School Master Plan

Voice Your Opinion on the Renovation of Watertown Schools Wednesday

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This summer the Watertown Public Schools and the Watertown community are working with the Cambridge architectural firm SMMA (Symmes Maini & McKee Associates) to develop a
School Facilities Master Plan. This is the first important step to review and assess the capacity
of our school buildings to support the teaching and learning needs of the district. The limitations of the school district’s current buildings have become increasingly apparent with the need for special program spaces, pressure from increasing enrollments, and a goal of maintaining appropriate class sizes. Watertown’s current school buildings are at least 60
years old and were designed for a time with very different educational needs than the present. This first phase of planning includes an extensive look at each school building and the
development of alternative options for renovation, additions, or building replacements.

Entertainment

Museum of Science, Birds of Prey Visit Mall

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The Watertown Mall has two fun and educational events coming up in August. Museum of Science
Have you ever wanted to know how magic tricks really work? Come find out the science behind classic magic tricks, going behind the scenes of the illusion. You might learn how a balloon can be fireproof, or how to snatch a tablecloth without knocking over what’s on top. The Museum of Science’s “Science Magic!” Traveling Program is coming to the Watertown Mall on Wednesday, August 24 at 11 a.m. This FREE event will take place near Carter’s.

Obituaries

OBIT: Robert D. Donnelly, 64, Watertown High Class of ’69

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A Funeral Mass will be celebrated for Robert D. Donnelly in the Church of Saint Patrick, Watertown on Thursday July 28, 2016 at 11 a.m.

Mr. Donnelly, a son of the late Francis T. & Veronica M. (Cavanaugh) Donnelly, passed away on Saturday July 23, 2016 in the Brentwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, Danvers after a period of declining health. He was 64. Born and brought up in Watertown, Robert graduated from Watertown High School, class of 1969 and later from Mass. Bay College. He worked as a custodian at the Watertown Arsenal for many years.

Around Town

Watertown Group Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Sunday

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On Sunday, Aug. 7, Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment will host a ceremony Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  

The group sent out the following announcement:

Please join us for a commemoration of the nuclear attack on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States in 1945 – the first use of nuclear weapons by any country – that caused over 210,000 deaths and years of misery and suffering for thousand of survivors. In May, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit the site of the 1945 attack on Hiroshima. At that historic site he met with the hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) and spoke eloquently of the horrors of the atomic age and the scourge of using war as an instrument of policy.

Letters

LETTER: Current State of Watertown Schools, Prepping for July 27 Community Forum

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Watertown Strong School parents group provides detailed highlights of and a commentary about the most recent School Master Planning Design process. Unofficial Minutes: Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Master Planning Design Process on July 19, 2016 – Key Points and Commentary

Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the bottom of the minutes. Written by: Kate Coyne and David Stokes

Committee members: John Portz, Co-chair; Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, Superintendent; Vincent Piccirilli, Town Council Vice-President; Michael Dattoli, Town Councilor; Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director, Community Development and Planning; Toni Carlson, K-12 Educational Technology and Library Coordinator; Alyson Morales; Mike Shepard; Elaina Griffith; Chris Lowry; and Lindsay Mosca. Absent members: Liz Yusem, Co-chair; Charles Kellner, Director, Business Services; Deb King, WEA President and WMS teacher; Dr. Kimo Carter, WMS Principal; and Pete Caron.

Sports

Raiders Youth Softball Team Rolling Through Season Unbeaten

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By Del Furbish

The 10U Raiders are tearing up the softball diamond all over Middlesex county this summer. Already seven games into their 14 game schedule and they remain unbeaten. There are 42 teams competing in the 10U division and just four remain perfect so far.  The towns the gals have come up on top so far with are Newton, Cambridge, Somerville, Woburn, Lexington, Charlestown and Medford. Led by Coach David Reilly the roster includes Katie Haley, Abigail Bass, Katey & Marissa Cabral, Nairi Davidian, Sadie Davis, Cecelia Maillis, Katelyn O’Connor, Elizabeth Parmley, Victoria Reilly, Zana Schwab, Anna Steffens and Ava Husson.

Letters

LETTER: Thoughts on Superintendent Evaluation, District Goals & Enrollment Projects

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This is the account of the most recent School Committee meeting provided by the Watertown Strong Schools parents group. Look at the end for commentary. Unofficial Minutes: School Committee Meeting 7/18/16 – Key Points and Commentary

Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the bottom of the minutes. Written by: Kate Coyne, Alyson Morales, and David Stokes.

Letters

LETTER: Important Meeting on Future of Watertown Schools Coming Up

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What’s Going On? Watertown Public Schools: Second Community Forum, Wednesday, July 27, 7 p.m., High School Auditorium, 50 Columbia St. Whether you have kids in the WPS or not, these meetings are very important. SMMA, an architectural firm specializing in educational facilities, has been hired to evaluate all our school facilities given: changing educational instructional needs and state/federal mandates; our old, tired buildings; and increasing student enrollment numbers. Can buildings be renovated within the same footprint, will they require new additions, be retired, or need to be built from the ground up, i.e., new construction?