Schools

Watertown Schools Accepting Proposals for WHS’s New Mascot/Logo

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The Watertown Public Schools are seeking a new mascot (i.e. logo) and the Mascot Screening Committee is looking for submissions to be considered. School officials sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Public School district has begun a process to identify and select a mascot/logo for Watertown High School. The high school has a nickname – the Raiders – and school colors – red, white and black – but it does not have an official mascot/logo. The nickname and school colors provide a common identity and connection to the traditions of the school, teams, and community. A mascot/logo adds to this by presenting a graphic image of that identity and connections.

Schools

School Business Manager Named Asst. Supt. as Part of Change in Administration Structure

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Mary DeLai has served as the Watertown Public School’s Interim Business Manager since November, but she has had the interim removed from her title and also given new duties. 

At Monday’s School Committee meeting, Interim Superintendent John Bracket announced that DeLai has been appointed the Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations. This is a new position for the Watertown schools. DeLai will start her new position on July 1. Brackett said he was happy to have her continue working in Watertown. “When we were looking for an interim business manager people kept saying ‘if you could get Mary Delai, your district would be in great shape,'” Brackett said.

Enrollment

Enrollment for Kindergarteners Put on Hold at 2 Watertown Schools

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Kindergarten classes at two of Watertown’s three elementary schools are close to full, and school officials will put enrollment for kindergarten at those schools on hold. 

Monday night, Interim Superintendent John Brackett told the School Committee that enrollment projections at Hosmer and Cunniff elementary schools show that the classes could be on the top end of the class size guidelines. “We want to make sure we don’t get caught short on enrollment and class size,” Brackett said. “We are most closely following kindergarten projections, which are up quite considerably.” At Hosmer the current projection is 112 kindergartners, Brackett said, which would mean 6 classes of 18 or 19 students. At Cunniff, the number of kindergartners is projected to be 57.

Schools

Committee Selected to Choose New Mascot to Go With Watertown Raiders Name

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An 18-member committee has been appointed to find a new image to represent Watertown High School. The Committee is called the Mascot Screening Committee, but on Monday night School Committee Chairman John Portz said the Raiders name will not be changed, nor will the school’s red and black colors. The group has been given the task of finding a mascot, or logo, that represents the high school, its teams, clubs and other organizations. The current status of the mascot is confusing. While the image of the dancing cartoon American Indian can be seen around town, that is not the official mascot for the high school.

Schools

New Superintendent to Judge Education Foundation’s Dancing With the Stars

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The Watertown Education Foundation just announced that Watertown’s incoming superintendent, Dr. Deanne Galdston will be one of four judges at this years Dancing with the Stars event. Along with Dr. Galdston, Georgia Mulgrew, Jay Hughes and Maria Scalzi-Monahan will be judging this years competition. Dancing with the Stars will be this Friday, May 5, at the Hellenic Center in Watertown. Today is the last day to purchase tickets online at www.watertowned.org.

Schools

Come to the Last Superintendent’s Coffees of the Year, Meet the New Superintendent

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The last superintendent’s coffee for this school year is scheduled for April 26, from 9-10:30 a.m. and from 7-8:30 p.m., in the Data and Innovation Lab on the 3rd Floor of the Phillips Building, announced interim Superintendent John Brackett. This coffee will be a superintendents’ coffee. Joining me at each session will be incoming superintendent Dr. Deanne Galdston. We can chat about current issues but will allow ample time for Dr. Galdston to share reflections on her transition and entry plan and to get to meet those in attendance. I hope you will be able to join us.

Around Town

Watertown’s Canino Inducted into Westfield State’s Criminal Justice Hall of Fame

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Town native and Watertown High School graduate Carlos Canino was honored by his alma mater – Westfield State College – for his accomplishments in criminal justice and on the athletic field. Canino currently works as the Deputy Assistant Director Field Operations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, after a long career with the agency. He also was a standout in football at Westfield state. Canino be inducted in to the WSC Criminal Justice Hall of Fame along with fellow 1988 Westfield graduate Cheryl Bassett. Westfield State sent out the following announcement before the event:
Former Westfield State University athletic standouts Carlos Canino ’88 and Cheryl Bassett ’88 will be inducted into the school’s criminal justice Hall of Fame on April 5.

Schools

Watertown High School Looking for New Mascot to Represent ‘Raiders’ Nickname

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After the first effort to come up with a mascot to go along with Watertown High School’s Raiders nickname stalled, school officials will once again look at the issue. 

Two years ago the School Committee decided to let the status quo remain, which was to have no emblem to represent the Raiders. The issue became a contentious one because some groups – particularly WHS alums – felt they were not being included in the discussion because the selection process was limited to students at the high school. Others opposed the use of the cartoonish Native American symbol being used by many youth sports, and some opposed any logo portraying an Indian. Interim Superintendent John Brackett said he has been approached by several people asking for a mascot for the high school. “(The mascot) brings a common identity to the Watertown High School Raiders, and are often used by other youth groups,” Brackett said.