Wellesley, Massachusetts: The Swellesley Report | News about Wellesley, Massachusetts

Before Hillary Clinton speech & Wellesley College commencement, the press gets prepped

May 25, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The grounds are weeded, mulched, pruned, and blooming within an inch of their lives. Banners have been hung, and tents have been erected. It’s Wellesley College graduation time, and it’s a special one this year. First of all, after four years of unremitting labor, the Class of 2017 will receive their diplomas. Oh, and Secretary of State and Wellesley College Class of 1969 alumnae Hillary Clinton will be on hand to deliver remarks.

I attended the mandatory press briefing this morning, where I picked up my credentials and my parking pass. All the cool kids were there — the major networks, C-SPAN, CNN, the Boston Herald, and more. I’m running with the big dogs, now.

Tomorrow everyone will be all smiles and tears, but just a few short months ago, the stress level on campus was running high over the upcoming Commencement. According to an editorial in the student newspaper of Wellesley College, The Wellesley News, some students were concerned that Commencement was in danger of becoming more of a post-election rally for Hillary Clinton than a celebration of the Class of 2017 and their families. The idea that a couple thousand alumnae might descend on campus (as they did on election night, hoping to celebrate a big win) was making some graduating seniors wonder if their milestone moment was in jeopardy of being overshadowed by Clinton’s star power. Toss in rumors that Paw Paw and Granny might not be invited due to limited ticketing, and you had a lot of women asking, “Who’s being celebrated here, anyway?”

As it turns out, the administration took matters firmly in hand. Back in March, Clinton spoke at a private event at the college, perhaps taking a bit of the edge off of alumnae demand to see her this week. In a nod to the 570 graduates that their four years of continuous struggle and triumphs counted for pretty much everything, the school instituted a lottery in order to limit the number of alumnae who would be allowed to attend. Such a compromise ensured not only that security and parking would be kept under control, but that extended family members would be warmly welcomed to the campus to witness their student receive her diploma. (You can also see it live streamed.)

So although Wellesley College encourages alumnae to consider the campus something of a second home, for this go around they’ll have to think of that second home as one that’s not available to them this weekend. Kind of like the family lake house that everyone shares, but that you can’t go to when the cousins are taking their summer weekend turn.

Here’s a sneak preview of graduation day. I get to go as press, so thanks for reading The Swellesley Report.

Wellesley College graduation — A reporter marks off her spot for tomorrow (to the annoyance of some other reporters).

This marble bench, a 2001 work by Jenny Holzer displayed in the Davis Museum, is titled “Selections from Truisms.” It reminds students that “A sincere effort is all you can ask.” Unless, of course, you interpret the work as ironic. In which case, I suppose we’ll have to parse the definitions of “sincere” and “effort”, and that sounds like too much sincere effort. I choose to take it at face value.

Bates Elementary and Wellesley Food Services Director win 3 awards

May 25, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Pictured: Eva Bogdanovitch, Hayley Butler, Ava Chen, Isabelle de Fontaine, Olivia Frank, Nisha Hild, Jonah Ginsberg, Kate Gordan, Michael Hunter, Lorelei Martello, Emily Reza, Emma Sutherland, Stella Tomayko, Marybeth Martello, Wellesley’s Sustainable Energy Administrator;
Al Martignetti, Head Custodian, Bates School; Toni Jolley, Principal, Bates School; Kris Scopnich, Chair, Secretary’s Advisory Group on Energy & Environmental Education; Matthew A. Beaton, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Bates Elementary School’s cafeteria recycling and food waste diversion project and Wellesley’s Food Service Director, Matt Delaney won three separate awards in State House ceremonies this month, sparking statewide and regional attention.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs presented the 23rd annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education to schools and teachers (K-12 ) across the Commonwealth for their outstanding efforts in furthering energy and environmental education initiatives at their schools. The Bates 5th grade recycling team, Principal Toni Jolley, and Custodian Al Martignetti were given 3rd honors and a cash prize.

This same group won an Honorable Mention Award from the Green Up New England Challenge. The Boston Bruins and the Boston Bruins Foundation launched the Green Up New England Challenge this year in partnership with Project Green Schools and Walmart, aiming to develop Green Student Leaders in schools throughout New England for their energy, waste and water reduction efforts as well as best green school, community and sports practices.

Wellesley’s Food Services Director, Matthew Delaney, was honored with the Outstanding Green Community Hero for his vast sustainability efforts in Wellesley’s Cafeterias at the 2017 Green Difference Awards as well.

