1. Wellesley Public Schools Superintendent’s
40 Kingsbury Street Bulletin
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481
www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/district/bulletins.
Bella T. Wong Bulletin #24
Superintendent of Schools March 11, 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.
,
Dear Colleagues,
Stunned by the news of the earthquake in Japan this morning, I knew this would be a strange day for
us as I am sure more stories of the inevitable devastation will come to our attention as the day
evolves. I was living in San Francisco during the earthquake of 1989 that measured only 6.9. I lost a
single platter that shattered during the brief tremor. My home was built over rock. Just three blocks
away an entire neighborhood built on filled in ground, like Boston's Back Bay, had the ground "liquefy"
as waves rolled through as if it were water and all the homes were reduced to rubble, and then there
were the people who happened to be on the lower level of the Bay Bridge when the levels collapsed.
It is a day that reminds us not to sweat the small stuff and not to wait until tomorrow to appreciate the
good things in front of us.
This weekend I will be thinking of the people of Japan, my family, my friends, and all of you,
Calendar
Sunday, 3/13 Spring Forward! Daylight Savings Time Begins
Wednesday, 3/16 Teachers for Safe Schools Mtg – WMS 3:30 pm
Monday, 3/21 First Day of Practice – Spring Athletics
Tuesday, 3/22 School Committee Meeting, Town Hall, 7:30 pm
Friday, 3/25 Proposals Due – Teaching a Course
Monday, 3/28 Annual Town Meeting Begins
Graduate Course Reimbursement
2. 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 reimbrusement, 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 . . . . . . . . .
Share your Expertise with your Colleagues
Teach a course this summer or in 2011-12
Do you have expertise in the area of Classroom Management, Differentiated Instruction,
Looking at Student Work, or a specific content area? Consider sharing your knowledge
by teaching a course. Proposals are currently being accepted. The rate of pay for one
instructor is $60 per course hour or $100 per course hour if the course is approved for
graduate credit through an accredited institution. The rate of pay is adjusted for multiple
instructors. Please contact Janice_Gross@wellesley.k12.ma.us for a proposal form and
assistance with graduate approval. Deadline: March 25, 2011
Criteria for Graduate Credit Approval (Framingham State College)
Instructors must have a minimum of a master's degree and two years of work experience in the area they will be
presenting. Potential Instructors must submit:
A current resume
Copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts
Two current letters of recommendation
A complete, detailed course syllabus
One graduate credit is awarded for a minimum of twelve hours of classroom instruction. A maximum of 3 credits
will be awarded to new courses. All new courses are submitted to the university Graduate Education Council for
approval.
Syllabus Requirements:
Course information: course title, meeting times and dates, and instructor's name, telephone number and
email.
Course description: with the exception of the opening lines, descriptions should be written in complete
sentences. The description should be clear and brief.
Course objectives: clearly state what the student is expected to gain upon completion of the course.
Course expectations: clearly state your expectations regarding attendance, class participation, missed
exams, and assignment due dates.
Course content/outline: schedule of the topics that will be covered, homework assignments and due dates.
Course text and materials: required course text(s) with full bibliographic citation(s), and other readings
required or suggested for the course.
Course Requirements: descriptions of papers, projects, exams, assignments, and any other requirements to
successfully complete the course.
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3. Grading Criteria-be very specific. The grading breakdown should be shown in percentages
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
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: March 16, 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.
Slots Available!
EMI Difficult Conversations Course
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4. Contact Janice Gross in Central Office to Register
EMI Difficult Conversations: Talking About Race and Racism with Students,
Colleagues, and Parents/Guardians
This is a 12-hour, 1-credit course designed to help educators develop a better understanding of
ways to address and respond to issues of race and racism on a personal and professional level.
Participants will consider the experiences of students and families from ethnically or racially
diverse backgrounds in predominantly white schools, and will examine both the barriers
to/challenges of talking about race/racism/ethnicity and strategies for engaging in productive
discussions. In addition, facilitators will model how to teach culturally sensitive literature.
