Around Town

Shopper's Corner

Once again, it's time for Shopper's Corner's HALF PRICE SALE!  Our already amazingly low prices will be cut in half to help us clear our fall / winter inventory and make way for spring and summer fashions.  Not only will you find great deals on cold weather gear such as snow pants, hats and mittens, but you'll find the same 50% off on every item in the store including shirts, pants, baby clothes, scarves, belts and more!  

And if half price isn't enough to tempt you, our semi-annual BAG SALE will take place in just over a week.  Buy one of our generously sized bags for $5 and fill it to the brim with any items you want.  It's a great opportunity to stock up on basics, try something a little edgy, or to purchase for your favorite charity.

Mark you calendar for these fantastic opportunities to save!

Special thanks to the volunteers from 5E, 5S, 1M, KG, 2E, 2S and 5M for their help in the upcoming weeks.

 

Shopper's Corner is located in the basement of Schofield Elementary at 27 Cedar Street.  Walk through the playground toward the back of the school and look for our sign on your left.  All proceeds benefit the Schofield PTO!

Summer Programs Available in Wellesley for 6th-8th Grade Children

Attention current 5^th graders!!!  The Wellesley Youth Commission is now accepting applications for its’ three summer programs: Fire Rescuers, Youth Academy and Wellesley Media Corporation.  Each of these programs offer an opportunity for Wellesley youth, entering grades 6-8^th in the fall of 2014, to experience valuable aspects of the Wellesley community. Applications may be found on the Youth Commission website athttp://wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Youth/summer%202 or contact Maura Renzella at mrenzella@wellesleyma.gov for additional information.

Food Safety Study:  Join a night of discussion with the League of Women Voters!
What:  An organic wine-tasting party, where we will learn about a food safety study underway by the League of Women Voters.
When:  Three Monday evenings:  February 3rd, March 3rd and March 24th (you are welcome to attend one or all three!)
Time:  7:00 - 8:30 pm
Where: 19 Comeau St., Wellesley
RSVP: lwvwellesley@gmail.com

Visit our website:  lwvwellesley.org, or say hello to us on Facebook!

Wellesley Community Center Creates Grand Illusion with Special Guest Lyn Dillies rescheduled for February 6.

On Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 4:00PM, the Wellesley Community Center will tape another episode of Gil Stubbs’ World of Magic, featuring special guest magician and illusionist, Lyn Dillies.

Lyn has performed all over North American and has made many television appearances over the years.  She is regarded in the entertainment field as the most accomplished female illusionist in the business. “One of her most notable performances was to make two live Asian elephants, Ruth and Emily, appear in succession.  The event was held outdoors in front of a live audience for the grand opening of the Buttonwood Park Zoo in her hometown of New Bedford MA.  It took eight months to prepare for this incredible spectacle and required more than 5,000 square feet of fabric, 300 feet of truss, two cases of red seedless grapes (the pachyderms' favorite treat) and a little sleight of trunk! “Using an original concept that took years of planning, Lyn performs her “Magic at the Symphony” program live with symphonies all around the country including several performances at Lincoln Center.  This program combines the majesty of classical music with Lyn’s breathtaking illusions encouraging children to discover the magic of classical music while experiencing the harmony of her illusions.”

Her heritage is anchored by magic.  Her great-grandfather, Thomas Wyatt, was an amateur magician and member of the New Bedford Magic Wand Club, an organization she was to join in her early teens.  While Ms. Dillies’ parents are not performers, each has gotten into the act by supporting her career.  In the early days, mom Loretta acted as a booking agent and wardrobe manager, while father Calvin built her first illusion.  They shared chauffeur duties and marveled when their daughter began to drive a large truck to transport her seven ton show.  “I never would have made it without them,” say Ms. Dillies of her two most ardent fans.  “My family and friends are the real magic in my life!”

To learn more about Lyn Dillies, visit her website at: www.magicoflyn.com/mainhigh.html

The show starts at 4:00PM and runs until 5:00PM.  Admission is free, but you must register for your seats by emailing the Wellesley Community Center at info@wellesleycommunitycenter.org or call the main office at 781-235-4172.

Turn the Key, Be Idle Free:  See below for tips and information to help create a sustainable Wellesley
Click link HERE to view the related flyer.

Environmental Film Series:  "Simple Steps to a Greener Home"
Presented by Green Wellesley Campaign
When:  February 25th from 1-2:30 pm
Where:  Wakelin Room of the Wellesley Free Library
For more information, see flyer HERE.

Wellesley Youth Lacrosse

New this year--Wellesley Youth Lacrosse is now offering 1st and 2nd Grade Girls and Boys lacrosse.

8 week intro program, April - June.  No experience necessary.  Registration  at Wellesleylacrosse.org

Around Town

Smart Wellesley. Making the Switch!

The Town of Wellesley is leading the way to a more sustainable holiday season by switching Town holiday lights to LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and setting many of them to go off at 11 pm. Municipal Light Plant Director Dick Joyce says the Town will save money by changing to LED lights and by making sure most of the lights are off when residents aren’t awake to enjoy them.

This season, the Town will decorate the lawn at Town Hall, 30 trees, and 50 lampposts. All but the lamppost lights will go off at 11 pm, according to a decision by the Wellesley Board of Selectmen.

