Wellesley schools news: School Committee agenda; jazz band gold; youth service award deadline; coronavirus (COVID-19) resources

March 10, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our regular round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., school news.

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POSTPONED: Wellesley Creates coding event

This year’s Wellesley Creates event (formally known as the CreateAthon) will be held on March 28 from 9:30 am to 4 pm at Wellesley High School. This is a coding event for middle and high school students living or going to school in Wellesley, though no programming experience is required to participate.

The event, which is free, is held with support from the Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF).

In the morning, participants will watch short videos in which members of the Wellesley community (such as local business owners) describe problems which an app could solve. Next, participants will attend four different workshops taught by professionals from Quickbase, a Cambridge-based coding platform, along with Wellesley High School students. These hands-on workshops introduce participants to essential concepts behind programming, such as ideation and coding through the use of MIT App Inventor.

After lunch, students will break into pre-set teams of four and work with a mentor to code their app and create a poster that outlines the app. Teams will then present their ideas to judges and compete for prizes. Last year some of the apps created were a door security app for WMS and a stress-free alternative to PowerSchool.

(Information provided by Sarah Tong and Christina Wu, marketing chairs)

Last School Committee meeting before Town Election: March 10

School Committee Meeting

Tuesday, March 10, 6:30pm, JulianiRoom, TownHall, 525WashingtonStreet

6:30 PM – Call to Order

6:31 PM – Public Comment

6:35 PM – Recognitions

6:40 PM – Reports

●School Committee

●Superintendent

●Student Advisory

7:00 PM – Consent Agenda

● Approval of Minutes: 2/6 and 2/11 Open Sessions, 2/25 Open & Executive Sessions

● Gifts Acceptance

7:05 PM – Action/Discussion Items 7:05 pm Kiwanis Gift

7:10 pm 2018-19 Nursing Activities Report

7:30 pm SWAC Update

7:50 pm Mid-Year Goals Reports

●District

●Superintendent

8:05 pm Sustainable Building Guidelines

8:20 pm Update on Student Opportunity Act Planning

8:40 pm ES Minutes: Review for Release

8:45 pm HHU Discussion

9:15 PM – Public Comment

9:20 PM – Adjourn

Gold medal for Wellesley High 2:00 Jazz Band

From WHS Band Director Steve Scott:

I’m thrilled to announce that the WHS 2:00 Jazz Band earned a Gold Medal at Tuesday’s Massachusetts Association for Jazz Educators (MAJE) Festival at Reading Memorial High School. Russell Hornung (trumpet), Alex Feinberg (drums) and Connor McDonald (trombone) were chosen by our judges for Outstanding Musicianship Awards. They performed selections by Miles Davis, Benny Carter and Cole Porter. At the festival, the band got a fantastic clinic with Nathan Jorgensen, jazz and saxophone professor at UNH. The 2:00 Jazz Band will once again advance to the MAJE State Finals at Oliver Ames HS in Easton on March 21. I could not be more proud of these outstanding students.

Centennial Youth Service Award application deadline is March 31

The Wellesley Service League’s annual Centennial Youth Service Award application deadline is March 31st. An eligible applicant should be a Wellesley resident or a student at Wellesley High School, completing their senior year in high school, who has demonstrated unusual dedication and selflessness in a volunteer capacity. How to apply for the Wellesley Centennial Youth Service Award.

Wellesley coronavirus (COVID-19) central

coronavirus image Links to official Town of Wellesley coronavirus resources, plus Massachusetts Department of Public Health, CDC, Babson, Wellesley College, plus our past related posts. Wellesley coronavirus (COVID-19) updates.

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Wellesley coronavirus update: Schools clean, set to re-open Monday

March 7, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Town of Wellesley issued the following update on Saturday night regarding the cleaning of Upham Elementary School and Wellesley Middle School, which closed early on Friday in light of news that a parent of children at those schools tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19):

Wellesley’s Facilities Management Department (FMD) has completed the cleaning and sanitizing of Upham Elementary and Wellesley Middle School.

Both schools were dismissed early on Friday, March 6 as a precautionary measure when a parent of two students received a presumed positive test for Coronavirus (COVID-19).

FMD custodial staff began cleaning and disinfecting both buildings once students and staff had left and completed the work late Saturday afternoon, March 7. Ten custodians worked across both schools, covering more than 270,000 square feet of space.

Cleaning and sanitizing is done using specialized Protexus electrostatic disinfectant dispensers and tablets which are recommended for this type of deep cleaning.

Currently, both schools, along with all other Wellesley Public Schools and Town buildings, are scheduled to be open on Monday, March 9.

While some non-School and non-Town sponsored events planned for this weekend have been cancelled, at this point all school and Town events will continue. We will update the community immediately if this changes.

To address continued community concerns, the Health Department website has detailed Coronavirus Information and resources, along with a list of Community Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) prepared with assistance from Newton-Wellesley Hospital.

Health Department, Town and School officials remain in close communication throughout this weekend with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Another Town of Wellesley update will be posted on Sunday evening, March 8, prior to the start of the work week.

More: Wellesley coronavirus (COVID-19) updates

Wellesley coronavirus alert: Upham, Middle School students sent home early

March 6, 2020 by admin 8 Comments

The new coronavirus (COVID-19) has now made its impact in Wellesley.

Upham Elementary School and Wellesley Middle School students are being sent home before noon on Friday after a parent of Upham & WMS children has tested positive for COVID-19.

