Wellesley Rotary Club to host youth development expert, March 3

February 27, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Rotary Club of Wellesley will host Joe Roberts of Terriers Sports and Community Investors to discuss current challenges and opportunities in youth development, Tuesday, March 3rd, at The Wellesley College Club.

Roberts will share his perspective on the challenges faced by today’s youth including how the use of electronics and social media have resulted in decreased physical activity. Equally disturbing trends in youth sports prioritizing achievement, competition, and travel at the expense of play and community-based recreation have resulted in decreased teen participation and dramatic increases in teen obesity, anxiety, and depression.

Become a fixer at the Rotary Club’s Repair Cafe

Save the date for Rotary Club’s Taste of Wellesley: May 14, 2020 at The Gardens at Elm Bank

[Read more…]

Wellesley summer camp listings 2020 — find the experience of a lifetime

February 25, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

LINX Camps, Wellesley

The Swellesley Report’s Summer Camps page is now updated with over 75 camps in Wellesley and beyond. It’s time to sign your child up for the summer camp experience of a lifetime. Whether they’re into coding, arts and crafts, sports, drama, or nature, the perfect camp is out there for them.

Swellesley’s camps page is sponsored by LINX Camps. Over 40 Premier Camps. Perfect for your family.

Contact Deborah for more info on inclusion of your camp located in Wellesley or elsewhere, or for advertising on Swellesley. Camp parents and guardians: Please let camps know that you found them here, if you did…thanks.

Bottle flipping trend still alive & well in Wellesley

January 31, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

bottle flipping teens

More than 75 Wellesley public and private middle school students participated in the 4th Annual Wellesley Teen Center Bottle Flip Challenge as part of the center’s recent Neon Night Event.

Bottle flipping, a trend that emerged a few years back, involves tossing a bottle partially filled with liquid into the air and trying to make it land on its base or cap.

Contest winners received gift cards and T-shirts, and even those who didn’t partake in bottle flipping took part in other activities, including dancing, games and karaoke.

Wellesley Teen Center events are sponsored by Wellesley Recreation, directed by Community Investors, and led by The Wellesley High School Key Club.

LINX classes spotlight: Martial Arts combines high-energy with mindfulness

January 10, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: Children are more stressed and technology-reliant than ever before, while also experiencing less recess and gym time. Martial Arts, largely misunderstood as a fighting sport, is being rediscovered as an active form of mindfulness that increases mental health and physical activity.

Wellesley LINX, martial arts — Three students practice a traditional staff kata.

LINX Martial Arts capitalizes on the energy of students and their eagerness to punch, kick, and block to teach them to see, feel, and listen both internally and externally. Classes use high-energy movements, active stretching, and meditation to help children develop mindfulness, get a better feel for their body in space, and develop motor skills that our modern world leaves under developed. Students learn self discipline, goal setting, and attention that can be applied to everyday situations. For children age 3 – 5 years who naturally express emotion and release pent-up energy with punches and kicks, LINX Martial Arts teaches them to move thoughtfully and builds their mental and physical resilience. Older students benefit from the LINX Martial Arts curriculum that includes learning about strategies and ethics.

Todd Livingstone, a.k.a. Mr. T, is the sensei at LINX Martial Arts. He teaches with the mindset that, “It is more successful to outwit life’s problems rather than out-fight life’s problems.” His black belts in Kempo Karate and Jiu-Jitsu inspire students to work hard and set goals.

LINX invites all children ages 3 years – 12th grade to try something new in the new year by taking a free class (or classes) during our January 13th-18th Open House Week. Learn more

Dedham Country Day School, upcoming admissions events

January 9, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: At Dedham Country Day School (DCD) for children ages PreK – grade 8, we believe that balance matters—in learning and life. We combine academic challenge with support; pedagogical tradition with innovation. Strong scholastics along with outstanding arts and athletics create a program that is balanced and whole. Here, a premium is placed on both academic and emotional intelligence.

Learn more at two upcoming DCD events:

January 9, 2020: Get a better idea of what DCD is all about at an off-campus coffee in Milton, where you will have a chance to chat with DCD parents and staff in a relaxed setting. RSVP to Deb White to receive address information and details.

January 24, 2020: Classroom Observation Day, 8:30am – 10:30am at our campus located at 90 Sandy Valley Rd, Dedham, MA. Prospective parents, please register here for this event. Visit our website to learn more about our program or contact us at [email protected] to schedule your personal tour.