Wellesley Green Schools is encouraging Wellesley families and businesses to follow the Town’s lead by using LED holiday lights to celebrate sustainably and sensibly. The technology behind LED lighting has improved dramatically in recent years and warm white LED holiday lights can be indistinguishable from incandescent lights.

Some important facts about LED holiday lights:

• LEDs use 65 to 90 percent less energy than incandescents. 
• LEDs can last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. 
• LEDs run cooler than incandescents and pose a lower fire risk. 
• Turning holiday lights off by 11 pm – or putting the lights on a timer to go off automatically – will save even more energy and money. Residents and businesses can take sustainability measures a step further by signing up to get their electricity from renewable power sources through the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant’s Power to Choose program. This low-cost option is available online atWellesleyRenewableEnergy.com, or by calling the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant, 781-235-7600, ext. 3366.

SPRAGUE STUDENTS/FACULTY WEAR GREEN ON FRIDAY!

As many of you know, every classroom at Sprague School was Green Certified by Wellesley Green Schools. To honor this incredible accomplishment and Earth Day, Sprague students and faculty are encouraged to wear green on Friday April 26th.

Congratulations again Sprague community!

Phyllis Theermann

www.SustainableWellesley.com

Wellesley Green Schools Green Tip of the Month

Programmable Thermostats

Did You Know?

Programmable thermostats are an easy upgrade to make your house more comfortable and also save heating and cooling energy and cost.

What YOU can do?

If you’re still using rotary-type thermostats – you’re way overdue for an upgrade!  Already have a programmable thermostat?  Try moderating the temperature at night time or during those times of the day that you’re frequently out of the house.  There’s no need to heat or cool to optimal temperatures when you aren’t there to enjoy it.

Helpful Links:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=thermostats.pr_thermostats

 What's your green play of the day?

www.SustainableWellesley.com

1st Kindergarten Class at Sprague becomes Green Certified

NEARLY 50% OF THE WAY THERE 

KGG became the first Kindergarten class to be green certified last week! 

4TD was also proudly certified, pushing Sprague closer to our goal of having the entire school certified by March 15th (the other Green holiday).
With nearly 50% of the classrooms certified and others ready to go, Sprague School students and faculty are practicing what they pledge to do: 
Create a healthy, sustainable world starting with their classrooms. 
From reading books with eco-friendly themes, to using both sides of a piece of paper and turning off lights, computers and water when not in use, as well as recycling, the Sprague community is doing its part to take care of our planet Earth. 

Wellesley Green Schools, leading this all-town program, reports that the Upham School has been completely Green Certified and Schoefield will be working with WHS students to get theirs fully completed this year as well.
Just another way we are proud of Sprague. 
You might just see some glimpses of these ecologically minded citizens in your home too.

Thank you,

Phyllis Theerman

phyllis@theermann.com

www.SustainableWellesley.com

From Wellesley Green Schools, "be greener" this year

Happy 2013 from Wellesley Green Schools

Here is a great first step to reach your "be greener" resolution this year.

Once you have done this, go on to the next step listed here.

Change LIGHT BULBS

FACTS:

• The incandescent light bulb (circa 1800's) gets so hot because it turns most of the electricity you pay for into heat.
• Modern light bulbs turn your money into light, not wasted heat.
• Changing an old incandescent for a compact fluorescent (CFL) or LED light bulb will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.

ACTION: 

Change 5 incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient CFL or LED bulbs.

What's your green play of the day?

www.SustainableWellesley.com

From Wellesley Green Schools: Holiday Ideas

Holiday ideas that are not only good for the planet, but start nice holiday conversations as well:

- Children: Teach generosity vs. consumerism

- Shopping:  Plan trips so you can combine errands to save gas and reduce impulse buys. Also, bring your own bags and decline wrapping paper offers.  Check out consignment stores and used book shops for gifts and gifts made from renewable materials.

- Gift giving:  Try making a gift or giving of yourself with a gift certificate; perhaps even a charitable contribution for a cause that is meaningful to the recipient would be ideal.

- Wrapping: Reuse gift wrap and gift bags or wrap in old art projects, wallpaper, fabric, calendars, newspapers, magazines, etc. Try old cards and cut them up for name tags. If you do buy wrapping paper buy it with a high percentage of recycled content. 

- Entertaining: Buy locally and sustainably grown foods. Try not to over buy so as to have to throw out food at the end of a celebration and avoid disposables. Consider composting.

- Holiday cards: Send electronic holiday cards or cards made from recycled paper.

- Decorations: Use what you have and make new ones with materials you have around your home.

- Lights: use LED holiday lights, smaller displays and turn lights off overnight to lower energy use.

Happy Holidays From Wellesley Green Schools!

Kristan Fiore (2KF) launches the, "Green Bean Award," this week at Sprague

Congratulations Sprague and Mrs. Fiore for this creative and inspiring idea.

Green Bean, Sprague School

Sprague teacher and Wellesley Green School Council member, Kristan Fiore, launches the, "Green Bean Award," at Sprague School this week.  For more information and to find out how a classroom can be awarded the "Green Bean Award," click here.