{"id":9594,"date":"2026-01-09T15:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/?p=9594"},"modified":"2026-01-09T18:09:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:09:35","slug":"whs-principals-newsletter-for-09-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/2026\/01\/09\/whs-principals-newsletter-for-09-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"WHS Principal’s Newsletter for 09 January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WHS Principal’s Newsletter<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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January 9, 2026<\/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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Dear Families,\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0 With the no homework and not test restriction around the time off lifted, the return can feel like an adjustment. Thank goodness for weekends.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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This morning I hosted a coffee with special guests Niki Ofenloch<\/a> and Illana Nissenbaum from our school committee.\u00a0 I took advantage of the group to ask them what advice they\u2019d give our rising 9th grade parents as I prepare for our 8th grade parent\/guardian meeting on the 21st of January.\u00a0 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. \u00a0 <\/div>\n
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Next Friday the High School PTSO will host a \u201ccourse selection\u201d meeting at 10:00 am in the WHS faculty dining room.\u00a0 That meeting will feature \u00bd our department leaders talking about the range of courses in their departments.\u00a0 They will also take questions from the audience.\u00a0 Please know we will record this and the PTSO will upload that video to their website.\u00a0 The second half of our Department Leaders will present at the PTSO meeting on February 11.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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PTSO Meetings & Course Selection Process<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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\u00a0We have two important\u00a0PTSO\u00a0meetings coming up in January and February. Please save the dates:\u00a0January 16<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0February 11\u00a0<\/strong>from 10:00\u201311:45am.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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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.<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Support the Wellesley High School Boys Hockey Team<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Please stop by the Wellesley Shake Shack<\/strong> location this Saturday, January 10th at any time from 10:30am to 10:00pm<\/strong> and mention\u00a0DONATION<\/strong>\u00a0at the register or use the word\u00a0DONATE<\/strong>\u00a0in a mobile\/kiosk order. <\/div>\n
The company will donate 25% of total sales with proceeds to support the boys hockey program. <\/div>\n
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Wellesley plays cross town\u00a0rival Needham at 11:30am at Babson Skating Center that same day.\u00a0Come out and cheer on the boys at the rink or join us at Shake Shack following the game. <\/div>\n
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Thank you for any consideration and hope to see you at either place or both. Go Raiders!<\/div>\n
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Best,<\/div>\n
Friends of Wellesley Boys Hockey Boosters<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Volunteers Needed for Wellesley Cotillion – January 31st<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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This year\u2018s 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.<\/div>\n
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We are looking for parent volunteers for that evening. Please complete the Sign Up Genius Form<\/a> and thank you in advance for your support.<\/div>\n
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We need everyone\u2019s help to pull off this wonderful evening!<\/div>\n
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Thank you in advance.<\/div>\n
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Jill Fischmann and Kerrie Grover\u00a0<\/div>\n
Cotillion Co-Chairs<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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WHS Counseling Department: Winter 2026 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
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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<\/em>Academic Support Options<\/strong><\/div>\n