Wellesley Middle School to present High School Musical, Jr.
Wellesley Middle School wrestlers advance to tournaments
The Wellesley Middle School Wrestlers (a.k.a., Junior Monks) finished up their post-season over the weekend, and their performances bode well for high school teams if they choose to participate at the next level.
8th grader Frank Mendes reached the quarterfinals in his weight class competing among nationally-ranked wrestlers at the Youth New England Wrestling Championships at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. Mendes had come in 3rd in the state tournament last month to qualify for the regionals in New Hampshire.
Other top performers include Jay Butler, an 8th grader who competed in the recent Big East tournament in Boston and came in 2nd in his weight class. Jonah Ginsberg, a 7th grader, placed 4th in the sectional tournament last month and advanced to the state tournament against mostly 8th graders.
All of the boys began wrestling in 6th grade.
MORE: Please join the Wellesley Sports Discussion Facebook Group
Wellesley Middle School’s Mandarin students celebrate the Year of the Pig
Roughly 85 students are learning Mandarin starting in 7th grade at Wellesley Middle School, and one of their big rewards is celebrating the Chinese New Year at school. The students, Mandarin teacher Ms. Min Zhau and parents recognized the Year of the Pig earlier this month.
Revelers consumed more than 750 dumplings and took part in games and activities designed by the WMS Mandarin students. This included calligraphy, a chopstick race, and a performance by the Boston Chinese Lion Club.
Funds raised from the event will go to a youth group in Chinatown.
Wellesley Middle School French teacher recognized
Wellesley Middle School French teacher Rebecca Blouwolff has been recognized as Foreign Language Teacher of the Year by the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.
One of her students said that “what made her class so unique was that she not only taught us to love and care about French, but to love and care about people.”
The award highlights Blouwolff’s strengths as a world language professional who achieves continuous learning via National Board Certification and who broadens her skills through workshops and creative teaching styles.
Blouwolff will now represent the organization at a National Language Teacher of the Year competition.
Wellesley Town Warrant revealed: Middle School, ride-sharing, outdoor lighting & more
I think we might need to crowdsource a reading of the Wellesley Town Warrant to get a full appreciation of its 42 articles set for discussion at Wellesley’s rendition of March Madness — Annual Town Meeting — set to begin March 25. But I’ve taken a quick read through with my non-lawyerly, non-consultancy, non-building contractor eyes, and here are some of the highlights and surprises (see the whole document below):
As always, debate will center around how much the town will spend and on what. The big bucks (millions to tens of millions) go toward operating the Public Works, Municipal Light Plant and other Wellesley staples. Smaller bucks ($50K) are the subject of Article 12 to go towards balers, compactors or other Recycling & Disposal equipment. Article 18 seeks to secure funds to refurbish the main branch of Wellesley Free Library, and the sometimes forgotten Wellesley Middle School and its aging plant are the topic of Articles 19 and 20. The Sprague turf fields and buying a new fire truck are also on the docket.
Among the more unusual items on the agenda will be appropriation of funds from the Commonwealth Transportation Infrastructure Fund to explore the impact of Uber, Lyft, etc. (i.e., “network transportation services”) on the town’s roads, bridges and so forth. With the MBTA continuing to jack up fares, it’s possible ride-sharing services will become even more popular among residents.
Also of interest: Electronic voting at Town Meeting and a push to rename Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day.
The most exhaustive articles, 31 and 32, respectively, tackle off-street parking and outdoor lighting. Tables and diagrams galore. Know your Foot-Candle from your Sky Glow.
I’m sure we’re overlooking a few gems that will spark robust conversation. Feel free to share your insights in the comments section.
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