS Auditorium<\/div>\n
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Past Parent Nights click link to view recording:<\/div>\n
9\/11 –\u00a0Standardized Testing<\/a> <\/div>\n
9\/17 –\u00a0Senior Parent Night<\/a> <\/div>\n
10\/15 –\u00a0Navigating the College Transition for\u00a0<\/a>Students w\/LD<\/a> <\/div>\n
10\/27 –\u00a0MEFA Financial Aid Night<\/a> <\/div>\n
11\/12 –\u00a0Junior Parent Night<\/a> <\/div>\n
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Scheduling<\/u><\/strong><\/div>\n
Students will begin meeting with teachers about course recommendations for next year after February break.\u00a0Course selection for the 26-27 school year will take place in March.<\/div>\n
9th graders will prepare for course selection with counselors in seminar in January.\u00a010th and 11th graders will have counseling seminar during the course selection window in March.<\/div>\n
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Coffee with The Director of Counseling<\/u><\/strong><\/div>\n
All meetings are from 9-10 am on Fridays in the Faculty Dining Room. Next Dates: February 13, April 10<\/div>\n
All are welcome!<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/em>Academic Support Options<\/strong><\/div>\n