http://www.whsptso.org/index.html
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MAY 2014
Important Dates
Wed
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Fri
Fri
Mon-Thurs
Fri
5/7
5/14
5/15
5/23
5/23
6/6
6/16-6/19
6/20
Early Dismissal at 11:30am
Last PTSO Meeting of year at 7:30pm in the WHS Library
Last Mother‟s Group Meeting of year at 9:45am in Rm 259
Seniors Last Day of School
Website submissions for June update due
Early Dismissal at 11:30am / WHS Graduation at 5:00pm
Final Exams
Makeup Day for Finals and Last Day of School
WHS News
 Dr Keough‟s Letter thanks parents and the PTSO for their support during his years at WHS
 Performing Arts – banquet on May 28
 Visual Arts – support WPSAS in the Wellesley Parade on May 18 and join WPSAS for the
General Meeting on May 22
 Wilbury Crockett Library – building an innovation culture at WHS and announcing the
Mobiquity Innovation Challenge winners
PTSO News
 Co-Presidents‟ Letter encourages candidates for PTSO VP (great way to get involved with a
new principal coming on board!) and presents the last PTSO meeting for the year on May 14
with Dr. Marisa Silveri, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and
Director of the Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health, who
conducts research on adolescent behavorial and neurobiological correlates of substance
use and abuse
 Sailing Team Yard Sail on May 3
 PTSO has a few open positions for next year, please respond by May 9
 Hospitality Committee thanks volunteers
Student News
 Class of 2015 boat cruise on May 9 and takeover day on May 27; class is looking for
community service project suggestions
 Class of 2016 semi formal on May 2 and elections on May 20; students participated in Stop
Hunger Now town-wide volunteer packing event
 Student Congress elections next month
 Key Club induction on May 7
Beyond WHS Community News
 Wellesley Child Study Center presents Encouraging Adventure - Redefining Success to
Include Risk on May 8
 Natural Resources Commission‟s Vernal Pool Adventure on May 10
 Wellesley Wonderful Weekend starts on May 17 with parade and concert on May 18
 Wellesley Women Artisans present Art in the Park on May 17
 Wellesley Hills Junior Women‟s Club announces 5K Wonder Run on May 18
 WEF/WSTE presents a panel discussion on First Lego League opportunities in Wellesley on
May 21
 WEF/WSTE presents a panel discussion on expanding computer science and technology
initiatives in Wellesley Public Schools on May 28
 Director of PAWS Dr. Gretchen Bravacos retirement reception on June 20
http://www.whsptso.org/from-the-principal.html
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
May 2014
Dear Wellesley High School Community,
This evening I am writing my 69th PTSO newsletter contribution and what is now certain to be
my second to last. I have enjoyed communicating with you and reflecting on happenings in the
high school, in education as a whole, and in my life, and appreciate your many comments and
thoughtful responses throughout the years.
As I prepare to part ways with the Wellesley community, I want to formally thank the PTSO for
their many, many contributions to Wellesley High School these past seven years. Together, we
have made the teaching and learning experience at Wellesley High School the best it can
possibly be. We have increased enrichment activities for students, sponsored speakers and
workshops for staff and students, maintained excellence throughout a lengthy and at times
intrusive construction project, and have provided thousands of dollars in professional
development opportunities for our teachers. As a result, Wellesley High School students
consistently outperform their peers on standardized tests and other measures of achievement,
and at the same time, report being happy in their school on Youth Risk Behavior surveys.
Likewise, in a recent survey, 96% of teachers participating identified Wellesley High School as
“a good place to work and learn.”
I was fortunate to have worked with such a dedicated group of parents and for having
developed so many friendships here in Wellesley. I will never be able to thank parents enough
for the generosity and support they have shown toward me and toward Wellesley High School in
my time here. I will forever be grateful.
