Schools

More Than $250K Raised for Walker Therapeutic & Education Programs, Including Watertown’s Beacon School

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Walker Therapeutic and Educational ProgramsMaureen O. Kelly, EdD, Recipient of Walker’s 2021 Distinguished Community Leadership Award. The following announcement was provided by Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs:

On May 20, 2021 Walker Therapeutic and Educational Programs (Walker) hosted a virtual Lives in Bloom Gala which raised more than $260,000 to support the organization’s residential, educational, and community-based services for children and families. For Walker – which is celebrating 60 years of delivering special education and clinical programming to youth and families in Massachusetts – this marked the first time their signature fundraiser was held virtually. The hour-long program featured families and children in the Walker Community (including the Beacon School in Watertown) who shared their experiences, plus a staff discussion forum examining the past year and looking to the future. Walker President and CEO Gene Takahashi reflected on how the pandemic impacted Walker’s programs over the past year.

Around Town

Watertown Farmers’ Market Opens Next Week, See the List of Vendors for 2021

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The following announcement came from the Watertown Farmers’ market:

Opening Day is Just One Week Away! Mark Your Calendar for Wednesday June 16th ~ 2:30 – 6:30 PM. We’re so excited to open the 8th season of the Farmers’ Market, and look forward to seeing familiar as well as new faces in our favorite outdoor marketplace! Market Updates

This season will be much different than last, now that most COVID-19 restrictions have been rescinded by the State and CDC. As always, we strive to create a safe, inclusive, and comfortable environment, and encourage masks and social distancing for those who are more comfortable, and especially if unvaccinated.

Entertainment

Ben & Jerry’s Community Celebrations Each Saturday Feature Music, Artists

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Arsenal YardsBen & Jerry’s Community Celebrations feature live music every Saturday. The Ben & Jerry’s at Arsenal Yards is hosting Community Celebrations each week with live music, local artists and giveaways. Arsenal Yards provided the following information:

Ben & Jerry’s x SRS present Community Celebration each Saturday at Arsenal Yards! Visit Ben & Jerry’s each Saturday in June and July for live music, local art and some giveaways. Arsenal YardsLocal artists will be at each Community Celebration hosted by Ben & Jerry’s at Arsenal Yards.

Entertainment

2021 Watertown Summer Concert Series Features 12 Dates, Variety of Music

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Southbound TrainSouthbound Train will perform at Watertown’s Saltonstall Concert Series. It is one of four concerts that will feature free dance lessons beforehand. The Town of Watertown will host a series of 12 concerts at Saltonstall Park from June to September. Free dance lessons will be provided before four of the concerts by Ballroom in Boston. The Town provided the following information about the concerts:

Please join us at the 2021 Saltonstall Park Concert Series on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm at 149 Main Street in Watertown. See flyer for more Info.

Around Town

Watertown Cable Hosting Series of In-Person & Remote Workshops for Residents

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The following information will be provided by Watertown Cable Access Television:

WCA-TV will be offering in-person and remote workshops throughout the summer. In-person workshops will take place on the lawn outside of WCA-TV’s studio. Remote workshops will follow the live webinar format, in which a WCA-TV instructor will teach a two hour workshop via Zoom. Below is a list of available workshops and the dates/times they will take place: 

In-Person: 

Field Camera Production: June 21st–23rd & August 9th–11th at 4 PMPre-Production: July 7th at 4 PMNews Production: July 19th–21st at 4 PMGoPro & 360 Camera: August 4th at 4 PM

Remote: 

How to: Image Tracing with Illustrator: June 30th at 3:30 PMAfter Effects Motion Tracking: July 28th at 3:30 PM 

To register for a workshop, go to https://myisaac.com/app/membersignup?loc_id=watertown-cable-access-corp and create an account. Please allow up to 48 hours for a staff member to approve your membership. Once approved, you will be able to log in through https://myisaac.com/app/ and sign up for workshops. If you have any questions about how to sign up or use ISAAC, email wcatvworkshops@wcatv.org, or visit our website wcatv.org for more information. 

WCA-TV has put in place the following COVID-19 protocols: 

We will require all visitors to fill out a COVID-19 Policy Acknowledgement & Health Attestation form Because of our location within Watertown High School, we will still require masks in and around our facility, the only exception being for talent when they are about to perform We will not require you to show proof of vaccination, HOWEVER, if you do not give us proof then you will only be able to work with our staff virtually

About WCA-TV 

Since 2005, Watertown Cable Access Corp (WCA-TV) has been Watertown’s Public, Education, & Government Access (PEG) station. Our mission is to provide local cable access to the residents of Watertown. 

Schools

Minuteman High School Holds In-Person Graduation, See the Watertown Students

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Minuteman High SchoolMembers of the Minuteman High School Class of 2021 celebrate after graduation at the Lowell Auditorium. The following piece was provided by Minuteman High School:

On June 4, 138 students from the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington graduated in an in-person ceremony at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, allowing an unlimited number of family members and friends to view the milestone event after the state lifted most COVID-19 gathering restrictions about a week ago. The ceremony was broadcast live on LexMedia; a video will be posted to the YouTube channels of LexMedia and Minuteman High School. The seniors of the Minuteman Class of 2021 have accomplished a lot despite a difficult year and a half – marked by remote and hybrid learning, and a loss of many activities. Thirteen students were named to the National Honor Society (denoted with an asterisks), which recognizes students in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Additionally, 94 seniors have received scholarships from Minuteman through various organizations and individual donors.

Election 2021

LETTER: Candidate Declares Her Run for Watertown School Committee

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Rachel Kay is running for Watertown School Committee. The following announcement was provided by Rachel Kay:

Over the past year, we have all experienced great challenges. Those of us caring for school-aged children have watched them struggle with isolation, academic losses and for too many students even harm to their mental health and well-being. As I have watched Watertown Public Schools grapple with the difficult decisions they had to make this year, I have felt obligated to advocate for the needs of all our children, as well as for working families. I learned that I have a unique perspective to share, and that I will add to discussions including the critical challenge our schools now face in overcoming the educational debt our students have sustained over what was for some of them a lost year.

District A

LETTER: Retiring Councilor Calls Candidates Campaign Literature Misleading

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Greeting East Enders,

It has recently been brought to my attention that campaign literature is being disseminated with text that could be misleading. Certainly, everyone is entitled to voice their opinion. But, when my name, and the position that I have held with great honor for sixteen years are the topic; I will not allow anyone to compare my performance, versus theirs. I am not flattered. Although I understand Mr. Michael Hanlon’s desire to show the perception of following in my path of District A, East End, Town Council representation; I have not consented to the use of my name in any political literature.