IN THE NEWS

In the face of difficult decisions affecting school budgets, the WPSF strives to continue to support important educational programs for our students and teachers through contributions from the Wayland community. Your support of the Foundation is crucial to this worthwhile endeavor and is greatly appreciated.

Homecoming Win for the Wayland Public Schools Foundation

WAYLAND Oct. 5, 2009 - Wayland celebrated its first homecoming event at the Homecoming Party hosted by the Wayland Public Schools Foundation (WPSF) on Oct. 3. The party built on the enthusiasm and excitement generated by the celebration of 100 years of Wayland High School football, capped by a big football game against Lincoln-Sudbury and the unveiling of a new fight song performed at the Wayland High School stadium the previous Friday night.

"Wayland hasn't celebrated homecoming before and it seemed like the timing was perfect to tap into the spirit at Wayland High and continue the festivities at a "Homecoming" party Saturday night," said Jim Bryant, president of the Wayland Public Schools Foundation. Click here for full article in the Wayland Town Crier

The Wayland Literacy Institute

Wayland Town Crier, July 10, 2009
WAYLAND - While Wayland students couldn't wait for summer vacation to begin in June, many of their teachers were already looking forward to going back to school. They were awaiting the inaugural session of the Wayland Literacy Institute on June 30 to July 2 at Wayland Middle School.

"This is a good example of the type of grant the foundation strives to make to Wayland's schools," said Jim Bryant, president of the Wayland Public Schools Foundation. "We provided the seed money for an innovative program that would take root and enrich the classroom experience of Wayland students."

"It is important for teachers to be learners themselves and to continue to hone their craft," said Assistant Superintendent Brad Crozier. The problem is that school budgets increasingly don't allow it, and leading school systems like Wayland have to get innovative to maintain their teaching edge. Click here for full article in the Wayland Town Crier

Bringing classrooms into the 21st century

WAYLAND Dec. 11, 2008 - As Ken Altshuler's physics class students slid into their seats and waited expectantly for class to begin, he switched on his digital projector. Large images of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce snapped on a screen where everyone could see them.

"Who needs to know physics?" he asked the class, and then launched into a discussion about what these athletes needed to know to do their jobs. Using a motion detector connected to a computer, Altshuler projected an image of a live bouncing basketball onto a screen. He also displayed a simulation program from the Internet on the same screen. Click here for full article in the Wayland Town Crier.

WPSF Funds Provocative Presentations at Wayland High School

Wayland Town Crier, Jan. 2008 - Winter Week, the week following HS mid-terms is a chance for students to take a break from the academic rigors of a typical week and to be exposed to new ideas and different ways of thinking. Thanks to the creative efforts of faculty who applied for the Wayland Public Schools Foundation grants, the students experienced a variety of powerful presentations by a group of poets and musicians, an author and a one-woman show in observance of 'Domestic Violence Awareness Month'.

This years Poetry Slam, "Snap, Crackle, Pop- A Celebration of the Spoken Word", treated students to an energized, edgy, 'poetic pugilism' from many perspectives. Poets ranted and raved while musicians embellished their emotion through instrumental interpretations. Each poet was given 8 minutes to 'weave a tapestry' which was then voted upon by 3 student judges. The Little Theater was alive with energy as the students tried to take in the fast-paced, stimulating performances, eliciting a variety of emotions.

The student feedback to English Teachers Dana Holland and Janet Karman was overwhelmingly exuberant and positive. "I thought it would be boring, kind of a waste of my time, but when I actually saw the slam, it was amazing and inspirational." "I didn't know that poets could sing their poems!" "The music and the poets' poems went seamlessly together, and it was moving and inspirational." "The energetic poets vigorously performed their poetry...The experience of going to a poetry slam is one that I will never forget." Click here for the full article in the Wayland Town Crier

March 2008: Wayland Public Schools Foundation Brings Artist in Residence-Storyteller to Elementary Classrooms

The Wayland Public Schools Foundation recently funded a grant which brought Tim Van Egmond "Artist in Residence-Storyteller: Building a Repertoire for Telling and Writing Personal Narratives" to a fourth grade class at Happy Hollow School. The grant, written by teacher Maureen Devlin, was designed to build upon narrative writing skills and concept foundation in alliance with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

Ms. Devlin has seen an increase in her students' enthusiasm for writing and in their creative ability. Parent Leah Hart commented, "I was very impressed with the children's story telling in Maureen Devlin's class. It was clear that the students had worked hard on their stories and presentations. It was also clear that Ms. Devlin had done a wonderful job working with the children on their writing and presentation. The opportunity to see a great story teller enriched the lives of the students." James Lee, Principal of Happy Hollow School, feels that this was a wonderful opportunity to get the children in front of the class and to use their creativity. He was excited by the enthusiasm in the classroom and all were clearly impressed with the successful result. The children enjoyed the experience and frequently referenced the storyteller. Once again, the Wayland Public Schools Foundation has successfully supported a program that has enhanced, enriched and encouraged learning within our schools. Click here for the full article from the Wayland Town Crier