Wellesley’s fall filling up: Wonderful weekend, Bates Pumpkin Fair, Turkey Trot 2021

September 13, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s fall activities schedule is filling up fast as organizers look to return to traditions:

Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend

Bates Pumpkin Fair

The Bates Elementary School’s 50th anniversary Pumpkin Fair is slated for Oct. 16 from 2-6pm at the school.

Bouncy houses, games, the haunted house, and more will be among the fun activities.

Volunteers are needed.

Wellesley Turkey Trot

The 2021 Wellesley Turkey Trot is planned to be an in-person event this Thanksgiving morning and registration is now open.

Bates Elementary School fares well in lead-up to Halloween

October 24, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Bates Elementary School couldn’t hold its annual Pumpkin Fair this fall due to the pandemic, but the Bates PTO adjusted deftly by hosting the Bates Pumpkin Spirit Week.

Spirit Week kicked off with a pumpkin patch in front of the school, where school community members could safely pick pumpkins and take photos without the usual big crowds.

Throughout the week, students were invited to participate in cake and pumpkin decorating contests and a pumpkin scavenger hunt around school grounds. Families are also being encouraged to decorate their doors/porches/yards and hide an image of the Bates mascot Tux the penguin in those decorations so other families can enjoy finding Tux.

The PTO also managed to deliver goodie bags to all Bates students, and thanked various town entities for their support and guidance.

Bates decorations

More: Wellesley Halloween happenings, 2020

Wellesley schools news: Last day of school; Black Wellesley students & alums share stories on Insta; Bates gets some love; Congrats to Dana Hall grads; Walking 100 miles for ABC

June 16, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., school-related news:

Last day of school

The last day of school is today, Tuesday, June 16, and we think it’s safe to assume that nobody will miss the remote-learning style of education that was put in place starting in mid-March, when schools were closed due to COVID-19 concerns.

Classes are scheduled to start back up on Wed., Sept. 2. How that will look in light of the pandemic is still being worked out by school administrators.

Black Wellesley students & alum share stories on Insta

A new Instagram account, [email protected], has been created as a space where alumni and current students can anonymously tell their stories of how race impacted their experiences at Wellesley High School. The account already has over 1k followers.

The account places an emphasis on Black voices and relays painful stories of racist experiences in the schools and the community. Stories abound about Black Wellesley residents being put on Metco school buses as young children; crass comments that Black students have had aimed at them throughout their time in the schools; and assumptions made about the financial situations of Black students.

To hear stories straight from the mouths of students and alumni, attend the Facebook Live Wake Up Wellesley discussion on Tue., June 16) at 6pm. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN5XqoSf97k

RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/3316951625001911/

Dana Hall students have created a similar Insta account, ([email protected]), as have students and alumni affiliated with hundreds of educational institutions around the country. The Dana account description says, “These are our stories. We are bursting the bubble. The big and the small things that never allowed us to just be students at Dana Hall.”

Bates gets some love

Bates Elementary School is looking a little brighter, despite not being physically open to students and staff, thanks to a new banner courtesy of Capucine Zelenko. Mom Susan tells us that Capucine, a rising junior at Ringling College of Art + Design (majoring in Illustration), “was moved by how caring the Bates community has been during this time (and the Wellesley community in general), and wanted to reach out to her little sister’s elementary school to show appreciation.”

bates banner

Congrats to Dana Hall grads

Dana Hall School held its 139th Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 30. The 91 members of the Class of 2020 attended virtually, as did faculty, friends and family from around.

Board of Trustees Chair Marcia Teng Ishizuka ’77 welcomed students and their guests: “I’m sure this is not the graduation that you imagined three months ago, and yet it is no less significant than any other Dana graduation that has come before you. In fact, one could say that your graduation carries more meaning given the shared experience of these difficult times which too shall pass.”

