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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.

Schools

School Committee Update: Teacher Honored, Equity Plan & District Improvement Strategy

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The School Committee has met twice over the last few weeks (September 19th and October 3rd). Our own Jackie McCready (Lowell ESL teacher), was nominated by Latinos for Education for exceptional work at the Lowell Elementary School and within the community. She was also honored at the State House in early October. Congratulations, Jackie! Bianca Skraly, Watertown High School Student Advisor, provided an update on the happenings at WHS, including: academics, athletics, the new drop/add period and the upcoming school play Clue.

Schools

Group that Advocates for Special Needs Students Growing, Hosting Multiple Events for Parents

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The group that advocates for students with special needs in Watertown has had a surge of activity, and will hold a number of upcoming events for both parents of special needs students and others. Parent Heather McManus, who chairs the Watertown SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council, told the School Committee Monday about some of the activities the group is participating in, including chances for parents to learn about services for their children, and how to get involved in the group. On Oct. 17, SEPAC will host a virtual Disability Listening Session. During the event, parents, guardians and caregivers can share disability-related concerns and feedback touched on in the WPS 2022 Equity Audit.

Schools

Krikorian Foundation Launches Scholarship Program to Students of Armenian Descent

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A screenshot from the Krikorian Foundation Scholarship website. The following information was provided by the Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation:

The trustees of The Arisdine Krikorian Family Foundation, a section 501(c)(3) organization,launched its first annual scholarship award program. The Foundation was created by Rose andSybil Krikorian, who were raised in Watertown and later moved to Belmont where they lived formany years. They were the daughters of Arisdine and Panos Krikorian, who were born and raised in Armenia. The last survivor of the Krikorian family, Rose, died in August 2021 at the age of 96.

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Watertown School to be Featured on PBS’s Ask This Old House

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Charlie BreitroseHosmer Elementary School. Watertown’s Hosmer Elementary School will be featured in the season premiere episode of PBS’s “Ask This Old House.” The school sent out the following information:

“Some of you may remember that “Ask This Old House” visited Hosmer last June. During this time they filmed an episode on composting with students and helped us by building a compost bin in our new garden. The episode is scheduled to air on WGBH this Thursday evening at 8:30!

Schools

Watertown Resident Wins Autism Research & Education Award

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NECCWatertown’s Lauren Rae is a winner of the 2022 Myrna E. Libby Scholar Award. The following announcement was provided by the New England Center for Children:

The New England Center for Children© (NECC©), a global leader in autism education and research, has announced Lauren Rae, a resident of Watertown, as a winner of the 2022 Myrna E. Libby Scholar Award. The award, established in 2009, honors an NECC staff member who is currently enrolled in each of its two onsite graduate programs — Simmons University and Western New England University — whose work exemplifies the late Myrna Libby’s vision that research guides the education and treatment of individuals with autism. Myrna Libby, Ph.D., BCBA, was a director at NECC for 20 years whose impact endures as she was the principal program architect of NECC’s internationally recognized curriculum. As clinical director, she was a tireless advocate for using scientifically validated approaches and her groundbreaking research helped improve the lives of children with autism.

Schools

Parents, Students Wanted for School District Improvement Strategy Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

The Watertown Public Schools is forming a District Improvement Strategy 2.0 Development Team, “the Strategy Team”, whose charge is to create a multi-year District Improvement Strategy, as a successor to the current Strategy that was established in 2018. The team will develop a clearly articulated improvement strategy that emanates from the District’s mission, vision, and core values. Once these have been established, the team will determine the necessary initiatives and action plans to attain the objectives and set measurable benchmarks to monitor progress. The development of this strategy is an iterative process that will involve input and feedback from the School Committee, the District’s Leadership Team, parents, students, WPS faculty and staff, and WPS community members throughout the months. Watertown Public Schools is looking for broad representation of stakeholders on the Strategy Team 2.0, representing all schools and serving in a variety of roles.