Sincerely,
http://www.whsptso.org/whs-office.html
WHS OFFICE
May 2014
Wilbury Crockett Library
We‟re in the end of the year home stretch now! What that looks like in the library:
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Book purchasing and processing
Continued co-teaching with classroom teachers (research projects)
Curriculum planning with classroom teachers
Inventory of library items
Preparation of purchase orders/budget allocations for next fiscal year
Collection of data, reports
Throughout the school year, the library has been working with Dr. Robert Cohen, Dr. Andrew
Keough, and Dr. Carolyn Markson, Interim Director of Libraries, to build an innovation culture in
the school. This initiative is inspired by Youth Cities and Innovation Centers in Cambridge and
Boston. Innovation Centers provide work space, materials, technology, and collaboration space
that allow people with creative ideas to design solutions, drive change in their communities, and
even launch startups. By fostering an innovation culture at Wellesley High School, we hope to
eventually turn our school into an Innovation Center.
Toward that goal, Wellesley High School partnered with Mobiquity, a Wellesley-based
technology company, to create a contest where students work in teams to design creative
solutions to real world problems. The inaugural Mobiquity Innovation Challenge concluded right
before April break.
I am pleased to announce the winners:
Hamed Nilforoshan „15, Nick Peretti „14, Fiona Qu „15 and Tony Shu „17
The team researched and built an app called Agendify that helps students manage their busy
lives by merging calendars from multiple school, sports, and personal sources. They earned
praise from the judges for their thorough research, impressive implementation, and professional
presentation. The prize for their hard work is an internship with Mobiquity, which will allow them
to put their idea into practice! We are so proud of them!
And finally, as a follow-up to Amy Fiske‟s participation in Stepping into the Future: a new
generation of school library, a presentation and panel discussion at the Massachusetts School
Library Conference, Wellesley High School‟s Library and the Mobiquity Innovation Challenge
will be featured in an article in Synergy, an Australian library journal. We are very pleased!
May 2014
Visual Arts
Wellesley Parents Supporting Art Students (WPSAS) invites every student and
parent/grandparent/partner to march at the Wellesley Parade on Sunday, May 18 starting at
1pm and finishing at around 2:30pm along Washington Street in Wellesley. Look for a banner
with our name. Meeting location and directions will be posted on the web site. Participants are
highly welcome to RSVP. Your presence will show how much the Wellesley community
supports its students and faculty in the Visual Arts!
WPSAS General Meeting (WPSAS Elections will be in the agenda) will be on Thursday, May 22
from 7:30–9:00pm at WHS, third floor. Everyone in the Wellesley Public Schools is encouraged
to participate. For more details, please look at http://wellesleypsas.org
http://www.whsptso.org/about-ptso.html ABOUT PTSO - FROM THE PTSO PRESIDENTS
May 2014
Dear Wellesley High Families,
The flowers are up and the trees are budding so we must be heading into the heart of spring,
even if Mother Nature keeps throwing us some curve balls on the weather. As we close in on
the final months of the school year, the PTSO board is already planning for next year, actively
recruiting new volunteers to continue the wonderful work that our chairs did this year. Susan
Clapham and Delissa Prideaux have agreed to take the reigns as co-Presidents next year, but
we still need at least one Vice President to assist in their efforts. Speaking from experience,
serving as VP is a great way to get involved with the school and next year will be very exciting
as the board breaks in a new Principal! If you are interested, please contact Mary McNamara or
Kathy Vasil who are putting together the slate of candidates to be approved at the next meeting.
Thank you to everyone who attended the last PTSO meeting. We certainly covered a lot of
ground with a visit from KC Kato, who discussed the recently passed budget and the upcoming
override vote, and from Superintendent David Lussier and Assistant Superintendent Salvatore
Petralia, who discussed the process for replacing our beloved leader Andrew Keough. Thank
you also to the parents who came to the follow up meeting to share their thoughts on important
criteria for selecting a new Principal. We should have some news to share with you by the
next PTSO meeting.
Our next and last PTSO meeting for the year is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th at 7:30pm
in the WHS Library. Sticking with the theme of our student‟s mental health, our guest speaker
will be Marisa Silveri, PHD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and
Director of the Neurodevelopmental Laboratory on Addictions and Mental Health. Over the past
15 years, she has conducted preclinical and clinical research on the behavioral and
neurobiological correlates of substance use and abuse, with a focus on adolescence. Please
join us for what should be a very interesting discussion.
