Bullying

Residents Call for Action to Stop Racial Harassment in Watertown Schools During Forum

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The 150-plus people who attended Superintendent Dede Galdston’s forum on racial harassment and bullying last week heard from the girl who brought the issue to the forefront, and other attendees called for action to make sure such incidents do not occur in the future. Galdston scheduled the Dec. 3 forum after a Watertown Middle School student named Lialah spoke to Fox 25 News about her experience of being called the N-word at school and being harassed by classmates on social media and on the phone. Harassment Reports

The 13-year-old spoke during the forum, and said that she does not trust the teachers and administrators at the middle school after she reported her experiences and said no action was taken, and people at the school denied her reports. “Why are people spreading misinformation.

Around Town

Watertown Remembers Pearl Harbor Attack on 79th Anniversary

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Trumpeter Alan Mannarino plays Taps during the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Watertown Square Dock. The annual Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony in Watertown Square drew a couple dozen attendees on Monday morning, despite COVID-19 social distancing requirements. The ceremony marked the 79th anniversary of the attack that drew the United States into World War II. The Town has a special link to Dec. 7, 1941, Veterans Services Officer Patrick George reminded those on hand, and tuning in on Facebook Live.

Arrests

Police Log: Man Spits in Officer’s Face, False Warrant Scam

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

Nov. 26, 12:46 a.m.: An officer pulled into the 7-Eleven parking lot and saw a car sitting on the side of the building not in a designated parking spot. The officer saw two men in the vehicle and noticed a number of items in the back seat, including what appeared to be the stock of a rifle. The officer asked the driver and passenger to step out of the vehicle, and it was determined the stock was to a BB gun.

Around Town

Watertown Dental Office Becomes a Father and Son Practice

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The D’Amicos: Andrew, Chris, Dan and Daniel. Dan started D’Amico Dental Care in Watertown in 1993, and his son Chris joined recently. Daniel will do so, too, after graduating from Tufts Dental School. A Watertown dentist’s office is now a family affair, after the offspring of the founder joined the practice. Dan D’Amico started D’Amico Dental Care in 1993, after working for a father and son dental practice in Revere.

311 Number

Other Town Charters Looked to for Inspiration for Charter Review Committee

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Looking for ways to improve the way Watertown’s municipal government works, the Charter Review Committee looked at other cities and towns for new ideas. They also debated mayor vs. town manager, and ways to communicate with residents. Committee members looked for ways to address some of their biggest issues with the way Watertown’s government operates, including transparency, communication with residents and accountability. Specifically, some complained that it is unclear how residents can report a problem and get it addressed.

Schools

Watertown Schools to Conduct Outside Review of Bullying & Discipline Policies After Racially-Motivated Incident

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The Watertown Public Schools hired outside experts to review the district’s bullying and disciplinary policies following a student’s report of racially-motivated bullying. In November, a 13-year-old girl who attends Watertown Middle School reported being harassed online and by phone after putting up posts supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. In another response to the incident, the Watertown schools will host a community forum to discuss racism and bullying in the Watertown Schools on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The public can join the form, which is being held virtually on Zoom, by using this link: https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/94875621016

Superintendent Dede Galdston said the decision to have a review of how the district handles bullying, and specifically racially-motivated incidents, was made after hearing about the experience of Watertown Middle School student. “Recent events have given me significant pause, and while I do not believe the Watertown Public Schools is alone in responding to acts of hate and racism, it is simply not enough to say ‘we did our best’ or ‘we followed our usual policies,’ We must be willing to review our practices and procedures,” Galdston said.

Schools

Design of New High School Changed to Reduce Impact on Neighbors, Drop-off Areas & Parking Discussed

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A conceptual design of the preferred option for the New Watertown High School, looking down Common Street toward Mt. Auburn Street. Architects working on the new Watertown High School tweaked the designs to make them less obtrusive to neighbors, and showed potential pickup and drop off areas around the two buildings on either side of Common Street. Ai3 Architects presented the conceptual designs at the fifth Community Forum for the high school project held virtually on Monday night. On Dec.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Urinates in Front of Officers, Counterfeit Cash Found

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

Nov. 18, 7:06 p.m.: Police were called to Target because a man was found lying in the mulch bed outside the store. When officers arrived they found the man who was conscious and alert, but appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. The man became belligerent and used obscenities when speaking with Police, as shoppers went in and out of the store, and created a disturbance.