The Swellesley Report

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

Live theatre at Wellesley middle schools: Matilda & A Midsummer Night’s Dream

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Wellesley Middle School this week invites the public to attend Matilda: The Musical Jr. in person from Thursday, Nov. 18 to Saturday, Nov. 20. This will be the first in-person theater performance at WMS since before March 2020.

Ticket are on sale now.

Masks are required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. In addition, seating will be assigned to support social distancing.

matilda wms

The Dana Hall Middle School presents its fall play, William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, on Thursday, November 18, at 7:30 p.m., in Bardwell Auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public.

Like with Wellesley Middle School, this is the first public performance at Dana Hall since early last year.

In keeping with current protocols on campus, all students involved in the production and audience members will be masked while in Bardwell.

Bardwell Auditorium is located on the Dana Hall campus at 37 Cameron St. Bardwell is not wheelchair accessible. For more information, please call (781) 235-3010 ext. 2731 or visit www.danahall.org .

dana hall play

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Linden Square, Wellesley
EXPLO, Wellesley
Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club

Wellesley sports update: Hockey & skiing in, hoops out for now; student-athletes sign with colleges

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Wellesley High School has announced that the following sports have been approved to play during the winter season, set to begin in mid-winter (practices start Dec. 14, meets/games on Jan. 4).

Those approved:

  • Ice hockey
  • Boys swimming & diving
  • Alpine & nordic skiing
  • Gymnastics

Not on the list for now:

  • Basketball

Basketball, listed as “pending further information” on the School Committee presentation, is challenging in that it relies on indoor facilities at the school that are being used for other purposes during the pandemic. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association has approved the sport for the winter season, though it remains to be seen what other local schools do.

As for sports slated to be played, there will be no out-of-league competition or MIAA tournaments.

Dance, track & field, and wrestling have been moved by the MIAA to later seasons.

Congrats to local student-athletes who have signed national letters of intent to play sports in college:

  • Dana Hall School’s Kate Bossert ’21, a Needham resident, signed a letter of intent to play soccer at the University of
    Vermont. She led the varsity team in scoring during her first three years with the Dana Hall team (she wasn’t able to play any games during her senior year due to the pandemic).

KateBossert_DanaHall

  • Margaux Gryska, a Wellesley High senior, signed to attend Syracuse University and compete on the women’s rowing team (Wellesley High doesn’t offer crew).

Margaux Gryska

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley
Wellesley Lacrosse

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

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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, black@wellesley, 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, (black@danahall), 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.

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Taste of Wellesley, Rotary Club

Wellesley schools news: Middle School celebrates Year of the Rat; Addams Family coming to Dana Hall

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Our summary of the latest Wellesley schools news.

If you’re interested in sponsoring a future edition of Wellesley School News, please reach out to us.

Middle School celebrates Chinese New Year

The 10th annual Wellesley Middle School Chinese New Year Celebration hosted by teacher Min Zhou and her Mandarin language students drew hundreds of attendees for some Year of the Rat fun.

With support from the Middle School PTO and Parent Chinese New Year celebration committee led by Lily Cho, attendees were treated to traditional entertainment, including a lion dance, Guzheng music performance by Amanda Wang, and a yo-yo display by D. Zhang. Dumplings and lo mein were among the menu items, and games including chopstick races and Jianzi (hackysack). Calligraphy, brush painting and trivia were also on the agenda.

Everyone even received a red envelope filled with treats on their way out.

(Photos courtesy of Alicia Talanian)

chinese new year wellesley

chinese new year wellesley

wms chinese new year
John Battaligno & Andrew Courey

 

wms chinese new year wms chinese new year

POSTPONED: Screening of If Only, film about prescription drug dangers

The Wellesley High School PTSO and Wellesley Youth Commission will present a screening of If Only, a film that demonstrates the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse. Put out by The Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and Millennium Health, the film follows the story of two teenage boys who experiment with and become addicted to drugs. The screening will take place on Tues., March 17, 7pm, at the Katherine L. Babson Jr. Auditorium at Wellesley High School.

If Only film screening, Wellesley

 

Dana Hall presenting The Addams Family musical in March

The Dana Hall Middle School presents its spring musical, The Addams Family, on Wednesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, March 5, at 2 p.m., in Bardwell Auditorium. The performances are free and open to the public.

The Addams Family Young@Part musical keeps the spirit of the original Broadway show intact while making changes to songs and scenes for younger actors.

Bardwell Auditorium is located on the Dana Hall campus at 37 Cameron Street. Please note that Bardwell is not wheelchair accessible. For more information, please call (781) 235-3010 ext. 2731 or visit www.danahall.org.

Addams Family

 

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Deland, Gibson, Wellesley

Acuity: Dana Hall Dances in 2020

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Dana Hall Dance presents its annual dance concert, Acuity: Dana Hall Dances in 2020, on Friday, Feb. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 29, at 7:30 p.m., in Bardwell Auditorium. The performance is free and open to the public.