Co-Presidents, Wellesley High School PTSO
Karen Buckley and Julianne Ivey
Ptsopres@gmail.com
http://www.whsptso.org/bulletin-board.html
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BULLETIN BOARD
Wellesley High School Sailing Team Yard Sail new
PTSO Board and Committee Nominations updated
Hospitality Thanks updated
Mother’s Group
Wellesley High School Sailing Team 5th Annual Yard Sail
Saturday, May 3rd at 8am-1pm at the Hardy School
Rain or Shine. No early birds please.
PTSO Board and Committee Open Positions
Please respond by May 9. Email Mary McNamara. Thank you!
Board
 Vice President(s)
 Secretary
Committee
 Grade Representatives for Freshman Class
 WHS Newsletter/Communications Editor
 Spring Social Chair
 Nominating Chair
 Volunteer Coordinator
Hospitality Thanks
We thank everyone for their generous contributions to the April faculty meeting: Peggy
VanSlochem, Beth Devlin, Jane Leonard, Lori Goldenthal, Holly Mikula, Stephanie Morgan,
Stephanie Hawkinson, Kristen Stevenson, Kathy Smith, Darlene Howland, Stephanie Morgan,
Susan Clapham, Bernadette Dore, Maria Griner, Tracy Krechevsky, Sylvia Hahn-Griffiths, Irene
Murray and Terri Sevilla.
The Faculty Hospitality and Support Committee
Susan Calcio, Meghan Murray and Susan Shephard
Mothers' Group
If you are interested in meeting once a month to discuss your children's high school experiences
and other topics, please email Maria Manse. Maria will send you a reminder email on when the
next meeting is taking place and what topic is to be discussed. You can also check Calendars
for the next listed meeting.
http://www.whsptso.org/guidance-department.html
GUIDANCE DEPT
(No updates, keep below abbreviated info)
Ideas for further exploration - This is a good time for students to consider doing an internship
or taking a class at a local college. Representatives from The Education Cooperative are
available for more information. Juniors and seniors have off site academic opportunities at
Wellesley College and Brandeis. This allows them to explore possible career paths and/or
college majors.
Looking for something to do this summer? Go to Teen Life to learn more about dozens of
summer opportunities.
http://www.whsptso.org/student-news.html
STUDENT NEWS
Student Congress
May 2014
May is a time of change for Student Congress as we gear up for next year. This month there will
be elections for officers for Student Congress, as well as members of boards such as Student
Council and the School Committee Advisory Council. We will continue to look at new issues that
students bring up, as well as handbook changes for next year.
Key Club
May 2014
Key Club is excited to announce its 2013-2014 induction. The event will be held at WHS on
Wednesday, May 7 at 7 pm, however inductees are asked to arrive at 6:45 pm. There is a
mandatory induction rehearsal for all inductees immediately after school on Tuesday, May 6.
Inductees are asked to dress professionally for this evening. To be inducted, all club members
should have completed 30 hours of service (10 of which can be from events not sponsored by
Key Club) and turned in hours sheets for each event at this time. Students can pledge up to 10
hours by filling out hours sheets for those hours if they have not met the 30 hour requirement as
of now.
http://www.whsptso.org/grade-12.html
No updates.
2014 Class News
http://www.whsptso.org/grade-11.html
2015 Class News
May 2014
Hello all! Happy Spring! As the weather is finally warming up, the junior class is getting ready to
celebrate their final events of the year! The junior boat cruise is May 9th, all students must be at
the high school by 5:45 to catch the buses to Boston Harbor! The buses will return to the high
school at about 11:45. Tuesday May 27th is junior takeover day! A committee of our dedicated
classmates will be arriving early to decorate the school to celebrate our transition into seniors.
