Letters

LETTER: Your Gift Can Support Music in Watertown Schools

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Dear friends,

Friends of Watertown Music was formed in the summer of 2011 in response to severe budget cuts in the Watertown Public Schools music program.  Since then, we have raised funds and awarded grants that include salaries to expand teaching positions, teacher initiatives for their classrooms, and instrument needs.  By offering partial funding for critical needs in the music program, we create immediate music opportunities for students and provide the Schools a way to incorporate the full cost into the general school budget. Please consider joining us in our efforts to continue to enrich, sustain, and develop the music program in the Watertown Public Schools.  May we include your name in our 4th Annual MusicFest program?  We have four donor levels:  Soprano (up to $25), Alto ($50), Tenor ($75) and Bass ($100 or more).   You can donate with PayPal or any credit card on our website:  http://watertownmusic.org/, or checks may be sent to Friends of Watertown Music, 43 Paul St., Watertown, MA 02472

This year we have been pleased to award a $5,863 grant to the WPS music program to ensure that all elementary students receive music education classes with an appropriate student:teacher ratio.  This support will help reduce the burden on overextended music teachers throughout the system by adding a new teacher.  The Schools are matching our funds in a 2.5 to 1 ratio, creating a 0.4 FTE at the Hosmer School that also includes pre-school and pre-kindergarten music classes. The Middle School Jazz Band, originally funded by a 2012-13 Friends of Watertown Music grant of $6,800, is now fully integrated into the music program.  One of our key goals has been to fund initiatives that are then sustained in the general school budget.  We have every expectation that this year’s grant will also function as seed money and allow the cost of the new position to become a permanent part of the music program. Friends of Watertown Music, Inc., incorporated in 2014, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.  All donations are fully tax deductible within the limits of the law.

Schools

Watertown Students Get a Taste of Computer Programing

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Students of all ages tried their hands at computer programing when the Watertown Public Schools participated in the Hour of Code. The world-wide event attracted millions of people to spend an hour learning about computer coding. In Watertown, students in elementary, middle and high school participated in the Hour of Code. The skill is one that could be very important in the future of these students, said Education Technology and Library Coordinator Toni Carlson. “There is going to be a huge need for computer programing,” Carlson said.

Development

Town Looking to Buy Small Piece of Land in Watertown

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The Town Council approved purchasing a small piece of former railroad property near Arsenal Street that could be key to nearby new developments. 

The Council approved spending $35,000 for the 3,300-square-foot parcel located at the end of Phillips Street. The state got the first right of refusal when the Pan Am Systems/Boston & Maine Corp. placed the right-of-way for a the former Watertown Branch of railroad up for sale. On Dec. 2, the town received a letter saying that the state did not intend to purchase the land, and notified officials that “The Town of Watertown has been designated as the purchaser for the [railroad] parcel.”

Sports

See Which Watertown Athletes Made the Globe’s All-Stars

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Watertown had a successful fall season, and four athletes were honored for their play by the Boston Globe. Boy’s soccer player Rafael DeSouza earned the Div. 3 player of the year from the Boston Globe. In his senior year, DeSouza scored 11 goals and added 12 assists, grabbed the Middlesex MVP award and was named All-New England by the EMSCA. He scored 36 goals and had 26 assists in his career and is a two-time EMass All-Star, according to the Globe.

Business

Tufts Health Plan Drive Brings in Gifts for Hundreds of Children

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Employees of Tufts Health Plan donated nearly 300 gifts to give out to those in need. 

Each year, the names, ages and requests of children and adults in need are strung on Wish Trees at Tufts Health Plan, giving employees the chance to grant those holiday wishes. This year, the nearly 300 gifts donated by employees were given to clients of three local service organizations: the Cambridge Salvation Army, the Malden Salvation Army and Fernald Center of Waltham, according to the Tufts announcement. In addition, the estimated value of the gift contributions was matched with a cash donation by the Tufts Health Plan Foundation.

Real Estate

Several Homes Sold in Watertown This Week

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See which homes sold in Watertown and the sales price. $649,900 – 11-13 Lyons Ct., 2 unit, 10 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family – 2 Units Up/Down multi-family home

$490,500 – 115 Holt Street, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$410,000 – 106 Franklin Unit B, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, 2/3 Family condo/townhouse

$386,500 – 106 Franklin Street Unit A, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$325,000 – 64 Grant Ave Unit 64, 6 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$420,000 – 125 Coolidge Ave Unit 804, 3 room, 1 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Gridiron Club Thanks Business Supporters

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To the Watertown Business Community:

The Watertown Football Gridiron Club, coaches, and players would like to thank you for your generosity and support during this football season! Many of our local businesses paid for an ad in our Program Book—we thank you and hope you had an opportunity to see your ad displayed. Others donated items, food for our players’ lunches, or for our snack shack on game nights: Boston House of Pizza, The Chateau Restaurant, Donohue’s Bar & Grill, Gerry’s Italian Kitchen, Friendly’s Restaurant, Home Depot, McDonald’s, Supercuts, The Talk Restaurant, Tri-City Restaurant, and” W” House of Pizza. Your generosity was truly appreciated. The Watertown Raiders had a great 9-2 season this year and part of that success is due to the support you and the Watertown community has given them.