Letters

LETTER: Commentary on Student Placement Decision Process

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The Watertown Strong Schools parent group wrote up this summary of the recent School Committee Policy Subcommittee meeting, and added commentary at the end. Unofficial Minutes: Meeting of the Policy Subcommittee on 07/06/2016 – Key Points and Commentary

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

Committee members: Dr. Guido Guidotti, Chair; Liz Yusem; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, Superintendent. Audience members: Donna Ruseckas, Director of Wellness and Extended Services; John Portz, School Committee Chairperson; Lisa Feltner, Town Councilor; David Stokes, WSS; Stephanie Venizelos, Live Well Watertown and WPS Wellness Committee; Laurie McManus, former School Committee member; Charlie Breitrose, Watertown (MA) News; and one other community member.

CVS Trees

LETTER: Trees Dying, Planted Incorrectly at New CVS in East Watertown

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To the Editor:

This week Councilor Angie Kounelis brought to Watertown’s official attention the terrible condition of brand new landscaping in the East End CVS parking lot. Trees for Watertown asks Watertown citizens to join in demanding a strong municipal response. The landscaping plan in the CVS parking lot was approved by the Planning Board and Planning Department. But what Watertown approved was a pretty picture, not a functional plan, and Watertown is now reaping the ugly consequences. 1.

Letters

LETTER: Lack of Participation & Info in Planning for Future of Town Schools is Worrisome

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Hi Folks,

Here’s my take on the 6/29 Monday night First Community Forum to discuss the framework for evaluating Watertown’s aging school buildings and facilities in light of changing educational needs, teaching modalities, and enrollment numbers. Some topics that were touched upon: What is a Master Plan? Existing Conditions, 21st Century Skills, 21st Century Design Patterns. There was a bit more but without a written agenda, I’m sure I missed something. There were no handouts regarding the power point presentation that often could not be read on screen.

Letters

LETTER: Parent Thanks Her Children’s Teachers for a Great Year

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Editor,

As this school year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank our wonderful teachers. Our two oldest children are at the Hosmer Elementary School in Kindergarten and second grade. They both had amazing teachers this year. 

Our daughter’s kindergarten teacher created an environment centered on kindness, empathy and inclusion with a focus on academic progress. She took the time to really understand our daughter and was therefore able to individualize her learning experience and challenge her. She was also engaged with the parents; inviting us into the classroom for special presentations, sending home weekly letters and maintaining open lines of communication at all times.

Letters

LETTER: Concern Over Pace of the Watertown Schools’ Master Plan

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Watertown Strong Schools provided a summary of the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Master Planning Design Process for the Watertown Public Schools. School officials are looking to build the town’s schools for the 21st Century and deal with growing enrollments. Unofficial Minutes: Meeting of the Steering Committee of the Master Planning Design Process on 06/15/2016 – 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; Liz Yusem, Co-chair; Dr. Jean Fitzgerald, Superintendent; Charles Kellner, Director, Business Services; Vincent Piccirilli, Town Council Vice-President; Michael Dattoli, Town Councilor; Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director, Community Development and Planning; Deb King, WEA President and WMS teacher; Toni Carlson, K-12 Educational Technology and Library Coordinator; Dr. Kimo Carter, WMS Principal; Alyson Morales; Pete Caron; Mike Shepard; Elaina Griffith; Chris Lowry.

Government

LETTER: ReThink Plastic Thanks Council for Decision on Plastic Bags

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Editor,

On behalf of the members of ReThink Plastic, I would like to thank the Watertown Town Council for their approval of the Bring Your Own Bag ordinance at the meeting on June 7. 

With this vote, Watertown joins a growing number of communities in Massachusetts who have decided that the time has come to reduce the number of disposable, single-use plastic bags that waste our resources, pollute our communities and cause harm to humans, birds, animals and fish. We would like to thank the members of the Rules and Ordinance Subcommittee (Councilors Woodland, Dushku and Falkoff) for the time and attention they gave this ordinance. Working closely with our membership, they raised issues and concerns and worked to craft a better ordinance. The full Council took up the ordinance on June 7 and listened to and considered concerns raised by Watertown residents. They ultimately decided to join nearby communities such as Brookline, Newton and Cambridge to take action to improve our environment.

Letters

LETTER: Support Watertown Goes Purple to End Alzheimer’s Disease

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My Name is Judy Johanson. I am a Mother to two amazing children and a Mother-in-Law to their wonderful spouses. I’m “Nana” to three cherished grandchildren and most importantly, I am the wife and Care Partner to my brave and grace-filled husband Steve. Steve was diagnosed four years ago with Younger Onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 58. Needless to say this was an unexpected turn of events in our life, but given the circumstances, we have chosen to live our lives striving for hope towards a cure for this disease while embracing beauty in each day spent together!

Letters

LETTER: Parents Group Writes About Overcrowding, Enrollment and More

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The Watertown Strong Schools parent group followed the School Committee meeting on June 13, which tackled some key issues, such as overcrowding, enrollment projections and where dozens of students were honored. Unofficial Minutes: School Committee Meeting 6/13/16 – Key Points and Commentary

Note: These are NOT official minutes. Commentary can be found at the bottom of the minutes. Written by: Pete Caron, Julie Cotton, Kate Coyne, Alyson Morales, and David Stokes. Committee members: John Portz, Chair; Kendra Foley, Vice-Chair; Guido Guidotti, Secretary; Eileen Hsu-Balzer; Candace Miller; Mark Sideris; Liz Yusem; Dr. Fitzgerald, Superintendent; Charles Kellner, Director, Business Services; and Craig Hardimon, Human Resources Director.