High Stakes Standardized Tests

OP-ED: The Hidden Cost of MCAS – Why We Shouldn’t Let the Test Dictate the Future

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By Brendan Bean, a Watertown resident who has taught in the Boston Public Schools for nearly 10 years. 

Standing outside my school in the morning, the brightly shining sun and chirping birds signal the start of that anxiously anticipated season here in Massachusetts. No, not spring; MCAS season. For many across the state, it feels like we have been building towards this for several months, if not all year. For teachers, this is understandable, as standardized tests like the MCAS have a direct impact on federal funds for schools. For students, however, the MCAS seems to loom over everything like Heartbreak Hill for marathoners.

College

LETTER: Third Grader Writes Why College Should be More Affordable

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(The following letter was originally written as an assignment where students were asked to write about a subject that is important to them, according to Hosmer Elementary School teacher Christine Fletcher. It is the unedited version of the essay.)

Have you ever wanted to be an astronaut or a doctor or an architect? If you want to be one of these jobs when you’re grown up you have to go to college. 

College is a school you can go to after high school. Some people go there to learn more things. And how you can do a job and to learn skills.

Around Town

LETTER: Head of Boys & Girls Club Bids Farewell to Club, Dream Job

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Watertown Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Renee Gaudette is leaving the club. Here she is seen receiving the Executive of the Year Award. She was nominated by Chris Chrombie, right, the club’s Project Director. Dear Beloved Community,

I am writing to share that, after nine amazing and rewarding years as Executive Director atWatertown Boys & Girls Club, I’ve decided that the timing is right for me to step back. The Board of Directors of WBGC is working diligently to identify the individual who can bestlead our organization through its next phase of growth and impact.

Letters

LETTER: Library Employees Back Interim Director for Top Job

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This letter in support of Caitlin Browne as Library Director was written collaboratively and signed by over 30 staff members of the Watertown Free Public Library, across all departments of the library and including all department heads. It was read by library staff members at the Board of Library Trustees meeting on April 19, 2022. To our Board of Library Trustees:

As staff members of the Watertown Free Public Library, we would like to express our thanks for this opportunity to make our voices heard. We understand that the public forum is an avenue for commenting on “library business,” which we feel very much includes this director selection process. We appreciate the work of the screening committee that has narrowed the candidates to the current field.

Letters

LETTER: Group Urges Watertown Mall Redevelopment to be Net Zero Energy

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An Open Letter to Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.:

With over 170 people attending your first public meeting on Alexandria’s plan for redevelopment of the Watertown Mall, we know that you are aware of how important this project is to the community of Watertown. We also know that Alexandria has committed to being  “a mission-driven company dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on the world…”  Your website states that “environmental, social, and governance (ESG) is core to our DNA.”  We have high hopes for this project. Watertown Faces Climate Change, a local climate action group (see affiliations below)  calls on you to do the work to make these buildings Net Zero Energy/Platinum LEED. We know that Alexandria has the capacity to build to these standards because you have done so at 325 Binney St. in Cambridge.

Letters

LETTER: Watertown Father Excited for New Hosmer School

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Editor,

Yesterday (Tuesday) my family and I toured the new Hosmer elementary school. It was so exciting! The school building committee, architects, and construction crews have done a great job. The whole thing was beautiful. I loved the colorful hallways, big open classrooms and warm, welcoming environs all around.

DUA

LETTER: State Rep. Owens Can Help Constituents Who Get DUA Overpayment Notices

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State Rep. Steve Owens. Throughout this pandemic, constituents have reached out to me about experiencing delays or difficulty receiving their unemployment benefits from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). My office is often a last resort for people exhausted and frustrated with not being able to obtain the funds that will keep them afloat. From the conversations I’ve had with constituents, many are unaware that their state legislators can help navigate DUA’s complicated system. The most recent wave of DUA-related issues has been the dramatic increase in overpayment (otherwise known as “claw back”) notices.

Around Town

LETTER: A Fitting Way to Honor Watertown’s Retiring Library Director

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. A Fitting Tribute To A Local Superstar

After 27 years, Leone Cole, Our Library Director is Retiring, Here’s An Idea to Thank Her for Her Service to Watertown

Dear Watertown,

Under Leone’s innovative and forward-thinking leadership, our library has become the heart of our community – welcoming, serving, and educating people of all ages and from all walks of life, through even the most challenging of times. Our library has had such a positive influence − in ways we can only begin to imagine − on the lives of so many who have entered that building on 123 Main Street. Book groups, films, music, our History Room, research assistance, the Hatch Makerspace, storytelling, community talks/events, Project Literacy, the Library of Things, courses in finance, exercise, citizenship, and more have brought our community together. As many residents of Newton, Belmont, and Waltham will tell you, our library is their library of choice.