Lt. Paul Sullivan

See Who Won the 51st Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarships

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The recipients of the 51st Lt. Paul J Sullivan Scholarship recipients, from left to right, Nicolas McDermott, Bryan Ferreira. Gabriella Venezia, Catherine Connors, Christopher Iannetta, Patrick Gulledge, Katherine Garside, Nicholas Fiacco and Caroline Whalen. The organizers of the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship announced the 51st annual award winners. Congratulations to the 51st Lt. Paul J Sullivan Scholarship recipients. A total of $22,500 was presented to these nine wonderful young men and women.

Schools

Watertown Resident will be Honored by Carroll Center for the Blind

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Waterown’s Kate Katulak, who works at Perkins School for the Blind, will be honored by The Carroll Center for the Blind. The following information was provided by Carroll Center for the Blind:

The Carroll Center for the Blind, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, will honor four outstanding individuals who are blind or visually impaired during the 35th annual Carroll Society Awards on June 6, 2019. The Carroll Society Awards recognize blind and visually impaired employees who have made significant contributions to their companies or nonprofit organizations by their outstanding ability and job performance.  Individuals are chosen because, despite vision loss, they are exemplary employees and contribute to the overall culture of both their business and community. The following individuals will be inducted into the Carroll Society:

Daniela Depina, of Boston, Independent Living Advocate, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL);Kate Katulak, of Watertown, Assistant Director of College Success, Perkins School for the Blind; andPauline Dowell, of Charlestown, Administrative Assistant, Human Resources, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Carroll Center will also recognize Carla Burke of Harwich Port as the “Blind Employee of the Year” for her work as an assistive technology coordinator at the Brooks Free Library in Harwich. “These individuals have made an immense impact on their organizations, despite vision loss, and we are proud to recognize their achievements,” said Gregory J. Donnelly, president and CEO of the Carroll Center for the Blind.

Election 2020

Watertown High School Students Got Up Close and Personal with a Presidential Candidate

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Presidential candidate Wayne Messam, mayor of Mirimar, Fla., stopped by Watertown High School on Wednesday to speak with some students. On Wednesday morning, a group of Watertown High School students got to have their questions answered by someone who could become the Commander in Chief and Leader of the Free World. The WHS students took time away from their normal lessons to hear from presidential hopeful Mayor Wayne Messam. The Florida Democrat stopped by between campaigning in New Hampshire and an interview with a Boston Public Radio station. Messam shared his story of how he went from humble beginnings to being a football player at Florida State University, then started his own environmentally conscious construction company, become mayor of Mirmar, Fla., and now is running for the highest office in the land.

Schools

14th Annual Perkins Gala Raises More than $1 Million

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The Perkins Chorus joined Grammy award-winning group, the Blind Boys of Alabama, for a few songs. The 14th annual Perkins Possibilities Gala was held earlier this month, and raised more than $1 million for the Watertown-based school for the blind. Perkins serves not just the blind and visually impaired in the Boston area, but worldwide, said Perkins President and CEO Dave Power. “I’m always moved by the outpouring of support our friends and partners show to Perkins on this particular night. Simply put, we would not be able to positively impact so many children and young adults who are blind without it,” Power said.

Government

Council Approves Funds for Design of Elementary School Projects

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An illustration of what the new Hosmer School will likely look like when completed, The view is from the east looking at the new main entrance. The Town Council approved the first major funding piece for the $170 million reconstruction of Watertown’s three elementary schools on Tuesday night. The project will be paid for within the Town’s budget, without requiring a debt exclusion to pay for the work, Town Manager Michael Driscoll said. The Council approved a loan order for $12.441 million for design services. Town Council President Mark Sideris noted that the project, and the price tag has changes significantly.

Entertainment

Free Celebration of Spring Concert Features Revels, Perkins School Students

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Revels and Perkins School for the Blind students do the Circle Dance as part of the “Celebration of Spring” concert. The following information was provided by Revels:

Join us for a joyful and inspirational concert of traditional music, dance and song as Revels celebrates spring with the talented students from Perkins School for the Blind. A Celebration of Spring, Directed by Patrick Swanson;  Music Direction by Megan Henderson, will be held Thursday, May 23, 2019, 7:30 p.m.Perkins School for the Blind, Dwight Hall, 175 No. Beacon Street, Watertown. Admission is FREE

Revels directors Megan Henderson and Paddy Swanson lead this special one-hour program featuring Perkins’ talented singers with Revels’ adult and children’s choruses, a children’s morris team, and a great band of musicians.

Schools

Committee to Re-Interview Project Manager Firms, Discuss Options for Lowell School

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An image of the latest plans for what Lowell Elementary School will look like after it is renovated. The School Building Committee could not choose one of the finalists for owner’s project manager for Watertown’s elementary school construction projects, so they will bring them back in for second round of interviews. At the same time, they discussed how to approach the renovation of Lowell School, and progress on the high school project. On May 7, the three finalists for the firms that will oversee the construction of the schools on behalf of the Town made presentations to the School Building Committee. The finalists — Hill, Leftfield and Skanska — were chosen from seven firms that submitted proposals.

Government

State Funding for Local Schools to be Discussed at Meeting Co-Hosted by Sen. Brownsberger

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following information was provided by State Sen. Brownsberger’s Office:

State Sen. Will Brownsberger will co-host a listening session on state funding for local schools with State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, to learn more about the needs of schools in Watertown, Belmont and Boston in advance of the senate’s FY20 budget debate, which will begin May 20. The first segment of the event will provide local education leaders the opportunity to share their schools’ experiences and concerns with state funding. After community presentations, the remaining time will be spent providing attendees the opportunity to make comments and ask questions. The hearing will be limited to two hours and is open to the public. All are encouraged to attend.