Watertown Schools Accepting Proposals for WHS’s New Mascot/Logo

The Watertown Public Schools are seeking a new mascot (i.e. logo) and the Mascot Screening Committee is looking for submissions to be considered. School officials sent out the following announcement:

The Watertown Public School district has begun a process to identify and select a mascot/logo for Watertown High School. The high school has a nickname – the Raiders – and school colors – red, white and black – but it does not have an official mascot/logo. The nickname and school colors provide a common identity and connection to the traditions of the school, teams, and community. A mascot/logo adds to this by presenting a graphic image of that identity and connections.

Committee Selected to Choose New Mascot to Go With Watertown Raiders Name

An 18-member committee has been appointed to find a new image to represent Watertown High School. The Committee is called the Mascot Screening Committee, but on Monday night School Committee Chairman John Portz said the Raiders name will not be changed, nor will the school’s red and black colors. The group has been given the task of finding a mascot, or logo, that represents the high school, its teams, clubs and other organizations. The current status of the mascot is confusing. While the image of the dancing cartoon American Indian can be seen around town, that is not the official mascot for the high school.

Watertown High School Looking for New Mascot to Represent ‘Raiders’ Nickname

After the first effort to come up with a mascot to go along with Watertown High School’s Raiders nickname stalled, school officials will once again look at the issue. 

Two years ago the School Committee decided to let the status quo remain, which was to have no emblem to represent the Raiders. The issue became a contentious one because some groups – particularly WHS alums – felt they were not being included in the discussion because the selection process was limited to students at the high school. Others opposed the use of the cartoonish Native American symbol being used by many youth sports, and some opposed any logo portraying an Indian. Interim Superintendent John Brackett said he has been approached by several people asking for a mascot for the high school. “(The mascot) brings a common identity to the Watertown High School Raiders, and are often used by other youth groups,” Brackett said.

Watertown Students Take Part in Biotech Event at Northeastern

On Wednesday, March 8  and Thursday, March 9, 190 Massachusetts high school students participated in Biotech Futures, an event held at Northeastern University and organized by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation (MassBioEd). Biotech Futures is a college and career exploration event that exposes students to the educational opportunities and diverse fields of study in the life sciences at the college level though hands-on laboratory experiences and campus tours. Biotech Futures is a component of MassBioEd’s BioTeach program, which provides lab-based training in biotechnology to 150 public high school science teachers each year. “At Biotech Futures events, students see the connection between their BioTeach-inspired lab experiences and exciting collegiate-level science and engineering programs,” said Peter Abair, Executive Director of MassBioEd. “The involvement of faculty and graduate students who share their research and career pathways often makes these experiences transformative for the participating students.

Watertown Schools Offers Track Program for Students with Disabilities

This year, the Watertown High School track and field team will offer an adaptive track program for students in grades 2-12 with disabilities. Students will participate in stretching, running and racing activities on the Victory Field track. WHS athletes will be mentoring/coaching under the supervision of parent volunteers. The four-week program is open to students in grades 2-12, and will run from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on April 11, April 18, April 25 and May 3. Mail the application (below) with a $25.00 check made payable to Nancy Alberico to:

Nancy Alberico
C/O WHS Track & Field Boosters
25 Duff Street
Watertown, MA 02472

Questions/Feedback to: nancy.alberico@commonmoves.com or call 617-974-6101.

Watertown Youth Coalition Run Relaxation Station During WHS Exam Week

The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) Peer Leaders, part of Wayside Multi-Service Center, helped provide some relief to fellow students during mid-term exams week, the group announced. WYC Peer Leaders set up a Relaxation Station in the lobby of Watertown High School each day of exam week offering tea, hot chocolate, snacks, relaxing coloring pages, and tip sheets on how to beat exam stress. A large coloring mural provided the opportunity for community collaboration and more coloring. Large crowds of students and some teachers visited the table and had great things to say about having this support provided during the stressful week. The Relaxation Station was a huge success, with both students and school faculty asking if it will be back for final exams week.

Watertown High School Student Wins Multiple Television Awards

The budding Watertown High School television production program received several honors this year thanks to the work of one enthusiastic student. 

Senior Rebecca Grossman won four awards in the Boston/National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences high school competition for her work this year in the WHS television production program, which is just a few years old. “When I came (to the School Committee) in January 2015, one of the goals was within 3-5 years I hoped to compete in the student broadcast awards,” said WHS TV instructor Todd Robbins. “We are well ahead of schedule. Not only did we compete but we did very well.” Last year, the school competed in seven categories, but did not win any awards.