Schools

Free Workforce Training Courses Offered by MassBay College

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MassBay Community College Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students practice skills in the nursing labs on the MassBay Framingham campus, Framingham, MA, May 2019 (Photo/MassBay Community College). The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

This spring, MassBay Community College is offering free workforce training courses for eligible Massachusetts residents in Automotive Damage Appraisal, Behavioral Health Technician I, Behavioral Health Technician II, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Phlebotomy. These grant funded courses are one-semester and provide students with in-demand skills that will strengthen gaps in the local workforce needs. “We are thrilled to continue to offer community members these classes, free of charge, enabling them to gain skills that qualify them for positions in growing industries that need trained and ready-to-work professionals,” said MassBay Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Workforce Development and Community Education Colleen Coffey. “Community members are able to learn a new profession in just a few short months, and in many instances, they are offered jobs at the conclusion of their clinical placements.”

Prospective students interested in learning more can visit MassBay’s Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development (CPWD) course listing or email or call cpwd@massbay.edu or 781-270-4100.

Schools

High School Demolition Going Slower Than Anticipated, Work Continues This Week

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The remaining part of the old Watertown High School Building. (Courtesy of Vertex)

The following information was provided by project management firm Vertex:

The Watertown High School project team continues to be hard at work progressing the demolition of the existing high school and installing new foundations in preparation for our first steel deliveries in January. 

As you can see from the picture above taken from across Common Street at the corner of Spring Street, there continues to be structure remaining at that corner. Between recent challenging weather conditions, and a decision to use more “handwork” for demolition of areas closest to the cemetery and the street, we are progressing a little slower than we had hoped.  With that said, we have agreed that the Contractor can continue with onsite demolition Saturday 12/30/23 within normal working hours allowed by the City, which is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

There will not be any loading out of materials so the Community will still have the holiday reprieve from trucking. All normal trucking and construction activities will resume on Tuesday 1/2/24 at 7 a.m.

We appreciate your continued patience and support as we work together to bring the new Watertown High School to fruition.  There will be a lot of exciting updates to share with you in 2024!

Schools

Watertown Preschool’s Online Auction Features Local Eateries and Experiences

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Handmade Russell acorn and squirrel ornaments by alumni parent and artist, Kate Martens. The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

Bid for your chance to win gift cards and experiences from local Watertown businesses! Every December, Russell Cooperative Preschool hosts its annual online silent auction. Held in conjunction with its Winter Gala, the auction is the preschool’s largest fundraising event of the year. Last year’s event raised over $7,000 for Russell’s hands-on, play-based programs for students ages 2.9 to 5.

Schools

Rates of Alcohol & Drug Use Down for Watertown Students, But Depression & Stress Has Risen

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The rate of alcohol and marijuana is dropping for Watertown students, according to a survey by the Watertown Youth Coalition, but school officials have concerns about use among certain groups, as well as the feeling of depression and not having trusted adults with whom they can speak. For the past three decades, the Watertown Youth Coalition has monitored the well-being of Watertown students by tracking the use of alcohol and drugs, and rates of depression and stress. In November, the WYC reported the results of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was taken by 424 Watertown Middle School students and 591 from Watertown High School. At the high school 18 percent of students reported they had consumed alcohol over the previous 30 days, down from 23 percent in 2021 and 32 percent in 2017. The middle school went from 4 percent in 2021 to 3 percent in 2023.

Schools

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Start of Construction of Watertown’s Net Zero Energy High School

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Groundbreaking for the new Watertown High School included the City, School, and State officials. From left, Deputy City Administrator Emily Monea, WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi, Superintendent Dede Galdston, City Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. John Lawn, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. Steve Owens, MSBA CEO Jim MacDonald, and Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A celebration many years in the making took place in Watertown Thursday to mark the beginning of the creation of an asset that will last for generations: the new Watertown High School. Superintendent Dede Galdton said she recalls the wheels already being in motion when she arrived in the district in 2017 when she was told the goal was to build a new, state-of-the-art high school, along with three elementary schools. “We are just so excited to begin the work, not that the work hasn’t been going on for the last five or six years, but the actual demolition and rebuilding of this beautiful place,” Galdston said.

Schools

Ground Breaking for New High School, Demolition Will Have Impacts on Local Roads

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Watertown High School

Say good bye to the old, and welcome the new …. Watertown High School. This week the demolition of the old school at 50 Columbia St. will really get rolling, and on Thursday there will be a groundbreaking ceremony with local and state officials taking part. Groundbreaking

Work has already started around Watertown High School, but the official ceremony celebrating the start of the construction of the new school will take place on Thursday, Nov.

Schools

LETTER: Watertown Parent Endorses 2 School Committee Candidates

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I am excited and proud to vote for Rachel Kay and Jennifer Nicholson in next Tuesday’s election for the Watertown School Committee. I encourage other Watertown voters to do the same. Over the past two years, I have worked closely with Jen and Rachel on initiatives to improve outcomes for all Watertown students. In our work together on the Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), I found both Rachel and Jen to be thoughtful, committed, mission-centered, hard workers. Their work on the Watertown SEPAC Officer Board added tremendous value to the SEPAC and to the Watertown School District.