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District Monthly Update
August 2023, Waltham Public Schools
WELCOME FROM ACTING SUPERINTENDENT LEANNE WILCINSKI
Dear Family, Friends, Colleagues and Members of the Waltham Schools Community,
I want to extend a warm welcome to each and every member of the Waltham Public Schools community as we embark on what promises to be a transformative 2023-24 school year. It's with a mix of emotions – a sense of excitement for the journey ahead and a touch of nostalgia as this will be my last year with Waltham Public Schools. As Acting Superintendent, I along with our leadership team including Dr. Nadene Stein, Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel, and Ms. Sarah Kent, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, are partners in ensuring we collectively remain focused on equity and excellence for all. We are aware that this school year brings some transitions and challenges, but I want to assure you we are well equipped to move forward to mold futures, inspire minds, and create an environment where every student's potential is realized.
While my experience may not be in the classroom, my 17 years serving this district in finance and operations has given me an invaluable perspective. I've witnessed first hand the dedication and passion that educators bring to their work, and the diligence of our committed support staff ensuring our schools function seamlessly. I've seen the power of education to transform lives, and we are here to support the incredible efforts and collaboration across this community for learning and success.
Waltham is fortunate to have an amazingly hard-working, and compassionate team of administrators, educators and support staff who are committed to ensuring that our students receive the care and education they deserve. On behalf of the entire central office team, we are confident that our strength lies in our collective and collaborative efforts within a diverse, vibrant and connected community.
The recently finalized 2023-2027 District Strategic Plan will guide us as we move forward to carry out what will ignite our passions to ensure that each student succeeds by a shared commitment to our mission and steadfast dedication to their growth and well-being.
Please enjoy the remaining week of the summer and on behalf of the entire Waltham Public Schools, we look forward to welcoming our Grade 1-12 students and families for the start of school on Tuesday, August 29.
Warm wishes,
Leanne Wilcinski, Acting Superintendent
NEW LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE DISTRICT!
Please extend a warm welcome to the following leaders new to Waltham or taking on a new role in our district:
Adrienne Norris, Interim Principal Plympton Elementary School
Tedd Markos, Assistant Principal McDevitt Middle School
Matt Burns, Science Director Grades 6-12
Blake Siskavich, Fine and Performing Arts Director
Christine Young, Director of Health Services
This Camp Rocks!
Waltham Public School's Annual Rock Band Camp summer performance was held on August 2, 2023 at the McDevitt Middle School. Fifty-three WPS students brought the house down rocking out to a variety of hits! The event was also able to raise $750 for the Walter Tokarczyk Memorial Scholarship.
T1 Math & Literacy Camp
During the months of July and early August, we hosted hundreds of students across the district for summer learning. As the largest summer program, the T1 Math & Literacy Camp held at Northeast Elementary School enrolled more than 200 students from grades K-5. Students participated in engaging and enriching math and literacy learning activities as well as in art, drama, science and social and emotional skills. Lots of learning, fun and new friendships took place! Thank you to all the staff and families for their support in making our summer programming such a success!
Figure Me Out Math at T1 Northeast
Figure Me Out Math at T1 Northeast
Art Projects at T1 Northeast
WPS and BC Summer Science Camp
Over the summer, 30 students participated in an automated greenhouse project run through Boston College's Innovations in Urban Science Education Lab. They were led by Professor Mike Barnett of Boston College as well as two Waltham Science Educators, Andy Trossello and Tess Cigliano. During the camp, they learned how to code automated greenhouses, as well as how to use a 3D printer and laser cutter at Waltham's Charles River Museum of Industry and Innovation. They presented their projects at a showcase to parents and members of the community, and had a ton of fun in the process!
Summer Robotics Camp
Middle school students had a fun week at robotics camp building robots, learning about programming and sensors, and completing different challenges like a line follower, escape the box, and a treasure hunter robot. They capped off the week with a sumo-bot tournament on August 4th which was very exciting! The camp is hosted by high school teachers, Connor Rooney and Michael LeBeau, and they hope all the participants had a fun time and will encourage their friends to try out the program next summer.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR LEADERS IN JULY
This July WPS was well represented at the Massachusetts Association of Superintendent Summer Institute. Assistant Superintendents Dr. Nadene Stein and Sarah Kent and Multilingual Department Administrator Dr. Sara Hamerla presented a session collaboratively entitled "Elevating Student Voice from Central Office". The presentation described our work with Superintendent's Cabinet, New Educator Orientation Student Panel, Inclusion of Student Voice in the IEP Process, and our Spanish for Educators Courses. The session was very well received and attended by approximately 70 educational leaders!
Sarah Kent, Sara Hamerla, Nadene Stein
Elevating Student Voice from Central Office
Participants from Elevating Student Voice
BACK TO SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ASPEN STUDENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
Aspen is Waltham Public School's Student Information System (SIS). Aspen allows students, teachers, and parents to access data, including class schedules, school events, student grades, and more.
All Families with an email address in Aspen are able to view current information in the Aspen Student Information System.
Elementary school families should receive information about their child's class assignment by end of day tomorrow.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS!
All school meals will remain free for the 2023-2024 school year! This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all #Waltham students. Please feel free to share this! Information on back-to-school menus will be posted on our website in the next few weeks. As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide delicious and nutritious meals to all students. If you have any questions contact: meals@walthampublicschools.org
MEAL APPLICATIONS
Although school meals are available at no cost to students, applying for meal benefits may be important for your family. By applying for meal benefits you may be eligible for free SAT fees, college applications, and community benefits. Online applications are available on our website.