Dedham Country Day School

Visit the DCD campus:

Visit us, and you’ll get a sense of how our students learn to think creatively and critically. You’ll see kids 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.

At DCD, students learn who they are as diverse individuals and how to be part of something bigger. Acceptance is a given, and children find encouragement in every connection they make. It’s a community that nurtures, nudges, and gives. That’s how we grow “whole” children — and, ultimately, adults who will thrive with the intellectual and emotional capacity to contribute to their world and enjoy meaningful lives.

Dedham Country Day School

Our 17-acre campus is just minutes from Route 128 in Dedham. Please visit our website for admissions event details or email [email protected]

Happy 15th birthday to us: The Year in Swellesley

January 2, 2020 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Nothing ever happens in Wellesley. Except it does.

We’ve enjoyed another full year of sharing your stories, breaking news and watching it go viral, and weaving in our personal adventures.

With the Swellesley Jrs. aging out of the Wellesley Public School system, Mrs. Swellesley turned her attention to The Swellesley Report as her full-time job. Our goal for 2020, our 16th year publishing, is to have Mr. Swellesley do the same.

Thank you to everyone who sent news tips and financial contributions to Swellesley in what has by far been our top year for readership and reader support. And huge thanks to all of our advertisers, who help to make Swellesley possible from a financial standpoint.

Swellesley highlights this year included:

The silly but sensational tale of people swiping the Old Town Road signs in Wellesley, and the town deciding to stop replacing them until singer Lil Nas X fever dies down. Yes, this went viral, with everyone from CNN to the New York Times picking it up from here.
Old Town Road sign (Google Maps)
Answering your questions about stinky streets, harder-to-use mailboxes, EEE mosquito spraying, measles, an abandoned $6.5M home, political signs, and Truly Yogurt’s change in ownership.
The opening of the Boston Sports Institute, which generated one of the year’s feel-good stories–the introduction of sled hockey to town. Plus lots of new or refurbished sports fields in town, big upgrades on the way for the softball fields, and a brand new boardwalk with a vernal pool view.

Wellesley boardwalk — Wellesley Ecocampers make use of the vernal pool overlook.

The ongoing school building plans, town hall renovations, possible Wellesley Square re-imagining, possible changes at Morses Pond, and all those housing developments. Plus the comings and goings of Wellesley town officials, including Wellesley Public Schools’ hiring of its first diversity director. Not to mention, Wellesley now has a Unified Plan.
The Wellesley Veterans’ Parade, fireworks and other Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend activities.
Celebrating residents’ accomplishments in academics, the arts, business and sports. We tracked police and firefighter activity (including a fire at Hunnewell Elementary School). We helped to get the word out about community events and charitable endeavors. We mourned the loss of residents we loved or knew of and respected.
The ins and outs for local businesses, with White’s Bakery, Loyal Companion and The Shade Store among newcomers, and Upper Crust, Village Market and Florijn among those leaving.
More automation coming to town, including at Roche Bros. in the form of self-checkout lanes, and at Wellesley Free Library in the form of an automated book handling system. Town Meeting members even voted electronically the last time around. Based on what we saw at the excellent, every-other-year STEM Expo, more automation is on the way.
Entertainment news, from a Wellesley resident being chosen to appear on “The Bachelor “TV show and to the release of “Knives Out,” a movie shot in part in Wellesley in 2108. And watch out Elton John.

lynne smith elton john — Lynne Smith: Wellesley’s Rocket Woman

Babson College scoring a $50M donation, and moving its giant renovated globe to a new park as part of the school’s centennial celebration. Anita Hill spoke at Wellesley College.
Bowing down to 2019 WHS seniors for pulling off a brilliant year-end prank designed to grab attention but not land anyone in jail or off a college’s acceptance list.

wellesley high senior tailgate — WHS surprise tailgate

We enjoyed the general weirdness and wonderfulness around here, from a reed pump organ being left at the Wellesley dump to the Thanksgiving Day football game skirmish that grabbed more attention than the Raiders’ strong season to a unique buck carving from a diseased tree on a residential lot.

organ wellesley — Estey organ left at Wellesley RDF (photo courtesy of Hilary Prus)

Wood carving, Overbrook Dr., Wellesley

On a more personal note:

Mr. and Mrs. Swellesley followed their true calling as supermodels for a Wellesley Free Library photo exhibit.

