Presentation by Andreas Schleicher Tackling the School Absenteeism Crisis 30 ...
Superintendent's Bulletin 4-29-11
1. Wellesley Public Schools Superintendent’s
40 Kingsbury Street Bulletin
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481
www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/district/bulletins.
Bella T. Wong Bulletin #30
Superintendent of Schools April 29, 2011
The Superintendent’s Bulletin is posted weekly on Fridays on our website. It provides timely, relevant
information about meetings, professional development opportunities, curriculum and program development,
grant awards, and School Committee news. The bulletin is also the official vehicle for job postings. Please
read the bulletin regularly and use it to inform colleagues of meetings and other school news.
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Dear Colleagues,
I admit, I couldn't help but wait to catch a glimpse of the wedding happening in London before rushing into work this
morning. As I walk the halls in the middle school there are smiles and exclamations of, "Wasn't she beautiful!",
along with staff sporting elaborate hats in celebration. So I guess many of us have been caught up in the giddiness
of this event occurring abroad. April was a heavy month around the devastating aftermath of natural disasters,
tornados down South and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Celebration of a couple's vows of commitment to
one another is a hopeful event and evokes optimism for the future. All in all, it is not a bad way to start the day and
the weekend.
Enjoy the spring weather and rest up as we gear up for the busy, busy month of May -- end of year evaluations,
MCAS, celebrations, retirements, interviewing and hiring!
Calendar
Fri., 4/29 Deadline: C&I Proposal Submissions
Sun., 5/1 Household Hazardous Waste Day, Wellesley RDF
Mon., 5/2 Deadline: Job Share/Transfer Requests
Apply to Attend WPS in 2011-12 (non-resident children of WTA)
Tues., 5/10 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 pm Town Hall
Wed., 5/18 Teachers for Safe Schools, 3:30 pm, WMS Room 245
Tues., 5/24 School Committee Meeting, 7:30 pm Town Hall
Wed., 6/1 Deadline: Graduate Course Reimbursement
2. Graduate Course Reimbursement
Course reimbursement funding of $22,500 is available to distribute in FY12 among
qualified teachers for graduate course work which is done as part of a master’s
degree program to fulfill a teacher’s obligations for the Massachusetts Educators
Professional License and for course work required to achieve the next stage of
licensure culminating in a professional license. To apply for this course
reimbursement, please send, by June 1, 2011, your name, evidence of your
enrollment in an applicable master/doctoral degree program, name and description of the course, evidence of
course cost, proof of payment, and transcript to Valerie Spruill, Administrative Assistant to the Assistant
Superintendent, Valerie_Spruill@wellesley.k12.ma.us. You will be notified of the amount awarded to you by July
1, 2011.
LOOKING AHEAD . . . . . . . . .
Are you interested in a job share?
Would you like to be considered for a transfer in 2011-12 School Year?
Teachers with professional teacher status who would like to request a job share position or a transfer in the
2011-2012 school year must notify Salvatore Petralia in writing by May 2, 2011. Requests should be sent to:
Salvatore_Petralia@wellesley.k12.ma.us
Apply Now to Enroll Children of Non-Resident WTA Members
in Wellesley Schools. Children of teachers or nurses residing outside Wellesley
shall be entitled to attend Wellesley Public Schools without charge for tuition on a space
available basis. (Article 12, WTA Unit A Contract). If you are interested in this benefit in the 2011-12 school
year, please contact Valerie_Spruill@wellesley.k12.ma.us, include your child/ren’s name, birth date, and
current grade level. Application Deadline: May 2, 2011
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3. Teachers for Safe Schools
Teachers for Safe Schools will meet at the Middle School in Room 245, from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. on the following
Wednesdays: April 27, and May 18, 2011. The mission of Teachers for Safe Schools is to consciously create,
support and encourage a safe professional and emotional school climate that allows for staff of all sexual
orientations to be acknowledged and respected
Professional Development Opportunities
Professional Development opportunities for 2010- 2011 are posted at
http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com. Course descriptions and
registration instructions are included. This link can also be found on the WPS
website under 2010-2011 Professional Development Offerings.
