Schools

Superintendent Presents Budget Priorities for What Could be a Challenging Year

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The Watertown School budget could be a tight one during the 2017-18 school year, Interim Superintendent John Brackett told the School Committee Monday night. He added that any additions to the budget might require reductions other places. The budget process started in December with subcommittee hearings, and Monday night Brackett presented the budget priorities to the entire School Committee. “The days of adding programs or staff without looking at what we are doing, I think, are beyond us,” Brackett said. “The budget is being pressured just to keep level services.”

Schools

Take the Survey, Join a Discussion About Watertown’s Next Superintendent

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The Watertown School Committee is interested in getting feedback on the superintendent search process, the School Committee announced. There are several ways to participate, including three community focus groups and an online survey.  Your perspective matters, so please make sure your voice is heard. The link to the online survey is:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WPS2017

The focus groups are scheduled at the following dates and times:

Tuesday, January 10, 2017            8:30-9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017        4-5 p.m.

Thursday, January 12, 2017          7-8 p.m.

The focus groups will take place in the Innovation Lab, 3rd Floor, Phillips Building, 30 Common Street, Watertown.

Schools

Perkins School for the Blind Hires Veteran Fundraiser as Chief Development Officer

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Perkins School for the Blind has brought on a veteran fundraiser for non-profit organizations. David Whalen brings his 25 years experience to his new role as Chief Development Officer. He will oversee the Perkins Trust – which raises funds from a variety of sources to support Perkins’ programs and initiatives – and work with the Perkins leadership team to develop new funding opportunities that will allow Perkins to expand its mission, according to the announcement from the school. He previously worked with the New England Aquarium, Partners in Health and the Union of Concerned Scientists. Whalen said he enjoyed the energy he found when visiting the Perkins campus, and likened it to a start-up company.

Schools

Master Plan Answers Some Questions on Rebuilding Schools, Creates More

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The School Master Plan presented to a joint meeting of the School Committee and the Town Council provided some insight into Watertown’s schools, but opened many more questions. 

The Master Plan incorporated the work of the Master Plan Steering Committee, which included parents, staff and elected officials, as well as, input from three community meetings and interviews with school staff and administrators, said School Committee Chairman John Portz.  

Representatives from SMMA, the firm hired to create the master plan, included cost estimates for three different options for improving the schools. Option 1 would be bringing the schools into good working conditions, but would not make major changes to the current configurations. Option 2 would renovate the schools and would make some changes inside so the buildings can handle 21st Century education, with more group and project learning and flexible spaces. Option 3 would be to build brand new buildings.

Schools

School Committee Wants to Hear from Public About Hiring Next Superintendent

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As the search begins for Watertown’s next Superintendent, the School Committee wants to hear from parents and community members about what they want to see in the next leader of the town’s schools. 

The Watertown Public Schools sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown School Committee is interested in getting feedback on the superintendent search process. There are several ways to participate, including live focus groups for the community scheduled at the following dates and times:

Tuesday, January 10, 2017: 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017: 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 12, 2017: 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

The focus groups will take place in the Innovation Lab, Third Floor, Phillips Building, 30 Common St., Watertown. In addition, you can go to the following link and participate in an on-line survey that includes ample space for your open responses. That link is:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WPS2017

Schools

Watertown Education Foundation Hosting 7th Annual Spelling Bee

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On January 29, The Watertown Education Foundation in conjunction with our three Elementary Schools will host its 7th annual Spelling Bee for all Watertown children in grades one through five, the WEF announced. The goal is to provide a public forum for our children to demonstrate and apply their spelling “know how” in an academically challenging arena. More importantly, historically, the Town Wide Spelling Bee has raised over $60,000 for our Elementary Schools. Corporate sponsorship’s for the Spelling Bee will allow the WEF, along side our Elementary School PTO’s, to funnel 100% of Spelling Bee registration fees directly back to our schools. In that vein, we are asking local businesses to consider sponsoring the 7th Annual Town-Wide Spelling Bee in order to make this event a success.

Schools

Parents, Community Members Sought for Superintendent Search Committee

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The School Committee will be forming a search committee to help find Watertown’s next superintendent, and parents and community members will be a part of the group. 

School Committee Chairman John Portz said the Search Committee will have three parents, three teachers, two administrators, a high school student, two community members and two to three School Committee members. The parents and community members will be selected from people who apply to participate in the process. The teachers will be appointed by the Watertown Educators Association. School Committee member Eileen Hsu-Balzer wondered if someone who is a teacher who also lives in town could count as a community member. She wanted to make sure no group is over represented on the committee.

Schools

Watertown’s Superintendent Invites Residents to Have Coffee With Him

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sInterim Superintendent John Brackett announced he will host his first Coffee with the Superintendent on Dec. 14 to meet with parents and residents. The coffees provide an opportunity for parents, resident and others to talk to Bracket about their concerns and questions about the Watertown Public Schools. He will host two session on Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Both will occur in Room 101 on the ground floor of the Phillips Building, 30 Common St., Watertown.