Finally, the junior class is looking for a community service project to work on before the end of
the school year. If you have any recommendations, please e-mail Alison Joyce. Have a
wonderful May!
http://www.whsptso.org/grade-10.html
2016 Class News
May 2014
Happy May from the Class of 2016! This year has gone by incredibly fast. It is shocking to think
we are almost half way through with high school. Our end-of-year event is extremely near! On
May 2nd at the Hunnewell Building at Elm Bank, our Gatsby themed Semi-Formal will be taking
place. The event is from 7:00-9:30 pm, and tickets can be bought from a Class Officer the week
of the dance. There are still volunteer opportunities available! In April we held a class wide
volunteer opportunity, packaging meals to send to Cambodia, through the organization: Stop
Hunger Now. The event was extremely successful, a group of members of the Class of 2016
joined other volunteers from surrounding towns to package a whopping 20,000 meals. It was a
lovely atmosphere, and rewarding to imagine schoolchildren coming to school and receiving a
hot meal thanks to our help. Elections for the Junior year Class Officers will be taking place on
Tuesday, May 20. Have a good month!
http://www.whsptso.org/grade-9.html
No updates.
2017 Class News
http://www.whsptso.org/performing-arts.html
PERFORMING ARTS
May 2014
WHS 2014 Performing Arts Banquet
Wednesday, May 28 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm in the WHS Cafeteria
All students who have participated this year in
BAND
CHORUS
DANCE
DRAMA
ORCHESTRA
and their families are invited to join the performing arts faculty for an end-of-year dinner.
Questions or did not receive an invitation? Contact Kim Hornung.
http://www.whsptso.org/community-news.html
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Community News
Encouraging Adventure – Redefining Success to Include Risk new
Vernal Pool Adventure Program new
Art in the Park new
Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run
Wellesley Science and Technology Expo STEM activities new
Dr. Gretchen Bravacos Retirement Reception new
Wellesley Green Schools
Encouraging Adventure – Redefining Success to Include Risk
Thursday, May 8 at 7pm at Wellesley College Alumnae Hall
A Wellesley Child Study Center event
Please join us in exploring why encouraging children to engage in risk taking can help prepare
our youth for life‟s challenges. Program includes a presentation followed by Q&A with Joan
Almon, Co-founder of the Alliance for Childhood
Natural Resources Commission’s Vernal Pool Adventure Program
Saturday, May 10th from 10 am – 12 pm at the Wellesley Police Station Conference Room
The Wellesley Natural Resources Commission invites you to a FREE Vernal Pool Adventure.
The program is for kids of all ages, both children and adults. Come join the fun and learn about
the animals that depend on our vernal pools! The program will start indoors with a slide show
followed by an outdoor vernal pool adventure where we will explore a nearby vernal pool
habitat. Wear your boots and suitable clothes and bring your nets and a sense of adventure. For
more information about this free program, please contact Janet Hartke Bowser, Director of the
Natural Resources Commission or call 781.431.1019 ext 2294.
Art in the Park during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend
Saturday, May 17 from 9am-3pm at Simon’s Park, next to the Wellesley Library
A community art event presented by the Wellesley Women Artisans and
MassCulturalCouncil.org.
5K Wonder Run
Sunday, May 18 with 8:30am start at Wellesley High School
A Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club event
WHJWC is pleased to offer its inaugural Wonder Run on Sunday, May 18, 2014, a welcome
addition to Wellesley Wonderful Weekend! The WHJWC is a nonprofit organization of over 80
committed volunteers dedicated to giving back to our community. The Wonder Run serves as
one of our key fundraisers. All of the proceeds generated from the Wonder Run will help us
continue to support community groups, raise money for scholarships, and fund organizations
and programs that provide education, enrichment and essential services to our local population.
With an 8:30am start at the Wellesley High School, the Wonder Run 5K road race course goes
through scenic Wellesley. As a great addition to Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, we expect
hundreds of participants and great community support for this much anticipated event. We hope
you will join us. Online registration is $25.00 and is also available on our website. For questions
about the Wonder Run 5K road race, please contact the event directors.
Wellesley Science and Technology Expo – Upcoming STEM Opportunities
A Big STEM Shout Out to Schools, Families and PTOs!
Thanks to all the efforts that school communities made to promote EXPO, by our count OVER
3,000 people, young and old attended the first WSTE. The PTO supported exhibits were a
particular highlight, and through our informal surveys we‟ve found these were a huge draw for
families. Thank you for helping us make this townwide STEM event a reality.
