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The Bradford's Newsletter is our premier way of sharing information with students and families affiliated with the Wellesley Public School District. It is our intention to share important pieces of information and timely events at the high school.
October 19, 2026
Students gather under the lights for Friday's blackout-themed homecoming game. Photo by Freddy Alexander.
The high school hosts its third annual Homecoming Weekend
The high school hosts its third annual Homecoming Weekend
By Mia Bertolini ’28 and Stephanie Pan ’28
News Editor and Staff Writer
To kick off homecoming weekend, the high school football team played Newton North under the lights at Darcy Field on October 16. Students dressed in black to show support for their school and team. Despite their persistent effort, however, Wellesley ended with a 6-31 loss to Newton North, bringing their season record to 0-6. Newton North’s new record is 5-1 after the win, and both teams will continue their season before playoffs start in early November.
At 7:00 PM on October 17, the high school’s homecoming dance welcomed all students to a masquerade-themed ball. Features included two photo booths, a live DJ, gold and black decor, and snacks.
The high school hosts Raider Day
The high school hosts Raider Day
By Stephanie Pan ’28
News Editor
On October 17, the high school hosted Raider Day, where a dozen clubs and teams from the high school hosted tables and activities. Sports teams like boys’ hockey and wrestling provided interactive physical activities, allowing kids to practice their swings and learn moves in a casual spar, while other tables like the Art Club hosted activities like mini pumpkin painting and coloring.
For more food, the Hot Dog Wagon arrived to sell hot dogs and chips. Next to it, the raffle tables boasted an array of prize baskets, all alongside a giant raccoon stuffed animal and a brand new, fifty-inch Roku TV. Each basket had a specific theme, like “No Cook November,” “Dumpling Family Squishie,” and “Something for Kids and Adults Alike.” Raffle tickets were three for ten dollars, five for fifteen dollars, ten for twenty dollars, and twenty for thirty-five dollars.
Meanwhile, musicians and singers from the Rock Band performed live music for the first half of the event, singing “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Rein Me In,” among numerous other songs. Their performance was followed by the cheer team’s dance and an act by the high school’s Improv Troupe.
Photos by Stephanie Pan.
“In a world that’s saturated with technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, it is through music that I can teach students to be real, present, and genuine," said McDonald. Photo courtesy of Wellesley Public Schools.
Dr. McDonald wins Country Music Award
Dr. McDonald wins Country Music Award
By Camden Chan ’27
Sports Editor
The Bradford congratulates Choral Director Dr. Kevin McDonald for being chosen as one of this year’s 30 Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation Music Teachers of Excellence. McDonald, who has worked in the high school’s performing arts department for over twenty years, was chosen out of a highly competitive applicant pool from schools across the country.
“The CMA Foundation treated each and every honoree with extreme love, generosity, and care,” said Dr. Mcdonald in an interview with The Swellesley Report. “I could not be more grateful.”
Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Antarctic observatory pioneer
Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Antarctic observatory pioneer
By Freddy Alexander ’27
Co-Opinion Editor
Belgian-born physicist Francis Halzen, the Gregory Breit Professor of Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on Neutrino-based cosmic detection. Halzen is a principal investigator at the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, a large cosmic detector located in Antarctica; he played an integral role in the planning, design, and construction of the detector in 2010. The observatory’s signature piece of equipment is the Digital Optical Module (DOM), which detects faint bursts of light within the Antarctic ice. Hundreds of these spherical sensors occupy a cubic kilometer and are buried under 8000 feet of ice, shielding them from extra light and radiation. The IceCube Neutrino Observatory’s mission is to help Physicists and Astronomers map various structures inside our galaxy by using the strength and angle of these neutrino pulses.
A crew lowers a Digital Optical Module into a hole drilled in the Antarctic ice. Photo by John Jacobsen.
Recent hate incidents at the high school
By Viola Fagenholz ’28
Arts Editor
Recently, two separate incidents of racially motivated hate occurred at the high school. The “N” word was found written on the interior of a bathroom door in a second-floor stall, and a swastika was found made out of tape on a stairwell. Both incidents are deliberate acts of racism and antisemitism and were reported by two anonymous students. The high school is investigating the situation further with the help of School Resource Officer Matt Wall. Principal Dr. Chisum and the rest of the administration have made it clear that this behavior is unacceptable at the high school and violates school values and policies. The high school strives to be a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Students are encouraged to reach out to staff for support or guidance.
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As the official publication of Wellesley High School, The Bradford exists to inform and entertain. We aspire to be the hub of information for the school. We pledge to be honest and unbiased in the way we collect and report news. As a forum for discussion, The Bradford strives to represent all voices. We encourage respect for student, faculty, and community opinions.
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