Schools

Watertown High School Students Could Sit on School Committee

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The sign for the temporary Watertown High School at PFC Ricard Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

Members of the School Committee may have Watertown High School students sitting with them during meetings, and the students may even be able to propose motions at meetings if policy changes being considered by the Committee are approved. Currently, WSH has two student representatives, who typically provide updates on student life at the high school, including the flow of the academic year and updates on extracurricular activities. A proposed change to the Watertown Public Schools’ policies would give the students a more significant role, School Committee Vice Chair Lily Rayman Read said at the Aug. 26 School Committee meeting.

Schools

New Watertown High School on Track to be Net Zero Energy

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The entrance to the new Watertown High School is taking shape. (Photo from Watertown School Building Committee meeting)

Progress has been made on the new Watertown High School, and the goal of having the building produce all the energy needed to operate is closer to becoming a reality. When the high school project was approved, it was designed to be Net Zero energy and also meet the LEED Platinum standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. Since being approved in June 2021, the project budget has increased significantly mostly due to the rise in construction costs. City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that the project would be completed, with a net zero energy building, and not borrow more than $150 million to cover the cost.

Schools

Unlike Other Districts, Watertown Prepares to Open School With Nearly Full Staff

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Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston was interviewed by WBZ Channel 4 about hiring teachers. (Screenshot from WBZ)

On Monday, Superintendent Dede Galdston welcomed 42 teachers who are new to the district during the orientation at Hosmer Elementary School. When school opens on Sept. 3, Watertown will be in a position that is enviable to other communities. According to WBZ Channel 4, there are nearly 4,800 open teaching positions in Massachusetts, and the TV station approached the Watertown Schools while doing the story, Galdston said.

Schools

2 Watertown Students Graduate from College, 6 Earn Honors

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Students from Watertown graduated from Western New England and Roger Williams in the spring of 2024, and local students earned honors at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and University of Delaware. Graduates

Western New England University

Lauren A. Rae graduated from Western New England University with a MS in Applied Behavior Analysis. The graduate ceremony was held on Sunday, May 19, at the MassMutual Center in downtown Springfield. More than 350 graduate students received their master’s, law, and doctorate degrees from its Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Pharmacy, and School of Law. Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University is proud to announce that Tom Walsh, of Watertown, MA, (02472) graduated with a M.A. in Special Education in May as part of the Class of 2024.

Schools

Watertown High School Class of 1964 Holding 60th Class Reunion

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The old Watertown High School building. (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

ANNOUNCEMENT to ALL former WHS classmates of 1964:

The 60th Reunion is progressing nicely and if anyone has not already communicated with the Reunion team, please send an email to whs1964reunion@yahoo.com to obtain information for the Reunion. The Reunion is scheduled on September 28, 2024. Thank you, Sonny!

Schools

Watertown Students Graduate from Three Colleges, Several Earn Honors at Three Colleges

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Four Watertown students graduated from Dickinson, Roger Williams, and Tufts in the spring of 2024, and seven local students earned honors at Fairfield, Hartford, and Tufts. The following information was provided by the colleges:

Graduates

Dickinson College

Dickinson College has announced the following students graduated during the Commencement ceremony held on May 19. 

Kristen Mary Beach, daughter of Christopher and Rosemary Beach of Watertown, Mass., BS, environmental science, magna cum laude, dean’s list, Watertown High School

Maia Vachon, daughter of Marc and Amy Vachon of Watertown, Mass., BS, data analytics, magna cum laude, dean’s list, Watertown High School

Dickinson College, located in historic Carlisle, Pa., was chartered in 1783. The private, liberal-arts college is nationally recognized for its cross-disciplinary, active approach to learning, international education, civic engagement and its commitment to teaching its students about sustainability across the curriculum, the community and the globe. www.dickinson.edu. Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University is proud to announce that Tom Walsh, of Watertown, MA, (02472) graduated with a M.A. in Special Education in May as part of the Class of 2024. At Roger Williams University, students are prepared to be thinkers and doers ready to solve challenging problems with innovative solutions.

Schools

Installation of Geothermal Wells to Begin Soon at Watertown High School, Will Take 4-5 Months

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The following information was provided by Vertex, the project management firm for the Watertown High School project:

Starting the week of August 5th, you can expect to see the mobilization of geothermal well drilling rigs at the new Watertown High School Building Project. This is an exciting milestone for the project, as the before mentioned geothermal wells will aid in the project’s goal of being a net-zero energy building. The geothermal wells, once installed, will provide heating and cooling to spaces in the new high school including the gymnasium, the auditorium, and other community spaces throughout the school. The project expects these drilling rigs to be on site for approximately 4-5 months to complete 14 wells to approximately 900 feet deep. What to expect in the coming months, starting the week of August 5th:

–  Geothermal Well Drilling Rigs on site from 7AM-5PM

–  Equipment will be located on the corner of Columbia and Common Streets within the construction fence.