WellesleyPD is coming! WellesleyPD is coming!
WellesleyPD is a web based, professional development management system. This application has
features that can be utilized by faculty and administration. It enables all aspects of a district's professional
development program to be found in one easily accessible, online location.
Using WellesleyPD, you will be able to:
• view the professional development resource information provided by the district (mission, vision, goals,
procedures, etc.),;
• view available courses;
• register for courses online for PDPs/inservice/college credit options;
• receive automated confirmation of enrollment;
• be placed on a waitlist if a course is full;
• find course/class locations and descriptions;
• verify training history;
• utilize online forms;
• print out your own PDP/inservice transcripts;
• evaluate courses; and
• create your own individualized professional development plan, and more.
Watch your email in the coming weeks for more details.
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5. A series of five seminar sessions is being offered to cover various topics regarding special education. Each
session covers a specific topic allowing participants to attend one or more sessions as desired. The intent of
each session is to provide background information to generate active discussions. Participants attending all five
sessions will be awarded 10 PDPs.
All sessions will be held at the Middle School in Room 251 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
To participate, go to this link and register online: http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com/
Session 4 – May 3, 2011: Bullying and Session 5 – May 10, 2011: Transition Planning
Students with Disabilities for Students with Disabilities Age 14+
The new Bullying Law in Massachusetts requires The requirements of IDEA specific to the issue of
each school district to provide training about transition planning for life after high school or age
bullying and its specific impact on students with 21 are vast. Transition has been the focus of many
disabilities. The law also requires that special special education court hearings and cases across
education students who are at-risk for bullying have the country and is considered the current “hot
their IEPS specifically address this concern. This topic”. This session will address the requirements
session will provide an overview of issues and of the law and review the components of effective
discuss how Wellesley can respond to the transition planning.
requirements of the law.
Requesting C & I Proposals
Proposals for C&I projects are currently being accepted. There are two funding sources available, one that
requires projects to be completed by June 30, 2011 and the other that will fund projects that take place
beginning July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
C&I compensation is granted for curriculum development projects or task force members to work on building-based
or system wide initiatives. Priority will be given to proposals designed to meet system goals.
Request proposal form from Janice_Gross@wellesley.k12.ma.us. Due date: April 29, 2011.
BABY NEWS!!
Congratulations to Katy & Tony Cavallo, on the birth of their fourth
child, a son William Edward Boyd Cavallo, born on April 23, 2011.
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6. You are invited to join the Wellesley Walkers for our spring walking program
beginning on May 2nd, 2011. Kick off meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, April 27,
2011 at 12:15pm and 3:30pm in the Selectman’s meeting room in the Wellesley Town
Hall. The program will run for six weeks and is free, fun and filled with benefits.
Program participants must be Town employees. Participants will receive a goodie bag at
the start of the program and will be eligible for random prize drawings throughout the
program.
Sponsored by the Wellesley Health Department and the Human Resources
Department, the walking program is geared for individuals from all walks of life. If you are
a serious walker, a casual walker or a walker “wanna be”, please consider joining the
Wellesley Walkers for our spring walking program.
Proven benefits of walking include the following:
Weight management by boosting Lowered stress levels
metabolism Improved sleep
Blood pressure control Improved mood and sense of well-being
Reduced heart attack risk Lengthened lifespan
Boost of “good” cholesterol Improved ability to focus, make decisions
Relief from arthritis and back pain and solve problems
If interested in participating but unable to come to either of the kick off meetings,
please let Bahiya Sauer know by Friday, April 29th, 2011 (bsauer@wellesleyma.gov
or (781) 431-1019, ext. 2248).
~Commit to be fit~
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7. Coaching Positions
Fall Season 2011
Head Coach – Varsity Field Hockey
Head Coach – Girls Volleyball
Winter Season 2011-12
Head Coach – WHS Dance Team
Contact Athletic Director: John_Brown@wellesley.k12.ma.us
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