The summary provides the key details from the document in 3 sentences: The document discusses the author's experience attending a reunion event for Asian-American alumni of Harvard University. At the event, the author was asked repeatedly about their views on Michelle Rhee and the documentary "Waiting for Superman". The author responds that while charter schools can provide opportunities, addressing educational deficits requires bringing all educators together to recognize the commitment of those working in urban schools.

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Dear Colleagues,
Earlier in October I attended a reunion event for all Asian-American alumni of Harvard University. Participating
alumni represented the undergraduate college as well as many of the graduate schools. It was the first time
the university ever held such an event for its Asian-American student alumni and that made this reunion
particularly special. Interest was so high, the event planners actually had to turn away alumni after 400 had
signed up to attend. I was reunited with alumni who had traveled from New York, California and as far as
Beijing.
One of the morning events was a networking breakfast. I offered to host the K-12 Education Table. When I
arrived, I did find it was the smallest table, after the one for finance, law, government, academia and even
media. (The organizers did not create a table for science and medicine because it was too large a group.)
However, while I had a small group, it was indeed a passionate one. We surprised ourselves to find we talked
non-stop until we were prompted to move to the next session 90 minutes later.
As the morning proceeded, I was asked the same two questions over and over by my alumni brethren. First,
what did I think of Michelle Rhee? Being an Asian-American woman who is a school superintendent, you can
imagine I have been asked this question a lot over the last three years and have, admittedly, become weary of
it. It was already known that she was about to resign, so I replied in my most non-committal tone, that I was
sure she would re-emerge and let the questioner take it from there. It was interesting to see most people
interpreted that neutral statement to be supportive of how they felt. It was also disconcerting to see how many
people’s apparent beliefs about public education are so pre-determined based on perceptions as presented in
the media.
The second question I was asked over and over was what I thought of “Waiting for Superman?” By now I
knew, finding myself a minority within a minority at this reunion, that it was important for me to answer this
question thoughtfully. Like it or not, many people’s impressions of public education are defined by Michelle
Rhee and perhaps now even more by Superman. It was my small chance to affect some nuance to emerging
points of view.
So my reply to that question is that I have only respect for educators who have committed themselves to
working in the urban environment. I remind people that there is a shortage of qualified candidates
for teaching and administrative positions for all schools anywhere to underscore that those who
are working in the urban environment have choices and that they have made an enduring choice
to work in the urban schools. There are many great educators currently working in urban public
schools. I believe charter schools are born out of passion and commitment to providing students a
Wellesley Public Schools
40 Kingsbury Street
Wellesley, Massachusetts 02481
Bella T. Wong
Superintendent of Schools
The Superintendent’s Bulletin is posted weekly on Fridays on our website. It provides timely, relevant
information about meetings, professional development opportunities, curriculum and program development,
grant awards, and School Committee news. The bulletin is also the official vehicle for job postings. Please
read the bulletin regularly and use it to inform colleagues of meetings and other school news.
Superintendent’s
Bulletin
www.wellesley.k12.ma.us/district/bulletins.htm
Bulletin #9
October 29, 2010

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quality educational experience. But I believe all educators are driven by this same interest. We are all like-
minded on this point. Charter schools can present an opportunity, but not an entire solution. The deficits are
too great to be overcome by isolated efforts. The solution can only come from leadership and a value system
that recognizes the positive energy and motivation instilled in all educators. Whether or not charter schools
have merit is beside the point. My worry is that Superman does not foster an environment for well-intentioned
parties to come together, but makes it even harder for that to happen, and the educational community needs to
come together if we are to move forward in a way that will benefit all students no matter where they are in
school.
Beware of reunions! Enjoy the weekend,
Calendar
Thursday 10/28 Teachers for Safe Schools Meeting
Sunday 10/31 Happy Halloween!
Tuesday 11/2 State Election Day – K-5 Early Dismissal
Wednesday 11/3 System-wide Early Release
Thursday 11/4 WEF Wellesley Bee – Sprague School
Tuesday 11/9 School Committee Meeting – Town Hall
Thursday 11/11 Veterans’ Day – No School
Tuesday 11/16 School Committee Meeting – Town Hall
*FINAL NOTICE!*
Are You Working Toward A Higher
Salary Lane?
All teachers who expect to receive a Master’s degree, M+30, or M+60/Doctorate during the 12 month period
July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012, must send formal notification of intent to change salary lanes to Addie Doherty,
c/o the Superintendent’s Office, no later than November 1, 2010. This early notification deadline is required
so that provisions for anticipated salary lane changes may be made within the new fiscal year budget. Please
note: The list does not carry forward. Teachers must provide written notice each year until they have
received their new degree.

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2010‐2011 Professional Development Opportunities
Professional Development opportunities for 2010- 2011 are posted at
http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com. Course descriptions and
registration instructions are included. This link can also be found on the
WPS website under 2010-2011 Professional Development Offerings.
Still Room in Upcoming Course . . . .
Reading Comprehension Strategies for Students with Asperger's and
High Functioning Autism
Intended Audience: K-5 Teachers
There are a variety of strategies based on proficient reader research that can help children with
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop higher order reading comprehension skills and that can
also be tailored to the cognitive characteristics of children with ASD (Gately 2008). For teachers who
work with these students, finding effective strategies to teach requires investigation. Only a few
studies, however, have investigated reading proficiency in individuals with ASD (Flores and Ganz
2007). The purpose of this course it to provide educators with a reference guide to locate strategies
and materials to help in the teaching of reading comprehension to students with ASD.
Instructor: Andrea Stavrakas
Date(s): Saturdays: November 13 and 20, 2010 Time: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Location: TBD
PDPs: 12 Inservice Credit: 1
Framingham State University Graduate Credit: 1; Pending Approval (Cost per credit: $65)
Full CPI Training
Target Audience: Special Educators, Specialists, TAs, and Regular Education Teachers
The cornerstone of CPI since 1980, this program is considered the worldwide standard for crisis prevention
and intervention training. With a core philosophy of providing for the Care, Welfare, Safety, and SecuritySM of
everyone involved in a crisis situation, the program’s proven strategies give human service providers and
educators the skills to safely and effectively respond to anxious, hostile, or violent behavior while balancing the
responsibilities of care. Attendance at all three sessions is required for participation in this course.
Dates:
Fall Offering: November 16, 23 and 30, 2010 Time: 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Sprague School Library Instructor: Adam Diliberto
PDPs: 12 Inservice Credit: 1 or C&I pay at the rate of $215/day for a 6 hour day

