Schools

Student Cell Phone Ban During School Day Approved by School Committee

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The School Committee approved a Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy that prevents students from using or having access to a device — such as a cell phone or tablet — during the entire school day, including during lunchtime and breaks. The PED Policy came out of the PED Task Force, which studied the subject and provided a recommended policy to the School Committee. The policy was approved at the May 4 School Committee meeting. The Policy reads: “The Watertown Public Schools (WPS) personal electronic device (PED) policy aims to improve students’ social/emotional health and development, student engagement in academics, the overall school social climate, and students’ connectedness to the school community.” The Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy reads, “subject to the exceptions outlined below, students may not access or use any PED for the entire duration of the school day, and PEDs should be off or in silent mode from the first bell of the school day until the end of the day while in the school building.”

Schools

Class of 2019 Can Get Copies of Their School Records Before They are Destroyed

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Members of the Class of 2019 can get copies of the records before they are destroyed. See more information in the announcement from the Watertown Public Schools, below. Kathleen Desmarais, M.Ed, Director of Student Services, is notifying the public that in accordance with Massachusetts Student Records Regulations temporary records which have been maintained by the school system for the Class of 2019 are about to be destroyed. Former students have the right to receive copies of any or all of these records prior to their destruction. After July 1, 2026, only the transcript, which includes the minimum information necessary to reflect the student’s educational progress, will be on file for at least 60 years.

Schools

School Officials Outline Strategies to Improve Watertown’s Special Education Program

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A study of the Watertown Public Schools’ special education found a number of areas of concerns, including a lack of uniformity, a need for better communication with families, and a distrust among parents of students in the program. A group called the Special Education Strategy Development Committee, made up of 31 people from different levels in the schools, as well as parents, discussed Watertown’s special education data, reports from state on the district’s special education program, as well as the report from AthenaK12. The district committee put out a Special Education Success Strategy report. The special education committee pointed to multiple areas to focus on to improve the program for students with special needs, said Kathy Desmarais, Watertown’s Director of Student Services. One issue rose to the top in the report.

Schools

School Committee Update: Budget, Fees, Cell Phones in Schools, Special Ed Strategy

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By Kendra FoleyChair, Watertown School Committee

The Watertown School Committee has been busy over the last two months tackling budget decisions, discussing policy changes, and reviewing educational data that affects our school community. After three budget meetings, deliberations, and hours of work from school administrators, the Committee approved the Superintendent’s Recommended FY27 Budget at the end of March. This year was the most challenging budget process in Watertown in more than a decade, requiring us to close a $2.5 million budget shortfall. This gap was caused in large part by a significant increase in out-of-district placements and tuition costs. Administrators took a number of steps to balance the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Letters

LETTER: Group of Parents Support Bell-to-Bell Personal Electronic Device Ban in Watertown Schools

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Dear Watertown Community Members:

As parents and residents of Watertown, we have closely followed the discussions of the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) PED Task Force regarding personal electronic devices (PEDs) in our schools. While we understand the initial hesitation some feel regarding a complete ban, the more we examine the data and the neurobiology of our children, the clearer it becomes: a full, bell-to-bell ban for grades 9-12, including passing time and lunch, is not just a restrictive policy, but a necessary step to protect our students’ mental health and academic futures. The academic benefits of removing smartphones are undeniable. Research shows that schools implementing such bans see significant increases in GPA and academic outcomes, with a particularly powerful impact on mathematics scores. Furthermore, the mental health implications are staggering; one major study found that these bans led to a 60% decline in consultations with specialists for psychological symptoms and a 29% decline in GP visits for the same issues.

Schools

MassBay College Hosting Annual Spring Open House

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MassBay Community College announced it will hold its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on its Wellesley Hills campus. The signature event on the College’s recruitment calendar, the Spring Open House is an opportunity for prospective students to talk with current students, faculty, and staff to learn about the 70 degree and certificate programs offered at MassBay. Participants will learn about the Massachusetts free community college programs, including eligibility requirements and how to take advantage of this opportunity to attend MassBay for free. Additional topics include how MassBay credits transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, free academic support services, information for veterans, free resources available on campus such as emergency grants and free food, information about free mental health counseling, and more. The Open House will feature a self-guided tour of campus and on-the-spot-admissions where staff will help attendees start the process of enrolling for college.

Schools

Watertown School Bus Fees Increasing, District May Buy Electric Buses

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by Pixabay

School bus fees will rise $200 for students who don’t qualify for the mandated busing areas of town in the 2026-27 school year. School officials will also look at purchasing its own buses, which would be electric. Increasing school bus fees was one of the steps taken to balance the school budget for Fiscal Year 2027. School officials had to close a $2.5 million gap. This year, students were charged $300 to ride the school bus, with a family cap of $475, said Superintendent Dede Galdston.

Schools

Watertown High School Student Voices Heard at Recent Community Discussion

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The following piece was provided by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment:

On April 8, seven Watertown High School students engaged in lively discussions with the community at the Watertown Free Public Library. Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment (WCPJE). Student Voices and Conversation brought together City Councilors, School Committee members, and the general public to hear what is on the minds of local students. Students helped to develop and plan the evening’s structure and led all of the discussions. The event focused on dialogue about what is working for students in Watertown as well as what can be improved. Key questions included “What challenges/issues/concerns are young people facing in Watertown,” “What do students want community members to know about youth today?”