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August Notes:
**SAT UPDATE**
Due to COVID-19 concerns for both students taking the exam, the staff administering it, and town building restrictions Wellesley has cancelled its August 29th test administration and will not be a host site for the new September 26th date that College Board added to this year’s schedule. College Board will be reaching out to those registered for August 29th test to reschedule. Students can be proactive and contact the College Board at 866-756-7346 or https://collegeboard.tfaforms.net/66 to change your location.
ACT UPDATE
At this time, the plan for fall testing registration (starting with the September test) is still scheduled to take place in late July (exact date TBD.)
Need a work permit???
If you require a work permit, please email Ms. Burns (burnsl@wellesleyps.org) who will help process it.
Seniors
Your remote Jr seminar Canvas course will close July 1st. Please see this link for things you can be doing this summer to move your post-secondary plans along.
These times can be challenging for all of us. Some of us may need additional emotional support to manage. If you or someone you know is in need, please consider the following resources:
If this is an emergency that requires immediate attention, please call 911 or head to your local Emergency Room. If you need help, you can also contact:
Your primary care physician or outside provider
In Wellesley:
Human Relations Service (HRS) 781-235-4950
Riverside Community Care 800-529-5077
Joyce Saret, our new town social worker, is available to connect you to supports for financial, medical, food needs as well as referrals to outside providers. 781-489-4354.
Wellesley Town Support Line: 781-239-0256
In Boston:
Boston Emergency Service Team (BEST) 800-981-4357
Good Samaritan Samaritans, Inc.
877-870-4673
The Bridge for Resilient Youth (BRYT) has a comprehensive resource list to consider.
MCAS UPDATE
DESE has cancelled the MCAS testing for grades 3- 10 this spring.
Class of 2022 will instead likely be given the tests this winter, as 11th graders, under a plan set to be discussed at a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Administering the 10th grade tests to 11th graders next school year will give members of the class of 2022 the ability to earn the competency determination (CD) required for high school graduation and to qualify for scholarships based on their test scores. The test schedule "will be announced shortly,"
For students in the classes of 2021–2023, the competency determination in STE would be awarded upon demonstration that the student earned credit for a course in the relevant subject matter and demonstrated competency in one of the four tested disciplines (biology, chemistry, introductory physics, technology/engineering) during their high school career. The process and timeline for awarding the modified CD will be announced at a later date. “
Class of 2024 will be the next class that will need to meet the STE requirement.
As sophomores next year Class of 2023 will take their 10th grade tests in the spring, as is usual.
NCAA
Latest update
Attention Juniors & Seniors
NACAC has complied a helpful list of college information during this unusual time. Whether you are trying to figure out where to look or where to attend this compilation will help you with what is happening at colleges to respond to this crisis.
Financial Support:
If you and your family need assistance with making decisions in light of financial needs consider consulting with MEFA. Further, if submitting the initial deposit is posing a hardship NACAC has a deposit fee waiver form that some colleges will accept.
Attention Seniors:
**Teacher Recommendations: As part of the admissions process you will need 1-2 teacher recommendations. Students may begin asking teachers on April 27th. Please refer to your Jr Sem Remote Lrng Canvas page for directions on how to do so. **
Attention Parents:
MassSupport Network provides community outreach and support services to residents of all ages in response to the unprecedented public health crisis, COVID-19.
Our anonymous, confidential, and free program is for individuals (including youth), families, schools, organizations, businesses and communities. We provide emotional support, coping strategies, resources, and up-to-date, factual information.
This Crisis Counseling Program is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and managed in partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and Riverside Trauma Center, a program of Riverside Community Care. Call or email to talk to one of our outreach staff: 888-215-4920 or MassSupport@riversidecc.org
'20/'21 Parent Evening Presentations:
All evenings are help in the WHS auditorium at 6:45pm unless otherwise noted.
9/16 Standardized Testing Night recommended for junior students & parents
9/23 Senior Parent Night
10/7 Navigating the College Process with Students w/LD
recommended for junior/senior students & parents
Financial Aid Night** - MEFA
recommended for junior/senior students & parents
** For 2020/2021 MEFA is offering their presentations virtually which you can access at your convenience.
11/18 Junior Parent Night
1/6 GAP Year Panel (in conjunction with Weston & Wayland)
1/27 8th Grade Parent Orientation
2/3 8th Grade Parent Orientation (snow date)
3/25 Fine & Performing Arts Night @ Weston, 7pm
5/5 College Admissions Night
recommended for junior students & parents
Articles Worth Reading:
Stop Trying to Raise Successful Kids
Open letter to students & families
Stigma of Choosing Trade Schools over College
when teens cyber-bully themselves
Calculator Seeks To Help Prospective Students Understand The True Cost Of College
Why the Myth of Meritocracy Hurts Students of Color
How to Talk to Your Teens about Vaping
What Parents Need to Know about Juuling
Has the Smartphone destroyed a Generation?
Guidance and Counseling Department
The Guidance and Counseling Department provides a variety of services in three areas: personal/social, career/college and academic counseling. Within these three broad areas are nine specific services: guidance seminars, counseling, teacher consultation, resource coordination, information delivery, parent education/consultation, placement, evaluation/planning and records/testing. While students are the primary focus of these activities, counselors also work closely with parents, teachers and administrators.
Counselors spend the majority of their time working directly with students. Through individual counseling and guidance seminars, counselors address the developmental needs of students and provide crisis intervention. They are also in frequent communication with faculty, staff and parents in order to coordinate services and provide an optimum school experience for all students.
Counselors work closely with the Special Education Department, serving as referral agents and as members of evaluation teams. Counselors coordinate the 504 process and monitor the implementation of the plans. They also meet regularly with the Student Support Teams that are composed of the assistant principals, school psychologist and special educator to share information and develop strategies to meet the specific needs of individual students.
Any student who wishes to meet with his/her counselor individually should make an appointment in advance. In emergencies, however, a student should feel free to come in to see his/her counselor without advance notice. If the counselor is not available, the student should schedule an appointment or leave a note. Parents are encouraged to use the guidance services, calling (781-446-6290 x4608) with questions or requesting a conference when appropriate.