This year’s show features a mix of student choreography along with works from Director of Dance Devon Fitchett and Dance Faculty Member Mikaela Bradley. Students from all levels of the Upper School dance program will be performing works in modern, contemporary, ballet, jazz, hip hop and tap

Bardwell Auditorium is located on the Dana Hall campus at 37 Cameron Street. Please note that Bardwell is not wheelchair accessible. For more information, please contact Devon Fitchett at devon.fitchett@danahall.org.

dana hall dances

Rick Cram, leader

Wellesley schools roundup — student safety; Hardy author visit; Upham kids on TV; at State House against pesticides; Tenacre Curriculum Night; Dana theater

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Wellesley Middle School students and internet safety

Katie Greer, internet safety expert
Katie Greer, internet safety expert

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:

Mrs. Swellesley's shed

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.

Natural Resources Commission, pesticides
NRC Director Brandon Schmitt; Rep. Alice Peisch; Jack Burkhead; Kavin Shah; NRC member Raina McManus; Natalia Medina; and NRC Chair Katie Griffith. Photo: Town of Wellesley

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

The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and National Garden Clubs, Inc. is sponsoring two writing contests for youths in the interest of raising environmental awareness.
The first is a poetry competition for kindergarten through ninth grade with the theme, “Adventures in the Garden”. There is a statewide winner at each grade level. For high school students, there’s an essay contest, “Challenges in Preserving Our Natural Habitats” with a top national prize of $1000.
The deadline is December 1, 2019

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

Dana Hall SchoolThe 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:

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Wellesley schools roundup — Open Houses; WHS presents Hunchback of Notre Dame; Quiz Show team; WMS winter sports

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Dedham Country Day SchoolThis week’s Wellesley Schools Roundup is sponsored by Dedham Country Day School. You are invited to come see DCD in action during Classroom Observation Day on Wednesday, November 13. Visit and get a sense of how DCD students learn to think creatively and critically. You’ll see that from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8, kids are being kids — and being themselves. You’ll witness them tackling hands-on projects, collaborating, taking risks, solving problems, and most of all, enjoying their experience. Register here.

Dana Hall School Open House

Dana Hall School will hold an Athletics Open House for girls grades 5 -12 and their families on November 19, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Learn about the private boarding and day school’s athletic and equestrian offerings.

 

Tenacre Country Day School, Wellesley MATenacre School tours

Tenacre School will hold its weekly Tuesday tour on November 12, 8:15am – 9:15am. No reservation required, just come on by and see what makes Tenacre an exceptional place for your child to learn and grow. To learn more contact the Admission Office at 781-235-2282.

Wellesley High School quiz kids

A team of students from Wellesley High School has qualified to compete as one of 17 schools from across Massachusetts on Season 11 of WGBH’s televised academic tournament, High School Quiz Show. Tapings of the show will take place in January 2020 and tests students’ knowledge in math, science, civics, literature, history, current events and more. No stranger to the high-stakes Q & A contest, this will be Wellesley’s fifth appearance on High School Quiz Show.

Look for the show to premiere Saturday, February 1 at 6pm on WGBH 2.

Coach Carol Campbell says that “in September there is a trivia (literature/history/civics/science/geography/vocabulary/math) quiz given at the school on a designated day to any and all who want to tryout for the team.  They’re a terrific group and I think they’re really enjoying the experience!”

wellesley high quiz show team
WGBH High School Quiz Show Team (from left):
Natalie Jain, Josh Metcalf, Sebastian Sanchez, Anjali Jain, Timothy Bonis, and Eren Michelet.

 

Schofield CARES with Fall Food Drive

Schofield Fall Food DriveStudents and staff at Schofield School recently collected more than 33 bags of donations (see picture) as part of a Fall Food Drive for the Wellesley Food Pantry organized by our very own Schofield CARES committee.  Schofield CARES is a PTO sub-committee who’s mission is to build community through families helping families.  They organize and provide meals, rides, financial assistance, and gear to families who need it in our Schofield community.

WHS Fall Musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Wellesley, Hunchback

Wellesley Middle School Winter sports registration is open

Boys Basketball (2 teams) – Grade 8
Girls Basketball (2 teams) – Grade 8
Boys Ice Hockey – Grade 8
Girls Ice Hockey – Grade 6, 7, and 8
Wrestling – Grade 6, 7, and 8

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

Hardy School second graders will take a field trip to the Wheelock Family Theatre in Boston next week.

Schofield School is standing behind Team Skofield Spellarz as they prepare for the Wellesley Education Foundation Spelling Bee. The Bee takes place on Wed., November 13 at Sprague Elementary School at 7pm.

Tenacre School fifth graders recently launched their hot air balloons on Centennial Field and were cheered on by parents and other classes who came to watch the event. The students constructed the 3-meter tall balloons in class from tissue paper, glue, string, and a copper ring. This is a great example of a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activity, because it integrates so much content across those disciplines. Some of the concepts and skills that students are exposed to during this activity are metric measurement, proportions, building models, density, gravity, buoyancy, convection, engineering, and design. The balloon launch is by far one of the favorite Tenacre experiences and captures the imaginations of students.