Government

LETTER: Town Councilor Condemns “Disturbing” Sticker Found at Victory Field

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The following statement was first read by Town Councilor Tony Palomba at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting as part of a request for information about what steps the Town administration will take in response to an offensive sticker found at Victory Field recently. Town Council President Mark Sideris and School Committee Chair John Portz also spoke out against the sticker at meetings this week. Palomba’s statement reads:

It is disappointing and disturbing that a sticker of a Native American carrying a tomahawk and a Blue Lives Matter flag was posted on Town property in Watertown. We should be clear that this act of racist hate speech is not a one-off by a resident or visitor. Given the sophistication of the sticker — it required time, energy, and money to produce it — I would not be surprised to see more of these stickers around Town. 

I stand with those who believe there are many good people who reside in Watertown. But we must also accept the reality that there are among us individuals and groups of individuals who are determined to perpetuate stereotypes and foster division, and who espouse white supremacy and racism.

Around Town

Sunrise Watertown Holding March for Environment on Earth Day

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A sign being made by a member of Sunrise Watertown, a youth-led environmental organization. A group made up of youth from Watertown will march on Earth Day to push for legislation at the state and local level to benefit the environment. Organizers sent out the following information:

This upcoming Earth Day, Sunrise Watertown plans to take action and lead a march from the middle school, past town hall, and to the square. Their goal is to educate the town on the climate crisis while simultaneously putting pressure on the town council to declare a climate emergency and enact more decisive legislation to combat the crisis. Sunrise Watertown plans to stage a few speeches and read an op-ed which was authored by its own members and will be about the town councils lack of action concerning the climate emergency.

Around Town

Adult Autism Support Center Expands Services to Watertown

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The following information was provided by Lifeworks:

Lifeworks, a nonprofit human services provider that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, announced that it is expanding its community-based autism services to include adult autism support in 40 communities in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Boston Metro Region, in addition to its existing youth and family autism services in Newton and parts of Norfolk county. Lifeworks will establish an Adult Autism Support Center within its West Roxbury office that will help individuals and families navigate available autism-related services, provide workshops and caregiver training, and participate in enriching social and recreational activities. “It’s a privilege to expand our autism support services in the DDS Metro Boston Region,” said Daniel Sullivan, Vice President of Quality and Community Services at Lifeworks. “We look forward to providing our comprehensive supports and services as we establish new community connections and partnerships.”

As part of this effort, Lifeworks will appoint an Assistant Director of Adult Services, add two new adult autism support specialists, and form new collaborations with advocacy organizations, employers, law enforcement and other community partners. Lifeworks has a long history of providing autism supports and its Family Autism Center based at its headquarters in Westwood has grown to serve nearly 1,000 individuals in the Newton/South Norfolk area. Under its new DDS contract, Lifeworks will now provide Adult Autism Support Center services in the following DDS areas:

• Greater Boston – Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop

• Charles River West – Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown

• Middlesex West – Ashland, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick, Northborough, Sherborn, Southborough, Sudbury, Wayland, Westborough

• Newton/South Norfolk – Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Wrentham

Lifeworks will now support the entire age range of individuals with autism: the family program supports children and youths and the adult program supports those ages 18 and older.

Transportation

MBTA Extends Five-Day Pass, Proposes Change to Youth Pass

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An MBTA bus in Watertown. The MBTA today announced updates to current fare pilots that include an extension of the Five-day Flex Pass on mTicket as well as upcoming fare change proposals that include improvements to the Youth Pass and converting all Outer Express Bus Routes to Inner Express Bus fares. These changes help to improve reduced fare programs and simplify complex fares for both customers and operations. “We’re pleased to temporarily extend the availability of the Five-day Flex Pass, which has been a popular fare option for our Commuter Rail riders as travel patterns have adjusted and evolved during the pandemic,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We’re also excited about our upcoming fare proposals that make improvements to the Youth Pass and Express Bus Route fares.

Charity

Cunniff School PTO Auctioning Bricks from Old School During Fundraiser

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The Cunniff Elementary School PTO announced a fundraiser where you can get a piece of the old school. The event is open to the public. The silent auction where 40 bricks from the old school building can be bid on will run from April 26 to May 7, and will be he held online at https://www.32auctions.com/cunniffbricks

The following information came from the Cunniff PTO:

Our beautiful new Cunniff school facility is currently being built, though the old school will always hold special memories for former and current Cunniff Cougars. The Cunniff PTO is holding a silent auction featuring bricks from the old Cunniff building, and the proceeds will help raise money for classroom supplies, future field trips, social activities, and classroom enrichment programs for our students. Now is your chance to show your Watertown pride and display a piece of school history in your home!

MassBay Community College

MassBay College Offers Free Workshops for High Schoolers on Academic Success

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The following information was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College Office of Corporate Partnership and Workforce Development will offer academic success workshops during April vacation week for local high school students to become familiar with learning in a remote college environment. The three free workshops (descriptions below) will be held on a virtual platform and will cover topics that are frequent barriers to a student’s success. “We want every student to be an academic success story, but not every student has the foundational understanding on how to be successful in college,” said MassBay Director of Corporate Partnerships and Workforce Development, Phara Boyer. “After hearing feedback from our students on how they have been able to do well in their classes during the pandemic, we wanted to share the tips and tricks to ensure high school students entering college learn best practices for their future college experience. We hope high school students will join us for a few hours during their April break and use the content of these workshops to position themselves for a great academic future.”

Here are the workshop dates and descriptions:

The “How to Succeed as a Remote Learner” workshop will explain to students what it means to be a remote and online learner in a college environment, tips for success in remote and online courses, and strategies to optimize learning in a virtual environment.

Government

State Rep. Steve Owens Hosting Virtual Office Hours in April

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State Rep. Steve Owens. The following announcement was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

State Representative Steve Owens will be hosting office hours Saturday, April 24th at 1:00pm. This will be an informal meeting where constituents can share their concerns and discuss what is on their mind. The Representative will talk about what he has been working on and the issues he hopes will be getting attention this legislative session. The event will be held virtually through Zoom. To register, click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctf-GorD8pHdzRlEIS4GRpwezwtfxnM8L4

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can provide any more information. Thanks!

Around Town

See What’s Happening at the West Suburban YMCA for Kids & Families

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The following information was provided by the West Suburban YMCA:

There’s lots going on at the Y for kids and families right now!  Let me know if you need any more info. Family Fun at the West Suburban YMCA  

“Back to School Sale” – Family Membership Promotion 

Sign up for a Family Membership in April and you’ll receive 20% off your monthly membership fees for April, May, and June! Members enjoy priority registration and reduced rates for programs, camp, personal training, and more. For more information on these promotions, contact the Welcome Center at 617-244-6050 ext. 0 or visit www.wsymca.org/membership-promotion  

Late Spring Program Session: April 26-June 20.  Register Now!  It’s time for a fresh start. Reset your routines and regain your wellness by signing up for spring programs at the Y! The Y’s 8-week Late Spring Program Session will run from April 26-June 20. Stay active as a family by signing up for swimming, sports, music, and fitness programs!  Visit the Y’s website for more details and to register: www.wsymca.org/find-a-program  

Afterschool Care at the Y 

The Y’s Out of School Time (OST) program offers afterschool care that follows the Newton Public Schools schedule, including half days, and transportation to the Y is available from most Newton schools. A free healthy snack is also provided and lunch is also provided on half days. OST includes physical activities, outdoor time, games, service learning, and homework support.