Schools

Watertown Student Honored by Salem State for Academics & Engagement

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The following announcement was provided by Salem State University:

Student Success and the First Year Experience office at Salem State University recently inducted 33 outstanding sophomore students into Alpha Omega Psi, an honor society for students who demonstrate strong academic performance and engagement at the university. During their first-year, these students participated in the Salem State University Emerging Scholars Program and successfully completed all requirements while maintaining a commitment to their academic success. Emerging Scholars participants are paired with graduate student success coaches and participate in a variety of guided sessions and focused programs throughout their first year. The program is designed to build students’ academic and life skills. 

The induction ceremony included Emerging Scholars success coaches Rashid Abuelmaali and Carolyn Tracy as well as Emerging Scholars program coordinator, Ashely Figueroa and assistant director Megan Wigton. An inspiring keynote address was given by Assistant Dean of Student Success and the First Year Experience Mathew Chetnik and a virtual greeting was offered by Assistant Vice President Lee Brossoit. Inductees received a formal certificate and a medallion to wear as part of their commencement regalia when they graduate. Chetnik notes, “Emerging Scholars provides students an opportunity to take ownership of their college experience while taking advantage of a coach whose sole focus is to motivate and guide them on that journey. While college can be hectic, these students completed all required sessions and were able to demonstrate a strong academic record at the end of their first year.”

Tracy states, “The students in this program showed up and engaged, even during a pandemic. They persevered to meet the requirements and we are so proud of their efforts. I have no doubt that with their dedication and academic success, they will do well in their future endeavors.”

The Emerging Scholars Program is one of many initiatives at Salem State University designed to connect first-year students with supports which assists them in achieving success on their journey towards college completion.

Schools

School Committee Update: MCAS Results, Policy Changes & More

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The School Committee has met three times in the last 1.5 months. Below are some updates. 

The Watertown High School field hockey team won the State Championship with a 2-0 win over Sandwich. The team played with poise, intensity and impressive technical ability en route to an undefeated season, their second-straight state title, and the 20th state championship for head coach Eileen Donahue. Congratulations on an incredible season! 

Watertown had other athletic successes this fall: girls soccer had a fantastic season, qualifying for the state tournament and winning two exciting matches; boys soccer and football both made the state tournament; the cross country team had two runners advance to All-States; cheerleading advanced to States; lots of fun (and a great 21-7 win) was had at the 100th Annual Thanksgiving Football Game at Fenway Park. 

The WHS put on a fabulous production of Clue in November. And, the spring musical, Anastasia begins rehearsal this week.

Schools

Vocational Committee’s Draft Recommendations Urge Students to Apply to Medford

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Medford High School and Vocational Technical High School

A committee looking at vocational education options for Watertown students recently created a set of draft recommendations, including that Watertown students apply to Medford’s vocational program and to continue to examine whether the City should join the Minuteman Vocational High School district. The Ad Hoc Career, Vocational, and Technical Education (CVTE) Committee has been meeting for months, and the chair, School Committee member David Stokes, presented the draft report to the School Committee on Dec. 5. The draft report, and the recommendations, will be discussed at the CVTE Committee meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.

Schools

Perkins Students Show Some Bruins a Thing or Two About Goal Ball

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Charlie BreitroseBoston Bruins players Tomas Nosek, left, and Pavel Zacha, shake hands with one of the Perkins School for the Blind goal ball players. Two members of the Boston Bruins got a lesson on what it’s like to play a sport designed for people who are blind or vision impaired on Thursday afternoon. Pavel Zacha and Tomas Nosek each donned a pair of goggles that blacked out their vision, and had to defend a goal that was about 30 feet wide. On the other end were three experienced members of the Perkins School for the Blind goal ball team. Charlie BreitroseBoston Bruins player Pavel Zacha rolls the goal ball in the exhibition game against students from Perkins School for the Blind.

Schools

Work on Temporary High School Campus at Moxley Field Beginning Soon, Community Meeting Planned

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Ai3 ArchitectsA drawing of the temporary Watertown High School site at Moxley Field. See below for a version that be zoomed-in on. Watertown will be building a new high school building that will be located on the same property as the current school. While the new building is constructed, the school will move to a temporary campus to be located next to Watertown Middle School on the grassy area of Moxley Field. The following information was provided by the Compass Project Management, the consultant hired by the School Building Committee for the Watertown High School project:

We have a very exciting progress update for the Moxley Modular High School Project which is on schedule to start in earnest next week.

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Watertown MCAS Data Looks Promising, School Committee to Discuss Details at 2 Meetings

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Watertown’s results on the 2022 MCAS generally look good, and the scores at two schools look very positive, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Oct. 24. The results of the MCAS, the state’s standardized test, and other measures used by the district will be discussed at a pair of upcoming School Committee meetings in early November. “The (Watertown) Middle School percentiles went way up as well as at the Lowell (Elementary),” Galdston said. “Everyone else did great, don’t get me wrong.

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Several Watertown Students Injured in School Bus Accident

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A school bus carrying Watertown Public School students collided with a vehicle on Belmont Street on Oct. 19, 2022. Several students suffered minor injuries. Multiple students went to hospital after suffering injuries when a school bus carrying Watertown elementary school student got into an accident on Belmont Street on Wednesday morning. The bus had been carrying 44 students to the Lowell West campus at the former St.