Schools

Watertown Students Earn Honors at SNHU & Regis College

By |

Several students hailing from Watertown earned academic honors at Regis College and Southern New Hampshire University. The following information was provided by the colleges:

Southern New Hampshire University

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Winter 2024 President’s List. The winter terms run from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Schools

WHS Students, Local Life Science Professionals CoLAB-orate in After School Club

By |

Photo by Charlie BreitroseStudents at Watertown High School got to run hands-on lab analyses during the CoLAB Club. One of volunteers from life science companies, Bridget Kreger of C4 Therapeutics, second from left, and WHS chemistry teacher Liz Mundy look on as the students fill vials with samples. While most of the school was dark and quiet, students were busy in one science classroom at Watertown High School well after the final bell working on a science experiment. The students worked with volunteers from local life science companies as part of the CoLAB Club. The group meets once a month, and conducts simulations of real-world lab work using equipment similar to what the professionals use.

Schools

School Officials & Police Believe Bomb Threats on 4 Schools Are Linked to Recent Publicity of Middle School Hit List

By |

Watertown Middle School

School officials and Police believe the bomb threats on four Watertown schools on Tuesday were the result of recent publicity of an incident at Watertown Middle School in January when a student’s hit list was found. In a statement from the Watertown Schools and WPD, they said the schools are committed to “ensuring the safety and well-being of all of our students,” that “Watertown is a kind and caring community,” and they “stand together against these hateful actions.” The hit list was discovered in January, and Watertown School officials and Watertown Police determined that there was not threat. At the time, some parents expressed concern about their children’s safety and questioned the response by School officials. On Jan.

Schools

Security Measures Increased at Watertown Schools Following Bomb Threat

By |

Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

Superintendent Dede Galdston announced that the Watertown Police and the School personnel increased security measures after an bomb threat was sent by email. Police and school officials do not believe the threat to be credible and the schools will remain open, she added in the statement sent to the community. See the full statement below:

Dear Watertown Public Schools Community, 

This letter is to inform you about a bomb threat that we just received. Our schools are committed to the safety and education of all our students at all times, every day. We also want to clearly communicate with parents about safety issues when they arise. The email with the threat contained erroneous information from an unknown source that led us, in conjunction with the Watertown Police Department, to determine that the threat was not credible. 

With the help of the police department and district personnel, we have added the following layers of safety to our school day:

There will be an increased police presence at schools today and in the coming day

Reviewing information from the email to determine its source

Our schools entrances are controlled, and there is no reason to believe that any device is in our schools

Out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a perimeter sweep with canine support

The Watertown Police Department has collaborated with other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to investigate the matter

All entrances and exits to our schools are being redundantly monitored

The police department is actively investigating the threat to determine its origin with the goal of determining the source of the threat.

Schools

2 Watertown Students Make Honor Society, College Dean’s Lists

By |

College students from Watertown made the Phi Kappa Phi honor society, as well as the dean’s list at Simmons University, Endicott College, and Dickinson College. See information provided by Phi Kappa Phi and from the three colleges, below:

Phi Kappa Phi

The following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Coleman OBrien of Watertown (02472) at Framingham State University. Emma Grady of Watertown (02472) at Sacred Heart University. They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year.

Schools

School Committee Wraps Up FY25 Budget, Approves 2024-25 School Calendar

By |

By Kendra FoleyChair, Watertown School Committee

It has been a busy month for the Watertown School Committee as we wrap up the FY25 budget process. In the last three meetings, our board has heard a number of important presentations, voted on policy changes, and celebrated major accomplishments. We have come to an agreement with Superintendent Galdston on a 4-year contract extension through 2028. Dr. Galdston has been an excellent leader for Watertown, bringing expertise, commitment and stability. We are thrilled to have her leading the Watertown Public Schools for another four years.

Schools

MassBay Community College Hosting Spring Open House

By |

The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College will hold its annual Spring Open House on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on its Wellesley Hills campus. The Spring Open House is an opportunity for prospective students to talk with current students, faculty, and staff to learn about the 70 degree and certificate programs offered at MassBay. Participants will learn how to pay for college, including a financial aid session and discussion about available scholarships and the MassReconnect program (free community college for students who are 25 and older). Additional topics include how MassBay credits transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, free academic support services, information for veterans, free resources available on campus such as emergency grants and free food, information about free mental health counseling, and more. The Open House will feature a self-guided tour of campus and on-the-spot-admissions where staff will help you start the process of enrolling for college.

Schools

Watertown Schools to Add Music Teachers, Tutors & Field Trip Aid in FY25 Budget

By |

Watertown’s school budget will increase by $2 million, and additions include music teachers, math and literacy tutors, English as a second language teachers, and financial assistance to help all students go on field trips and school trips. The 2024-25 Watertown Public Schools budget will increase by 3.5 percent from the current year, for a total budget of $59.599 million. City Manager George Proakis said the Watertown Public Schools will receive a 3.5 percent increase when he presented the preliminary budget in October. Superintendent Dede Galdston said the budget represents a level services budget, which maintains the services provided by the district the prior year. This includes salary increases, and additional positions to maintain services.