Business

Belmont Savings Gives Gift to Watertown Eduction Foundation During Spelling Bee

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Belmont Savings Bank presented the Watertown Education Foundation (WEF) with a $2,750 check during the annual Town Wide Spelling Bee, the bank announced. The money was provided by the Watertown Education Rewards Checking account. For every new Watertown Education Rewards Checking account opened through Belmont Savings, the bank gives both the WEF and the account owner $50, and .25% annual interest on the average monthly balance in the account is put toward school programs.

Founded in 1990 by engaged citizens of Watertown, the WEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting improvements in the town’s education system by assisting school programs and encouraging support from citizens and businesses of Watertown.

Schools

Superintendent Hosting Second Coffee with Parents, Residents

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Watertown Superintendent John Brackett will be available to meet with parents and residents on Tuesday. 

Brackett sent out the following announcement:

I hope you will be able to join us for the 2nd Superintendent Coffee/Tea on Tuesday, January 24. We offer two opportunities for your convenience; 9:00 am or 7:00 pm. We will meet in the 1st floor classroom in the Phillips Building. Enter from the Marshall St parking lot and it is on the right at the bottom of the stairs. Hope to see you.

Schools

Final Week to Take Survey About Qualities for Next Watertown Superintendent

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The search for Watertown’s next superintendent of schools is rolling along, and the School Committee seeks input from parents, residents and others in the Watertown Community, but the deadline is quickly approaching. The district’s online surveys about hiring the next superintendent will be accepted until Friday, Jan. 20, the same day by which those seeking the superintendent position must submit their applications. The survey includes 10 questions, including a couple where you rate the importance of issues facing the schools (academics, school facilities, communication with parents and finances, etc.) and one to rate the importance of qualities and experience the next superintendent should have. Also, participants have the chance to write about what their vision is for the Watertown Public Schools, what strengths they would like to maintain and areas they want to see improved.

Schools

Lowell School Principal Duct Taped to the Wall to Raise Money for Books

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Lowell School Principal Phil Oates found himself taped to a wall, but it was for a good cause. The Lowell PTO hosted a spare change challenge during our Book Fair in December. There were two jars to choose from: one to shave Mr. Oates’ beard, and the other being duct taped to the wall. From the picture above you can see what the winning challenge was. The effort raised over $600 dollars and Mr. Oates kindly participated.

Charity

New Rotary Club Program Provides Meals for Watertown Kids on Weekends

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A new program sponsored by the Rotary Club, called Food for Thought, is providing some Watertown students who might go hungry over the weekend with two breakfasts, two lunches and two snacks each week.  

During the week, these students can get free or discounted meals at school. About 30 percent of the students in Watertown are in the Free and Reduced Lunch program, said Watertown resident Lilia Weisfeldt, who came up with the idea for the program. “Over the weekend the kids don’t have access to the program and a lot of kids go without any food,” Weisfeldt said. “We give them a bag of food over the weekend so they can go back to school Monday not hungry and ready to learn.”

Schools

Still Time to Sign Up for the 7th Annual Town Wide Spelling Bee

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The 7th Annual Town Wide Spelling Bee, hosted but the Watertown Ed foundation and the three elementary school PTO’s, will be held on January 29th in the Middle School Gym. To register you must be in grades 1-5, you must have three people and you and your team members must be in the same grade. Teams can be comprised of members from different schools. Please visit lowellpto.org for a registration form and more information.

Schools

Minuteman Offering STEM Camp for Girls in 7th, 8th Grades Over February Break

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Minuteman High School will host Girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) camp in February 2017, school officials announced. It is free for seventh- and eighth-grade girls from communities in the Minuteman school district, which includes Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Lincoln, Needham, Stow, Sudbury, Wayland, and Weston. The STEM camp will be held at the school, located at 758 Marrett Road in Lexington, from February 21-24, 2017 (Tuesday through Friday during February vacation) from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day. There is a $149 fee for students who live outside the Minuteman school district. Participants can extend their learning through hands-on STEM activities led by female students from Minuteman who are certified in mentoring and are enrolled in STEM majors.