{"id":9635,"date":"2026-01-23T13:42:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/?p=9635"},"modified":"2026-01-23T16:49:39","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T21:49:39","slug":"whs-principals-newsletter-for-23-january-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellesleyps.org\/whs\/2026\/01\/23\/whs-principals-newsletter-for-23-january-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"WHS Principal’s Newsletter for 23 January 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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WHS Principal’s Newsletter<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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January 23, 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,<\/div>\n
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Today was our makeup day at the high school and it marks the end of the second quarter here. Next week students will begin their third quarter and if they have semester or quarter long classes, they will begin some brand new classes then.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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We had a lot of students coming in and out of the building today making up assignments and tests so I was glad to see them using their time well.\u00a0These past two weeks have definitely been a heavy workload so I hope everyone is able to exhale this weekend.\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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District Website Focus Group Opportunity: February 2<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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WPS parents and caregivers are invited to participate in an online focus group to share your insights on current WPS website needs, including accessibility, resource organization, and communication efficiency. The perspective of parents and caregivers is essential to building a platform that better serves our WPS community.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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The focus group will be held on Monday, February 2, from 7-8 p.m. on Zoom.\u00a0<\/strong>Register using this link<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong> <\/div>\n
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<\/span><\/strong>Thank you for your continued commitment to our district\u2019s\u00a0Core Values<\/a>\u00a0and for helping us innovate our digital tools to better support our students and families!<\/div>\n
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Kindergarten Registration Is Open! <\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Kindergarten registration is\u00a0for children 5 years of age on or before August 31, 2026 is now open<\/strong>. <\/div>\n
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Please see the\u00a0Kindergarten Registration page<\/a>\u00a0for information and document requirements.\u00a0Register ASAP!<\/strong>\u00a0Families who complete the two-part registration process by March 1, 2026 will have the opportunity to attend a Kindergarten welcome event on the morning of March 7.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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Registration for Grades 1-12 will open February 7.<\/div>\n
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WHS 10th Grade SBIRT Screening<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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SBIRT screening (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) will be conducted during 10th grade Health classes. SBIRT is a mandated screening for substance use\/abuse in public schools. The screening is interview-based and takes approximately 5 minutes. All results are kept confidential and are not included in your student’s school record. The screening is completed by trained health teachers and nurses. For more detailed information see the full letter here:\u00a0SBIRT Info Letter<\/a>.<\/div>\n
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If you would like to have your child opted-out of this screening for this year, please let us know by filling out this form:\u00a0SBIRT Opt-Out Form<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Practice PSAT and Digital ACT: Saturday, February 7<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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SAT Practice Exam:<\/strong><\/div>\n
When:\u00a0<\/strong>Saturday, February 7, 2026<\/div>\n
Time:\u00a0<\/strong>9:00 AM -12:00 PM<\/div>\n
Where:\u00a0<\/strong>Proctored online via Zoom<\/div>\n
Cost:\u00a0<\/strong>$20 \u2013 100% of the proceeds benefit Wellesley HS Class of 2027<\/div>\n
*Please note that these live exams are proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, go ahead and register for the exam, then use\u00a0this self-proctoring guide<\/a>\u00a0to walk you through the process of self-proctoring with extended time.<\/div>\n
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Digital ACT Practice Exam:<\/strong><\/div>\n
When:\u00a0<\/strong>Saturday, February 7, 2026<\/div>\n
Time:\u00a0<\/strong>9:00 AM -12:30 PM\u00a0<\/div>\n
Where:\u00a0<\/strong>Proctored online via Zoom<\/div>\n
Cost:\u00a0<\/strong>$20 \u2013 100% of the proceeds benefit Wellesley HS<\/div>\n
*Please note that these live exams are proctored in standard time only. If you have been approved for an extended time accommodation, go ahead and register for the exam, then use\u00a0this self-proctoring manual\u00a0<\/a>to walk you through the process of self-proctoring with extended time.<\/div>\n
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Step 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Register here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.revolutionprep.com\/partners\/495<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <\/div>\n
Step 2:<\/strong>\u00a0Schedule a free 30-minute score report review with a Revolution Prep testing expert to help you interpret the results and develop a customized plan to prepare. Please schedule this appointment for the few days after the exam. You can pre-schedule this Score Report Review here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.revolutionprep.com\/vasilios-kostakis<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/div>\n
Step 3:<\/strong>\u00a0Attend the mock exam and instantly receive our best-in-class score report, illustrating three high-impact areas to focus on for each section of the test.<\/div>\n
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Questions?<\/strong>\u00a0If you have questions or want to learn more about Revolution Prep, you can reach out to Vasilios Kostakis at (781) 916-8668 or by email at\u00a0vasilios.kostakis@revolutionprep.com<\/a><\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Wellesley Service League Centennial Youth Service Award<\/h2>\n
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Each year, Wellesley Service League solicits applications from service-oriented WHS seniors (and Wellesley residents who are seniors at other high schools) for this $3,000 award. <\/div>\n
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This year applications and mentor recommendations are due on March 20th. The application can be found on our website\u00a0https:\/\/wellesleyserviceleague.org\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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WHS Girls Who Code Club Newsletter<\/h2>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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The Wellesley High School chapter of Girls Who Code aims to foster a safe, welcoming, and judgment-free space for girls to learn and pursue computer science. Every month, the club releases a newsletter packed with current\u00a0artificial intelligence<\/strong>\u00a0trends and\u00a0computing insights.<\/strong> <\/div>\n
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Please see their current newsletter <\/a>for the latest AI updates and news. <\/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
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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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Past Parent Nights: please click link to view recording:<\/u><\/strong><\/div>\n