Schools

New School Director Begins Work to Make Watertown Schools More Equitable and Inclusive

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Dr. Kimberlee Henry, the Watertown Public School’s Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In her first few months in the Watertown Public Schools, the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has met with a wide range of people in town to become familiar with the school district and the community, and to build relationships with other departments and organizations in Watertown. The district created the new position in response to reports of students who had experienced racial bias and/or bullying in the Watertown Schools. One such incident was reported on by a local TV news station. The Watertown Schools have hired an outside group to conduct an equity audit, and hired Dr. Kimberlee Henry as the first Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Business

Small Businesses in Watertown Can Apply for Microenterprise Grants

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Small businesses in Watertown can still apply for Microenterprise Funds, including those that have received grants in the past. Businesses with up to five employees can qualify. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Businesses who have already received a Microenterprise grant are eligible to re-apply until they have reached the individual maximum grant amount of $25,000. Businesses that have not yet applied and meet the criteria set forth in the grant can apply now for up to $25,000. Criteria for businesses to apply for the grant: 

– Businesses that opened prior to October 1, 2019 are eligible- 2020 tax returns may be used to fit the LMI requirements. 

– You can apply for grants of up to $25,000 for microenterprise businesses (defined as a commercial enterprise that has 5 or fewer employees). 

– If you have previously been awarded this grant you may apply again but the total amount of funding may not exceed $25,000.

Government

Council Honors Resident Who Served in Afghanistan, Discuss Creating a Memorial for Veterans of War on Terror

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Watertown Town Hall

The Town Council honored Watertown residents who served in the War in Afghanistan with a proclamation, and the idea was raised to create a memorial to those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday night, the Town Council read and approved a proclamation “Honoring Those Watertown Citizens Who Served in The War in Afghanistan.” The proclamation acknowledged the “new generation of service members who joined the military in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.” Also, adding that Watertown has over 700 residents who are veterans of the military.

Around Town

Community Bike Celebration to be Held on Little Greenough, Activities for “Kids of All Ages”

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A Community Bike Celebration will be held in Watertown on Saturday, Sept. 18 at Little Greenough Boulevard. The event is hosted by Commonwheels Bicycle Collective and will include a kids bike rodeo, a fix-it station, free helmets and chalk for sidewalk art and more. “From 1-4 p.m. Commonwheels Bicycle Collective will be host a fix-it station and there will be activities for kids. We hope to see you there!”

Schools

Watertown Students Excited to Return to School, District Has COVID-19 Testing Policy in Place

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The Watertown Public Schools opened last week and welcomed back full classes of students, with only a handful of COVID-19 cases, and plans to keep as many students in class as possible during the pandemic. The freshman class at Watertown High School is one of the largest in recent years, with 212 students, making the total enrollment at WHS 716, said Superintendent Dede Galdston. The kindergartens in Watertown also got a big group of students. There are 12 classes across the three elementary schools, with a combined 336 students. Watertown High School students were greeted by posters, streamers and banners when the school year started, said Senior Class president Emma Fallon.

Around Town

Watertown Woman Cutting Off Hair in Memory of Aunt Lost to Cancer

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Audrey Woods will be cutting off her hair to raise money for cancer research and to honor her aunt. Watertown’s Audrey Woods will be cutting off two-feet of hair to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund in an effort to beat the disease that took her aunt’s life. Woods will cut off hair she has been growing for 5 years on Oct. 1, 2021, in memory of her aunt, Jane T. Sabin, who died from cancer in 2018

“Three years ago I lost my beloved Aunt Janie to breast cancer. The hole she left in our lives is huge and aching and can never be filled,” Woods wrote on her fundraising page.

Entertainment

Bluegrass Band with Special Guest Performing at Watertown Concert

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Bluegrass band The Sandy Ridge Boys performs in Watertown on Sept. 15. The Watertown Summer Concerts extend into September this year with a bluegrass performance by The Sandy Ridge Boys with special guest Moriah Ozkermen. The concert will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Saltonstall Park, next to Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown.

Football

Watertown High School Grabs Wins in Football, Boys & Girls Soccer and Golf in Opening Week

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The fall spots is in full swing, with several Watertown High School teams in action and wracking up the wins. The Raiders football team won their season opener against Worcester South 22-16 on Saturday. Senior Mason Andrade ran for a 4-yard touchdown, and quarterback Johnny Cacace threw two touchdowns. Nathan Masters scored from 18 yards out and William McHugh caught a short pass and went for an 82 yard score. McHugh and Cacace teamed up again for a two-point conversion.