Schools

Perkins Employee Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions to Special Education

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Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind. The following announcement was provided by the Mass. Association of Approved Private Schools:

On Thursday, May 1, the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS) held its annual spring board meeting and awards ceremony, spotlighting teaching excellence and outstanding contributions to special education over the past year. 

Cristy Lonardo, Coordinator of Residential Living at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, was presented the Albert E. Trieschman Direct Service Award, acknowledging superior direct service contributions to special needs children by a clinician, specialist or child care worker. For over a decade, Lonardo has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the residential program at Perkins, fostering a nurturing and open environment that builds trust among families and where creativity flourishes. Cristy’s ongoing participation in special events showcases her investment in the broader community and her advocacy for students with complex needs.

Around Town

Beth Israel Lahey Health Offering Urgent Care in Watertown

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Members of the Urgent Care Watertown BILH/HMFP Team. Beth Israel Lahey Health announced that urgent care services are now available at the Beth Israel Lahey Health (BILH) Care Center – Watertown. The site, located at 480 Pleasant Street, opened last year. In addition to urgent care, the care center also offers primary care and specialties including obstetrics & gynecology, orthopedics and radiology. 

The urgent care services will be provided by physicians from Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians. Primary care is provided by BILH Primary Care clinicians and specialty services are provided by Mount Auburn Hospital clinicians. 

“By expanding the BILH Care Center – Watertown to include urgent care, we are bringing high-quality emergency care into the community,” said Alex Barker, president, BILH Medical Group.

Schools

College Students from Watertown Earn College Honors, Graduate

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Students from Watertown earned honors at Lasell and Wisconsin, and graduated from Stonehill, and Texas. The following information was provided by the colleges and universities:

Honors

Lasell University

The Spring 2025 Dean’s List includes students who have completed at least 12 credits as a full-time student in that semester and have achieved a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher. Georgy Arshakyan of Watertown MA

Kayleigh Dore of Watertown MA

Alicia Karunaratne of Watertown MA

Theo Jacobs of Watertown MA

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Phi Kappa Phi, Chapter 021, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, initiated 101 students and 3 honorary members into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society this year, including Watertown’s Cecelia Maillis. 

The 105th Phi Kappa Phi Induction Ceremony, was held on April 27 in Tripp Commons; Evjue Centennial Professor Douglas McLeod was the keynote speaker speaking on “News Coverage of Social Protest in a Polarized Political Landscape.” Honorary membership was granted to three UW-Madison faculty/staff: McLeod of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; Pete Keys, Associate Director for Admissions & Engagement for the College of Letters & Science Honors Program; and Diana Rodriguez-Gomez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Education Policy. Phi Kappa Phi recognizes the achievements of the most outstanding students in every school and college at UW-Madison.

Schools

Local Students Launch “Unpacking History”: A Mobile Holocaust Memorial

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The following announcement was provided by the Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston:

The Jewish Community Day School of Greater Boston (JCDS) proudly invites the public to experience a unique and moving museum exhibit: Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial. Developed by the JCDS Class of 2025, this innovative traveling exhibit was created by teens, for teens to educate and inspire a new generation about the realities of the Holocaust. Sponsored by the renowned educational organization Facing History and Ourselves, Unpacking History approaches Holocaust education in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way. The exhibit aims to combat rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial by empowering young people to learn, reflect, and take a stand against hate. The exhibit features powerful storytelling, personal artifacts, and interactive elements, encouraging visitors to connect deeply with the past while considering their role in shaping a more just future. “This isn’t just a school project,” said one student curator. “It’s our response to a world where too many people are forgetting — or even denying — what really happened.

Business

Chamber’s First Women’s Conference to Feature Lt. Gov. & Panel of CEOs

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The keynote speaker for the Charles River Chamber’s first Women’s Conference will be Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. Attendees will also hear from a panel of female CEOs and company presidents, as well as participate in power sessions. See more information in the announcement from the Chamber. MOMENTUM: Women in Business Celebrating & Creating Change

Friday, June 13, 2025 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM) (EDT)

Description

Connect. Empower.

Transportation

Traffic Congestion Expected Due to Work at Mass. Pike / I-95 Interchange

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Traffic congestion is expected in coming weeks due to construction at the Mass Pike/I-95 interchange over the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, the Mass Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced. Lane closures will take place from May 30-June 2 and June 20-23. See more information provided by MassDOT, below. Rapid weekend construction of The Newton Weston Bridge Replacement Project on I-90 EB/WB at the I-95 interchange over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority – MBTA bridge will impact your travel plans on May 30- June 2, and June 20-23. Those traveling in the Boston, Worcester, and the Framingham area should expect one lane of travel on I-90 EB/WB and MAJOR regional travel impacts on the roadway.

Entertainment

Local Artists’ Work to be Featured in Studios Without Walls 2025

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Watertown artist Dawn Scaltreto and Watertown’s Arts & Culture Planner Liz Helfer will be part of the Studio Without Walls 2025, “Dream Along the River,” which takes place near the Longwood T station in Brookline. See more information provided by Studio Without Walls. Studios Without Walls 2025, 26th Annual Exhibition “Dream Along the River” 

Studios Without Walls has chosen 17 site specific sculptures in a remarkable variety of mediums, with a range of messages from equality to the environment, & social action. We have incorporated work by disabled artists from Gateway Arts, Boston Green Academy and the Community Academy of Science and Health. Bette Ann Libby’s “Dream Finder” will be part of Studio Without Walls 2025. Creating an oasis of art that enables the viewer to interpret, transform, heal, inform, relax and play among this unique collection.

Around Town

Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corp Seeks Young Musicians

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Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps

The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps has educated young people in how to play fife and drum since 1972. The group participates in events around New England, and seeks young musicians to be part of the Fife and Drum Corps. Find out more information about the group in the announcement provided by Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps. The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps was founded in 1972 in order to pass on New England’s fife and drum tradition to young musicians. The group’s repertoire consists of fife and drum music dating from the American Colonial Period to modern pieces written in the traditional style.