Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Games, rides & food. A cash-preferred event to manage costs of this fundraiser.
Next up: The annual Bates Pumpkin Fair fundraiser on Oct. 4.
Wellesley High Class of ’25 students who attended elementary schools in town had the chance to go back to those buildings last week after receiving their caps and gowns. They got the clap-out treatment from current students and staff.
Upham has been shuttered since students attended, but former Principal Jef Dees (now at Hunnewell) and a few teachers went over there for the photo opp.
The tradition was formalized after years of seniors showing up in a more casual way at their former elementary schools on graduation day.
Photos from several of the elementary schools courtesy of Wellesley Public Schools.
November has been such a balmy month that assembling the Fiske Elementary School community outdoors on Monday to celebrate their recent national award seemed like a no-brainer. Until the weather decided to turn seasonable, and a drizzle—the only precipitation in at least a month—moved the festivities inside. No matter. Custodians relocated chairs and sound equipment in record time, families made their way across the parking lot, depositing umbrellas outside the door, and the show went on in the gym.
The Fiske community has been on Cloud 9 since earlier this fall, when the school was named a National Blue Ribbon Schools award winner by the U.S. Department of Education as a top performer among public and private institutions.
“Last week Ms. Stoetzel and I had the honor of traveling all the way to Washington, DC to accept this prestigious award on your behalf,” Principal Rachel McGregor told the assembled crowd of about 300 including students, family members, Select Board member Colette Aufranc, School Committee Chair Linda Chow and Co-Chair Nikki Offenlach, Superintendent David Lussier, and a representative from State Rep. Alice Peisch’s office.
The Fiske band played patriotic songs for the crowd, the Fiske Falcon mascot swooped around, pumping up the excitement, and the coveted Blue Ribbon flag was displayed for all to see. By now, it’s surely settled into its new home up the flagpole outside Fiske’s front entrance. As they say on Hastings St., winning the award was Fiske-tastic.
Fiske was one of 356 schools nationwide to be recognized and one of nine Massachusetts schools to earn the Exemplary High Performing School award (see criteria).
Hardy Elementary School, in 2021, was the last Wellesley school to score the Blue Ribbon honor. Sprague earned the recognition in 2010.
Wellesley’s Fiske Elementary School on Monday was named a National Blue Ribbon Schools award winner by the U.S. Department of Education as a top performer among public and private institutions.
Fiske was one of 356 schools nationwide to be recognized and one of nine Massachusetts schools to earn the Exemplary High Performing School award (see criteria).
Here’s a look at Fiske’s application, in which the administration boasts the “cultural diversity of our student population is one of our many strengths.” Academic growth has been the result in large part of a multi-tiered system that “aligns with Fiske’s core belief that all students are capable of grade-level learning,” according to the application.
Fiske is led by Principal Rachel McGregor, who was appointed to that position in 2016.
The school community will now have something extra to celebrate at its Western Round-Up fun fair on Saturday.
Hardy Elementary School, in 2021, was the last Wellesley school to score the Blue Ribbon honor. Sprague earned the recognition in 2010.
The annual Fiske School Western Round-Up, a family fair held at Fiske Elementary School (45 Hastings St.), is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 28 from 11am-3pm.
The event, featuring games, arts and crafts, music, food, rides and more, is open to the public.
The Linden Square Sidewalk Sale is back Sept. 7 – 10. If you love browsing the sale racks and finding a great deal, then this is the event for you. From kids clothes and toys to women’s fashion, you’ll be sure to snag a great bargain. Deals up to 70% off.
Wonderful Wellesley brings you another free Crafts for Kids event in two locations on Saturday, Sept. 9, 11am–1pm.
Don’t miss FREE fun for kids ages 3-12. Activities vary by the two locations:
Linden Square Courtyard
Wellesley Square, Central Street by iCode
While supplies last. First come, first served.
Thanks to Clever Hand Gallery and Wellesley Free Library for bringing their creativity and talents.
Please support the Wellesley High School Girls and Boys Cross Country Team annual car wash on Sunday, September 10. The team has nearly 125 athletes, and this is its biggest fundraiser.
