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Wellesley Public Schools40 Kingsbury StreetWellesley, Massachusetts 02481

Bella T. WongSuperintendent of Schools

Superintendent’s Bulletinhttp://www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/district/bulletins.htm

Bulletin #31May 7, 2010

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,

This spring, Annual Town Meeting commenced on April 5, and after seven lengthy evening meetings, adjourned on May 3. The number of articles was not unusual but several of the articles were held open for extended discussion, which made for a longer than usual town meeting session. All town department budgets are brought for Town Meeting approval through Article 8. Article 8 was presented and discussed over the first two nights of Town Meeting and was overwhelmingly approved on the second night. This means that all the town budgets, including the School Department's operating and capital budgets, are officially approved for 2010-11 and will go into effect on July 1.

The only other school-related article was a request for a transfer of funds to support design and permitting for temporary modular classrooms to be placed on a level area in front of the school on Donizetti Street. These would have provided the bulk of the additional classroom space at the middle school for the anticipated enrollment increases up through FY17. This entailed much work and many meetings for school administrators, School Committee and the Middle School Building Committee, including discussion with the immediate neighbors. The concern expressed by the neighbors was such that it was decided no motion should be brought forth under Article 20 so that we could reconsider alternate options. There is significant urgency to have additional space in place for fall 2011. We now plan to bring a new proposal for consideration at a fall 2010 Special Town Meeting.

The need for additional classroom space has been an issue since the mid-1990s. In the past 15 years, with support from the entire Wellesley community, the School Department has added and still supports one preschool, 17 elementary modular classrooms, 6 middle school classrooms, and 9 additional temporary high school classrooms. This has allowed us to sustain the quality of our educational program and service to students. The new high school will have 25 percent more square footage than the existing high school structure. It is no surprise that additional space is needed at the middle school to address increased enrollment and program needs.

However, constructing additional space always comes with a price tag and all our schools are situated tightly within residential neighborhoods. Approval of any of our projects for additional space is understandably never easy primarily because of these two important factors. Over the years we have had other setbacks in our advocacy for classroom space, but we are committed to work with the town to re-assess and develop an alternate proposal that respects neighborhood concerns and is mindful of financial implications. I am hopeful that we will be able to achieve a successful solution which will allow us appropriate conditions and space to support our dedicated service to our students.

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The Education Cooperative (TEC) will soon be recruiting the third cohort for the Teaching American History program. This will be an exciting year focused on "The Story of American Freedom: Citizenship and the Changing Meaning of Democracy." Courses begin in fall 2010.

This grant funded professional development program includes:

• 3 Free graduate credits (3 additional credits available)• A $500 stipend• 135 PDPs

• Loads of resource materials, including free and forever access to WebLessons• Historians from Harvard University, MIT and Holy Cross College.

We encourage applications from TEC district teams of 2-5. Applications will be distributed after April vacation week.

Please take a look at the TEC TAH wiki: http://industrialrevolution09.pbworks.com/The slide show featured on the home page highlights some of the historical field experiences of last summer.

Michelle LeBlanc, TEC’s Teaching American History Project Director, would be delighted to come and talk in detail about this intensive program and to share the amazing wealth of resources created by participating teachers. Contact Michelle directly at 781-326-2473 x107

NEW Professional Development from TEC

Professional Development

May 1 - 21 Open Enrollment Period for Employee BenefitsTuesday 05/11 School Committee Meeting, Town Hall, 7:30 pmMonday 05/31 Memorial Day -- No School

Calendar

Graduate Course Reimbursement Course reimbursement funding of $22,500 is available to distribute in FY11 among qualified teachers for graduate course work which is done as part of a master's degree program to fulfill that 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, 2010--the following to Valerie Spruill:•your name •evidence of your enrollment in an applicable master/doctoral degree program •name and description of the course •evidence of cost of the course •proof of payment (VISA/MC) •transcript. You will be notified of the amount awarded to you by July 1, 2010.

James Peebles Scholarship Sons and daughters of members of the WTA are eligible for financial assistance for their first year of college or specialized school. Applications are available from Jonathan Simon, WTA President. Application Deadline: May 21

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Positions Available

Long-Term Substitute Art Teacher Full-time, high school ceramics teacher for maternity leave from Late Aug to Mid Nov 2010. Duties included teaching ceramic courses; hand building; wheel throwing; and ceramics Intensive; as well as Introduction to Drawing & Painting, and Creative Journal. Must have experience teaching ceramics. Send cover letter, resume, college transcript, licensure and three letters of reference to: Thom_Carter@wellesley.k12.ma.us or mail to Personnel, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481

CONGRATULATIONS to Stephanie (High School Spanish Teacher) and Stephen Bresnahan, (High School English Teacher) on the birth of Casey Lee, April 29, 2010.

