More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, 1:30pm
WHERE: Tolles Parson Center, 500 Washington St. Wellesley
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Here they come! The annual #Wellesley Middle School mini-marathon is underway! pic.twitter.com/ULgNuRGuRu
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MORE: It’s not every day you can run through Wellesley Square dragging a tire
A Wednesday morning fire at Hunnewell Elementary School at 28 Cameron St., in Wellesley closed the school for the day and will keep it closed until Monday, May 20.
The Hunnewell Fun Fair, slated for this Friday, is being postponed until Friday, May 31.
According to Wellesley Public Schools Superintendent David Lussier, the fire affected 2 classrooms and is not believed by the Fire Department to be suspicious. The Fire Department believes the fire was electrical in nature.
Lussier wrote: “Before we can safely re-open the building, several important things need to happen. We are conducting tests of surfaces and air quality throughout the entire school to ensure that no potentially hazardous materials became airborne outside of the affected classrooms. We are also assessing all electrical, fire detection, and other building systems to ensure that nothing was compromised and that all of our systems are fully operational.
As each of these comprehensive steps will take time and after consulting with the many on-site experts at the scene, Hunnewell will remain closed until Monday, May 20th. If for any reason that date moves as a result of the testing and clean-up, we will communicate further details to the Hunnewell community.”
The community is asked to steer clear of the area, including the playground, while the investigation and cleanup continue.
Looking to extend its programs to more people with disabilities or special needs, the Wellesley Recreation Department recently met with a group of parents to learn about what activities they’d like to see offered for their family members and others.
Two of those parents, Diana Turk and Leda Eizenberg, reached out to us to help spread the word.
“The town sorely needs more adaptive and inclusive activities,” Turk says. Families have suggested all sorts of new activities, plus resources such as playground equipment for older kids, she says.
“I’m particularly interested in involving disabled adults in the program design process,” Eizenberg says.
A barbecue at Morses Pond this summer is in the works for kids and adults with disabilities or special needs, and their families, to begin fostering more of a community.
From there, discussions will take place about possible programs, including Special Olympics activities and open gym time, to be offered beginning in the fall.
Rec also wants to get input on current offerings. Programs such as TOPS basketball and soccer for K-8 kids, as well as the unified track and field program at Wellesley High, are already available.
Wellesley Recreation Deputy Director Brandon Fitts, a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) and founder of Brookline Rec’s Recreation Therapy Division before he came to Wellesley, says “working with individuals who have disabilities has always been a passion of mine.” He’s made previous attempts in Wellesley to get adaptive programming such as sled hockey and sports nights off the ground, but most offerings have fizzled out. He wound up reaching out to other recreation departments in the area to establish the Metrowest Adaptive Sports Collaborative to provide regional programs.
Fitts says he recently ran into a friend who teaches at Wellesley High School in the Special Education Department and this rekindled the conversation about adaptive programming in Wellesley. “At the same time, a parent got in touch with me about adaptive programming. The stars seem to be aligning to offer some adaptive programming here in Wellesley and I’m optimistic it’s going to get off the ground this time with these rockstar parents behind everything,” Fitts says.
Special Olympics Soccer registration is open now at www.wellesleyrec.org. “If we can get enough people to sign up for FREE, were going to start up in the Fall,” says Fitts, who adds that anyone with a disability who wants to participate in any Rec Department program should reach out.
Please contact the Fitts at [email protected] for more information, including access to an email distribution list.
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The Rotary Club of Wellesley‘s Addiction Task Force will present a series of Addiction Prevention seminars to fight opioid abuse in the community. The first seminar will take place on Wednesday, May 22, at the Wellesley Country Club, 5:45pm – 9pm. Register here.
Become a part of the club’s comprehensive approach to educating, advocating and providing information about access to services. Help the Rotary Club create opportunities for continued involvement as a unified voice to prevent opioid addiction in our community.
Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with a panel of experts representing healthcare, law enforcement, faith leaders, education, judiciary, and many other segments of our community. Expect to participate in small discussion groups to express your experiences and views on opioid addiction prevention. Help the Rotary Club develop opportunities for continued participation in the club’s commitment to combating addiction.