Wellesley Wednesdays, Beth Shedd — The Swellesleys made the cut for Beth Shedd’s Wellesley Wednesdays by Beth Shedd

Mr. Swellesley and one of the Swellesley Jrs. educated and entertained throngs of students with their yo-yo spectacular at Wellesley High Seminar Day.
Things got tense after Mr. Swellesley mistakenly brought library books to the dump.
Mrs. Swellesley spoke or held court at locations including the Council on Aging.
We were fortunate to have intern Lara Smith contributing throughout the summer.
Mr. Swellesley showed his artistic side with an exclusive Pollen Art Exhibit.
Mr. and Mrs. Swellesley melded minds with fellow independent online news publishers at a conference in Nashville, where the Grand Ole Opry gave us a shout-out.
Mr. Swellesley survived a flying shovel.
Mrs. Swellesley listened to her inner Marie Kondo, and our kitchen will never be the same (for a few months).
Beyond Wellesley, we took you to Boston Calling, the Woods Hole Film Festival, and more.

We finished the year by ringing the Salvation Army bells in Linden Square to help raise funds for local initiatives. We saw dozens of people we knew during our shift, and thanked many we didn’t know, but they all reminded us of the magical stuff we have here.

elsa in wellesley square

St. Paul Church in Wellesley to lease space to The Goddard School

December 16, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

It’s been four years since St. Paul School at 502 Washington Street in Wellesley closed its doors after 60 years of providing a Catholic school experience for students in PreK through grade 8. Now the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boston, which serves Norfolk county, has entered into an agreement to lease the St. Paul’s space to The Goddard School.

At all five masses between St. Paul and St. John’s churches, Father Jim Laughlin on Sunday, Dec. 15 shared with parishioners the news that St. Paul received a signed lease for the rental of the St. Paul School building from The Goddard School. In a phone call with Father Laughlin he said, “This lease is for fifteen years, with two five-year optional renewals. The agreement will bring life to the school and will be a significant source of income to the parishes to help us fund our missions and outreach.”

Father Laughlin said the news was met with applause at each mass.

The two Parishes in 2013 entered into a collaborative relationship which allows them to maintain their individual Parish identity while sharing resources, including pastors.

The Goddard School organization is planning extensive renovations to the building, including an elevator and a new HVAC system that features central air. They are expected to put up to $3.5 million in renovations to the school building. St. Paul’s Parish will still own the building.

St. Paul School wellesley

Pending Goddard’s financing for the project and permits from the Town of Wellesley, the church will likely begin receiving rent revenue from The Goddard School in early 2021.

Goddard Schools are independently owned franchises and educate children six weeks to six years of age. There are three additional Goddard Schools in the area — in Medfield, Wayland, and Weston. All three of those schools are staying put.

The St. Paul space had been among the considerations for swing space for the Wellesley Public School system during its Hardy-Hunnewell-Upham elementary school planning.

(Thanks to Swellesley reader LR for the tip.)

A little bit of Wellesley’s St. James the Great church lives on at sports complex

St. Andrew’s Church celebrates 125 years of worship and outreach

Wellesley’s own Elizabeth Suneby to read from her new picture book, “No Room For a Pup!”

December 14, 2019 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Elizabeth Suneby, Wellesley — EJ the pup.

When Mia’s mom says there’s no room for a pup in their apartment, she really, really means it. Mia doesn’t understand. It’s not like she’s asking for an elephant. When mom gets multiple-teamed by Mia, the neighbors, her book-club ladies, and even her own mother it seems resistance may be futile.

Author and Wellesley resident Elizabeth Suneby dedicated her new book, No Room for a Pup!, to her own precious pup EJ, who sadly passed away on Oct. 30 at 15 3/4 years old.

Suneby will read her book at Wellesley Free Library’s Children’s Room on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 10am.

Liz Suneby, Wellesley

Shoot and score — Wellesley Youth Basketball registration is open

December 12, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Youth Basketball Association (WYBA) registration is open for grades 2 – 12. WYBA program offerings have something for everyone, whether your child is new to basketball or has prior experience and training. WYBA early grade programming focuses on developing the fundamental skills of dribbling, ball-handling, shooting, and passing. For late elementary school and middle school athletes, there are opportunities for team and game experience through Wellesley Hoops, which is an in-town league that continues to prioritize player development.

Starting in 5^th grade for those who seek a more competitive experience playing against towns across the region, the Metrowest league offers a highly selective program (team placement based upon try-outs). Registration is now open. Sign up today.