Schools

Hear From Watertown School Committee Candidates at Town Democrats Meeting

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The five candidates running for three seats on the Watertown School Committee will appear at a forum this week. The Watertown Democratic Town Committee sent out the following information:

The Watertown Democratic Town Committee has invited all candidates running for Watertown School Committee to its October monthly meeting. The meeting will be held this Thursday, October 26th at the First Parish Church in Watertown, 35 Church Street, and starts at 7:30 p.m.

For more information please contact Will Pennington, Chair of the WDTC at  watertowndems@gmail.com.

Schools

Roads Near Watertown High School to be Closed for Utility Work

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The following information was provided by the WHS construction project management firm, Vertex:

Dear Community Members,

Activities to complete the underground utility service improvements for the New High School Project are scheduled for Monday 10/23 and Tuesday 10/24. Please be aware that during work hours Columbia St. will be closed from Common St. to Barnard Ave. Resident access to driveways will be protected on Columbia St.

Schools

LETTER: Group of Residents Advocate for School Committee Candidate

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Dear Watertown community members,

Lisa Capoccia’s commitment to equity in the Watertown schools over the past 10 years, her skills in working with groups, her role as an advocate and her professional occupation as a school social worker are just a few of the many reasons we encourage you to vote for Lisa on November 7th for School Committee member of the Watertown Public Schools. In her community work Lisa has interfaced with several community groups that focus on equity. She was a member of the first Diversity Council at the Lowell Elementary School and as her daughter advanced to the WMS she became a member of the Watertown Middle School Diversity Council. Lisa is a Kingian advocate and trainee, a member of the WPS Anti-Bias Coalition (ABC), and for a year she co-facilitated the Equity in Schools subcommittee of the Watertown Community for Black Lives (WCBL). A number of us have come to know and admire Lisa through her work with the WPS Anti-Bias Coalition and leadership of the Equity in Schools subcommittee of WCBL.

Schools

LETTER: Parents of 2 Endorse Candidate for School Committee

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Vote Rachel Kay for School Committee

I am writing this letter to encourage residents to get out and vote for Rachel Kay for the School Committee. I have attended School Committee, Equity Audit, and Diversity Committee meetings for the past 3 years and see so many opportunities for improvement. I know Rachel Kay would be a catalyst to make these improvements happen. She is a team player and accountability partner, who focuses on using data and measurable outcomes. Specifically, her experience and proven ability to work with various stakeholders within the city of Watertown will be vital when working with the new DEI Director of Watertown Schools.

Schools

LETTER: Parents Back Watertown School Committee Candidate

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As parents of students at all levels in the Watertown Public Schools, we write to enthusiastically express our support for Lisa Capoccia for Watertown School Committee. The three of us have separately known Lisa for over a decade in various capacities – as a public health colleague working in suicide prevention, as collaborators on school and community initiatives, and as fellow parents. Lisa has dedicated an incredible amount of time to the Watertown Public Schools over many years, and often behind the scenes, by advocating for resources for students, families, and staff who need them the most, improving transparency of health data to the community, sharing and compiling resources on a community and individual level, and much more. As long as we have known Lisa, she has deeply valued the diversity among families in Watertown and has seen that as one of the greatest strengths of the Watertown Public Schools. She is a tireless advocate for equity in public education and has offered important feedback to the district through the Equity Audit process that was developed last year.

Schools

Watertown High School’s Class of 1978 Planning 45th Reunion

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The old Watertown High School building. (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

The Watertown High School Class of 1978 announced it will hold its 45th reunion on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. The reunion will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight at Stazione de Federal, 123 Moody St., Waltham 

There will be music, dancing, hearty appetizers, and pizza. A full bar with great cocktails, wine, and beer.

Schools

Watertown Schools Receive Recognition, Superintendent Gets Raise & More

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By Kendra FoleySchool Committee Chair

The 2023-2024 school year is underway in Watertown and we hope you are having a good start to your year. 

Our year began with exciting news, as the Hosmer Elementary School was honored by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School of Recognition. Hosmer was only one of 66 schools in the state to earn this title as part of DESE’s release of MCAS data and accountability metrics. Our district as a whole also earned high marks from the state. You can read more about the recognition in Ms. Moulton’s newsletter to the Hosmer community. Watertown High School was also recognized for strong academic achievement, earning a place on the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll with a Silver Distinction.

Schools

Old School Has New Look, Public Gets First Look Inside Lowell Elementary After Renovation

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Parents and students explore the learning commons, a new addition to Lowell Elementary School. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Before the new Lowell Elementary School opened its doors on Tuesday afternoon, the hundreds gathers were entertained by student musicians, including the Lowell chorus who sang the Beatles’ song “Here Comes the Sun.” The song has a fitting line, “It seems like years since it’s been here.” The sun shone on the ceremony held outside Lowell School. The outside looked very similar to the school the students, teachers and staff left a few years ago, but inside it is filled with light, and features an expanded cafeteria, a new library, and a group learning commons with windows stretching two stories skyward.