You do not need to have taken EMI 1 to participate in this course.
Course Dates:
Friday, April 8th from 8:30 - 3:30, Wellesley Recreation, Room 216, 90 Washington Street,
Wednesdays April 13 and April 27 from 3:30 - 6:30 - Sprague School Library
Optional graduate credits are available from Framingham State College for $65 per credit
Special Education Seminars
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 1 - March 22, 2011: The Special Eligibility for special education in Massachusetts is
Education Journey a thorough and complex process with a multi-
pronged approach. This seminar will review the
This session will cover the history and development process and discuss relevant issues that influence
of special education law stemming from the late eligibility decision-making.
1800s to the present. The session will provide a
context for the federal special education law, IDEA,
as it stands today.
Session 3 – April 12, 2011:
Accommodations and Modifications –
Session 2 - March 29, 2011: Special Education Who, What, When, Where, and How?
Eligibility–Who’s In? Who’s out?
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5. Most special education students have some type of their IEPS specifically address this concern. This
accommodation and/or modification requirement on session will provide an overview of issues and
their IEPs. and yet, there continues to be much discuss how Wellesley can respond to the
confusion over what the difference is between the requirements of the law.
two terms and how each affects student
performance, assessment, and grading. This
session will clarify definitions, review instructional Session 5 – May 10, 2011: Transition Planning
practices, and discuss the challenges of for Students with Disabilities Age 14+
implementation.
The requirements of IDEA specific to the issue of
transition planning for life after high school or age
Session 4 – May 3, 2011: Bullying and 21 are vast. Transition has been the focus of many
special education court hearings and cases across
Students with Disabilities
the country and is considered the current “hot
The new Bullying Law in Massachusetts requires topic”. This session will address the requirements
each school district to provide training about of the law and review the components of effective
bullying and its specific impact on students with transition planning.
disabilities. The law also requires that special
education students who are at-risk for bullying have
Full CPI Training
Target Audience: Special Educators, Specialists, TAs, and Regular Education Teachers
The cornerstone of CPI since 1980, this program is considered the worldwide standard for crisis prevention and
intervention training. With a core philosophy of providing for the Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security SM of
everyone involved in a crisis situation, the program’s proven strategies give human service providers and
educators the skills to safely and effectively respond to anxious, hostile, or violent behavior while balancing the
responsibilities of care. Attendance at all three sessions is required for participation in this course.
Instructors: Elisa Buchsbaum and Adam Diliberto
Dates: June 25 and 26, 2011 Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Sprague School Library
PDPs: 12 Inservice Credit: 1 or C&I pay at the rate of $215/day for a 6-hour day
To register, go to http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com/ to the online registration form. This is listed as a new
course under “School Safety.”
EMI SUMMER 2011 COURSE SCHEDULE NOW
AVAILABLE (see last page of Bulletin)
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.
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6. 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.
Condolences to Deb Toal on the death of her mother, Eleanor Keene, on
February 27, 2011.
News
from
Performing
Arts
The Wellesley High School Performing Arts Department presents the Moving Company in “Footnotes” a
collaborative performance which brings together dancers from local schools and professional dance companies in
a sharing and informative setting. A variety of dance styles will be featured. Student and faculty choreographies
will be showcased. The Wellesley Middle School group, Junior Moving Company directed by Lauren Schneider,
will also return for a ninth season performance, and the WMS Step Squad will join the program for its second
year. In addition, Bright Pearl Dance Company, one of Boston’s premiere Chinese Dance groups under the
direction of Na Zhou, will present works of authentic Chinese dance.
