Dear Colleagues,
As we head into the Columbus Day weekend, it seems appropriate to note the context and conversations this holiday has created in 无尽资源采集.? A year ago, an effort began to educate the community about the legacy of Columbus as a historical figure and the impact of his and other European contacts on the native peoples of the Americas. The proposal to rename this holiday for Indigenous People was met with some trepidation, particularly from members of the Italian-American community, for whom this holiday represents a broader point of cultural?pride and accomplishment.?
As I consider the full landscape of these ideas, I am reminded of the gap that often exists between a full accounting of historical events and perspectives with the privilege that often determines the manner in which the past is documented and how we define it in a modern context. To be sure, our treatment of Columbus and the implications of European contact in the Americas is very different in our curriculum today than it was when I was as student.? (Check out authors such as Howard Zinn or Jared Diamond if you want to go deeper.)
This history of this land and our country is complicated, often uncomfortably so. I applaud those efforts to bring forward a fuller perspective on the past, not in an effort to diminish any group, but to ensure we have a more complete sense of who we are today.? Food for thought as we head into this long weekend. ??????????
Best regards,
David
Calendar
10/14/19 – Columbus Day – No School
10/15/19 – School Committee Meeting – Town Hall?– 5 – 7:00 pm
10/21?– 10/25/19 – STEM Week
10/29/19 –?School Committee Meeting – Police Station?– 6:30 pm
11/1/19 – Deadline for Submissions of Letter of Intent to Change Lanes
Condolences to:? Julie Kenerson (Gr. 6 Social Studies Teacher) on the loss of her son, Jake Urs Kenerson Jerman, on September 27, 2019.
WEF Sponsored STEM Week Activities – October 19?
Please to read about some exciting STEM Week activities around 无尽资源采集.??
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Salary Lane Change News
Letters of Intent to?Change?Lanes?in SY2020-21?Are?Due by November 1st
All professional staff who expect to receive a Masters, M+30, or M+60/Doctorate?at the beginning?of the next school year 2020-2021, must send formal notification of intent to?change?salary lanes?to Addie Doherty?dohertya@wellesleyps.org,?no later than November 1, 2019.??The notification should include: ?current?lane, proposed?lane, and the school year (2020-21) in which you hope to?change?lanes.? This early notification deadline is required so that provisions for anticipated salary?lane?changes?may be included within the new fiscal year budget.??Please note: The list does not carry forward. You must provide written notice each year until you have achieved the desired?lane?change. ?
Help Wanted . . .
无尽资源采集 is seeking qualified applicants for the?positions listed below.? If you know anyone who may be?interested, please refer them to the section of the 无尽资源采集’ website.
? Performing Arts Production Manager/Theater Director/Teacher
? Long Term Substitute School Psychologist
? Assistive Technology Teacher
? Teaching Assistants
? Van Driver
? Bus Monitor
? Lunch Monitor
? Substitute Teachers and Substitute Teaching Assistants
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2020 WEF Grant Applications?
Deadline:??Monday, January 6th? ??Decision Notifications:? Early April?
●????? WEF funded over $224,000 through 29 grants last year!
●????? Grants funded at all WPS levels – elementary, middle and high school.
●????? WEF has a grant history 2010-2019 for review.
We welcome your inspiring and innovative applications.??Please start the process at ??> the menu bar > Educators Tab > Apply for a Grant tab
Jessamy Harrington, Lisa Hicks, and Carrie Reepmeyer
WEF Grants Co-Chairs, 2019-2020
wefgrantapplications@gmail.com
??????Insurance?Benefits Information
Health and Dental Insurance Benefits information is handled by the Town Hall Benefits Office.? Inquiries should be directed to Joanne Liburd at?JLiburd@wellesleyma.gov?or by calling 781-431-1019 extension 2244. ?????????????????
Renewing Your Educator’s License?
Information about requirements to renew your educator license is available on the WPS website.? to go to the HR Licensure tab.? When you apply for your license on the DESE website under ELAR, the DESE will send you an electronic communication about what is missing from your licensure file in order to renew. ??The HR licensure tab and your ELAR account are two tools to assist you with information about licensure renewal.??
WPS Internal Job Postings on District Website
For all Internal Job Postings, please?go to “” under the Faculty tab of the District’s website.? ?