There
are two
upcoming
meetings
which are
important
for all
parents
of
current
5th -
11th
grade
students
in
the Wellesley
Public
Schools
(these
are the
students
who will
be
attending
WHS
during
construction).
#1
ADVISORY
PUBLIC
HEARING
on
the funding
of
Short-Term
Additional
Classrooms
at the
High
School
-
Wednesday,
Oct 1st,
7:00pm
at Town
Hall.
Details:
The
current
High
School
facility
has a
capacity
of
approximately
1250.
If the
WHS
project
proceeds
as
planned,
the new
facility,
with a
capacity
of
approximately
1600,
will
open in
January
2013.
In the
meantime
(Sep
2009 to
Dec
2012),
the
enrollment
is
expected
to climb
to 1385,
requiring
additional
classroom
space.
The
School
Committee
has proposed
the
conversion
of
certain
existing
spaces
in the
current
High
School
over the
next
three
years,
to yield
a total
of ten
classrooms
for a
total of
$1.6
million.
Among
the
spaces
under
consideration
are the
lecture
hall
(the
little
theater), a
large art
room,
the
library and
the auto
shop.
The
conversion
of these
spaces
is
critical
to the
students
and
faculty
during
this
period.
Additional
classrooms
are
necessary
to
ensure
that the
WHS
educational
program
continues
unabated,
without
an
increase
in class
size or
a
decrease
in
elective
course
availability,
for the
students
who will
be
attending
the
current
High
School
while
the new
building
is being
constructed.
The
funding
of the
short-term
additional
classroom
space
will be
the
subject
of an
article
at the
Special
Town
Meeting
in
October.
Before
the
Adivsory
Committee
makes a
recommendation
to Town
Meeting,
there
will be
a PUBLIC
HEARING.
This is
an
opportunity
to voice
support
for the
funding
and for
the
additional
classroom
space.
All
parents
of
students
who will
be
affected
by this
decision
(grades
5th -
11th)
are
encouraged
to
attend.
#2
CONSTRUCTION
IMPACT
FORUM
to be
held on
the same
evening
as the
above,
Wednesday,
Oct 1st,
7:30pm
at the
WHS
auditorium.
Details:
The WPS
Administration
and
School
Committee
have
organized
a Forum
to
provide
information
and to
hear
questions
and
comments
from
parents
whose
children
will be
attending
WHS
during
the
building
project.
The Forum
will
start
with a
presentation
of the
plans
for
managing
capacity,
followed
by a
discussion
of the
major
issues
which
are
anticipated
to arise
during
the
project
and the
plans
underway
to
mitigate
them.
Parents
are
welcome
to
submit
questions
and
concerns
in
advance
to
School
Committee.
We
encourage
parents
to
attend
the
Public
Hearing
described
above at
Town
Hall and
then
move to
the WHS
auditorium
for the
Forum.
While it
is a
full
night of
meetings,
it is
imperative
that
parents
are
well-informed
of the
issues
and
challenges.
The
efforts made
today
will
make for
a very
successful
building
project
and
educational
experience
for all.
Committee for Education in the 21st
Century