Graduates included Wellesley residents Amica Fontijn-Harris, Margaret Gordon, Nathalie Martin-Nucatola, Catherine McCarron, Jessica Schwartz, Allison Sibold, Eleanor Simister, Grace Thames, Isabelle Varsa, Eliza Wallis, and Katherine Ward.

Walking for Wellesley ABC

Sonali Fiorillo, who just finished her freshman year at Wellesley High, says she has been “inspired by actions many people are taking to combat inequality recently.” So she has come up with a way of her own to help. She’s launched a crowdfunding campaign for Wellesley A Better Chance by committing to walk 100 miles over the next couple of weeks. “I have chosen this organization because we have to start making a change in our own communities to really see the impact. I like that they give opportunities afforded by Wellesley to young ladies of color,” Fiorillo says.

More:

Martin Luther King Day in Wellesley, Massachusetts

January 19, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Annual Martin Luther King Day, Jr. breakfast

The annual World of Wellesley community breakfast in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will take place on Mon., Jan. 20, 2020, 8am – 10am at Alumnae Hall, Wellesley College.

The event will feature an inter-racial and inter-ethnic panel of social justice advocates who will provide insights on Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream and the fight for civil rights of Blacks, Indigenous People and Latin X. The talk will focus on where we are, where should we be and how can we get there together.

There will also be special performances by the Wellesley High School Cheer Team and the Kuumba Singers of Harvard University.

The donation for an individual ticket is $30. Students are $10 for full breakfast buffet.

Free parking in Wellesley College garage (first right at main entrance on 135), and the building is accessible.

This event is co-sponsored by World of Wellesley and Wellesley College.

At the 2019 breakfast, Claudia Fox Tree shined a spotlight on Native Americans.

MLK Day Family Event

Join World of Wellesley and the Wellesley High School Diversity Club for crafts, games, activities and pizza.

DATE: January 20, 2020
TIME: 11:30am – 1pm
LOCATION: Bates Elementary School
RSVP

Closed in Wellesley on Monday, January 20

Wellesley Public Schools
All Town of Wellesley departments
Recycling and Disposal Facility
Tolles Parsons Center
Wellesley Free Library

Other closures:

United States Postal Service
New York Stock Exchange

Wellesley students, NRC heading to Beacon Hill to fight pesticides

November 9, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

Wellesley 6th graders and Natural Resources Commission members plan to head to Beacon Hill on Tuesday, Nov. 12 to speak out against harmful pesticides.

NRC Director Brandon Schmitt writes that the NRC will join forces with the students “we worked with last year at Bates on a Watershed themed project-based-learning unit. The students contacted us with the [letter below] and we hope that they can have the opportunity to address the legislators on a host of bills related to Pollinators, Pesticides, and Miscellaneous Matters.”

The students will likely be providing testimony in favor of H.776, an act empowering towns and cities to protect residents and the environment from harmful pesticides.

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Wellesley schools roundup — PAWS registration; upcoming math workshops; Tenacre Open House; Dana Hall Fall play

October 31, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

P.A.W.S. registration is open

If you are interested in enrolling your child in the P.A.W.S. (Preschool at Wellesley Schools) program, an engaging environment where children learn primarily through developmentally appropriate play experiences, please fill out the Google form. Prospective parents must attended a Parent Informational Meeting and Tour. Upcoming dates and times: Tuesday, November 11, 10am – 11am & Tuesday, December 17, 10am – 11am. If you have any questions please contact Isabel Cashman at 781-446-6222

P.A.W.S. has been designated a developmentally appropriate, high quality program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) through its participation in a national, voluntary, accreditation system designed to help early childhood programs meet high professional standards.

Elementary Math Workshops coming up

Wellesley math workshop

Wellesley High School, important Term One dates:

The last day of Term 1 at WHS is Friday, November 1. That day is also the last day a student may withdraw from a semester 1 course without a grade.

For more information, students should contact their guidance counselor in their individual houses (Bradford, Phillips, Perrin). Since 2014, WHS students have been associated with one of three “houses” under the roof of the school as a whole. It was one of then-new principal Jamie Chisum’s moves to better align administrators with students. Here’s how the name of each house was picked.

