MESSAGE FROM THE PTSO PRESIDENTS

Course Selection Session #2 will be taking place this Wednesday, February 12th at 9am in the Faculty Dining Room.  We will hear from representatives from English Department, Classical and Modern Languages, Social Studies and the Evolution program.  Each of the representatives will provide a brief overview of their Departments and respond to specific questions that have been sent in ahead of time.  There is still time so PLEASE email any questions you have to us today or ask your questions at the meeting.    

Connie Burton & Andra Jensen
WHS PTSO Co-Presidents 2019-2020
whsptsopres@gmail.com
COURSE SELECTION FOR 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR
  
Our thanks to Dr. Chisum, Dana Plunkett and the Department Heads who attended the first Course Selection meeting on Friday, January 31st. It was an incredibly informative meeting.  We were fortunate that Julie Spilka, a WHS faculty member, and one of her students, were able to videotape the session.  For those who missed this first meeting, here is a link to that session.  In addition, here are copies of the WHS Science and Technology Engineering Course Offerings and the Course Selection Fact Sheet distributed at that meeting.  
  • Course Selection Session #2 - February 12th -- at this meeting, we will hear from representatives of the English department, the Classical and Modern Languages department, the Social Studies department, and the Evolutions Program. 
(This meeting will be at 9am in the Faculty Dining Room.)

We invite parents to review the Program of Studies and two videos on course selection discussions held in prior years that might be informative -- video one (covering Math, Computer Science and History) and video two (covering Science, Business and Technology).  

Each of the representatives will provide a brief overview of their Departments and respond to specific questions that have been sent in ahead of time.  There is still time so PLEASE email (whsptsopres@gmail.com) any questions you have to us today or ask your questions at the meeting.  


Timing on Course Selection ...  
 
Course selection will begin on February 24th & 25th with individual conversations with teachers for level recommendations.    Students will gain access to Powerschool for elective request beginning March 4th.  Signed course selection sheets and level change forms are due to House offices by March 13th.

UPCOMING EVENTS/DATES

February 2020
  • 11th - Choral Step Up Concert at 7pm in Auditorium
  • 12th - PTSO Meeting - Course Selection Meeting Session #2
  • 12th - Chinese New Year Celebration
  • 17th-21st - February Vacation -- ENJOY!!!
  • 27th - Mother's Group at 9:45am in Room 259
  • 28th - Coffee with Director of Guidance at 9am in Faculty Dining Room
The following is just a sample of all the events on the calendar. Click  here to see the whole calendar.  
HIGHLIGHTS FROM GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT ... 

Here is a link to the Guidance Department's February notes.  Please take a few minutes to review as it quite informative and helpful. 

On February 28th, at 9am in the Faculty Dining Room, Director of Guidance Dana Plunkett will be hosting her parent coffee.   The topic for this coffee is "Leadership From Within", how to foster leadership skills in your adolescent and help them to become the best versions of themselves. Speakers Evren Gunduz & Tom Coburn, co-founders of Enjoy Life Education.

INFORMATION ON SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS... 

Are you thinking about summer opportunities for your student?  Jobs, Internships or interesting camps, study abroad for the summer or a gap year?  Are you interested in hearing about college fairs or scholarships?  Check out our redesigned  blog, view all posts.   The PTSO receives information about many opportunities we are unable to include in the weekly newsletter, but they can always be found in our   blog.  Parents and students must conduct their own research and vetting into these opportunities.

In addition to the weekly PTSO blast, you can sign up to receive blog updates.  To do so, go to the website blog page and use the login/signup button at the top of the blog to signup.  Just remember that this update is separate and distinct from the weekly blast and that you need to do your own due diligence (research and vetting) on postings in the blog.

FOR PARENTS OF SENIORS ... 

Each senior who participates in graduation must wear a red cap and gown, families can purchase from University Cap and Gown.  You may also use a gown worn in the past by a friend or sibling and only purchase a cap and/or 2020 tassel, as needed.  If you do not require any regalia, please contact your students House Assistant and confirm that with the House Assistant.

All your graduation needs (cap, gown, and tassel) can be purchased online and your order will be sent to the High School.  Students will receive their regalia the morning of Graduation at our required rehearsal which begins at 8:00 am on June 5th, 2020.

Cap, gown, and tassel cost $16.00.
Cap and tassel cost $8.00.
A cap cost $5.00
A tassel cost $3.00

All orders must be made by February 28th, 2020.  Please order as soon as possible.  Here is the link and directions to order  University Cap and Gown.

Please be advised instead of submitting your student's ID Number type in their last name and first initial, i.e. parkera.

COMMUNITY EVENTS --

WHS Varsity Basketball Think Pink Night and Senior Night Double Header is
Tuesday, February 11th -- 5:15 pm Boys Varsity, 6:45 pm Girls Varsity
Wellesley High School Gym -- T he Girls and Boys high school basketball teams are hosting a 50/50 raffle, gift baskets and auction during their senior night game on Tuesday February 11 to raise money for Dana Farber Breast Cancer Research Fund in honor of Wellesley's wonder woman Carol Chaoui and Dana Farber  Cranio Warrior Research Fund in honor of girls varsity basketball manager Harry Clark (WHS 2019).  Come cheer for the Raiders against division rival Natick!   First fifty students at each game will get in free, and as always Wellesley Hoops players are free if wearing jersey. 

Kindergarten Roundup - Kindergarten Roundup Date changed from Wednesday, February 5th to Wednesday, February 12, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm - Sprague School.  Snow Date changed to February 26, 2020, from 3:00 - 6:00 pm.   See  flyer here. 

Friends of Wellesley METCO, Inc. is looking for someone to serve as its Treasurer.  If you are interested and would like to learn more about this wonderful opportunity to get involved, please click here. 

Exciting news from Wellesley ABC:  We found a Home Of Our Own!   We have raised 90% of our fundraising goal.  Please DONATE NOW at  www.wellesleyabc.org  by March 15, 2020 to help us close and move in this year .   Wellesley A Better Chance (ABC) is a non-profit scholarship program that  provides academically talented young women of color from underserved communities A Better Chance through enrollment at  Wellesley High School  and participation in a residential program.    The  Board of Wellesley ABC is overwhelmed with the generosity of our community!  We are grateful to all our donors that our effective 48 year old program can now grow and continue for years to come.  Thank you!   You can join the celebration at our gala on May 9, 2020 -   PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!  



Wellesley Scholarship Foundation  Application Deadline is March 1, 2020 
The Wellesley Scholarship Foundation (WSF) is accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic year through March 1, 2020. Each year, WSF awards numerous financial awards to qualified candidates to assist with their unmet financial need. In 2019, WSF awarded $340,000 in need-based awards. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating from Wellesley High School, Wellesley residents graduating from high school in or outside of Wellesley, or Wellesley residents currently attending undergraduate institutions on a full-time basis. In addition, WSF also awards privately endowed merit scholarships to two high school seniors each year who are Wellesley residents in recognition of their outstanding scholastic achievement and citizenship. For more information and to apply, please click  here.  

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club is  accepting scholarship applications for 2020-2021 through  March 1, 2020 .   In the 2019, the Club awarded a record $72,700 in scholarships and awards to 21 Wellesley students. Scholarships were given to graduating high school seniors and undergraduate college students in amounts ranging from $1,000 - $4,000.     Applications are evaluated based on demonstrated financial need, academic achievement, and involvement in community service. Applicants must be high school seniors graduating from Wellesley High School, Wellesley residents graduating from high school in or outside of Wellesley, or Wellesley residents currently attending undergraduate institutions on a full-time basis.  
For more information, please click here .