Wellesley Honors Retiring DPW Employee Smitty Rogers
Wellesley is celebrating the career of longtime Department of Public Works employee Smitty Rogers as he heads into retirement, with Jen Pederson, executive director of the Massachusetts Water Works Association, on hand for the send-off, according to a report from The Swellesley Report. Wellesley Public Schools opened its annual Parent Portal window this week as families gear up for the Sept. 2 start of classes, and the Wellesley Free Library packed its calendar with adult and children's programs through the end of August.
SCHOOLS
The PowerSchool Parent Portal is open through Sept. 9, and Wellesley Public Schools is asking every family to confirm emergency contact information, directory permissions and other details before the new school year begins. Registration for the 2026-27 year also remains open for new students entering kindergarten through grade 12; children who turn 5 on or before Aug. 31, 2026, are eligible for kindergarten, and families can find their elementary school assignment using the district's online locator tool.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Wellesley Free Library added new adult programming this week, including a "Modern Communication with Technology" class Wednesday evening in Jackie's Room aimed at helping residents navigate digital tools, and a hands-on "Taking Great Photos with Your iPhone" workshop Friday morning in the Wakelin Room.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Wellesley pays tribute to loooongtime DPW employee Smitty Rogers ahead of his retirement": Rogers was feted by colleagues and by Jen Pederson of the Massachusetts Water Works Association as he prepares to leave the department after a long career, according to The Swellesley Report (read it at https://theswellesleyreport.com/2026/08/wellesley-pays-tribute-to-loooongtime-dpw-employee-smitty-rogers-ahead-of-his-retirement/).
COMING UP
At the Wellesley Free Library: "Introduction to Libby & Kindle," Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1 to 3 p.m., Jackie's Room; Sci-Fi Book Club, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 7 to 8 p.m.; Fuse Beads for kids, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.; "Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead" for kids, Thursday, Aug. 27, 10 to 11 a.m.; and Tech Time in Jackie's Room, Thursday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to noon. The "Secret Codes & AI Detectives" program for tweens and kids repeats Monday through Friday this week at various morning times in Jackie's Room. The PowerSchool Parent Portal window for Wellesley Public Schools families remains open through Sept. 9.
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.