DATE: Sunday September 10
TIME: 11am – 3pm
LOCATION: 148 Linden Street (across from Linden Store)
All proceeds benefit the WHS Girls and Boys track and field teams.
Shoppers Corner, Wellesley’s go-to spot that sells new and gently used clothing and accessories from infant through adult, will open on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 8:30am-12:15pm. Popular brands, reasonable prices, and eco-friendly. Shoppers Corner is entirely parent-volunteer run. All proceeds benefit the Schofield PTO. Located in the lower level of the school, entry to the rear of the playground.
SHOPPERS CORNER DAYS: most Wednesdays, 8:30am-12:15pm; first Saturday of the month, 9am-11am, throughout the school year
Wellesley’s first monthly Walk-to-School day is Wednesday, Sept. 20. All school-aged families are encouraged to take part by walking, biking or scootering to school.
The day is focused on safe, active travel to schools. Join with other families in your neighborhood and walk or scooter together. Set up walking school buses or form a bike train and ride to school. Please remember to practice correct bike safety and always wear a helmet when biking.
The Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association is getting ready for two big days of Parents Day Out, a time when everyone can enjoy specials offered by participating merchants in the Square. On Friday, Sept. 22 and Saturday, Sept. 23, many of the area’s stores will offer discounts and deals, so make sure you stop by and shop, dine, and enjoy Wellesley Square.
Swagger over the Fiske Elementary School on Sept. 30 for the Goldrush Raffle, Cowboy Strut, Cookie Corral, rides, crafts, food, and more. (Tickets for activities and food are cash only.) All are welcome at the annual Western Round-Up—the Fiske community is all about hospitality and making sure that everyone has a good time. The Round-up is rain or shine, and is a family-event. No dropping off kids, please.
EVENT: Fiske Elementary School Western Round-Up
DATE: Saturday, Sept. 30
TIME: 11am-3pm
Wellesley Historical Society is kicking off the fall with its 5th Annual Craft Beer Oktoberfest on Thursday, Oct. 5, 6pm-9pm, on the Sunset Terrace at the Wellesley Country Club.
The event is a chance to connect with friends new and old while sampling local craft beers accompanied by pretzels, sliders, pizza, and more!
Tickets: $55 per person, includes 6 sample pours and food.
During a walk near Fiske Elementary School, I peered into the Town Forest at the the Madison Road entry point, and decided a brief forest bathe would be just the thing. As I passed a darling cottage at woods edge, three young robins, feeling sociable, swooped in, alit on a nearby tree, and set to chirping . Up ahead, a male deer sporting single-point antlers interrupted some important grazing to survey the newcomer. At this point, feeling very Snow White, I looked about for more forest friends, and found them immediately. Mosquitoes. Lots of them, and they didn’t want to do helpful things like cook and clean. They were out for blood.
Walk the Town Forest paths in late August, if you dare. Just remember the bug repellent. You’ll need it.
Wellesley last weekend was taken over by families in search of bouncy houses and other rides, craft tables, face painting stations, and more. Their quest for fun took them from Fiske Elementary School‘s annual Western Round-Up, to the Wellesley Mothers Forum’s Fall Carnival in Wellesley Square. Here are a few pics:
We don’t care how much rebranding the PTO engages in. The Fiske Western Round-Up (the fundraiser’s official name as of this year), also known under the alias “Wild West Round-Up,” is still a wild time. At the fair with a western flair, attendees swaggered about wearing cowboy hats while they enjoyed rides, games, and lunch at the Chuckwagon. The strains of country music could be heard as kids played the annual cowboy strut game for treasure jar prizes.
The Wellesley Mothers Forum set up bouncy houses and games, and scooped ice cream for a couple hours of family fun at the Wellesley Town Green, all for free as their gift to the community.
Here’s what the Wellesley Town Green looked like before the Mother’s Forum took over for the day. Peaceful. Calm. Serene.
Who needs peaceful, calm, serene when it’s the weekend, baby? Here’s what happens when Mothers Forum members bring to life their vision of what could be on a nice stretch of lawn in the shadow of Town Hall.
The Wellesley Mothers Forum provides mothers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with an opportunity to gather once a month to enjoy interesting speakers, share parenting information, and form new friendships. Membership information here.
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