Floyd George

School Committee Approves Resolution in Support of People of Color

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The Watertown School Committee approved a resolution to “promote the needs and safety” of staff and students of color in the district, as well as people of color in Watertown and beyond. The resolution also urges state and federal lawmakers to support laws that: protect the safety of people of color and guarantee the rights of those protesting; create an anti-racist curricula and teach students about the challenges faced by people of color; and to hold public officials and police accountable. The resolution passed by the Watertown School Committee on Monday night has also been approved, or is being considered for approval, by other local communities, said School Committee member Lily Rayman-Reed, including Woburn, Cambridge, Newton and Burlington. The impetus for the resolution was the efforts that have sprung up in the wake of the killing of Floyd George by Minneapolis Police and other similar incidents. The resolution reads:

Resolution on Affirmation of Support for Staff, Students, and Community Members of Color

Whereas, People of Color face greater discrimination, structural discipline, lack of social support both in schools and in society at large;

Whereas, children, adolescents and adults in the Black community face higher rates of social and structural violence and racial discrimination,

Whereas, students’ and staff’s well-being is a fundamental concern of the Watertown School Committee and school boards across the country.

Schools

MassBay Community College Holding Fall Classes Online

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The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College courses for fall 2020 semester will be taught either online or via a remote format. Courses listed in the fall 2020 course schedule as having specific class days and times will not meet face-to-face, but will be offered remotely. Fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and registration is now open to students. “MassBay is firmly committed to the health and safety of all our students, faculty, and staff, and given the uncertainty we face in the coming months, the most feasible course of action is to limit access to campus,” said MassBay President, Dr. David Podell. “This is not an easy decision as we enjoy being on campus with all our students, but we make this decision now to allow students and their families the time they need to prepare and adjust their schedules.”

MassBay defines online classes and remote formatted classes as follows:

An Online Course does not meet at a particular time or day (known as an “asynchronous course”) and all work is completed in the learning management system, Blackboard.

Schools

Watertown High Seniors Cruise in Style for Saturday’s Rolling Rally

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A Watertown High school senior pops stood out to get a good view during the start of Saturday’s Class of 2020 Rolling Rally. Dozens of vehicles paraded around town Saturday all decked out with balloons, streamers and signs congratulating Watertown High School’s Class of 2020. The first-of-its-kind in Watertown rolling rally was one of the ways that the school celebrated the seniors in a year when so many other events were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The seniors are trying to make the best of a very unusual situation. WHS Senior Maddie Poplawski was one first in line for the Rolling Rally celebrating the Class of 2020.

Building for the Future

Virtual Meeting About Hosmer School Project Planned, New Building Project Website

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A rendering of what the new Hosmer Elementary School will look like. The Watertown Public Schools will host a meeting about the upcoming construction project at Hosmer School. The district also has a new School Building Project website. The website covers the projects at Watertown’s three elementary schools, and can be viewed by clicking here. The Watertown Public Schools sent out the following information:

The new Hosmer Elementary School is coming soon to your neighborhood!

Building for the Future

First in the State: Council Funds Building Two Net Zero Energy Schools; No Override

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The latest rendering of the new Cunniff Elementary School, with the solar array in the parking lot. The Town Council, Watertown School officials, designers and green energy advocates celebrated the completion of what looked like a pipe dream just a few years ago: building two schools that will create enough electricity to cover their energy needs, and pay for it without raising property taxes. Architect Scott Dunlap from Ai3 congratulated the Town for building the first Net Zero school in Massachusetts. The schools will also make other history. “They will be the first Net Zero elementary schools in New England,” Dunlap said.

Around Town

Watertown Library Kicking Off Summer Reading Drive-Thru on June 16

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The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

How do you throw a summer reading kick-off party in the age of social distancing? The Watertown Free Public Library has hit on a fun solution: it’s the first-ever Summer Reading Drive-Thru! On Tuesday, June 16, you’re invited drive (or walk) to the Library and pick up summer reading booklists, bingo boards, and more for children and teens. WFPL librarians will be stationed in the parking lot handing out grab bags to take home. There will be music, there will be balloons … so bring the kids along for the ride.

COVID-19

Musicians Gather Virtually to Put on 2020 Watertown MusicFest

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A shot from the Watertown High School Orchestra’s video from the Virtual MusicFest 2020 website. The organizers of the annual Watertown MusicFest were not going to let COVID-19 stand in the way of putting on their 2020 event. They put together a virtual musical jamboree featuring more than 100 performances by Watertown students and others from the community. The event was created by the Friends of Watertown Music, a group of volunteer parents and friends of the music program that formed in 2011 to support and advocate for the music program in the Watertown Public Schools. The organizers wrote the following introduction for the Watertown Music Fest website (Click here to go to the website):

“Corona may be keeping us apart but it isn’t keeping us silent.

COVID-19

Watertown Preschoolers Get to Say Goodbye to Their Teachers in Drive By Event

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A staff member from the Early Steps Integrated Preschool attended the preschool parade where the staff could say goodbye to their students. Children in the Watertown Early Steps Integrated Preschool got a special treat last week, and got to see some old friends — their teachers! The Watertown Public School’s preschool program, located at the Phillips Building, closed along with the other schools in March. As the school year wound down, the preschool staff wanted to see the kids one more time, and they organized a parade to come by the school, said Karen Feeney, Watertown’s Director of Early Childhood. Cars full of preschoolers and their parents drive through the lot behind the Phillips Building during the drive through goodbye event on June 1.