Schools

Watertown Schools Starting 2021 Remotely, COVID-19 Testing Available for Students

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public School:

Due to our desire to kick-start our new year off well, we will be focusing on testing students and staff who may have traveled or spent extended time with people outside of their immediate household prior to the return to in-person learning. In order to accomplish this, we will start the year in our remote learning model, Monday, January 4 through Wednesday, January 6, with a return to in-person learning on Thursday, January 7. In addition to our protocols for social distancing, PPE, handwashing, and staying home when sick, student testing is one of the safety measures that has allowed us to remain open. To date, we have processed 3698 staff tests, with 5 positives, and 317 pools of up to 10 students in each pool withonly 3 positive pools. The indication from these tests is that less than .15% of our students and staff that are part of our testing program have tested positive.

Around Town

Town Offering Free COVID-19 Testing in January

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The following information was provided by the Town of Watertown:

The Town of Watertown is offering, by appointment only, one – free COVID-19 Test for Watertown residents. Testing is free, does not require a medical referral and you do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms to get tested. Pre-registration is required to receive a test (preregistration details below) and we ask that you only sign up for one test to allow other residents access to testing.]

Testing will be held inside the Commander’s Mansion 440 Talcott Avenue on the following dates and times:

Tuesday January 5, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 6, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 12, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 13, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 19, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 20, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PMTuesday January 26, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 7:00 PMWednesday January 27, 2021 from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

In order to obtain an appointment a Watertown resident must pre-register by clicking on the following link: https://proemscovidtesting.as.me/watertown

This is not a drive up test. Watertown residents who have an appointment will enter into the Commander’s Mansion and with the assistance of Pro Ambulance employees will conduct a self-administering nasal swab (PCR test). Test results: As a reminder, a negative test does not mean you cannot spread COVID-19, or get infected with COVID-19, at a later date.

Entertainment

Dance Studio Offering Scholarships for Kids’ Classes

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Ballroom in Boston announced it will offering scholarships for children to take part in classes, which begin in January. The studio sent out the following announcement:

Does your kiddo need a fun activity to keep them moving this winter? Not sure if you can make the finances work for extra activities or want to try something without any long-term commitment? Please apply for a class scholarship or attend one of our free community classes in person or online at Ballroom in Boston! 

We offer classes for kids ages 5-10. Our next series of classes starts the first week of January and includes fun themes like Star Wars, Frozen, Safari & Musical Theater (The Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Aladdin & more)!

Around Town

Hatch in January: Customize Your Phone, Fleece Hand Warmers & More

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See what’s going on at the Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace in January. Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. Virtual workshops are being offered during the pandemic. For more information contact Liz Helfer, Hatch Coordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Hatch sent out information about upcoming workshops:

Customize Your Phone’s Home Screen with Yi BinMonday, January 4, 6pmLearn how to customize the icons on your home screen using widgets, recently popularized by videos on TikTok.

Entertainment

Watertown Musician Receives Grant from Passim to Put Out Debut Album

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Passim has awarded over $40,000 to 24 musicians through its 2020 Iguana Music Fund, including to a Watertown musician. Watertown’s Lake Saint Daniel will use the grant to release a fully self-produced and recorded debut album. The Iguana Music Fund awards gifts annually to musicians for career building projects and for projects that provide community service through music. Passim sent out the following announcement about the 2020 Iguana Music Fund:

Passim has awarded $40,141 to 24 musicians through its Iguana Music Fund. The Iguana Music Fund awards gifts annually to musicians for career building projects and for projects that provide community service through music.

Charity

LETTER: Wayside Thanks Supporters During a Challenging 2020

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The holiday season is upon us and it’s the most wonderful time of the year for many. But for some, it can be challenging and filled with worry. Not all families can provide gifts for their loved ones. Typically, the Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist (SSRS) Program, a Wayside Youth & Family Support Network program at the Multi-Service Center, works with local churches and businesses to provide holiday gifts for families in need. As you can imagine, this year proved to bevery challenging due to COVID-19 and the many restrictions we have in place.

Entertainment

Virtual Events for Seniors: Movies, Book Club, Pets & Knitting Group

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Watertown Senior Center

The Senior Center may be closed due to COVID-19, but there are still plenty of activities to join by computer via Zoom. The Watertown Senior Center sent out the following schedule of virtual events for the month of January:

Zoom with Debi Block with Interactive Film/Theatre Program

Tuesday, January 5, at 10 amSome Like It Hot – Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe starin director Billy Wilder’s 1949 groundbreaking comedy. Two male musicians crossdress and join an allwomen band to escape Spats Columbo and his mob. One of the greatest comedies of all times defying the rules of the Hollywood Hayes Code! History of Music with John Clark: The Great Ladies of Song

Wednesday, Jan 6th at 2:00 pmAll of these lovely ladies began their careers singing for swing bands in the thirties and forties and then went on to even greater stardom on their own.

Schools

Watertown Schools Receive Grant to Support Engineering Program

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Superintendent Deanne Galdston is pleased to share that Watertown High School has been awarded a $150,000 Skills Capital Grant by the Baker-Polito administration. The grant will support Watertown High’s Engineering Technology Program, the school’s first vocational/technical pathway, which is completed over three years beginning in students’ sophomore year. There are nine courses that students complete as part of the engineering program — engineering design, principles of engineering, digital electronics, civil engineering and architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, environmental sustainability, introduction to robotics, engineering design and development, and all aspects of the engineering industry. The Skills Capital Grant will allow Watertown High School to purchase and install state-of-the-art equipment that students will use to gain hands-on experience with real-world tools used in the engineering field. The equipment includes:

CNC milling equipment3D printersRobotic arm kitsMicroscopesDigital shaking waterbathElectrophoresis kitsBand saw, drill press and laser engraverVEX kits for computer integrated manufacturingNikon AX2S auto level, and more

“The Engineering Technology Program is an exciting way for students to gain practical experience in a growing and ever-changing field, and the Skills Capital Grant will be a tremendous help as we work to make the program more immersive and engaging,” Career Technical Education Coordinator Laura Alderson Rotondo said.