Schools

Deadline for Watertown Parents to Enter Student Information Online Approaching

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The Watertown Public Schools is going digital when it comes to registration forms filled out by parents and guardians about their children. The deadline for filling out the online forms is Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. School Committee member Amy Donohue reminded her colleagues, and parents, about the upcoming deadline to fill out the forms on the Watertown Public School’s online system. Superintendent Dede Galdston said the effort is to get all the information on the district computer system, and will make it easier in the future.

Government

Snow Closes Watertown Schools, Delays Opening of Town Buildings

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Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:

“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.

Cunniff School

Watertown School Recognized for MCAS Results, No Schools Require Intervention

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Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown. The State recognized a Watertown School for its results on the 2019 MCAS test, and Watertown Middle School improved its scores enough so that it will no longer be under special scrutiny by state officials. Superintendent Dede Galdston gave an overview of the Watertown Public Schools’ results on the statewide standardized test at Monday’s School Committee meeting. “We did very well on the exams,” Galdston said. “I am very proud of the work that was done last year, and we will no longer require assistance or intervention (from the state).”

Schools

Superintendent Unveils Goals for Watertown Public Schools

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Dede Galdston, current assistant superintendent in Billerica, interviewed for the Watertown Superintendent’s job Monday night. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston’s goals for 2019-20 include providing more feedback to teachers, working on the school building projects and community more with parents and the community. The School Committee heard the final draft of the goals at the September School Committee meeting. The goals are:

Goal 1 (Student Learning): Fair, Effective Educator Goal Setting, and EvaluationGoal 2 (District Improvement): Effective communication with larger school communityGoal 3 (District Improvement): Building for the Future Elementary and High School ProjectGoal 4 (Equity): Systems and structures that ensure equityGoal 5 (Student Learning): Increase student achievement for all students in the Watertown Public SchoolsGoal 6 (Student Learning): Tiered systems of supportGoal 7 (District Improvement): Shared vision for district improvement

Galdston said she wants to make sure teachers are observed and also get feedback about their performance. “Last year, we focused on educational goal setting which did very well.

Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.

Entertainment

Public Flocks to See Artwork Created by Students from All the Watertown Schools

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Artwork created by students in Watertown High School art classes are part of the display at the annual Watertown Public Schools K-12 Art Show. Colorful paintings of animals, detailed portraits sketched in pencil, and still lifes of fruits and vegetables greet visitors of the Watertown Mall these days. The artwork comes courtesy of Watertown Public Schools students from elementary school all the way to the high school. The annual Watertown Public Schools Art Show will be on display at the Watertown Mall through April 11. On April 1, a reception was held for the artist, their parents, teachers, and interested viewers.

Schools

Kindergarten Enrollment Expected to be Down, District Adding PreK Class

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Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown will have a second PreK class next year. Registration for kindergarten has been lower that expected, allowing School officials to use money on other things. Meanwhile, space is available to add another PreK class for Watertown students. Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee about the changes to next year’s school budget made possible by the lower enrollment on Monday night. When the first Fiscal Year 2020 budget project was presented two weeks ago, four new teaching positions were included to accommodate enrollment growth at certain levels.

Entertainment

Artwork Made by Watertown Students to be Displayed at Mall

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall is proud to once again play host to the Watertown Public Schools’ Annual Student Art Exhibit. This fantastic event will begin displaying art on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 and will be up until April 11, 2019. Hundreds of pieces of artwork will be on display from students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in the Watertown Public Schools and will inspire you with their talented work. There will be many mediums displayed here, which include but not limited to: watercolor, crayon, pencils, cray pas, computer art, and so much more. This is a free event to the general public, so come down and support young artists of Watertown Public Schools from Wednesday, March 27, 2019 to Thursday, April 11, 2019.