Schools

MassBay College Hosting Open House for Prospective Students

By |

The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College will hold its annual Fall Open House on Saturday, November 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on its Wellesley Hills campus. President David Podell, along with faculty, staff, and students will greet prospective students and their families. The Fall Open House is an opportunity for prospective students to talk with current students, faculty, and staff to learn about the 70 degree and certificate programs offered at MassBay. The Open House will feature a self-guided tour of campus and student and alumni panel discussions. Participants can learn how to pay for college in a financial aid and scholarship session. A presentation will be held on MassReconnect, a new program which funds free community college for Massachusetts residents, age 25 and older, who do not already have a college degree.

Schools

Watertown Youth Coalition to Present Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Wayside Youth & Family Support Network:

Join Watertown community members & stakeholders to review the 2023 YRBS data & strategize how to best-support Watertown youth moving forward. Wayside and Watertown Youth Coalition staff, with the help of Watertown City Council members, Watertown School administration and staff will review the 2023 Watertown Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data in order to strategize youth wellness programing in Watertown. Discussions and activities will be run by WYC Peer Leaders who will also provide their own testimonials and opinions on the data. The event will be held Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. at Lowell Elementary School, 175 Orchard St., Watertown.

Schools

Watertown Assistant Superintendent Heading to Marblehead to be Interim Superintendent

By |

Watertown Assistant Superintendent Theresa McGuinness will be leaving Watertown after eight years to take a position in Marblehead. (Courtesy of Watertown Public Schools)

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Dr. Theresa McGuinness, Watertown’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, has accepted an offer to become the Interim Superintendent of Marblehead Public Schools. During her 8 years in Watertown, Dr. McGuinness demonstrated a relentless focus on the inclusiveness of instruction, valuing high expectations and equity for all students and staff members. Dr. McGuinness, like so many educators and administrators in Watertown, has worked tirelessly to create a fully inclusive, strong, and welcoming school district. “Watertown is a special school district and a microcosm of the world in many ways,” said Dr. McGuinness.

Schools

LETTER: Couple Endorses School Committee Candidate

By |

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Many are cynical or feel hopeless about politics. Let’s concede that some reasons for that exist. But there are even more reasons for recommitting ourselves to the honorable tradition of “P”olitics as service to community and to others, especially so for us in Watertown. With no need to deny the gamesmanship aspect of electoral politics, politics in Watertown is vibrant and decent. It is incumbent on all of us to keep it this way by shutting our doors to any attempts to undermine the service to the common good, rational, and compassionate spirit of our politics.

Schools

Hear From Watertown School Committee Candidates at Town Democrats Meeting

By |

The five candidates running for three seats on the Watertown School Committee will appear at a forum this week. The Watertown Democratic Town Committee sent out the following information:

The Watertown Democratic Town Committee has invited all candidates running for Watertown School Committee to its October monthly meeting. The meeting will be held this Thursday, October 26th at the First Parish Church in Watertown, 35 Church Street, and starts at 7:30 p.m.

For more information please contact Will Pennington, Chair of the WDTC at  watertowndems@gmail.com.

Schools

Roads Near Watertown High School to be Closed for Utility Work

By |

The following information was provided by the WHS construction project management firm, Vertex:

Dear Community Members,

Activities to complete the underground utility service improvements for the New High School Project are scheduled for Monday 10/23 and Tuesday 10/24. Please be aware that during work hours Columbia St. will be closed from Common St. to Barnard Ave. Resident access to driveways will be protected on Columbia St.

Schools

LETTER: Group of Residents Advocate for School Committee Candidate

By |

Dear Watertown community members,

Lisa Capoccia’s commitment to equity in the Watertown schools over the past 10 years, her skills in working with groups, her role as an advocate and her professional occupation as a school social worker are just a few of the many reasons we encourage you to vote for Lisa on November 7th for School Committee member of the Watertown Public Schools. In her community work Lisa has interfaced with several community groups that focus on equity. She was a member of the first Diversity Council at the Lowell Elementary School and as her daughter advanced to the WMS she became a member of the Watertown Middle School Diversity Council. Lisa is a Kingian advocate and trainee, a member of the WPS Anti-Bias Coalition (ABC), and for a year she co-facilitated the Equity in Schools subcommittee of the Watertown Community for Black Lives (WCBL). A number of us have come to know and admire Lisa through her work with the WPS Anti-Bias Coalition and leadership of the Equity in Schools subcommittee of WCBL.

Schools

LETTER: Parents of 2 Endorse Candidate for School Committee

By |

Vote Rachel Kay for School Committee

I am writing this letter to encourage residents to get out and vote for Rachel Kay for the School Committee. I have attended School Committee, Equity Audit, and Diversity Committee meetings for the past 3 years and see so many opportunities for improvement. I know Rachel Kay would be a catalyst to make these improvements happen. She is a team player and accountability partner, who focuses on using data and measurable outcomes. Specifically, her experience and proven ability to work with various stakeholders within the city of Watertown will be vital when working with the new DEI Director of Watertown Schools.