Belmont

Lowell School Students Send a Message of Peace Before Thanksgiving

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Lowell School took one of their core values and ran with it, creating a bit of a Facebook sensation. The day before Thanksgiving, the school held a kindness assembly, said Lowell’s interim principal Phil Oates. “It was facilitated by Eileen Donahue, our physical education teacher,” Oates said. “She taught the kids a rhyming kindness message that we all said together as a school.” Donahue, who is also coach of the Watertown High School field hockey team, took photos of children doing acts of kindness and featured them during the presentation.

Schools

Watertown SEPAC Hosting Local Director of Federation for Children with Special Needs

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Watertown SEPAC invites the public to a meeting with the project director of the MassPAC, a project Federation for Children with Special Needs. Leslie M. Leslie joined the MassPAC project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs in February of 2011 – a role which includes providing technical assistance to Special Education Parent Advisory Council leaders, coordinating Leadership Institutes, monitoring the statewide MassPAC Listserve, maintaining the membership database and MassPAC website and writing educational materials. The Federation for Children with Special Needs is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) organization that advocates for quality education, parent participation, and access to quality health care services for all children, especially those with disabilities. Leslie is the mother of two young adult sons, both of whom face learning challenges. Leslie holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science from Tufts University and a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

Schools

Lowell School Hosts Second Annual Public Book Fair on Dec. 4

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The second annual Lowell Public Book Fair is coming up on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Lowell Gym, the school announced. 

Browse books for all ages (board books up to adult books), a focus on the K-5 grades. There will be new releases such as the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid and the new JK Rowling Fantastic Beast. Many options for holiday gifts with toys, science kits and more. All proceeds will go directly to the Lowell Elementary School Library.

MassDevelopment

Perkins School Getting Big Bonds from MassDevelopment to Renovate 2 Buildings

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MassDevelopment announced it has issued a $4.1 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Perkins School for the Blind, a Watertown educational service provider for individuals with visual impairment. Perkins is using bond proceeds to renovate two school buildings, including adding a second elevator and a universally accessible entrance; designing a new lunch room in the school’s Hilton building; and building and renovating classrooms and bathrooms and upgrading the HVAC system in its Howe Building. TD Bank purchased the bond. “For nearly two centuries, Perkins School for the Blind has opened doors to education, employment and independence for people living with blindness and deafblindness,” said MassDevelopment President and CEO Marty Jones. “MassDevelopment is pleased to support improvements to the school that will allow it to better serve its community in the years to come.”

Schools

School Committee Chooses Same Search Firm That Found Last Superintendent

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The Watertown School Committee decided to use the same search firm that they used the last time the town sought a new superintendent. 

After interviewing three firms, the School Committee members agreed on using the Massachusetts Association of School Committees as the consultant in the superintendent search. This was also the firm Watertown used when they promoted Jean Fitzgerald from interim superintendent to permanent superintendent in 2012. She retired in October after 4.5 years as superintendent, and following a tumultuous summer when a group of parents called for a vote of no confidence in her by the School Committee. Along with MASC, the School Committee also heard from representatives from the New England School Development Council and Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. Town Council President and School Committee member Mark Sideris said he knows MASC Executive Director Glenn Koocher, who will lead the search, because he deals with him frequently as the head of the group that assists School Committees.

Schools

Mass Bay Community College Invites Prospective Students to Visit Campus

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Massachusetts Bay Community College announced it will hold its annual Fall Open House on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016 at 9:45 a.m. President David Podell along with faculty, staff and students will be on hand to greet and welcome prospective students and their families to the Wellesley Hills campus. The Fall Open House is an opportunity for prospective students to meet and talk with current students, faculty, and staff to learn about the 70 degree and certificate programs offered at MassBay and transfer opportunities after MassBay. Prospective students are encouraged to attend to learn more about student clubs and organizations, the admissions and financial aid process, and talk with academic divisions. The Open House will include a self-guided tour of campus, mock classes, information sessions, student and alumni panel discussions, information for veterans, on-the-spot admissions, and more.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Schools Could be Renovated Without Major Tax Increase

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To the Editor,

Why is a tax override or debt exclusion needed to fund the renovation and upgrade of the 5 Watertown Public Schools? During this recent election season, tax increases were discussed with a lot of passion both for and against the proposed surcharge to fund the Conservation Preservation Act (CPA). Another discussion conflated the CPA tax and a tax override or debt exclusion to pay for proposed renovations to Watertown’s aging schools. The message presented was that if the CPA passed, residents would be facing a second tax increase to pay for the schools. I disagreed with the premise that an override/exclusion was necessary and the only option to fund the school upgrades (http://www.mass.gov/dor/docs/dls/publ/misc/levylimits.pdf).