Schools

Parents Say Watertown Schools Not Doing Enough to Stop Bullying

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The School Committee got an earful at their most recent meeting from some parents about what they see as an inadequate response to bullying that occurs in the Watertown Public Schools. Maria Hinkson, the mother of two girls, told the School Committee Monday night that she believes the Watertown Public Schools are not doing enough to stop students from being bullied. Her younger daughter, who is at the middle school, has not been bullied, but her eldest, who is now in college, dealt with bullies from the third grade through high school. “No one has taken any action. I made calls, sent emails, argued, fought for years,” Hinkson said.

10th Middlesex

Watertown’s John Lawn Could Face Competition for His Seat in the Mass. House

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Newton City Councilor Alison Leary announced she will run for the 10th Middlesex House seat currently held by Watertown’s John Lawn. Watertown State Rep. John Lawn may face a challenger for the 10th Middlesex House District seat in the State House from a Newton City Councilor. Alison Leary, a City Councilor At-Large from Newton’s Ward 1, told Wicked Local Newton that she plans to run for the 10th Middlesex seat, which includes the Westside of Watertown. Leary has been a City Councilor since 2013. The 10th Middlesex district includes parts of Watertown (Precincts 10, 11, 12), Newton (Ward 1: Precincts 1, 4) and Waltham (Ward 4: Precinct 2, Ward 5: Precinct 1, Ward 6: Precinct 2, Ward 7: Precinct 2, and all of Wards 8, 9).

Government

Watertown Gets Boost in Road/Transportation Funds from State of Nearly $74K

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A road after being milled and prepared for overlay of new asphalt.

Watertown will get its share of the $20 million added to the state’s road and transportation improvement funding as part of the supplemental budget approved by Governor Baker in December. The money comes on top of the $200 million already in the Fiscal Year 2020 State budget for Chapter 90. Watertown will receive and extra $73,924, for a total of $813,159 in Chapter 90 funding for FY20. “This funding represents our continued commitment to supporting communities as they address the maintenance and modernization of local infrastructure, which are a critical part of the Commonwealth’s transportation network,” said Governor Charlie Baker in an announcement this week.  “We are pleased to provide this additional transportation funding for local projects in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.”

Chapter 90 transportation funds support all 351 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. Funding for each municipality is predetermined by a formula that includes factors such as population, road miles, and employment, according to the release from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

Schools

Watertown Parents Invited to Kindergarten, PreK Information Nights

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Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in Watertown’s kindergarten or PreK program can learn more at upcoming information nights. Each of the three Watertown Public Schools’ elementary schools will hold kindergarten info nights on Jan. 16. On Jan. 14, there will be an informational session about PreK at Hosmer School.

Schools

Parents & Students Can Have Their Say About Next WHS Principal

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As Watertown School officials seek to find the next Watertown High School principal, parents and students will have an opportunity to talk about what qualities they would like the person to have. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee Monday that, while the deadline to apply for the position closes Friday, the district has already has nearly 30 candidates. She said the next principal, who replaces the retiring Shirley Lundberg, will have a chance not only to build a learning environment at WHS, but a new school. The high school project has been accepted into the Massachusetts School Building Authority program, and planning for rebuilding or renovating the school has begun. The applicants for WHS principal will be screened by a committee made up of school officials, teachers, staff, parents and students.

Anti-Bias Coalition

Watertown Event Features “Dreamer” Who Spoke About Undocumented Children in Congress

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A woman who marched from Florida to Washington, D.C., to testify before Congress on behalf of “Dreamers,” that helped lead to the passage of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) legislation. Gaby Pacheco will speak at Watertown Middle School on Jan. 16 at the Watertown Anti-Bias Coalition event, “Undocumented + Unafraid: Lessons from a Dreamer.” The Watertown Middle School Chorus will also perform that evening, which is part of the town’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day activities. The Anti-Bias Coalition formed after antisemitic symbols were found at two of the Watertown Schools.

Around Town

Spaces Available in Winter Wellness Classes That Start This Week

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A pair of classes being hosted by Live Well Watertown start this week, and there are still spaces available. Beginning Wednesday is a new eight-week class called Circle Walking, a Chinese martial arts and meditation in motion program. It is also a good way to keep moving during the cold months. On Friday, the two-part Beat the Winter Blues program begins. During the class you will learn about Seasonal Affective Disorder, and learn strategies to cope with it.

Ari Koufos

See the Top Agents in 2019, a Super Hot Year for Watertown Real Estate

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For Watertown, 2019 was one of the hottest real estate markets ever, and many of the top agents from previous years once again led in sales over the past year. Realty Executive’s Ari Koufos had the most properties sold, 37, and also topped the list in total sales amount $37.84 million, according to the sales reports on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)  during 2019. “Everything clicked for me last year. For me it’s the best year I’ve ever had,” Koufos said. “I did $51 million statewide individually And $37+ million in Watertown.”