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Summer Offering: June 28 and 29, 2011 Time: 8:00 am to 3 pm
Location: TBD Instructor: Elisa Buchsbaum
PDPs: 12
Inservice Credit: 1 or C&I pay at the rate of $215/day for a 6 hour day
To register, go to http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com/ to the online registration form. This is listed as a
new course under “School Safety.”
CPI Refresher Training
Prerequisite: Full CPI Training During the 2009-2010 School Year. The cornerstone of CPI since 1980,
this program is considered the worldwide standard for crisis prevention and intervention training. With a core
philosophy of providing for the care, welfare, safety, and security of everyone involved in a crisis situation, the
program’s proven strategies give human service providers and educators the skills to safely and effectively
respond to anxious, hostile, or violent behavior while balancing the responsibilities of care.
Dates:
Spring Offering: March 15, 2011 Time: 3:00–6:00 pm Instructor: Adam Diliberto PDPs: 3
Information regarding location will be posted on Wiki.
To register, go to http://wps-professionaldev.wikispaces.com/ to the online registration form. This is listed as a
new course under “School Safety.”
Congrats!!! to Patty Weismer on the birth of her daughter,
Eliza Marie Weismer, on October 23, 2010
Coaching Positions
Winter Season 2010-11
HS Head Coach: Dance Team
HS Assistant Coach: Gymnastics
Spring Season 2011
HS Assistant Coach (part time) – Baseball
HS Assistant Coach (part time) – Sailing
Middle School Coach – Softball
Contact Athletic Director
John_Brown@wellesley.k12.ma.us

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POSITIONS AVAILABLE
2010‐2011 OPENINGS
Long Term Substitute (.8FTE) High School English Teacher needed to teach Grades 9, 10 and Journalism
starting January 24, 2011 until the end of the school year. Salary $170.10/day. Please send cover letter,
resume, three letters of reference, licensure and transcripts to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent,
Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail
Personnel@wellesley.k12.ma.us.
Long Term Substitute High School Adjustment Counselor in Bridge Program needed starting January 31,
2011 until the end of the school year. Salary $170.10/day. The responsibilities for this position are: Provide
clinical support and crisis intervention; facilitate communication between students, school personnel, therapists
and other agencies; assess student functioning and triage cases; provide consultation to school staff and
administration; collaborate with Academic Coordinator: oversee, facilitate the design, coordination,
implementation and evaluation of day to day activities related to programming; and supervise graduate intern. A
LISCW, MSW or comparable degree is preferred. Please send cover letter, resume, three letters of reference,
licensure and transcripts to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury
Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail Personnel@wellesley.k12.ma.us
Elementary Long-Term Substitute. Grade 1 long-term substitute needed to start around January 3, 2011
until April 1, 2011. Salary $170.10/day. Please send cover letter, resume, and three letters of reference,
licensure and transcripts to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40
Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail Personnel@wellesley.k12.ma.us
Elementary Long-Term Substitute. Grade 1 long-term substitute needed to start around January 24, 2011
until end of school year. Salary 170.10/day. Please send cover letter, resume, and three letters of reference,
licensure and transcripts to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40
Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail Personnel@wellesley.k12.ma.us
Elementary Long-Term Substitute. Grade 1 long-term substitute needed to start around March 13, 2011
until end of the school year. Salary $170.10/day. Please send cover letter, resume, and three letters of
reference, licensure and transcripts to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools,
40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail Personnel@wellesley.k12.ma.us.
Long Term Substitute Cafeteria Worker needed immediately. Candidate will work under the supervision
of the Cook/Manger, the general worker will operate kitchen equipment, provide routine cleaning of the kitchen,
and any other tasks that pertain to the food service department. Salary - $11.74/hr. Work hours are Monday;
Tuesday; Thursday and Friday -7:30 am to 12:30 pm. Candidate should possess good physical stamina; neat
appearance and like to work with people. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should send
applications to Salvatore Petralia, Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street,
Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail Personnel@Wellesley.k12.ma.us. Application form:
http://wellesleyma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/WellesleyMA_HR/ApplicationForEmployment.pdf
Special Needs Van Monitor needed for approximately 20-22 hours per week. This is a split shift a.m.-p.m.
Must have current CPR and First Aid certification. Salary range $12.17-$13.80 per hr. Must be able to start
A.S.A.P. Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should send applications to Salvatore Petralia,
Assistant Superintendent, Wellesley Public Schools, 40 Kingsbury Street, Wellesley, MA 02481 or e-mail
Personnel@Wellesley.k12.ma.us. Application form:
http://wellesleyma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/WellesleyMA_HR/ApplicationForEmployment.pdf
Wellesley Public Schools Actively Seeks to Increase the Diversity of its Workforce
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!!!