Schools

Watertown Schools Set Later Start Date, Staff to Use Extra Time to Prep for COVID-19 Learning

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The School Committee voted Monday night to move the first day of school to Sept. 22, 2020, but teachers and staff will return to work before Labor Day. The time before classes start will be used for training and preparation for teaching during COVID-19. This includes starting with virtual learning for almost all students. This model will continue until students can return to school in smaller numbers than a typical school year.

Around Town

Mass. Sales Tax Holiday Coming Up, See What Qualifies

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. The Sales Tax Holiday in Massachusetts is coming up on Aug. 29 and 30, 2020, when most items on which sales tax is normally charged will be tax free. The tax holiday applies to retail items purchased in stores, as well as those purchased online. Merchandise does not have to be taken home or delivered during the tax holiday, but they must be paid for in full.

COVID-19

Early Voting Lighter in Watertown, Mail-In Ballots Pouring In

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Voting in 2020 will look quite a bit different due to the COVID-19 outbreak, with safety measures for in-person voters and many ballots coming in by mail or hand delivered to Town Hall. Midway through the early voting period for the Sept. 1 State Primary, the numbers of people voting is significantly down, said Watertown Town Clerk John Flynn, but thousands of mail-in ballots have come in. The primary includes the race for U.S. Senate for both Democrats and Republicans, and for the Dems there is a race for State Representative. Click on the links to see more about the candidates for the 29th Middlesex race (Pcts.

Arrests

Police Log: Pair Pinched on Drug Charges, 2 Bicycles Stolen

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

Aug. 11, 1:20 p.m.: A Watertown Police detective was dropping something off at an address on Sycamore Street when he spotted two men asleep in a black BMW. The detective recognized the car and when he looked inside he saw a large clear plastic bag with a brown substance inside, which he believed was fentanyl. Other items consistent with drug dealing were also found in the car.

29th Middlesex

LETTER: Town Councilor Endorses State Rep. Candidate

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Dear Voter,

It is with great enthusiasm that I join Representative Hecht in endorsing Steve Owens as the next Representative for the 29th Middlesex District. I urge you to join us in voting for Steve in the Democratic primary election on Tuesday, September 1. I have known Steve for nearly twenty years and we have worked together on many local, state, and national political campaigns during that time. I have benefited from his wisdom and political acumen as he has served on my campaign committee since 2009. A long-time Watertown resident, Steve is credited with revitalizing the Watertown Democratic Town Committee and has served as its Chair for the last twelve years. He also has twice won election to the Democratic State Committee.  

I am supporting Steve and asking you to do the same because he is a progressive activist and proven leader ready to take on the many challenges facing Massachusetts. As our State Representative he will champion the issues that the Legislature must address with a commitment to transparency and equity. 

He will join other progressive legislators in supporting policies that combat climate change and create environmental sustainability. He will be an advocate for affordable housing for tenants and homeowners and for public education from pre-kindergarten to college. As a professionaltransportation expert, Steve knows how important safe, reliable public transit is for workers and businesses.

Schools

School Committee to Discuss Reopening of Watertown Schools

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With the beginning of school just weeks away, the Watertown School Committee will discuss the reopening plan on Monday night, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.

At the last School Committee meeting, members voted to go with the “Bridge to Hybrid” plan, where Watertown students will start the year remotely and then move to a hybrid model where students will alternate days attending classes in person and remotely. With the goal of moving to a hybrid model when the COVID-19 outbreak allows, students will be split into two cohorts for the elementary and middle schools. These will be used when the in-person learning begins under the hybrid model, but the cohorts will also be used in the beginning when students are doing remote learning. See the draft sample school schedules by clicking here.

Around Town

Find Out About Health, Fitness for the Whole Family at Upcoming Open House

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Find out about upcoming health and fitness activities for children and adults at an open house co-hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition, Ballroom in Boston and Get Lively. The open house, on Aug. 27 will feature local fitness and recreation businesses, including dance, fitness, martial arts, and more. There will be demonstrations, tours, fitness challenges and a raffle for a produce box. Organizers will provide a socially distant environment to ensure safety for all participants.