School Start Time

Task Force Examining How to Push Back the Start of Class at WHS Each Day

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A task force has been formed to look at how the Watertown Public Schools would change the time that schools start each day, in particular having the high school start later. Interim Superintendent John Brackett created the group following the work of another committee that met last year to look at the benefits and drawbacks of changing school start times. Brackett said the research shows teens are better able to learn later in the morning, but right now the high school starts begins at 7:55 a.m., while the elementary schools start later – either at 8:15 or 8:30 a.m. Watertown Middle School starts classes at 7:40 a.m.

The subject is being explored at other schools, too, Brackett said. “There is a lot of talk, but it is more talk than action on changes of start times,” Brackett said. To examine what it will take to change the start time of schools, Brackett formed the School Start Time Implementation Task Force.

Aerial Circus Arts

Aerial Circus Arts Training Center Opening in Watertown

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A new Watertown business will allow people to learn to twist, flip and hang in the air. 

Gravity Alternative Movement is an aerial circus arts training facilities which will offer classes for trapeze, aerial fabric, and aerial hoop, said owner and instructor Trevor Kafka. “With aerial fabric, or silks there are two pieces of fabric and you can do rolls down it, drops and other moves,” Kafka said. “Trapeze is like the flying trapeze, but there is no swinging. You move around a bar, a little bit like gymnastics. In hoop there is a huge metal hoop where you create shapes.”

Around Town

Cable Show Will Tell the Story of One of Watertown’s Fallen Veterans

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For years, Bob Kaprielian has been interviewing Watertown’s veterans to find out about the stories of serving in the United States military, but his latest episode of A Veteran’s Story will be different because it focuses on one of the town’s fallen heroes. Kaprielian interviewed family members, friends and those who were impacted by Lt. Paul Sullivan, who died in action in Vietnam on Aug. 9, 1968. Sullivan went into the Army Rangers and he trained at Fort Benning, Georgia, before being shipped to Vietnam. He arrived during some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War.

Around Town

Boy’s & Girl’s Club Members Featured During Annual Spring Auction

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The best of the Watertown Boy’s and Girl’s Club was on display at the Annuals Spring Auction, presented by the people who know the place best – the club members. Guests at the fundraiser at the Oakley Country Club learned about activities at the club and recent improvements from youngsters who attend the club. The club has about 1,000 members and the facility on Whites Avenue attracts about 130 members a day. One member, Kat Nilov, read the essay that won her the club’s “Youth of the Year” award. She said that when she and her mother moved to Watertown from Staten Island she was in middle school and had not friends.

Sports

Watertown Softball Team Riding a Six Game Winning Streak

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The Watertown High School softball team is on a hot streak, with the Raiders winning their last six games. The season started with four loses, all close games, but then the squad then got on the winning track with a big comeback win over Stoneham. Down 7-1, the Raiders tied the game up and won 9-8 in extra innings. Against Northeast Regional the team again fell behind, this time 6-0, but rallied back to win 11-10. After that the team claimed victories over Weston 15-3, Marian 18-1 and Canton 16-2.

Real Estate

Several Watertown Homes Sold This Week

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See the five Watertown homes that sold this week. $489,000 – 8 Warwick Road Unit 8, 7 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$434,900 – 6 Warwick Road Unit 6, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$680,000 – 199 Coolidge Ave. Unit 204, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, High-Rise condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$520,000 – 8 Locust Unit B, 7 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$660,000 – 168 Sycamore St. Unit 168, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, condo/townhouse

$600,000 – 225 Westminster Ave., 6 room, 3 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Crashes into Wall While Fleeing Police, Lewd Conduct at a Park

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests
April 24, 7:01 p.m.: Officers patrolling in Coolidge Square spotted a man they knew was wanted on a warrant. They stopped the 56-year-old Watertown man and arrested him on the warrant from Salem District Court for trespassing and disorderly conduct. April 29, 5:47 p.m.: Three women were seen taking clothing at The Gap in the Arsenal Mall. The group then headed to Marshall’s where security spotted them take a reusable shopping bag, grab three drinks out of a cooler and walked out of the store without paying.

Government

Upcoming Meeting Will Cover Redesign of Mt. Auburn St., Work on Belmont St.

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Plans to redesign the Mt. Auburn Street Corridor will be discussed at a meeting in Cambridge on Monday, May 8. The City of Cambridge’s Department of Traffic, Parking and Transportation will host a neighborhood meeting on Monday, May 8 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.at the Russell Youth Center at 680 Huron Ave. in Cambridge. The meeting will focus on the design plans of the Mt.