Members of the Wellesley High School Moving Company will be performing a dance piece choreographed by
company director, Janet Sozio: Singin’ and Dancin’ a funky twist on a n old classic. Also the WHS Rhythm
Project will perform for a second year featuring the work of Danny Hoctor, an influential jazz and tap artist who
founded Dance Caravan. Perfidia, a lating tap number, was created by Mr. Hoctor in the 1950’s. Student works
include pieces by Seniors Michelle Abrams and Carolina Rocha. With a wide variety of dance styles represented,
this year’s concert will provide the audience an evening of entertaining performance.
“Footnotes” will be held at the Wellesley Middle School Auditorium on Thursday, April 7, 2011 beginning at 7 PM.
Admission $8.00. WPS faculty and staff as well as senior citizens admitted at no charge. For more information,
contact the Wellesley High School Performing Arts Department at (781) 446-6250 X4120.
Did you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in Calendar Year
2010? Don’t miss your chance for reimbursement!
March is here and the deadline for submitting eligible FSA claims is coming soon!
March 31, 2011 is the last day to submit eligible expenses from calendar year 2010 for
reimbursement. You can pick up a claim form from the Human Resources Department in Town Hall Monday
through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, or online at
http://www.wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_HR/health/fsaclaimform.pdf (underscore between “MA” and
“HR”).
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7. All forms must be filled out completely and signed, have receipts attached and be either faxed or mailed to
Cafeteria Plan Advisors (CPA) for processing by March 31, 2011. Late forms will NOT be processed.
Questions regarding your account or eligible expenses can be addressed by CPA directly by calling them at
(781) 848-9848.
Coaching
Positions
Spring Season 2011
Assistant Coach – Varsity Boys Outdoor Track
Sub Varsity Coach – Boys Lacrosse
Sub Varsity Coach – Girls Lacrosse
Fall Season 2011
Head Coach – Varsity Field Hockey
Contact Athletic Director: John_Brown@wellesley.k12.ma.us
SUMMER POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
WINGS '11 Regular Education Program Staff Needed:
Regular Education Teaching Assistants Needed for 4 Weeks 7/5/11-7/29/11 AM Academic Courses
Teaching Assistants for the academic classes ($18/hr or current TA rate) are needed to teach in the AM (8:15-
11:45) session. Candidates must have experience teaching either math or literacy. Preference will be given to
candidates who are familiar with WPS grade level learning goals and who have experience working with
students with special needs.
Student Assistants Needed for 4 Weeks 7/5/11-7/29/11
A limited number of Student Assistants ($10/hr) are needed to work in enrichment classes in the AM (8:15-11:45)
and/or the PM (11:45-3:15) sessions. Students must be 16 or older and preference will be given to high school
and college students who have worked in WINGS in the past or who are children of Wellesley staff. After
March1st, read the description of the courses at www.wellesley.k12.ma.us (click on programs) and indicate in your
letter of application which courses you think your skills/talents/experience match.
Nursing coverage needed to cover all summer programs 7/1/10-8/6/10
Registered nurse(s) needed ($39.49/hr.) Preference will be given to current WPS nurses and others who have
worked in WINGS in the past.
Secretary Needed 7/5/11-7/29/11
Secretary responsibilities will include tracking and recording student attendance for each of the four time periods a
day, managing all incoming phone calls, helping to maintain attendance and weekly time sheets, helping to
support the needs of up to 70 adults.
Data Manager Needed 7/5/11-7/29/11
Responsibilities will include manipulating data to create daily reports and course lists. Must be proficient in using
FileMaker Pro 10.
Interested candidates should send a formal letter of application and current resume to
Dr. Gretchen Bravacos, 63 Hastings St., Wellesley, MA 02481 or via email at wings@wellesley.k12.ma.us
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8. Elementary Special Education Summer Staff Needed:
Special Education Teacher Positions 6/27/11-8/5/11
Special Education Teachers ($39.49/hr) are needed to teach students with language- based learning disabilities in
grades 2-5. The position is part-time (8:30-11:30) each morning for six weeks. Training and experience teaching
reading, written language and math skills to students with disabilities is necessary and Moderate Special Needs
certification is preferred.