Liked what you saw? Additional events are upcoming. First, check out our link to STEM
programs, camps and activities which will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Did your kids enjoy the robotics?
Panel Discussion of FIRST Lego League Opportunities in Wellesley
Wednesday, May 21 7:30-9 PM in the Wellesley High School Library
A discussion with Steve Cremer, Regional Director, FIRST® and Dana P. Henry, Senior
Mentor/Massachusetts, FIRST®
Learn more about the FIRST Lego League and options for establishing teams in Wellesley
including:
● FIRST Robotics Competition for Grades 9-12
● FIRST Tech Challenge for Grades 7-12
● FIRST LEGO League for Grades 4-8
● Junior FIRST LEGO League for Grades K-3
● FIRST Place for ages 6 to adult
Are you interested in expanded Computer Science and Technology Initiatives in the Wellesley
Public Schools?
Panel Discussion with Dr. Robert Cohen, WHS Computer Science Teacher, Ms. Kathleen
Dooley, WPS Technology Director and Dr. Dean Blase, WPS Director of Curriculum and
Instruction
Wednesday, May 28th, from 7:30-9 PM in the Wellesley High School Library
Learn what is offered in the schools now and what is being planned for the future. Find out
about programming languages, CS instruction sequences, computing clubs, and the 1:1 tablet
initiative in WPS. Join in the Q&A session following speaker presentations.
Looking for some STEM activities, summer camps or internships?
The WSTE has compiled a listing of STEM classes, one day events, internships and summer
activities for K-12 students. View the listing.
Dr. Gretchen Bravacos Retirement Reception
Friday, June 20 at 5:00-8:00pm with presentations at 6:30pm
at the Wellesley Country Club, 300 Wellesley Avenue
Please save the date and come to honor the long standing tenure of Dr. Gretchen Bravacos,
Director of PAWS. Please send photos and memories, or for more information, contact us.
Wellesley Green Schools Initiatives
Turn the Key, Be Idle Free! See our flyer on the ways not idling your car will improve public
health, protect the environment and enhance the quality of life.
MAY 2014
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
DAY 4
4
5
DAY 6
8th Grade
Athletic
Orientation
AUD 7:00 PM
6
DAY 7
Orchestra Concert
AUD 7:00 PM
7
DAY 5
Early Dismissal
11:30 AM
8
12
DAY 3
13
DAY 4
DAY 5
PTSO Meeting
LIB 7:30 PM
String
Ensemble
Concert
Rivers
7:00 PM
9
10
Spring Play
LITTLE THEATRE
4:30 & 7:30 PM
Spring Play
LITTLE
THEATRE
4:30 & 7:30 PM
14
3
DAY 2
Spring Play
LITTLE
THEATRE
4:30
&
7:30 PM
Junior Class
Boat Cruise
5:30-11:30 PM
Key Club Induction
AUD 7:00 PM
11
2
DAY 5
Sophomore
End-of-Year Activity
ELM BANK
7:00-9:30 PM
DAY 1
PTSO Teacher
Appreciation Luncheon
Saturday
15
DAY 6
16
17
23
24
30
31
DAY 7
Term 4 Midterm
Unified Theater
Performance
AUD 1:30 & 3:00 PM
Freshman
End-of-Year
Activity
CAF 7:00-9:30 PM
18
19
DAY 1
Film &
Animation
Festival
AUD 6:30 PM
20
DAY 2
Senior Class
80’s Dance
CAF
8:00-9:30 PM
21
DAY 3
Senior Class
Community Service
&
Teacher
Appreciation Day
22
DAY 4
Senior Project
Presentations
CAF 6:30 PM
DAY 5
Seniors Last Day
of School
Term 4 Progress Reports
Available on-line
Senior Class Activity
11:50 AM-2:30 PM
25
26
NO SCHOOL
Memorial Day
27
DAY 6
Senior Class Prom
50 State Street
7:00-11:00 PM
28
DAY 7
Performing Arts Banquet
CAF 6:00 PM
29
DAY 1
Graduation
Rehearsal
GYM 9:00 AM
Senior Class
Awards
Ceremony
AUD 6:45 PM
DAY 2