Wellesley Public Schools2010-2011 Openings ElementaryMath Specialist (1.0 FTE) (Search Re-opened)

Middle SchoolFrench Teacher (.2FTE) High School Guidance Counselor (1.0 FTE)Special Educator (1.0 FTE) (Moderate SPED)History Teacher (.4 FTE)Art Teacher (.1FTE)

Please send a cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, transcripts, and licensure by 4 p.m. on May 21, 2010 to Carol A. Gregory, Asst. Supt., Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481.

CONDOLENCES to Kate Walker, Elementary Teacher at Hardy, on the recent death of her mother-in-law ... and to Michelle Theodore, Teaching Assistant at Hardy, on the recent death of her grandmother . . .and to Carla Lumley, METCO Secretary , on the recent death of her brother Clifton Lumley.

CONGRATULATIONS also to Sandi Nicolucci, retired Director of Performing Arts in the Wellesley Public Schools, who received the prestigious Metcalf Award for Teaching Excellence at Boston University. Full press release is accessible at www.bu.edu/today/node/10943

Full- time Speech and Language Pathologist at Middle School to fill a maternity leave for school year 2010-11. Responsibilities include evaluation, providing direct services to individuals and small groups of students, consultation to teachers, and social skills instruction. Please send cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, licensure and transcripts to Jeff_Williams@wellesley.k12.ma.us and/or Personnel, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellelsey, MA 02481

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Part-time (.5 FTE) Middle School Technical Support for teachers. Understanding of Mac computer operations and proficiency with basic software applications needed. Strong communication skills and ability to multi-task in a fast paced environment required. Please send cover letter, resume, three letters of reference to Lynn_Moore-Benson@wellesley.k12.ma.us or mail to Personnel, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481

Paraprofessional to support a third grade student with autism. Student receives support within a substantially separate classroom with opportunities for inclusion in general education classroom. Must have ABA experience. CPI training preferred. Start dates is negotiable. Send Cover letter, resume, three letters of reference, licensure and transcripts to Marie_Slyva@wellesley.k12.ma.us or mail to: Personnel, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481

Wellesley Public Schools Actively Seeks to Increase the Diversity of its Workforce

Coaching PositionWinter Season 2010-11 Coach: High School Boys BasketballContact Athletic Director John_Brown@wellesley.k12.ma.us

SPECIAL OPEN ENROLLMENT - LIFE INSURANCEGUARANTEED ISSUE (NO MEDICAL QUESTIONS)

Open enrollment for benefits runs from May 1- May 21, 2010. This year, employees have the opportunity to sign up for both basic and optional life insurance without evidence of insurability (medical questions). If you already have basic life, you can enroll in or increase your optional coverage through this special open enrollment.

Eligible employees will receive a personalized booklet that contains information about both life and long-term disability insurance from Sun Life Financial, the Town's current carrier. Disregard in the booklet the section on evidence of insurability-it does NOT apply to this open enrollment. Information sessions on these benefits will be offered with representatives from Sun Life Financial present to answer any questions. The remaining dates and times of those sessions are as follows:

Tuesday, May 11, 2010:2:45p.m. Wellesley High School, Room 143Tuesday, May 11, 2010:4:00p.m. Selectmen's Meeting Room (Town Hall)

Contact the HR Department in Town Hall for the enrollment form for basic life insurance, which is not included in the Sun Life packet.

The deadline for enrollment/changes is May 21, 2010. All enrollment forms must be received by the HR Department in Town Hall by this date.

OPEN ENROLLMENT – MEDICAL AND DENTAL Employees who wish to sign up for or change their medical and/or dental plan options will be able to do so during open enrollment, which runs from May 1 through May 21, 2010. Employees who are satisfied with their current benefit plans do not need to take any action. Each health plan has its own unique enrollment form. If you are signing up for insurance OR if you want to make changes to the coverage you currently have, contact the HR Department in Town Hall for the form required for the plan you are interested in. Below is a list of the health plans that the Town of Wellesley offers along with the premium amounts:

There will be no increase in dental premiums for FY11. If you are interested in enrolling or changing your coverage amount, contact the HR office for enrollment form. Dental Insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield Dental Blue)

REMINDER: There are two meetings left for anyone who may have questions about the life insurance special open enrollment:

• Tuesday, May 11, 2010: 2:45p.m. Wellesley High School, Room 143 • Tuesday, May 11, 2010: 4:00p.m. Selectmen’s Meeting Room (Town Hall)

The deadline for enrollment/changes is May 21, 2010. All enrollment forms must be received by

the HR Department in Town Hall by 4pm on this date.