Lead Teachers for Full-Day Six Week Program 6/27/11-8/5/11
Lead Teachers ($39.49/hr) are needed to lead small group lessons for students with intensive special needs.
Other duties include consulting with academic and enrichment teachers, providing guidance to teaching
assistants, overseeing students’ schedules, etc. Training and experience teaching students with intensive
disabilities is necessary and Severe Needs certification is preferred.
Lead Teachers for Full-Day Six Week Program 7/1/10-8/6/10
Lead Teachers ($39.49/hr) are needed to lead small group lessons for students on the Autism Spectrum. Other
duties include consulting with academic and enrichment teachers, providing guidance to teaching assistants,
overseeing students’ schedules, etc. Training and experience teaching students with autism is necessary and
Severe Needs certification is preferred.
Teaching Assistants for Four and Six Week Programs
Teaching assistants ($18 an hour or current rate of pay) are needed to support students with disabilities in special
education classes and in some academic, enrichment, and recreational activities for both the AM (paid hours
8:15-11:45) and the PM (paid hours 11:45-3:15) sessions. Preference will be given to candidates who are
currently working in WPS, with training in elementary education, special education, or related field and/or
experience with students with disabilities.
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and a current resume to Ms. Beth Brown,
40 Kingsbury St, Wellesley, MA, 02481
Preschool Special Education Summer Programs Staff Needed:
Lead Preschool Teachers for P.A.W.S. Summer '11
Lead teachers are needed for both the four (7/5/11-7/28/11) and six-week programs (6/27/11-8/4/11). Master’s
degree and DEEC licenses in both early childhood education and special education required, expertise in using
Applied Behavior Analysis as a teaching methodology is required for the six-week long program. Preference will
be given to current WPS employees.
Preschool Teaching Assistants and Paraprofessionals
Teaching assistants ($18/hr or current rate) must have experience in working with preschool aged children with
special needs. Paraprofessionals ($25/hr or current rate) must have expertise in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Current WPS employees should state their current rate of pay in their letter of application.
Therapists Needed for WINGS'11 and P.A.W.S. (Preschool at Wellesley Schools) 6/27/11-8/5/11
Speech/Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapists ($45/hr) are needed. Appropriate
licenses and/or certification and experience required. Preference will be given to current and former WPS
employees.
Interested candidates should send a formal letter of application and current resume to
Dr. Gretchen Bravacos, 63 Hastings St., Wellesley, MA 02481 or via email at wings@wellesley.k12.ma.us
Positions Available 2011-2012
District Wide Deaf Educator (.2FTE)
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9. Middle School
Preschool Guidance Counselor (.5FTE)
Special Educator (1.0FTE)
High School
Elementary Chemistry (.5FTE)
Occupational Therapy (.2FTE) Spanish (1.0FTE)
Please send cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, transcripts and licensure to: Personnel, Wellesley
Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481
Anticipated Openings 2011 - 2012
District Wide High School (9-12)
Teacher of Visually Impaired (0.6 FTE) Biology (1.0 FTE)
Chemistry (.75FTE)
Elementary English (1.0 FTE)
K-2 and 3-5 Chinese/Latin (1.0FTE)
Special Educator ( 1.0 FTE) (Moderate SPED) Family/Consumer Science (1.0FTE)
Special Education Teacher/Therapeutic Class (Child Study Lab teacher. Degree in Child
(1.0FTE) Development or Early Childhood Education)
Nurse (0.9 FTE) Fitness & Health (0.2 FTE)
Math (.4FTE)
Middle School Guidance Counselor ( 1.0 FTE)
History (.6FTE) Field Hockey Coach
Please send a cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, transcripts, and licensure by April 1, 2011 to
Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.
Wellesley Public Schools Actively Seeks to Increase the Diversity of its Workforce
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