Dede Galdston

School Committee Approves Contract for New Watertown Superintendent

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The School Committee officially welcomed Watertown’s next superintendent, Dede Galdston, on Monday night when they also approved her contract. 

Galdston told the School Committee she is grateful for the appointment and she is excited to be coming to Watertown. “First off, than you all for believing in me and having the confidence that I will shepherd you through the coming years and helping the children of Watertown move forward,” Galdston said. She will continue to work in her current position of assistant superintendent in Billerica through the end of June, but she has already started getting to know her new district. “I have been here already, and I can’t wait to get started with the work,” Galdston said. The incoming superintendent brought her husband and four sons to the School Committee meeting.

Lowell School

Superintendent Announces Appointment of New Lowell School Principal

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After a long, intense search, Stacey Phelan was named as Lowell School’s new principal. Phelan will begin her new position on July 1, 2017, said interim Superintendent John Brackett. She comes to Watertown from Swampscott, where she has been the principal of Hadley Elementary School for the past three years. Before that she was vice principal at Connery Elementary School in Lynn. “She has worked at both high-performing schools and turn around schools,” Brackett said.

School Budget

Watertown School Budget Includes Staff Cuts Despite Increasing Funds

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The Watertown Schools will lose several positions in the 2017-18 school year as school officials look to control the increasing costs, but classes will still be under the class-size guidelines in the elementary schools. Interim Superintendent John Brackett presented the budget to the School Committee Monday night. The total budget would be $45.71 million, which is 5 percent above the current year’s budget. It comes in more than $700,000 below the requests from principals and department heads. Interim Business Manager Mary DeLai said that four percent of the increase comes from staff salary and compensation.

Schools

Donations Being Accepted for Watertown High All-Night Graduation Party

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The Watertown High School PTSO is once again hosting the All Night Party for Graduating Seniors. It’s a night of entertainment, food and fun while keeping the seniors in a safe environment on graduation night. We are accepting donations of gift cards and food for the event. If you would like to make a donation let us know at watertownptso@gmail.com. If you would to make a monetary donation; check can be made payable to WHS PTSO and mailed to Watertown High School 50 Columbia Street or make a donation online at www.YouCaring.com/Classof2017-watertown-high-school.

Schools

Register for Watertown Adult & Community Ed Classes, Town Wide Yard Sale

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Watertown Adult and Community Education is now registering for Spring classes. Classes begin on April 27, and include courses in arts & crafts, TV production, technology, movement & fitness and more. There are also online courses that Watertown residents can take advantage of. People may register by mail or drop off registrations at Watertown High School, 50 Columbia St., Watertown

View the Adult and Community Education courses and find out how to register by clicking here. Any questions, contact Rita Foglia, Program Coordinator at rita.foglia@watertown.k12.ma.us or 617-926-7764.

Schools

Parent Group to Honor Those Who Helped Special Education in Watertown

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The 2017 Annual SEPAC Awards Night featuring Keynote Speaker Dr. William W. Henderson will be at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, April 12, 2017  6 p.m., the group announced. “This is an uplifting evening to honor all that is great in Special Education in Watertown. We have many dedicated people in our schools and the community,” Watertown SEPAC said in its announcement. Join us to recognize and honor those who have been influential in our children’s lives.  

The 2017 SEPAC Award Recipients are:

Andrew Allegro

Ellen Basile

Shane Carreiro

Kacie Kirkpatrick

Anita Lawson

 

Community Awards

George Donahue, lifetime mentor to young people with disabilities

Jasmin Hernandez, fifth-grade student at the Hosmer School

 

Marilyn Micco Parent Award

Brenda Manning

Schools

Superintendent Coffee Scheduled for Wednesday Night

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Watertown Interim Superintendent John Brackett invites parents and residents to an evening Superintendent Coffee. The coffee is scheduled for this Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at 7 p.m. in the Data and Innovation Lab on the 3rd Floor of the Phillips Building. This is the rescheduled evening session from earlier this month. There will not be a morning session this Wednesday. The final scheduled Superintendent Coffee is on April 26 at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Entertainment

Come Hear Watertown Musicians, Young and Old, at MusicFest

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The Friends of Watertown Music (FoWM) presents its 6th annual MusicFest fundraiser, Friday, March 31, 5:30-9:30 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverly Avenue, Watertown, MA. The event features over fifty performances by musicians by students, community members, and professional musicians, and an instrument petting zoo. Proceeds benefit the music program of the Watertown Public Schools. Suggested donations are $8/person and $25/family. T-shirts and other merchandise, pizza, and baked goods will also be on sale.