Schools

New Head of Perkins School for the Blind Looks to Build on Legacy, Advocate for the Visually Impaired

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Perkins School for the Blind President and CEO David Barth, right, speaks with a student during the White Cane Walk. (Courtesy of Perkins School for the Blind)

David Barth did not take the most direct route to becoming Perkins School for the Blind’s President and CEO, but he told Watertown News that the work helping some of the most vulnerable children get the education, services, and rights that they deserve is something he has done during his whole career. Barth joined the Perkins team in September 2025, after many years working on behalf of children around the globe with the U.S. government (including USAID) and non-governmental organizations, most recently as Vice President of International Programs at Save the Children. Barth is Perkins’ 11th director, and he said taking over an institution with a long and storied history of work for the blind and visually impaired is an awesome responsibility. “So this job is a privilege, because you get to conduct this orchestra of really, really, really talented people who are really, really committed,” Barth said.

Schools

Watertown Student Delivers Speech at Fontbonne Graduation

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Watertown’s Lily Carpenter received her diploma at the Fontbonne graduation. (Photo by Faith Ninivaggi)

Watertown’s Lily Carpenter graduated from Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston, and delivered a speech about her experience at the school, where she transferred after her previous school closed. See more details in the announcement from Fontbonne, below. Fontbonne, The Early College of Boston, a leading all-girls Catholic school, celebrated the extraordinary achievements of its Class of 2026 at the school’s 69th Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2026 in the Fontbonne CSJ Center. Seniors received their diplomas before family, friends, faculty, staff, the Sisters of St.

Schools

Students, Families Formed “Bike Bus” to Get to Hosmer School This Spring

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A group of Hosmer Elementary School students met at Casey Park on Fridays this Spring to form a Bike Bus and ride to school. (Contributed Photo)

During the spring, a group of students and their families rode their bicycles from the Southside to Hosmer Elementary School, forming what became known as the Bike Bus. The first Bike Bus took place on May 1, and continued every Friday (weather permitting) and concluded on Thursday, June 18 before the Juneteenth holiday. “The kids would start at Casey Park and make multiple stops along their way to Hosmer to pick up more friends,” said Maureen Schrader. “This all stemmed from Jennifer Beatty’s son, Rory, wanting to ride his bike to school.”

Schools

New Watertown High School Nearing Completion — See Photos

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The large W adorns the wall of the glass stairwell near the intersection of Common and Spring streets. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

On a tour of the nearly completed new Watertown High School, a group saw classrooms that look ready to host classes, along with some of the gems of the new building: the gymnasium, the auditorium, and a two-story media center (a.k.a. the library). Christy Murphy of owner project management firm Vertex gave an update on the status of the project before the group toured the building. “We are about 97% complete, that’s in dollars, but there’s a lot of details (left). So, as we’re walking around, you’re going to see spaces that are shockingly done — some furniture’s here — finishes,” Murphy said.

Schools

College Students from Watertown Earn Honors, Graduate, Complete Projects

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Several students from Watertown earned honors from North Shore Community College, Alabama, Hoftra, Saint Anslem, and William & Mary. Local students graduated from Hamilton College and Emmanuel College. Also, three Watertown students who attend WPI completed projects. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities. Honors

North Shore Community College

North Shore Community College is proud to announce its spring 2026 Dean’s List, honoring students who have demonstrated academic distinction.

Letters

LETTER: Parents Concerned About Students With Disabilities, Call for “Vote of No Confidence” for School Administrator

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To the Editor,

We are a group of Watertown caregivers and community members writing to raise urgent awareness about an active community petition concerning the experiences of students with disabilities in Watertown Public Schools. Families across the district have repeatedly raised concerns regarding access to appropriate special education services, consistency of implementation, communication with families, and meaningful inclusion in decision-making processes. These concerns reflect sustained experiences shared by multiple families over many years and warrant serious public attention. In response, a community petition was created calling for the School Committee to place on its agenda a public discussion and action on a Vote of No Confidence for the Director of Student Services. This petition remains open and active.

Schools

Watertown Students Graduate, Earn Honors at Their Colleges & Universities

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Watertown residents graduated from Salve Regina, WPI, James Madison, and Trine. Local students earned honors at Springfield College, Ohio State, Assumption, Emmanuel, Fairfield, and Quinnipiac. The following information was provide by the college or university:

Graduates

Salve Regina University

On May 17, on the oceanside campus of Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong, president, conferred 525 bachelor’s degrees upon the Class of 2026 at the University’s 76th Commencement. These local students were among them. Simrin Bakhshi of Watertown

Jesse Cavarretta of Watertown

Michael Cormier-Luce of Watertown

WPI

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its 157th Commencement exercises, honoring graduates whose innovation, perseverance, and purpose-driven achievements will help shape the future.

Schools

Watertown Students Graduate from BC High, Make Honor Roll

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Three Watertown students graduated from Boston College High School, and several made the school’s honor roll. See the information provided by BC High, below. Boston College High School proudly celebrated the achievements of the 277 graduates of the Class of 2026 during the school’s 162nd Commencement Exercises on Morrissey Boulevard. Thousands of family members, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to honor the graduates and welcome them into the lifelong brotherhood of the BC High alumni community. This year’s commencement address was delivered by Vincent D. Rougeau, president of the College of the Holy Cross and a nationally respected scholar of legal education and Catholic social thought

The graduates included the following students from Watertown:

Ben Campolongo

Owen Driscoll

Alex Podgoretsky

Honor Roll

BC High announced the students who received honors in Quarter 3, including several local students.