Dana Hall School Fall Play

Wellesley Dana Hall, theater The Upper School will present its fall play, 45 Plays for 45 Presidents, on Friday, November 8, and Saturday, November 9, at 7:30 p.m., in Bardwell Auditorium, 37 Cameron St. The performances are free and open to the public.

In each of these short snippets of American history, a member of the ensemble dons the coat of the presidency and the group explores an aspect of that administration. The entire cast will wear white throughout the production as a nod to the suffrage movement 100 years ago. Students in Dana Hall’s Creating Character: An Acting and Costume Design Class researched the symbolism of the color and created looks that span the decades.

“Each president is granted a very short play, allowing us to focus on their accomplishments, disappointments—or sometimes both,” said Daniel Morris, director and Performing Arts faculty member. “While many are quick and funny, the play does not shy away from the complicated history that we share as a nation.”

Bates Pumpkin Fair a rounding success

Wellesley Bates Pumpkin Fair The 49th Bates Pumpkin Fair raised funds for enrichment programs that benefit Bates students and teachers. The PTO thanks the Wellesley community for coming out to join in on the fun, and the volunteers for making the event possible.

Tenacre School Open House

Tenacre School will hold an Open House on Sunday, November 3, 1pm – 3pm.

More information below:

[Read more…]

Wellesley government round-up: Permanent Building Committee hopes vacancy is temporary; Bates & Hardy honored; tree climber wanted

June 16, 2019 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

pollen art. Here’s a round-up of the latest Wellesley town government news:

Permanent Building Committee hopes vacancy is temporary

Help shape the future of Wellesley’s major building and structural projects as a member of the volunteer Permanent Building Committee (PBC).

The Town is seeking an attorney who is a Wellesley resident to fill a vacant seat effective July 1, 2019. The PBC is responsible for estimating, designing and constructing all Town building projects over $500,000.

Town bylaws require that the five-member committee include an architect, an attorney, an engineer, a construction professional, and a citizen-at-large.

The attorney member 1) reviews contracts and contractual issues; 2) provides feedback on legal matters; 3) conducts an initial review and feedback on claims; 4) works with Town Counsel as required.

PBC Meetings are held twice a month on the second and forth Tuesdays beginning at 7:30 PM at Town Hall. Members are appointed by the Town Moderator for a term of three years.

To be considered for this position, please email the Town Moderator indicating your interest and provide a summary of qualifications, or mail this information to Mark Kaplan, 75 Grove Street, Apt. 326, Wellesley, MA 02482

Bates and Hardy Elementary Schools recognized for academic achievement

The Bates and Hardy elementary schools were honored as 2018 Massachusetts Schools of Recognition at a State House ceremony on June 7.

They were among 57 schools across the state receiving this distinction, which recognizes the efforts of teachers and students for high achievement, high growth and significantly exceeding their targets.

Bates earned its honor for high growth and achievement on the 2018 MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) tests. Hardy rated the award for high achievement and exceeding standards.

Bates & Hardy — (From left to right): Massachusetts Dept. of Education Elementary & Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley with Bates Principal Toni Jolley, Hardy Principal Charlene Cook, Hardy 5th grade teacher Meghan Sjosted, and WPS Superintendent Dr. David Lussier at the Statehouse ceremony.

Town of Wellesley job openings: Senior Planner, Tree Climber, GIS Coordinator & Civil Engineer

Quite the variety of Wellesley town jobs have opened in recent weeks.

These include a sidekick for the town’s planning director, and a tree climber, whose responsibilities for the Department of Public Works’ Park and Tree Program include all kinds of tree and landscape care, such as mowing, trimming, planting, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, hazardous electric line pruning, tree removal and other operations involving rigging.

Be aware that you can sign up for job alerts and other news announcements at the Wellesley town website.

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