Schools

LETTER: The Right Place for Solar Panels at Schools

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We as a city are moving forward in many ways. However, the use of our land is not one of them. There is a place for everything. But do we put solar panels on the ground using up valuable acreage in our four-square mile city? Apparently, we did so at the new Cunniff School, installing an array adjacent to the parking lot on the north side of the hill. 

Solar panels belong on roof tops and on parking lot canopies; using valuable ground space is not a favorable location.

Lt. Paul J. Sullivan

Record Amount of Money Awarded by Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee

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Eleanor DonatoThe 2022 Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship winners. Back Row – Claire Fabian, Eoin Morrissey, Aidan Flanigan, Catherine Fabian, Paul Leonelli, Martin Mont, Keefer Glenshaw. Front Row -Maeve Walsh, Isabella Mecuri Hanna, Delanie Lombard, Kristen Coleman, Meredith Greene. Not Pictured-Elyanna Bell and Warren Stevens II

The following announcement was provided by the Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship Committee:

Congratulations to the 54th Lt. Paul J. Sullivan Scholarship recipients. A total of $34,500 was presented to these fifteen wonderful young men and women. Awards were presented on Sunday, May 22nd. 

The Lt. Paul Sullivan Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the 54th Scholarship Awards.

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.

Schools

Watertown High School PTSO All-Night Party is Back, Funded by Donations

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown High School PTSO:

The Watertown High School PTSO is excited to bring back the All-Night Party for the Class of 2022. Our goal is to provide a safe place for all of our students to celebrate together one last time, free of chemical substance or alcohol, under adult supervision. The All-Night Party is supported by donations and ticket sales. It features entertainment, food and fun-filled activities for our graduating seniors. Teachers, parents, civic and community members volunteer their time as chaperones.

Schools

MassBay Community College Hosting Virtual STEM Expo

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The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College will hold its biannual Student STEM Expo virtually from May 9 – 13, 2022. This event enables students in engineering, math, computer science, life sciences, and biotechnology programs to showcase their work to the MassBay community, local STEM professionals, and the general public. The Student STEM Expo highlights MassBay students’ creativity and ingenuity through the projects they have completed during the spring semester. Online visitors can watch prerecorded videos from individual students and student teams to learn about the research and processes that went into the creation of their work. The virtual platform allows viewers to leave comments and ask questions.

Business

Biotech Companies, Educators Talk About How They Can Collaborate at Life Science Panel

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Natalie Nigito PhotographyKatie Sherburne, human resources manager at Forma Therapeutics speaks during the Life Sciences Panel at Hosmer School. Looking on, from right to left, are: Chris Nasveschuk, senior vice president of chemistry at C4 Therapeutics, Mark Bamforth, CEO of Arranta Bio, Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston, and Watertown K-7 Math and Science Coordinator Elizabeth Kaplan

The life science industry has discovered Watertown, with the city becoming home to a growing number of pharmaceutical, medical and other biotech companies. Recently, representatives from a few of these companies joined Watertown educators at a forum hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. The event took place at the new Hosmer Elementary School on April 27. The groups spoke about how they collaborate, and opportunities for the future.