The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley students, NRC heading to Beacon Hill to fight pesticides

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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

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P.A.W.S. registration is open

Preschool at Wellesley Schools PAWSIf 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 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, theaterThe 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 FairThe 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…]

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

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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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Spooky fun had by all at Wellesley’s Bates Pumpkin Fair

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Kids and their adults showed up in force at the annual Bates Elementary School Pumpkin fair on Saturday morning/afternoon, with some playing Halloween-themed games, others getting made up to get into the spirit, and still others braving the scary/medium scary/not-so-scary versions of the haunted house. We heard during an exclusive interview with the werewolf’s mom and her ferocious dog that haunted house visitors were in for a real fright.

wellesley bates pumpkin fair football

 

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MORE Wellesley Halloween action

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State recognizes Wellesley elementary schools for Morses Pond rescue plan

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Wellesley Public Schools 4th grade teachers Irene Gruenfeld (Bates Elementary) and Anne Gayner (Fiske Elementary) and their classes were recognized this week at the State House for efforts to address erosion issues at Morses Pond. Nearly 3 dozen programs were honored at the Annual Secretary’s Awards for Excellence in Energy and Environmental Education.

The Wellesley classes did field work at the pond, designed scale models to illustrate solutions to erosion, and presented their results to town officials. The schools received guidance from the Natural Resources Commission on the project.

 

EEA awards
Wellesley teachers and students honored at the State House (photo via NRC)

 

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Wellesley School Committee holding important meeting on FY19 schools budget, other issues

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The Wellesley School Committee is holding an important public meeting on Tuesday, December 12 at 6:30pm in the Juliani Room at Town Hall, 525 Washington St.

On the agenda:

The Wellesley Public Schools FY2019 budget presentation (this one is last on the Action/Discussion part of the agenda, scheduled at 8:15pm, if all goes in a timely manner). For context, here’s the FY2018 budget request.

Earlier on the agenda:

Discussion about Hardy and Upham Schools Improvement plans

Discussion about Wellesley Middle School facilities projects

A vote on the WMS and WHS programs of studies

A vote on the 2018 – 2019 academic calendar

A vote on the PAWS (Preschool at Wellesley Schools) feasibility study. Some discussion points have been: whether to 1.build out of the existing site, 2. do an addition onto Fiske Elementary to hold the preschool, and 3. develop a freestanding model for potential relocation of PAWS to another site

If you can’t make it to the meeting, you can watch it on the public access TV via Wellesley Media Corporation. 

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Scrape together your coins for Wellesley trick-or-treaters collecting for UNICEF

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UNICEF, Wellesley
Set aside your change for Wellesley’s trick-or-treaters who will be collecting for the charity that has raised over $175 million to provide humanitarian aid since 1950.

A reminder to set aside coins for Halloween, as many trick-or-treaters will be looking to collect your spare change on behalf of UNICEF, which raises millions of dollars  for children who’ve been victims of war, natural disasters, exploitation or disease.

The funds Wellesley trick-or-treaters raise help children in Mali to get life-saving rehydration salts; ensure that mothers and newborns in remote Bolivian mountain areas survive childbirth by way of UNICEF-trained mid-wives; and help keep Laotian teenage girls in school and therefore out of child marriage with the help of UNICEF social workers. Those are just a few examples of the important work that UNICEF funds every year.

Last year, Bates students raised enough money to fund the equivalent of providing two clean water pumps and a medical delivery bicycle.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF provides more info.

Any checks given in lieu of coins may be made out to the “U.S. Fund for UNICEF”.

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Scenes from Wellesley’s Bates Pumpkin Fair

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Bates Pumpkin Fair, Wellesley

A big crowd flocked to the annual Bates Pumpkin Fair, where kids were treated to a haunted house, lots of clever and spooky games, and of course inflatables to jump on.

Check out a sampling of the action in the slideshow below (click arrows on left or right).

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Wellesley Halloween happenings, 2017

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2012 wellesley hills congregational church pumpkin patch

Here’s a sampling of Halloween activities in Wellesley this fall (feel free to let us know of other activities):

*Wellesley Hills Congregational Church: The pumpkins arrive on Oct.14…

*The annual Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair is slated to take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Elmwood Road school from 10am-2pm. As usual, it will feature a chance to buy pumpkins, get spooked at a haunted house, plus take part in assorted games and activities, enjoy live entertainment, and have refreshments.  Lots of prizes and old fashioned Halloween fun are promised at this family friendly event, which is open to the public.

*Come dressed in your Halloween best on Friday, October 27 for our creeptastic Halloween Spooky Storytime in the Wellesley Free Library Story Hour Room (4-4:45pm). We will read some spooktacular Halloween stories, dance to some spooky songs on the ukulele and parade around the Children’s Room to show off our costumes. Drop in, no registration required.

*UU Wellesley Haunted House, 309 Washington St., Sat., Oct. 28th. Enjoy Charming Enchanted Chapel (ages 3+) from 3-5 pm or our Horrific Haunted Hallway (teens only) from 7-9 pm. $5 per child or teen ($10 max. per family) for unlimited walk-throughs. Cider and treats available for purchase. For more info, go to: http://uuwellesley.org/haunted-house or email [email protected].

*Wellesley Hills Merchants’ Halloween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 28, starting at 11am at across from Wellesley Hills train station and ending at Clock Tower Park.

*Cheer Tricks and Treats with Wellesley Varsity Cheer

Clinic to be held for grades 1- 6

DATE: Saturday Oct 28th

Time: 11am-2pm, come for all or part

PLACE: WHS Cafeteria 

Registration fee: $20/includes a gift, pizza, water and peanut free snacks.

Money raised goes to directly support the WHS cheer club

PRE REGISTRATION SUGGESTED AT http://communityinvestors.net/Registration/Default.asp?n=109644&org=COMMUNITYINVESTORS.NET  or walk in and pay cash on site.

Dress comfortably/Costumes welcome

ANY QUESTIONS CONTACT

Odessa Sanchez, WHS Cheer Coach
(857)233-6583 [email protected]

*The Dana Hall School of Music will hold its seventh annual Halloween Open House with musical trick-or- treating on Saturday, October 28, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Families and children of all ages are invited to come in costume. Behind every door, there will be a different instrument to explore, from piano and violin to harp and trombone. Children can participate in a musical scavenger hunt to find each instrument along with some musical trick-or- treating. There will also be a guided “rhythm instrument petting zoo” for the kids to get a chance to make some music of their own. R.S.V.P.s are requested but not required. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in attending the Halloween Open House. The School of Music is located at 103 Grove Street in Wellesley. For more information about the School of Music, please visit http://www.danahall.org/SOM or call (781) 237-
6542.

*Join us for Sing and Swing – Happy Halloween with Deb Hudgins on Monday, Oct. 30 morning from 10:30-11:15 am at Wellesley Free Library. Preschool kids and their grown-ups will enjoy singing, dancing and movement along with stories and a variety of fun props including rhythm instruments, scarves and more. Drop into the Wakelin Room for this fun program. No registration is required.

Halloween decorating contest

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Save the date: Bates Pumpkin Fair in Wellesley on Oct. 14

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Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair, Wellesley

The annual Bates Elementary School Pumpkin Fair is slated to take place on Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Elmwood Road school from 10am-2pm. As usual, it will feature a chance to buy pumpkins, get spooked at a haunted house, plus take part in assorted games and activities, enjoy live entertainment, and have refreshments.  Lots of prizes and old fashioned Halloween fun are promised at this family friendly event, which is open to the public.

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