NEWCOMER & MULTILINGUAL FAMILIES REUNION ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23
Beginning of School Year Reunion for Newcomer and Multilingual Families at Waltham Public Library Wednesday, August 23 6:00-7:30 p.m. Learn about how to communicate with your school. Meet staff from the Welcome Center and Waltham Schools!
PARENT INFORMATION CENTER (PIC)
HAS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGED OVER THE SUMMER?
Address Changes During the Summer
In-District Moves
Families that moved within the City of Waltham since last school year, and have not notified their child’s school of their new address, must provide the following information before August 28, 2023, to the Parent Information Center (PIC) located at 617 Lexington Street, by email PIC@walthampublicschools.org, by mail, or by using the secure drop box located at the Waltham High School building entrance:
Parent or guardian name, phone number, email address
New and previous address
Name(s) of your child and the school where they are currently enrolled
Required documents:
ONE of the following documents
Current Mortgage Statement
City of Waltham Quarterly Tax Bill
Current Signed Lease Agreement
PROOF OF OCCUPANCY
TWO of the following dated within the past 30 days*
Cable/satellite TV bill
Electric, Gas or Water bill
Home/Renter’s Insurance
*Location of the service NOT the mailing address.
If you are unable to produce Proof of Residency documents in your own name, you must submit two Proof of Occupancy documents (see table above) along with the Waltham Residency Affidavit Form [Spanish] [Portuguese] [Haitian Creole] following these guidelines:
Parent or Guardian Completes SECTION I.
The Owner, Lessee or Landlord of the property where the applicant lives completes SECTION II.
The TWO separate notary sections are BOTH to be filled out and signed by a notary public, and both parties may have the form signed and notarized at different times.
The completed and notarized form is submitted to the PIC office for new registrations, and the school for address changes, along with TWO items from the Proof of Occupancy and are the only documents accepted.
Addresses will be changed after all the required forms are reviewed by the PIC and families will be notified by email or by phone once the address change is updated in the student file.
Address changes taking place after August 28, 2023, should be sent to your child’s school.
Please contact the PIC with any questions at 781-314-5524 (English) 781-314-5668 (Español) or visit the website at Student Registration.
STUDENT TRANSPORTATION
2023-24 BUS ROUTES AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK
Please check our website during the week of August 21 when our
2023-2024 School Bus Routes will be posted on the Transportation Services page.
Please contact the PIC with any questions at 781-314-5524 (English) 781-314-5668 (Español).
Preschool & Kindergarten Information
More information can be found on the Waltham Public Schools District website: Preschool Information for 2023-2024
Kindergarten Screenings are still staking place. Contact the PIC Please contact the PIC with any questions at 781-314-5524 (English) 781-314-5668 (Español); or your school principal (contact information below).
STUDENT CHROMEBOOKS
During the start of the school year our IT department will be deploying student devices to our grade 6 and 9 students. Grade 9 will first be distributed during Freshman Orientation day on August 28th. Families of both grades should keep an eye out for the device agreement form to be emailed to them for digital signatures.
Waltham Public Schools APP for DOWNLOAD
APPTEGY
Waltham Public Schools has a new alert system and you can download the app to receive notifications right to your phone.
Go to the Apple or Google Play App Store
Download the Waltham PS App
Tap the Schools icon on the bottom right
When the list of schools comes up, check off which schools(s) you would like to receive alerts from. (You may want to also subscribe to Waltham Public Schools to get district wide announcements)
Then tap the 3 horizontal lines on the bottom left to bring up this screen.
Click Notifications
Click Settings on the bottom right
Push Notifications
Select what schools you would like to receive Push notifications from.
Here is a quick video tutorial to help. You can also go to our home page and download from there (bottom right).
NEED FURTHER HELP ABOUT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR?
Please contact your school's principal or assistant principals for further information about the start of the school year!
Waltham High School: Principal Darrell Braggs darrellbraggs@walthampublicschools.org
Kennedy Middle School: Principal Kevin Gildea kevingildea@walthampublicschools.org
McDevitt Middle School: Principal Scott Lipman scottlipman@walthampublicschools.org
Dual Language School: Principal Ricardo Dobles ricardodobles@walthampublicschools.org
Fitzgerald Elementary School: Principal Jenn Santillo JenniferSantillo@walthampublicschools.org
MacArthur Elementary School: Principal Kevin Kmiec kevinkmiec@walthampublicschools.org
Plympton Elementary School: Interim Principal Adrienne Norris adriennenorris@walthampublicschools.org
Northeast Elementary School: Principal Mary Ellen Tenaglia maryellentenaglia@walthampublicschools.org
Stanley Elementary School: Principal Jennifer Hacker jenniferhacker@walthampublicschools.org
Whittemore Elementary School: Principal David Sweder davidsweder@walthampublicschools.org
Waltham Family School: Jackie Herrera jacquelineherrera@walthampublicschools.org
BACK TO SCHOOL WELLNESS CLINICS HOSTED BY CHARLES RIVER COMMUNITY HEALTH
REMINDERS & UPCOMING DATES
CONVOCATION (ALL EDUCATORS & STAFF)
AUGUST 28, 2023
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (GRADES 1-12)
AUGUST 29, 2023