Schools

Members of Class of 2020 Receive Their Diplomas — Social Distancing Style

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A Watertown high School senior smiles for photos after getting his diploma during a unique graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, standing next to WHS Principal Shirley Lundberg. Watertown High School’s seniors claimed their diplomas in person at Victory Field on Saturday, but that was about all that was normal about graduation day for the Class of 2020. The atmosphere around Victory Field because the frenzy of activity was just spread out throughout the day as Watertown Public School officials put on a socially distanced ceremony to comply with the state’s COVID-19 guidelines. Each half hour a set of cars pulled up, the graduate stepped out and walked up to a small stage where Principal Shirley Lundberg waited with a diploma. Meanwhile, the family could stand along the small fence along the baseball field to cheer and take photos.

Business

Gov. Allows Start of Limited Indoor Dining, Nail, Tanning & Other Businesses

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Gov. Charlie Baker, with Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito. On Monday, June 22, diners will be able to grab a meal inside Massachusetts restaurants, and beauty and personal services such as nail salons, tanning salons, tattoo parlors and personal trainers will be allowed to reopen from the state’s COVID-19 shutdown. Friday afternoon, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the beginning of Phase 2, Step 2 in the four phase reopening plan. The First Step started on June 8, which included outdoor dining and retail stores. Restaurant capacity will be limited due to social distancing requirements.

Around Town

Public Invited to Help Create Principles for Watertown’s Community Preservation Process

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The Community Preservation Committee is determined not to let the COVID-19 pandemic slow progress toward awarding the first set of projects, but before that can happen they have some work to do and are seeking the public’s help to do so. The next step is a Webinar on Tuesday, June 30 from 6-7 p.m., which is being held in lieu of the second public forum. (See more information about the webinar and how to register below). In January, the group had a public forum to hear what types of projects residents want to see the Community Preservation funds used on. They also did an online survey and held focus groups in March just before for the shutdown, and had planned a second public forum in April but that had to be cancelled, said Lanae Handy, the Community Preservation Coordinator.

Around Town

Mutual Aid Program Has Linked Dozens in Watertown to Help Each Other During COVID-19

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As the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown began, a new program paired up people who needed help doing things like going to the grocery stores or getting masks with Town residents who could help them. So far, the Mutual Aid Network in Watertown has had 50 people reach out for assistance and nearly double that number offer to help, with 65 of those being matched with someone, said Program Coordinator Sophia Suarez-Friedman. The program is run by the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network and is funded by a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation. Recently, the Foundation provided enough money for Mutual Aid to run through the end of the year. 

Positive Feedback

Suarez-Friedman has collected “success stories” from some of the people who have received assistance through Mutual Aid or volunteered to help out. A person who feared going to get groceries when the cases of COVID-19 were surging was able to get help going grocery shopping.

Class of 2020

School Committee Decides Not to Attend Watertown High Graduation; Looks Toward Reopening

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One of the signs that went up around town to celebrate Watertown High School’s graduating seniors. The School Committee will not be attending Saturday’s Watertown High School graduation after most members thought it was not appropriate to be there when so many cannot attend. They also heard about the planning for reopening schools in the fall, which may include reduced numbers of students on campus each day. Traditionally, the School Committee has taken part in the WHS graduation, with one of the members standing on stage shaking the hands of graduates when the students receive their diplomas. June 20’s graduation, however, will not be a traditional one.

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.

Around Town

Flags Retired During Ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery, First Veterans Event During COVID-19

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Veterans Agent Patrick George watches as a member of the Department of Public Works lights the retired American Flags during the Flag Day Ceremony at Ridgelawn Cemetery. Watertown’s veterans groups got together at Ridgelawn Cemetery for the first ceremony since the start of the COVID-19 shutdown Sunday to honor the American Flag and retire some during the annual Flag Day Ceremony. With the cancellation of the Memorial Day Parade, the town’s biggest event involving veterans, the Flag Day Ceremony took on a bit more significance this year. Veterans Services Officer Patrick George read a statement that he normally does during the Memorial Day activities in late-May. “Typically what we do on Memorial Day is rededicate memorials around Watertown,” George said.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Unemployment Scam, Man Throws Bottle at Car

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. Arrests

None

Incidents

Between June 1 and June 7, the Watertown Police Department received 17 reports of an unemployment scheme. The residents report that they got letters about their unemployment applications, but they had never filed for benefits. Unemployment fraud can be reported to the Department of Unemployment Assistance by clicking here. June 1, 9:01 a.m.: A Westland Road resident discovered that someone broke into her 2010 Lexus SUV.