Wellesley publishes June newsletter as Hills Branch Library closes for renovations
WELLESLEY — The town published its June edition of "The W" digital newsletter on Thursday, the same week the Wellesley Free Library's Hills Branch closed for a months-long renovation expected to keep the satellite location dark until fall.
TOWN HALL
The town's June issue of "The W — News to KnoW for Wellesley" went live Thursday afternoon, the monthly digital newsletter that rounds up project updates, municipal events and department activities for the coming weeks. Residents can read the issue through the town's news archive at wellesleyma.gov.
SCHOOLS
Wellesley Public Schools continues to flag fall 2026 registration as open for new students entering kindergarten through 12th grade, with the district reminding families that children who turn 5 on or before Aug. 31 are eligible for kindergarten. Families can confirm their elementary attendance zone using the district's school-finder tool on wellesleyps.org.
The district is also continuing to point families to the recently approved Competency Determination policy (IKFE), adopted by the School Committee on Nov. 18, 2025, after Massachusetts voters removed MCAS as the state graduation requirement. The policy spells out the courses and pathways Wellesley students must complete in English, math, science and — beginning with the Class of 2027 — U.S. history.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Hills Branch Library closed June 1 for renovations and is scheduled to reopen in fall 2026, the Wellesley Free Library confirmed on its homepage. During the closure, patrons in that part of town will need to use the main library or the Fells Branch for browsing, holds pickup and programs.
The main library is also promoting two current featured offerings — "The Doll E Monologues" from the National Black Doll Museum of History & Culture and "Listening to New England with Mel Allen" — both accessible through the library's program portal.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"🌱 Patch AM: Thinking about walking from Wellesley to fight cancer this October?" Patch's morning roundup points readers toward an October cancer-walk opportunity starting in Wellesley and again flags the upcoming Silverwood Organic Farmapalooza on the local events calendar, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
"🌱 Patch AM: What new conservation steps are protecting Wellesley's forests and scenic roads?" A Thursday Patch newsletter highlighted local conservation measures aimed at the town's wooded areas and scenic-road network, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
"Major Job Cuts Hit Massachusetts In 2026" Patch reports that more than 5,000 layoffs have been filed with the state through the first five months of the year, a statewide trend with potential ripple effects for MetroWest commuters, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
"🌱 Patch AM: How Wellesley boys lacrosse was knocked out of the state tournament" Patch recaps the end of the Raiders' boys lacrosse postseason run, per Wellesley Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/wellesley).
No fresh Wellesley coverage from MetroWest Daily News or The Boston Globe in this cycle.
COMING UP
- Hills Branch Library: closed through fall 2026; service shifts to the main library and Fells Branch. - Fall 2026 kindergarten registration: open now at wellesleyps.org; orientation nights were held at each elementary school in April and May. - Silverwood Organic Farmapalooza: upcoming community event flagged on the Wellesley Patch calendar.