Wellesley schools roundup — student safety; Hardy author visit; Upham kids on TV; at State House against pesticides; Tenacre Curriculum Night; Dana theater
Wellesley Middle School students and internet safety
Katie Greer, national expert in youth technology and cyber-safety, came to Wellesley Middle School (WMS) to speak to 6th and 7th graders about the latest in internet risks, safety, and responsibility. Later that evening, in an effort to promote communication between parents and their children, Greer spoke with the Wellesley Public Schools parents. The engaging and informative presentation provided parents with answers to help their kids stay safe in a technology-driven world. This WMS PTO funded event allowed parents to prepare for tough, but essential, conversations about responsible internet use with their children. Topics included social media sharing, cyber bullying, privacy, sexting, gaming and parental controls. The WMS PTO thanks all the WMS families who have donated to the PTO annual drive, which makes such lectures possible.
Active shooter training at WHS
In a Nov. 13 post on the Wellesley High School website, Principal Jamie Chisum reminded the school community that all students need to be out of the high school the afternoon of Thursday, November 14 from 2:45 until 3:30. During this time the faculty and staff will be doing a joint active shooter training exercise with the Wellesley Police Department. All the school’s internal organizations this affects have been notified and are prepared for this occasion. This is the only day WHS will have to do this for the year.
Hardy School hosts author Lisa Rogers at Book Fair
Author and Wellesley resident Lisa Rogers was on hand at the Hardy School Book Fair to showcase her new nonfiction picture book 16 Words. The 40-page hardcover book, geared toward readers ages 4 – 8, tells the story of how beloved American poet William Carlos William’s process of mindfulness helped him come up with his well-known 16-word poem “The Red Wheelbarrow.”
At the Book Fair, Rogers helped children pick out books and then read to them from 16 Words. “The children were so excited to ask her questions about her book and the process she went through to come up with idea, write the story and to see it in final print.,” said Hardy parent Jamie Fussner.
Williams’ poem has a special place in The Swellesley Report’s household. The wise words were long ago inked onto the interior of Mrs. Swellesley’s backyard shed for her to ponder as she heads out into the garden:
Here’s how to get your school’s news into Swellesley’s weekly Schools Roundup post:
Send in a short blurb and/or picture about news and events going on at your school. Email: deborahcb100@gmail.com
Stuff that’s newsworthy:
Upcoming events such as bake sales, book sales, fairs, etc.
Dates such as for Back to School Night, meetings, etc.
Pictures of events that may not have been open to the public but that give people an idea of great things that are happening in your school, such as author’s visits.
Congratulations to faculty/staff who are retiring, or who are new hires.
The weekly deadline is Wednesdays at noon. The post will appear each Thursday.
Interested in underwriting our Wellesley Schools roundup? Here’s how to Advertise and/or Donate to support our independent journalism venture
Upham Elementary School’s Early risers
Check out the fun video of Upham Elementary School greeting TV news viewers with a big Good Morning.
Students Speak at Statehouse Against Pesticides
Three Wellesley sixth graders are asking State lawmakers to help towns protect residents and the environment from harmful pesticides.
The students joined members of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) at the Statehouse on November 12 to advocate for local legislation relating to Pollinators, Pesticides and Miscellaneous Matters.
At a hearing of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, Jack Burkhead, Natalia Medina and Kavin Shah gave testimony in favor of House Bill 776.
The proposed bill, sponsored by Rep. Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth), aims to give local governments more oversight on reducing toxic chemical use on private property and encouraging organic alternatives.
The students learned about pesticide dangers last year during a 5th grade project-based learning unit at Bates Elementary School.
As part of its Grow Green Wellesley initiative, the NRC has partnered with the Board of Health to educate residents about the effect of pesticides on public health.
In addition to testifying, the students met briefly with Rep. Fernandes and Rep. Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley).
Garden Club Federation writing contest
Tenacre School Curriculum Night on Nov. 21st
Dive into Tenacre School’s curriculum on Thursday, November 21 at Curriculum Night. Learn from Tenacre’s teachers about specific components of the curriculum. Topics for the evening presented in brief will be 15-minute synopses including reading, writing, the arts, physical education and wellness, math, and science. For more information, contact Meg Burke at mburke@tenacrecds.org
Dana Hall fall plays, Nov. 20 & 21
The Dana Hall Middle School will present three plays: Jane Austin: Action Figure; Too Many Daughters: A Jane Austin Parody; and a Dana Hall original, Sunset in a Cup: A Letter from Emily Dickinson. The performances are free and open to the public.
DATES/TIMES:
Wednesday, November 20, 7:30pm
Thursday, November 21, 4pm
LOCATION:
Bardwell Auditorium
Bardwell Auditorium is located on the Dana Hall campus at 37 Cameron Street. Please note that Bardwell is not accessible. For more information, please call (781)235-3010 ext. 2731 or visit www.danahall.org.
MORE ON THE PLAYS:
“Imagining the lives of writers and their creations—whether in a whimsical or wistful way—is at the heart of these plays,” said Liz Fenstermaker, Performing Arts Department Head and Director of Theater. “In the making of our new play about Emily Dickinson, I passed on the play to two playwriting students—K. Ward ’20 and E. Wellington ’21—who edited the play’s shape, added more stage directions and changed the ending. Then they passed it to the cast who wrote monologues for their characters.”
