Schools

Watertown Schools See Influx of Students at Elementary, High School Levels

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Charlie BreitroseThe new school building at Cunniff Elementary School, along with the new Hosmer School have seen an increase of enrollment this fall. Watertown High School has also grown. More students arrived at the Watertown Public Schools than expected this fall, requiring the addition of some new classes, teachers and support staff. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Monday that she believes the district’s new schools are part of the draw. The 2022-23 school year is the first that students will spend the whole year in the new Cunniff and Hosmer elementary school buildings.

Schools

School Committee Update: Changes to Student Handbooks, Rendering of New High School & More

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The following information was provided by the School Committee:

The School Committee met on Monday, August 29, 2022. Over the summer, the School Committee completed and presented the 2021/2022 Superintendent evaluation. Dr. (Dede) Galdston was rated as proficient or exemplary by all members on all four standards in addition to her overall performance. She continues to show strong and steady leadership and we are grateful she is leading the Watertown Public Schools. Minor changes were approved for the Middle School handbook, High School handbook and District handbook.

Schools

Watertown Grad & Athlete Gets Academic Achievement Award

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Bentley AthleticsWatertown’s Joe Chau, an athlete at Bentley University, received an academic award. Watertown’s Joe Chau was among the 10 Bentley University men’s cross country/track athletes and 169 total athletes from the Waltham-based college to be given Academic Achievement Awards from the Division 2 Athletics Director Association. Chau, a 2018 graduate of Watertown High School, was a member of Bentley’s Class of 2022. He majored in marketing and liberal studies, with a concentration in health and industry and a minor in management. On the track and field team he placed 10th in the discus at the 2022 Northeast-10 Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

Schools

Watertown Resident Involved in Planning English High School’s 200th Anniversary Gala

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Watertown-resident Stephen Berkowitz and English High School alum is helping to plan the school’s 200th anniversary gala. The following information was provided by the English High School 200th Anniversary Gala:

For the past year, long-time Watertown resident, Stephen M. Berkowitz, Director of the Alumni Association of The English High School of Boston — his alma mater — has devoted much of hisspare time to planning EHSA’s 200th Anniversary Gala to be held Oct. 1 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place Hotel. The event is expected to draw some 500 alumni, families, friends, teachers, students, sponsors and donors. Founded in 1821, EHS was the first public high school in America.

Schools

Special Education Parent Group Invites All Families to Back to School Picnic

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The following information was provided by Watertown SEPAC:

Watertown SEPAC invites all families to attend our Back to School Family Picnic on Monday, August 29 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Fillippello Park. Please see the event flyer for more details.  

Watertown SEPAC is run by parent volunteers who were all nominated and elected by parents and includes all stakeholders in our community. Our meetings are free and open to the public. A SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) is a district-level, parent-driven group that provides input to the school district on current successes and challenges in special education and related services.  

We provided families and other community members with the following: 

information about basic rights for families pertaining to special educationcontact information for our school special education administrators and school committee members in Watertowna space to discuss special education concerns and ask questionsaccess to local and state-level resources that can help answer more involved questionscommunity and support

Watertown SEPAC’s mission is to encourage honest and effective communication, understanding, and mutual respect in a supportive partnership inclusive of all students, caregivers, educators, and the community at large in an effort to ensure the delivery of appropriate services and supports to students with disabilities and special health care needs. We work directly with district administrators to address system-level challenges, facilitate family-district communication, and provide families with training and resources. We can be reached at sepac.watertown@gmail.com.

Schools

2 Watertown Auto Dealers Hosting Back to School Supply Drive

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The following information was provided by Toyota and Lexus of Watertown:

Lexus and Toyota of Watertown have joined forces to help the kids in our community. All supplies will be donated to the Watertown Boys & Girls Club and distributed to local schools. Help kids thrive by donating the following:

Composition notebooks, backpacks, pencils, pens, erasers, markers, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, highlighters, rulers, index cards. Backpacks and school supplies can be dropped off at:

Lexus of Watertown, 330 Arsenal St., Watertown

Toyota of Watertown, 149 Arsenal St., Watertown

Make a donation and receive 15 percent off your service repair order. The drive is in partnership with the Watertown Boys & Girls Club

Donation boxes are located in the service & sales departments.

Charles River Chamber

Watertown Student Awarded Scholarship by Charles River Chamber

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The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Regional Chamber:

Four outstanding local students have been selected to receive scholarships from the Charles River Regional Chamber. In prior years the chamber has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors who reside or attend school in Newton and Needham. Newly added in 2021 was a third scholarship to a high school senior in Wellesley and in 2022 a fourth scholarship for a Watertown senior. NBC Universal, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham and Newton-Wellesley Hospital all provide underwriting support for this program. In a highly qualified and deserving pool of close to 50 applicants, the chamber’s Scholarship Committee has selected Chaerin Lee, Grace Campbell Maillet, Theresa Cabral and David Fils-Aime for this year’s awards.

Schools

Local Restaurant Honoring Watertown Teachers in Back to School Contest

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Vitality Bowls

The following announcement was provided by Vitality Bowls:

Vitality Bowls, the leading national superfood café that specializes in antioxidant-rich açaí bowls and smoothies, has announced the launch of its Back-to-School contest, which will honor Watertown teachers and administrators throughout the month of August. Starting Monday, Aug. 8, Watertown community members can participate in the Back-to-School campaign by nominating their favorite local teacher or school administrator, explaining how the individual has gone above and beyond to positively impact students and the community. Submissions will be collected through a form found on Vitality Bowls website: https://woobox.com/de7mf7. Following the campaign close on Sept.