The Swellesley Report

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

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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