Wellesley Middle School Wellesley Public School parents on Friday morning received robocalls about the situation from Wellesley Public Schools Supt. David Lussier, who also issued this memo:

“Dear WPS Families and Staff,

“We learned a short while ago that a Wellesley resident has tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus.) This individual is a parent of children who attend the Upham Elementary School and Wellesley Middle School. It’s important to know that these children are showing no symptoms and are healthy. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the proactive decision to release students early at Upham and WMS in order to fully clean and sanitize both buildings. All other WPS Schools will complete their day on a regular schedule.”

We will continue to work closely with the Wellesley Health Department and other Town officials in providing additional updates.

Wellesley schools are actually renowned for being green and clean.

More ramifications of Wellesley’s coronavirus situation will involve rescheduling and cancellation of events in town. For example, a girls’ youth basketball game planned for Friday night at WMS was initially relocated to Sprague Elementary School, but later that game was called off for tonight.

Separately, Wellesley United Soccer Club in light of the coronavirus situation in town has suspended its remaining winter programming, affecting all sessions scheduled between March 6-20. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. But our hope is that this action will ensure that WUSC families are not subject to COVID-19 exposure at WUSC events and our community is 100% healthy for the upcoming spring season that begins in early April,” a WUSC memo read.

Wellesley Public Schools also announced late Friday afternoon that “In accordance with guidance from the state, we have cancelled all international trips scheduled for Spring and Summer 2020. Families with children who were participating on these trips are working with their trip’s teacher to manage reimbursements and vouchers.”

Wellesley Health Department coronavirus update

The Wellesley case is one of 2 presumed positive cases in Norfolk County that are linked to a recent Biogen event held in Boston at the Marriott Long Wharf. “This individual was identified by the company as having close contact with a person who became ill after the meeting,” according to the Wellesley Health Department.

“The Wellesley Health Department remains in regular contact with [the Massachusetts Department of Public Health] and is following the guidance of [the Massachusetts Department of Public Health] and the [Centers for Disease Control]. We are working with State officials to trace anyone who may have had contact with this presumptive case.”

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health said as of mid-day March 6 that the state has 1 confirmed case of COVID-19 and 7 presumed positive cases. State and Boston officials held a press conference on the latest coronavirus news on Friday afternoon.

More coronavirus communications

Wellesley businesses and organizations have also begun reaching out to patrons. One church assured parishioners that it will “attempt to provide individualized pastoral care to all folks in self-quarantine. If you need help (groceries, coffee, etc) while in self-quarantine please contact the church office. ” A fitness club reached out to customers, letting them know that they are adhering to government recommendations, continuing their deep cleaning and advising staff on “Avoiding kissing, hugging and the sharing of cups and water bottles.”

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More: Wellesley coronavirus updates

Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 resources

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

February 25, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

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

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 [email protected] 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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Wellesley Middle School musicians take the State House

December 6, 2019 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Wellesley Middle School concert band and orchestra performed Thursday at the Massachusetts State House. Among attendees: Secretary of State William Galvin and State Representative Alice Peisch. Also pictured are WMS Band Director Dave Adams and WMS Orchestra Conductor Sergey Khanukaev.

wms band

More: Wellesley schools roundup — early release day; the dangers of vaping discussion; author Rob Buyea at Bates; bundle the kids up for outdoor recess

Wellesley schools roundup — early release day; the dangers of vaping discussion; author Rob Buyea at Bates; bundle the kids up for outdoor recess

December 4, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Early release day — this one’s a trifecta

Every Wednesday is early release day for Wellesley elementary school students. On Wednesday, December 4, the middle school and high school also will turn the kids loose mid-day so that the WMS and WHS teachers may participate in a Professional Day.

The Dangers of Vaping panel discussion — Dec. 5th

Wellesley, vaping The Wellesley Middle School PTO will be sponsor a panel discussion on the Dangers of Vaping on Thursday, December 5th at 7pm in the Middle School Auditorium. The guest speaker is Dr. Lester Hartman, Medical Home Director, Westwood-Mansfield Pediatrics. Mark Ito, WMS Principal and Jaime Chisum, WHS Principal, as well as other WMS and WHS staff, will also be in attendance to discuss the issue. All are invited and welcome to attend what will be an informative discussion. For more information, please click here.

Bates author visit — Rob Buyea

Bates, Wellesley Bates Elementary School hosted author Rob Buyea, who read to students and talked about his writing process. Buyea is an best known for his Mr. Terupt series of novels. The E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner is a full-time author who lives with his wife, three daughters, and two dogs in North Andover Massachusetts.

Upcoming concerts:

The Winter Band and Orchestra Concert will take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 7pm – 8:30pm at Wellesley High School, Katharine L. Babson Jr. Auditorium at Wellesley High School, 50 Rice Street.

The Wellesley Middle School Jazz Band concert will be held on Wed., Dec. 11, 7pm – 8pm, at Wellesley Middle School, 50 Kingsbury St.

Cold-weather recess reminders from the elementary schools

The Wellesley elementary schools would like to remind parents that as a rule of thumb, there will be outdoor arrival and recess unless the temperature drops below 20°F. Please make sure your student comes to school with boots, hats, socks, mittens or gloves, and possibly snow pants as these items are necessary for outdoor play.

Wellesley High School Academic Decathlon team strives to repeat trip to Nationals

Thanksgiving Day football: Wellesley shuts out Needham, game ends in skirmish

Wellesley Connects seeks mentors for first-gen college-bound high schoolers

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

November 14, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley Middle School students and internet safety

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: [email protected]

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.

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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

More information here.

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 [email protected]

Dana Hall fall plays, Nov. 20 & 21

Dana Hall School The 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.

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