We are blown away by the outpouring of support from last week’s call for volunteers! A big thank you goes to parents Carrie Beard, Becca Cahaly, Sharon Clarke-Levin, Jie Gao, Kiki Loccisano, Jen Mock, Julie Newman, Malini Prabhu, Liz Sower, and Bry Tartamella for reaching out to get involved. Our WMS PTO group of committee chairs and helpers is now 34 parents strong and growing. Every WMS parent is an integral member of the PTO. We look forward to meeting you soon at school events. Please check out the special “Save The Dates” and announcements below. L'Shana Tovah to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah this weekend! Sincerely,
Your 2023-2024 PTO Presidents
Annie Oh & Katie Sullivan |
| - Monday 9/18: Day 1
- Tuesday 9/19: Day 2
- Wednesday 9/20: Day 3
- Thursday 9/21: Day 4
Student Activities Fair - Friday 9/22: Day 5
New Family Coffee
**Reminder:
No School Monday, September 25th YOM KIPPUR
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THURSDAY: Student Activities Fair The club fair will be right after school on 9/21 in the cafeteria. It takes about 20 minutes, depending on how crowded the tables are. A club is a great way to meet other students while pursuing your interests. Teachers will be there to talk about the time commitment and afterschool schedule for each activity, which varies. Clubs are FREE to join and all are welcome. Students will receive a special QR code in school with all of the club descriptions early this week. Don't forget to check out the *NEW* Rock Band Club this year!
Afterschool clubs will begin the week of Monday, October 2nd. |
FRIDAY: New Family Coffee If you are a parent who is completely new to the town of Wellesley, we would love for you to join us at a New Family Coffee, hosted by parents Annie Oh and Mike Perlman. Please stop by for a little or a lot to ask any questions you have about WMS and meet other new parents. We hope that Kate Mahoney from the school counseling department can join. WMS New Family Coffee: 9/22 @ 8:30 - 9:30am
At the home of: Annie Oh & Mike Perlman, 22 Maurice Road |
Links for information on dates and events that are further out: LINK to Wellesley Middle School Events Calendar LINK to Wellesley Public School Events Calendar |
Back to School Night: Thursday 9/28 Join us at school from 6:30 - 8:30pm for a curriculum night where you will follow your child’s schedule and transition from class-to-class to meet their teachers and receive an in-depth understanding of their day. Mark your calendars! From 8:30-9pm there will be an optional Q&A in the cafeteria. The Spirit Wear Store will be open from 6:15pm - 9:00pm at the ticket window by the Donizetti Entrance. Hoodies galore! |
First Early Release: Wednesday 10/11 The first WMS early release day will be Wednesday, October 11th. School dismissal is at 11:21am and Spirit Wear will be sold at the Donizetti Entrance. Thank you Cathy Tai! |
First PTO Meeting: Monday 10/16 Future of WMS Panel, 7:00 - 8:00pm ZOOM
Principal Dr. Ito and panelists will discuss the strategic vision for the future of WMS. The PTO will give parents an opportunity to submit questions in advance through an upcoming newsletter. Stay tuned! |
Keynote Speaker, Katie Greer: Tuesday 12/5 WMS Auditorium, Evening (Time TBA) Please join fellow parents for a presentation on how to keep our middle schoolers safe online. Best practices on the internet and social media outlets will be presented by nationally known speaker, Katie Greer (www.klgreer.com or @katielgreer on Instagram). Thank you for donating to the WMS PTO to allow this special event to happen. |
Membership Toolkit & Online Directory The WMS PTO Online Directory is now available through Membership Toolkit. New families (i.e. new to Wellesley Public Schools) will be prompted to register. Please use thesame email addressyou provided WPS in the Power School parent portal in order to be matched with your directory information uploaded to Membership Toolkit. You must re-activate your account (or activate for the first time) using the website, not the Membership Toolkit app. After activating, you will then be able to login to the app.
