Schools

WHS Grad Night Tradition — All Night Party — Continues, Volunteers Needed

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The All Night Party provides a substance free place for seniors to get together on graduation night. Volunteers do much of the set up, and chaperoning. The following piece was provided by the Watertown High School PTSO:

For decades, Watertown High School seniors have celebrated their graduation at the All Night Party, a cherished tradition organized by the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). This event is a labor of love for parents, teachers, and community members who dedicate their time and resources to create a memorable and safe celebration for the graduates. The All Night Party provides a substance-free environment for seniors to gather and celebrate together one last time.

Schools

Q&A: WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi Shares About His Love for the School, Watertown & Construction

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Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi

When someone tells you they have the best job in the world, you might be skeptical. Sit down and speak with Watertown High School Principal Joel Giacobozzi for a few minutes, however, and it quickly becomes clear that he truly has deep passion and love for WHS and the whole community. So much so he said he wished he grew up here. These days, the high school is just half of his job. Giacobozzi has served as the interim principal at Watertown Middle School for a year and half, while in the meantime leading WHS at the temporary campus, and being part of the team overseeing the construction of the new high school building.

Around Town

Rotary Club Celebrating 100 Years; Appreciated Teachers at Each of the Public Schools

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A teacher at each of the Watertown Public Schools received a gift basket from the Rotary Club of Watertown during Teacher Appreciation Week. (Courtesy of the Rotary Club)

The Rotary Club of Watertown turned 100 years old in 2025, and the club has a celebration planned. The Club also presented Watertown teachers with gifts as part of the recent teacher appreciation week. Celebration

The Watertown Rotary 100 Year Gala Celebration will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 from 6-9 p.m. The event will be held at Stazione Di Federal in Waltham. For tickets click here https://ticketstripe.com/watertownrotary100

For more information contact watertownrotary@gmail.com

Teacher Appreciation

During Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week of May, the Watertown Rotary Club donated five gift baskets, one for a teacher at each school in Watertown.

Schools

Perkins Employee Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions to Special Education

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Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind. The following announcement was provided by the Mass. Association of Approved Private Schools:

On Thursday, May 1, the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) held its annual spring board meeting and awards ceremony, spotlighting teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to special education over the past year. 

Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, was presented the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award, acknowledging superior direct service contributions to special needs children by a clinician, specialist or child care worker. For over a decade, Lonardo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the residential program at Perkins, fostering a nurturing and open environment that builds trust among families and where creativity flourishes. Cristy’s ongoing participation in special events showcases her investment in the broader community and her advocacy for students with complex needs.

Schools

College Students from Watertown Earn College Honors, Graduate

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Students from Watertown earned honors at Lasell and Wisconsin, and graduated from Stonehill, and Texas. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities:

Honors

Lasell University

The Spring 2025 Dean’s List includes students who have completed at least 12 credits as a full-time student in that semester and have achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Georgy Arshakyan of Watertown MA

Kayleigh Dore of Watertown MA

Alicia Karunaratne of Watertown MA

Theo Jacobs of Watertown MA

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, initiated 101 students and 3 honorary members into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society this year, including Watertown’s Cecelia Maillis. 

The 105th Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, was held on April 27 in Tripp Commons; Evjue Centennial Professor Douglas McLeod was the keynote speaker speaking on “News Coverage of Social Protest in a Polarized Political Landscape.” Honorary membership was granted to three UW-Madison faculty/staff: McLeod of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Pete Keys, Associate Director for Admissions & Engagement for the College of Letters & Science Honors Program; and Diana Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes the achievements of the most outstanding students in every school and college at UW-Madison.

Schools

Local Students Launch “Unpacking History”: A Mobile Holocaust Memorial

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The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston:

The Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston (JCDS) proudly invites the public to experience a unique and moving museum exhibit: Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial. Developed by the JCDS Class of 2025, this innovative traveling exhibit was created by teens, for teens to educate and inspire a new generation about the realities of the Holocaust. Sponsored by the renowned educational organization Facing History and Ourselves, Unpacking History approaches Holocaust education in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way. The exhibit aims to combat rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial by empowering young people to learn, reflect, and take a stand against hate. The exhibit features powerful storytelling, personal artifacts, and interactive elements, encouraging visitors to connect deeply with the past while considering their role in shaping a more just future. “This isn’t just a school project,” said one student curator. “It’s our response to a world where too many people are forgetting — or even denying — what really happened.

Schools

Third Annual Watertown Family Formal Will be Held at Hosmer School

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Watertown will host the third annual Family Formal for on Saturday, May 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event is for students in grades K-5, and will be held at Hosmer Elementary School, 1 Concord Road, Watertown. This is not a drop off event. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per student, with a family cap of $30. Financial assistance is available. There will be a DJ and photo booth.

Schools

Watertown High School Teacher Named Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year

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Watertown High School chemistry teacher Liz Mundy was named Massachusetts STEM Teacher of the Year. (Contributed Photo)

A Watertown High School science teacher was recently honored as one of the two Massachusetts STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teacher of the year by the New England Patriots. See the announcement from the Watertown Public Schools, below. The New England Patriots have named Watertown High School chemistry teacher Liz Mundy as one of their two Massachusetts STEM Teachers of the Year. Mundy was selected for her unwavering commitment to her students, her dedication to teaching, and her innovative work with CoLAB, a Watertown nonprofit where local life science professionals and high school educators collaborate to inspire students to pursue STEM careers.