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School Officials Outline Strategies to Improve Watertown’s Special Education Program

By Charlie Breitrose | 7 hours ago

A study of the Watertown Public Schools’ special education found a number of areas of concerns, including a lack of uniformity, a need for better communication with families, and a distrust among parents of students in the program.

Restaurants Won’t be Allowed to Automatically Include Plastic Utensils Under New Ordinance

Restaurants in Watertown will not longer be able to automatically include packets of plastic utensils with takeout or deliver orders. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A new ordinance approved by the City Council prohibits restaurants from automatically including plastic utensils with takeout orders, however customers can request these items when they order or pick up their food.

Council President Outlines City’s Protections for Undocumented Immigrants, Does Not Favor an Executive Order

City Council President Mark Sideris. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

After receiving questions about and requests to protect immigrants in Watertown in recent weeks, City Council President Mark Sideris emphasized the steps being taken by the City to provide safety and security, but said he does not favor the City Council passing a resolution or executive order regarding immigrants in Watertown.

Watertown Eco Fest will Feature Sustainable Vendors, Demonstrations & Activities for All Ages

The second annual Watertown Eco Fest will feature activities including electric bike test rides, vendors of sustainable products, activities for kids, and more. The event, hosted by the City of Watertown, will also include representatives from City departments and community organizations focused on sustainability.

More Headlines

Robotics Company Builds on Watertown’s History of Manufacturing in Former Mill Building

School Committee Update: Budget, Fees, Cell Phones in Schools, Special Ed Strategy

Lafayette Celebrated (Again) in Watertown for Contributions to American Revolution

Around Town

Watertown Group Joins Protest Against Invasion of Syria

By Guest Writer | October 17, 2019

Anne Benaquist and Mary Skinner, members of Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group, stand in front of Boston’s Turkish Consulate on Tuesday in protest of the Turkish invasion of Syria and U.S. support to the Turkish military.

Residents from Watertown joined the protest against Turkey’s invasion of Syria outside the Turkish Consulate. Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice & the Environment provided the information and photos.

Obituaries

OBIT: Frank LeBlanc, 90, Retired Physicist, WWII Navy Veteran

By Guest Writer | October 17, 2019

Francis J. “Frank” LeBlanc of Watertown died on Oct. 12, 2019 at the age of 90.

Entertainment

Halloween Mask Making, Scarecrow Contest at the Watertown Mall

By Guest Writer | October 17, 2019

The Watertown Mall will host a mask making craft on Oct. 17 and the annual Scarecrow Contest begins on Oct. 18. The mall provided the following information:

Principal

WHS Principal Retiring, District Starting Process to Find Successor

By Charlie Breitrose | October 16, 2019

Watertown High School Principal Shirley Lundberg announced she will be retiring at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Her successor will be selected after a process that will begin in December and end in February.

Around Town

Watertown to Hold Concert, Breakfast to Mark Veterans Day

By Charlie Breitrose | October 16, 2019

The Town of Watertown has two events planned to recognize Veterans Day 2019, including a concert featuring big band music and a breakfast and ceremony.

Candidate Forum

Hear from the Candidates at the Watertown Election Forum

By Charlie Breitrose | October 16, 2019

Candidates in the Watertown Town Election will be appearing at an election forum co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television.

Minuteman High School

New Minuteman High School Celebrated at Grand Opening

By Guest Writer | October 15, 2019

The ribbon cutting at the new Minuteman High School in Lexington. Pictured, from left, are Needham Selectman Dan Matthews, Minuteman Superintendent-Director Dr. Edward A. Bouquillon, State Senator Cindy Friedman, State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority Jack McCarthy, Ford Spalding, Dover representative to the Minuteman District School Committee and chair of the Minuteman School Building Committee, and State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo.

The following piece was provided by Minuteman High School. Dozens of Watetown students attend the vocational high school.

State Senator Cindy Friedman said that on the morning of Friday, October 4, when a grand opening and ribbon cutting that she attended was held at the new Minuteman High School, she could not get one song out of her mind – “The Long and Winding Road” by the Beatles.

Letters

OP-ED: Raising Our Rate of Investment in Transportation

By Guest Writer | October 15, 2019

Buses like this one on the 71 bus will get priority heading toward Harvard Square on Mt. Auburn Street in the new Cambridge-Watertown Bus Priority Pilot program.

The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, D – Belmont, who also represents Watertown and parts of Boston:

The MBTA’s Board heard a presentation last week from leaders of Toronto’s regional rail system. What was really stunning was how rapidly Toronto has been investing in all forms of transit improvement and expansion.