Membership Toolkit App (Apple)
Membership Toolkit (Google Play) If you have any questions, please contact: wms.pto.newsletter@gmail.com |
A Message From Your School Counselors & Kate Mahoney Please take a look at the Counseling Website to get information about counselor assignments and other aspects of school counselors' work. The Newton Wellesley Resilience Project offers support to parents in a variety of ways. Take a look at their upcoming webinar, "Back to School Roadmap" for parents HERE. |
Back To School Night - Spirit Wear Store OPEN The Spirit Wear Store will be open on Back To School night from 6:15-9:00pm. The store is located at the Donizetti Street entrance. Look for the ticket window by the Auditorium. We accept credit cards, cash, checks, Apple Pay, or Venmo @wellesleymspto. Hoodies, Sweatpants, Shorts, PJ Pants, and Tees. GO RAIDERS! Preview our merchandise HERE. |
New WMS School Sign! We are pleased to announce that the Wellesley Planning Board approved the refurbishment of the Kingsbury Street sign this summer. The current sign has faded to light pink over the years and it’s time for a refresh to keep our school looking great. In the spirit of full transparency, the project is costing the PTO $5800. We will be using Class Gift funds from the generous 2022 & 2023 8th grade classes, which have been reserved for this purpose. The "by right" town permit has recently been secured and the PTO hopes to have this project complete by the end of October. Kristen Toffer from the Beautification Committee is meeting with the town Monday to discuss a plan for the plantings around the sign. Stay tuned! |
What’s For Lunch? Are you ever curious about what’s for lunch? Download the “FD MealPlanner” app from your phone’s AppStore. Take the time to create an account, or “Skip For Now” and enter “Wellesley Middle School” for the location. It’s THAT EASY to see what’s offered for lunch every day. You can also visit the website, FDMealPlanner.com. Full nutritional info and allergens are listed. Keep in mind that in order to get a free school meal, students must take a complete meal that meets the nutritional requirements. More info can be found HERE. |
Need a Cool Job? If you care about the environment and would like to hear about Wellesley Green Schools initiatives, we would love for a parent to attend the 9/21 meeting in the Wellesley Free Library, Commons Area, from 10-11am. All you need to do is attend for one hour and let us know the news! Please email katiebsullivan@me.com if this interests you. |
A message from your WMS Nurses The school nurse may administer Motrin (Ibuprofen) or Tylenol (Acetaminophen) to a student once during the school day for dental pain, headache, menstrual cramps or muscle soreness. Documented parent/guardian consent is required in the SNAP Health Portal. Once consent is complete, it is valid for one full calendar year. Please make sure your consent is current by checking the portal. Directions for completing consent in SNAP can be found HERE. |
| Wellesley Education Foundation (WEF) event with Harlan Cohen Program: Happy, Healthy, Almost Stress-Free College Planning & Success: For Parents and Students
Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Wellesley High School Auditorium
RSVP: https://www.wellesleyeducationfoundation.org/ Want to make college planning a more positive, healthier, and less-stressful experience? Join New York Times bestselling author, Harlan Cohen, (The Naked Roommate: And 107 Other Issues You Might Run Into in College and The Naked Roommate: For Parents Only!) for a live in person event for high school students and their families. Harlan will help you rethink college search and selection using strategies that have helped countless other students and families. Harlan uses personal anecdotes, humor, and an interactive style to engage audiences while sharing essential information. For more about Harlan visit: www.HarlanCohen.com.
Follow him on Instagram @harlancohen and TikTok @helpmeharlan. |
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| Wellesley Youth Basketball Registration is open for Wellesley Youth Basketball 2023-24 season programs! Programs available for all ages and skill levels. Register HERE – and find additional program info at www.wellesleybasketball.org or on Instagram @wellesleyyouthbasketball Metrowest is a competitive league for dedicated players in grades 4-8. Registration closes September 16 and TRYOUTS will be held in late Sept. ($25 tryout fee). Season: early Nov-mid-March. Wellesley Hoops is a balanced, in-town league for Grades 4-9. Everyone makes a team. Season: Mid Nov-early March. 3rd Grade Hoops is a practice and play league of small teams. Saturdays from mid-Nov until Feb break. - Mini Raiders instructional program for 1st & 2nd graders: Saturdays from Dec until Feb break.
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| Wellesley Green Schools Wellesley Green Schools is collaborative group of caregivers, students and staff working together to reduce Wellesley schools' ecological footprint and to inspire students to create a healthy sustainable world. Kick off Meeting Thursday, September 21st @ 10am Wellesley Free Library Commons Area - Come hear from a team of Green Team reps who have been working on cafeteria waste diversion at the new schools. We really need your help and support.
- Share what is important to you/your school community this academic year.
- Brainstorm how our school community can help Wellesley meet its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 with the knowledge that buildings (municipal, residential and commercial) represent 53% of our greenhouse gas emissions in town, followed by transportation at 46%.
Upcoming Meetings
Save the date for the rest of the WGS meetings:
11/16, 1/18, 3/21 and 5/16 |
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| POPS General Meeting Please join POPS (Parents of Performing Students) for their first general meeting of the 2023-2024 school year. Tuesday, September 26th
6:30-7:30pm at Wellesley High School Join us to hear about the year ahead in performing arts! |
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| Wellesley Scout Tro0p 185 Parents of kids in grades 6 and up… looking to try something new in 2023? Do you have a son or daughter who likes to go hiking, camping, or just messing around in the outdoors… or do you think they would enjoy these things if given the opportunity in in a fun and supportive environment surrounded by other like-minded kids? Escape the indoors with Scouting and Wellesley Troop 185 or our Venture Crew! No experience with Scouting, camping or anything else needed. The Troop meets most Mondays at 7:30pm in the social hall behind St. Paul's on Washington Street. The Venture Crew goes on trips a few times a year with social outings in between. All are welcome - always. Check us out here, or look at our calendar to see what we do, or just come to a meeting to learn more. For more information, email scoutmaster@mytroop185.com. |
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| PlayRox! 3v3 Hoops @ WMS NO FEE!
Fridays 2:30-3:20pm WMS Gym B Our popular 3v3 Hoops Rocks On! WHS Student DJs & Coaches bring Tunes, Energy & Fun for students to UnPlug & Play after school! Enjoy open gym, free play & relaxed action packed 3v3 games. We are pleased to offer no fee but space is limited & pre-registration is required. Offered by Community Investors, a Wellesley-based nonprofit supporting Physical, Social & Emotional Wellness. PlayRox programs are inspired & supported by Terriers Sports to EmPower Happy & Healthy Students ROCKING The Power of Play! Planned 2023 Dates are
September 22nd, 29th
October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
November 3rd, 17th
December 1st, 8th, 15th
January 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
February 2nd, 9th, 16th
March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
April 5th, 12th |
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