The Swellesley Report

Wellesley’s School Building Committee reports the following:

The MSBA Board met today and reviewed the Project Plan for the Wellesley High School Building Project. The Board voted to authorize the MSBA Executive Director to enter into a Project Scope and Budget Agreement for the High School Project, as described in the Project Plan, not to exceed $110 million (in construction and design costs), with a 40% state grant (up to $44 million) in state funds toward the project. This is a major milestone in the process and paves the way for a comprehensive review by Special Town Meeting starting October 20th.

Tags: Uncategorized by bbrown
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Wellesley Weston Chabad employs some “Curb Your Enthusiasm” footage from HBO featuring cranky Larry David to encourage people to attend upcoming High Holiday services.

Separately, actress Ari Graynor from Wellesley is in the new movie “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.”

Perhaps more intriguing, however, is her upcoming role in a movie set for release next year in which she plays a roller derby player named Eva Destruction.

Tags: entertainment, religion by bbrown
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Tags: Bates, kids, schools by bbrown
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Wellesley’s numbers are good overall on the MCAS exam results for grades 3,4,5,6,8 and 10, but here are a few numbers that jump out from a quick review of data. The % of 8th graders scoring Advanced (Proficient, Needs Improvement and Failing are the other grades) in Math jumped from 34% last year to 46% this year and the % scoring Proficient in Science rose from 38% to 56%.  The % of 7th graders scoring Advanced in English increased 7% but the number dropped 8% in Math. Math scores were on the rise in 4th grade, while science took a hit in 5th.  See for yourself here at the MCAS site.  The Globe also charts the numbers nicely so that you can see where Wellesley schools, including the individual elementary schools, rank across the state.

Tags: education by bbrown
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From the Wellesley RDF:

Plastic bags and plastic film should be recycled in the Plastic bag bin along the recycling wall.  Items such as plastic grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, and shrink wrap can be placed in the bag bin as well. According to Wikipedia “Used bags should not be littered: this is unsightly, damages wildlife and exposes fisheries to eminent danger.”  “When one ton of plastic bags is reused, as something else other than plastic bags or recycled, the energy equivalent of 11 barrels of oil is saved.”

Please remember to bag your bags and help reduce wind blown litter!

For more information, contact Superintendent Gordon Martin at 781-235-7600 x 3340, or visit the RDF website at: www.wellesleyma.gov

Tags: Recycling & Disposal Facility, recycling by bbrown
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Elise Hana of Wellesley will star as Helen Keller in Roxbury Repertory Theatre’s upcoming production of William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker.” The play, which tells the story of Helen Keller and teacher Anne Sullivan, also includes cast members from the Perkins School for the Blind. Ten performances begin Oct. 16.

Tags: theatre by bbrown
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Cliff Wenn, who left Wellesley’s Maugus Club last year to start up squash and fitness club in Natick, is back at Maugus. Wenn, who had coached at Maugus for 11 years, says he is working with the board there re-energize the club’s squash program.

Tags: sports by bbrown
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The Globe reports that Wellesley town officials spent $2.6 million less in fiscal 2008 than they could have. Don’t be looking for them to blow it on a big party, but it could lessen the need for an operating budget override vote next summer.

Tags: Politics, Town hall by bbrown
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From the Fiske PTO:

On Saturday, September 20th, the Fiske Elementary School PTO held its annual fund-raiser, the Wild West Round Up. A family fair with a western flair!

To say it was a perfect day is an understatement. Families, as always, enjoyed western themed games and crafts, great grub served up at the Chuck Wagon, and a field full of games and rides. Children left with their well earned prizes, treasure jars from our famous Cowboy Strut, tasty treats from our Cookie Corral, painted faces from our Saloon Salon, and broad smiles. Seeing those happy faces is all the reward we need!

Click here for a photo collage

Next up among Wellesley elementary school fairs:

Upham Elementary School will hold its first ever Sports Carnival on Saturday, October 4 from 10am until 2pm at 35 Wynnewood Road. Features many sports related games, activities and events. Highlights include photos with Wally the Green Monster, a cake walk, and a raffle with a chance to win fabulous prizes such as a tickets to a Red Sox game, Wii entertainment center, and more. Plus, DJ, great food, moon bounces and other fun entertainment.

Tags: Fiske, Upham, kids by bbrown
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Condolences to family, friends and former students of Richard Willemann, who died Friday after a long battle with cancer. Willemann began his career in Wellesley in 1974 and retired as K-12 Director of Art for Wellesley Public Schools in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Diane Campbell, head of the English Department at Wellesley Middle School. A wake is being held Tues., Sept. 23 at J.S. Waterman & Sons in Wellesley from  3-6pm.

Tags: education by bbrown
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