These initiatives at Bates and in the Food Services Department are make significant strides and thanks to the Waste Wise Wellesley Team, student and parent volunteers, Principals and custodians, similar programs are rolling out out across the district. Future programming options will address the urgent food waste problem and promote sustainable materials management. The goal of these award-winning efforts is to meet financial and environmental opportunities, cultivate civically-minded students, raise awareness about sustainability, and generate experience and knowledge that can encourage and help other groups to act.

Wellesley Repertory to present Sonia Flew in June

May 25, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Sonia Flew at Wellesley Repertory Theatre

Wellesley Repertory Theatre presents Sonia Flew By Melinda Lopez and Directed by Lois Roach
June 1 – 25, 2017 | Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre
Preview Thursday June 1 ~ Opening Night Friday June 2 @ 7pm

To protect their daughter from the Communist regime, Sonia’s parents sent her to the United States during the Cuban revolution. She never saw them again. Thirty years later and living in the Midwest, Sonia, a fiercely devoted mother of two, has created a home that embraces her own cultural traditions along with her husband’s Jewish religion. However, after her son decides to join the army three months after 9/11, Sonia combats grief and terrifying feelings of abandonment through political forces that once again threaten to shatter her family. Set in Minneapolis in 2001 and Cuba in 1961, Sonia Flew questions parental sacrifice, familial responsibility and patriotism in times when worlds collide.

Sonia Flew won the Elliot Norton Award for “Best New Play” and the IRNE (Independent Reviewers of New England) for “Best Play” and “Best Production.” It has been produced at the Huntington Theatre, Coconut Grove Playhouse, the Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Laguna Playhouse, the Summer Playwrights Festival in New York, the Milagro Theatre and the Steppenwolf Theatre.

WRT is proud to present company members: Nancy Tutunjian Berger, Woody Gaul, Zack Georgian, Luis Negron, Ed Peed, and Mariela Lopez-Ponce to perform with Wellesley College students Christine Ahsan, Brigitte Demelo and Karina Ithier. The company has been in residence at Wellesley College since 1998. Together with: Lois Roach (Director), Janie Howland (Set Design), David Towlun (Production Manager), Chelsea Kerl (Costumes), Jack Staid (Sound) and Becky Marsh (Lighting), the cast and crew bring this story to life!

Performances

Thurs.@7pm, Fri. @ 7pm,

Sat. @ 2pm & 7pm*, Sun. @ 2pm

*There is no evening performance on Saturday, June 3 @ 7pm

Tickets

$20 General Admission | $10 seniors & Students

To make a reservation call the Box Office at (781)-283-2000

Wellesley College – Alumnae Hall – Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre

The theatre is handicap accessible. For disability services questions: [email protected]

Rock on this summer at Wellesley’s Bach to Rock music school

May 25, 2017 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: Innovative music school Bach to Rock is the go-to place in Wellesley where students of any age or skill level will find themselves presented with tremendous opportunities to learn in an environment that stays true to its mantra that learning should be fun.

As summer gets closer, have you thought about a summer camp that will take your child into the world of music while encouraging them to stretch their abilities and have fun doing it? Bach to Rock’s half- and full-day summer programs start at age 3 and provide a dynamic atmosphere for students to play and learn music with their friends and make new ones. Students are set up for success in place where each person’s contribution is valuable, and they can all unlock their inner star.

“At Bach to Rock, we believe that learning to play music should be fun,” says franchise owner Don Kennel. “We use an innovative approach to music instruction based on the belief that everyone learns faster playing the music they like, whether it’s pop, rock, or Bach, and the technical foundation is the same.”

Designed for students of all levels, from no experience, to beginners to seasoned artists, this program is taught by real musicians using the unique B2R method, which will have students playing or singing full songs in no time. Students are placed according to their age and skill level, and the requirements of ensemble playing, teamwork and achievement of musical objectives are stressed. Each weekly camp session culminates in a public performance and the recording of a CD.

Bach to Rock also specializes in private lessons for all instruments, glee club, rock bands, early childhood education, birthday parties and more. Visit them at the Shops at Linden Square, 200A Linden Street and directly across from the CVS drive-thru or call them at 781-943-3944.

Wellesley High hosts Massachusetts Fallen Heroes tour

May 24, 2017 by bbrown Leave a Comment

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes will be bringing its annual statewide educational initiative to Wellesley High School on Thursday at 10am, sharing stories with students of the ultimate sacrifices made by those from Massachusetts who served in the U.S. military in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Wellesley visit, which will emphasize the importance of Memorial Day, is part of a 10-day series of events honoring local veterans and families of those killed in combat. The organization was started in 2010 by firefighters, police officers, veterans, Gold Star families and others.