Schools

Middle School Holding Forum About Safety on Campus After List of Students Found

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Watertown Middle School

Watertown Public School officials and the Watertown Police appear at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. for the Watertown Middle School Community following the discovery of a list of students created by a WMS student. School officials said they have assessed the situation and determined there was no credible threat, but some parents remain concerned for the safety of their children and have questions about how the school handled the situation. The list was found last week, and the school contacted parents of students who were on the document. Watertown Middle School implemented the district’s safety protocols, and has been working with the student and the student’s family, who worked with the school and police “to ensure their well-being and the safety of our community,” read a letter sent out by Watertown Middle School Principal Jennifer Chen Fein.

Schools

School Committee to Look at Ways to Make Overnight Field Trips Affordable for All Students

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Watertown Public School music students perform at Bandarama. Those in high school take a trip to New York every two years. The School Committee approved a field trip for Watertown High School music students to spend a weekend in New York, but had concerns about the price and making sure that all students can participate. The trip to the Big Apple has become a biannual tradition for the chorus, band, and orchestra. The trip includes a performance and workshop with professional musicians, a Broadway show, a dinner/dance cruise around the Statue of Liberty, visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and walking around Central Park.

Schools

Musicians Wanted to Perform at 11th Annual Watertown MusicFest

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The following announcement was provided by the Friends of Watertown Music:

Friends of Watertown Music invites you to attend our 11th Annual MusicFest, on Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:30 to 9:00 pm, at the Watertown Middle School. MusicFest is a fun community event, offering something for everyone with over 40 performances, across 3 stages. The variety of performers often includes student musicians, Watertown Public School teachers, local rock bands, established musicians, a vignette of musical theater, and more. Performances run from 5 to 20 minutes, so attendees have the chance to go around and see as many acts as they wish. Calling all musicians: registration is open through March 5th !

Schools

Watertown Students from 7 Colleges Earn Academic Honors

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Fifteen students from Watertown earned academic honors for the Fall 2023 semester from Regis College, James Madison University, Nichols College, University of Alabama, University of Rhode Island, Boston University and Lasell University. The following announcements were provided by the colleges and universities. Regis College

Regis College proudly announces the university’s Fall 2023 Dean’s List recognizing their outstanding academic achievements. “Being named to the Dean’s List is a recognition of a students’ semester-long unwavering commitment to their academic program,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Erina Driscoll, PhD. “Regis is committed to building students’ character and confidence as they are intellectually prepared for a life and career of meaning through an inclusive and innovative environment.

Schools

LETTER: Parent Opposes Holding Lockdown Drills at School

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Dear Superintendent Galdston and School Committee,

I read with alarm in Watertown News that our schools are planning to conduct lockdown/ALICE/active shooter drills. Please reconsider this decision. I understand that there have been issues with false alarms, but it is extremely unclear how past false alarms should have any effect on whether we conduct these terrifying and dubiously effective drills. There is zero research to suggest that these drills do anything other than terrify students. In fact, your own announcement said “Sometimes it is too frightening for children,” and that you had decided not to do ALICE drills at elementary schools in the last few years for that reason.

Schools

Following False Alarms Watertown Schools to Hold Emergency Drills, Also Seek to Improve Communication System

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After a series of false alarms in the security systems at Watertown’s new schools, the district plans to hold drills for the students, and will look for ways to avoid more incidents in the future. The Watertown Public Schools opened two brand new elementary schools, a third underwent a major renovation and expansion, and students at the high school have a new, temporary home. The new buildings also have new technology, including a multi-hazard notification system, said Superintendent Dede Galdston. All four new schools have had false alarms, she said, some due to wiring and other when the panic button was pressed by mistake. “We want to make sure people understand that these happen and that we will do to prevent that from happening again,” Galdston said.

Schools

Rockland Trust Offering Renewable Scholarships

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The following announcement was provided by Rockland Trust:

Rockland Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its 20th Annual Scholarship Program, which is open to students who are enrolling in a part-time or full-time post-secondary studies for the first time at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year (2024-2025). Rockland Trust will award up to 16 $3,000 renewable scholarships this year. Applications are available online at RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship. “For two decades, our scholarship program has enabled hundreds of local students to advance their journey through post-secondary education,” said Andrea Borowiecki, Vice President of Charitable Giving & Community Engagement. “Each year, we’re inspired by the ambition and talent of the students as they work toward their goals, ultimately bettering our communities.”

Applications will be considered based on financial need, academic performance, and unusual personal or family circumstances. Applicants must reside in a county Rockland Trust serves. To learn more about guidelines, eligibility criteria, and access the application, please visit RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship.

Schools

Watertown Students Earn Honors at SNHU & Plymouth St.

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The following Watertown students earned academic honors in the Fall semester of 2023. Southern New Hampshire University

President’s List

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.