School Committee members have worked to address important issues and themes at the Wellesley Public Schools, including COVID-19 safety measures, maintaining a welcoming, equal, and safe environment, and the organization and planning of each school week altered by the hybrid model. At the School Committee meeting on December 22, School Committee members and student advisory representatives discussed the surveillance testing, appointment and retirement of staff, and updated policies in order to improve upon these issues.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Joan Dabrowski presented the updated equal access language of Wellesley Public Schools (WPS), which writes out the system’s policies against discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Superintendent Dr. David Lussier said the updated equal access language will now include limited English proficiency and housing status. School Committee members discussed and approved this update.
“As part of the district’s self-evaluation related to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Civil Rights Tiered Focus Monitoring process, the Wellesley Public Schools (WPS) will update its equal access language in all print and web-based materials, communications and policies,” said Lussier.
Lussier also presented and discussed an update on the WPS viral testing program. The presentation highlighted the goals, approach, outcome, and reflections, both on what worked well and what could be improved on testing. It also discussed survey results on thoughts about the testing program from staff and parents, general observations, funding projections, and next steps.
To honor high school Athletic Trainer Ms. Patty Hickey, who retired after a long and admirable career, School Committee members discussed and approved naming the high school’s Training Room “Patty’s Room” as a token to her impact on the high school, as suggested by Athletic Director Mr. John Brown.