Schools

School Committee Votes on Watertown Middle School Start Time for 2026-27

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Watertown Middle School (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

The debate over when to start the day for middle school students returned to the Watertown School Committee this week, focusing on what time the school day should begin for the 2026-27 school year. The discussion has been complicated by impact on after-school sports and the shortage of fields in town. The issue of later start times for middle schoolers was discussed in 2017, with the recommendation to move the start time for middle schoolers to from 7:40 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. based on research about teens sleep habits and circadian rhythms, showing that students in middle school do better with later start. In 2018, the start of the school day at Watertown Middle School moved to 8:30 a.m.

In the fall of 2023, the start time moved back to 7:45 a.m. when the high school moved to the temporary campus on Moxley Field so that the two schools did not have drop-offs and pick-ups at the same time. With the new WHS opening in the fall of 2026, there had been discussions about when to start the Middle School in 2026-27.

Schools

Boston Bruins Player Gets an Education About a Sport for the Blind at Perkins School

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Boston Bruin Alex Steeves learns about goalball from two members of Perkins School for the Blind Towerhawks. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Boston Bruins center Alex Steeves has played in some tough environments — Montreal, Toronto, Madison Square Garden — but on Monday he entered the Perkins School for the Blind’s gym to try his hand at a new sport: one which requires him to play blindfolded. The NHL player visited the campus in Watertown to play goalball, a game designed for the blind and visually impaired. Because participants have a range of visual abilities, every player wears an blackout goggles so their vision is completely blocked. Bruins player Alex Steeves throws the ball down court during a game of goalball at Perkins School.

Entertainment

Watertown School Performances: Middle School Musical “Willy Wonka Jr,” Bandarama

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Watertown’s young musicians and stage performers will be featured in some upcoming events. Bandarama features musicians from around the district, and Watertown Middle School will present the musical “Willy Wonka Jr.” See details provided by the Watertown Public Schools, below. Watertown Middle School presents “Willy Wonka Jr.” March 6-8, 2026 at the WMS Auditorium.

Schools

Watertown Public Schools Kindergarten Information Night 

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Parents of Watertown kindergartners in the September are invited to the 20206-07 Kindergarten Information Night on March 4. See the information provided by the Watertown Public Schools, below. Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Your Neighborhood School (Hosmer, Cunniff, or Lowell)

If parents do not know their neighborhood school, they can call 617-972-4216 or email:

Terri Stafford terri.stafford@watertown.k12.ma.us

Janis Gonsales (Portuguese/Spanish Speakers) janis.sorrilhagonsales@watertown.k12.ma.us

Schools

Watertown Schools Looking for Ways to Close $2.5 Million Gap, Deal with Increasing Special Ed Costs

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Increasing costs of special education tuition has contributed to the sharp increase in the school budget over the past few years, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Monday night, and for budget for the 2026-27 school year the district will have to find ways to close a multi-million dollar deficit. During the Preliminary Budget overview for the Fiscal Year 2027 School Budget Galdston said the shortfall facing the Watertown Public Schools is $2.5 million, which is based on what she called a level-services budget. The total budget would be $67 million, while the current revenues — including a 4 percent increase in funding from the City — is $64.5 million. School administrators and the School Committee will be working on the budget for the next several weeks, and the School Committee will hold a public hearing on March 23 and take a final vote on the recommended budget on March 26, Galdston said. “So what we need to do is think about our level-services budget, think about what we can do to bridge that deficit so that we are able to balance a budget moving forward,” Galdston said.

Schools

Farm Inside a Freight Container Provides Produce for Watertown School Lunches, Program Praised by Lt. Governor

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Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll takes a look around the Watertown Public Schools’ Freight Farm. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The white box container sitting in the parking lot of the Watertown Public Schools’ administration building has smooth metal walls on the outside, but inside the walls have a lush floor-to-ceiling covering of green plants. The freight container is not just a teaching tool but also provides fresh produce for students around the district. Known as a Freight Farm, the container is filled with walls outfitted with equipment to water and nourish hundreds of plants, and lights to help them grow. When up to full production it will produce all the greens used in salads and other dishes served in Watertown’s five public schools.

Schools

Students Can Apply for 58th Annual Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship

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A scholarship has been given in honor of Lt. Paul Sullivan for 58 years. The 58th Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship will be awarded in 2026. Students living in Watertown or in area parishes can apply for several scholarships awarded in honor of the Marine from Watertown who died serving in Vietnam. The Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Committee provided the following information:

We are looking for well-rounded student-athletes who are actively involved in their school, religion, and community. While grades and athletics are important components, CHARACTER is by far the most essential quality we look at in determining finalists.