Schools

Watertown Education Foundation Hosting 7th Annual Spelling Bee

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On January 29, The Watertown Education Foundation in conjunction with our three Elementary Schools will host its 7th annual Spelling Bee for all Watertown children in grades one through five, the WEF announced. The goal is to provide a public forum for our children to demonstrate and apply their spelling “know how” in an academically challenging arena. More importantly, historically, the Town Wide Spelling Bee has raised over $60,000 for our Elementary Schools. Corporate sponsorship’s for the Spelling Bee will allow the WEF, along side our Elementary School PTO’s, to funnel 100% of Spelling Bee registration fees directly back to our schools. In that vein, we are asking local businesses to consider sponsoring the 7th Annual Town-Wide Spelling Bee in order to make this event a success.

Cold Snap

Tips to Prepare for the Cold Snap Hitting the Area Tonight, Friday Morning

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The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency warns residents to be prepared for the cold snap overnight from Thursday into Friday. MEMA officials released the following information:

Bitter cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills are forecast for later this week. Forecasts from the National Weather Service for late Thursday night and early Friday morning include low temperatures between 10° and -5° and wind chill values expected to be cold as -15° to -25° across the interior and -5° to -15° near the coast. While temperatures are expected to warm up by the weekend, extremely cold temperatures and wind chills can be dangerous. “MEMA urges residents to take precautions during the upcoming extreme cold weather.

Around Town

Mount Auburn Hospital Gets an ‘A’ for Safety from National Group

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New Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades, which assign A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide and provide the most complete picture of patient safety in the U.S., were announced today by The Leapfrog Group, a national patient safety watchdog. Mount Auburn Hospital was one of 844 hospitals to receive an “A,” ranking among the safest hospitals in the United States, hospital officials announced. “We are committed to our patient’s safety and well-being here at Mount Auburn Hospital,” said Jeanette Clough, President and CEO of Mount Auburn Hospital. “Providing a safe experience is our first priority and it is an honor to be recognized with an “A” in this important category.”

“Protecting patients from harm is the most important charge for any hospital,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “We recognize and appreciate ‘A’ hospitals’ vigilance and continued dedication to keeping their patients safe.”

Developed under the guidance of an Expert Panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign A, B, C, D and F grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year.

Around Town

Support Group for Family of Those Living With Mental Illness to Meet

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NAMI Family Support Group is a free, structured, confidential, peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness, organizers announced.  

The next one will be held on Wed., Dec. 21, 7:30-9 p.m. in the Board Room of the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church at 207 Washington Street in Wellesley, organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Government

Recreation Department Announces Schedule for Open Forums

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The Recreation Department will host a series of monthly open forums in 2017. This is an opportunity for residents, youth organizations, civic groups and businesses and other interested parties to ask questions, make recommendations, express concerns and hear plans for the future. These meetings will be held in the Lower Hearing Room of the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month in most cases. Tuesday, July 4 was moved to Wednesday, July 5 due to the holiday. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and end by 8 p.m. unless additional time is needed.

Around Town

Watertown Boy’s & Girl’s Club’s Holiday Party Coming Up

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club announced it will be hosting their annual Youth Member Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 21 from 4–6 p.m. All Club members are invited to join staff and volunteers for a night of holiday-themed fun. There will be games, activities, food and lots of holiday cheer! All members will leave with a present from Santa sponsored by The Arsenal Project, Cambridge Savings Bank, The Mews, and Tufts Health Plan Foundation. Please contact Kristina Norris, Marketing & Development Coordinator, at knorris@watertownbgc.org with questions or concerns.

Entertainment

Local School, Choral Groups Putting on Holiday Performances at Mall

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The Watertown Mall is proud present holiday performances by local elementary and high school bands, choral and spring groups as well as semi-professional music groups from the Greater Boston are throughout the month of December, mall officials announced. After taking your picture with Santa at Santa’s Village, stay for the music and shopping! The following is an entertainment list for December. Please visit our website at www.watertown-mall.com for a complete schedule of December events and entertainment. Holiday entertainment Calendar:

December 8th @ 12 p.m.: St.