Schools

Several Positions Would be Added in Watertown School’s “Level Service” Budget

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The Watertown School schools have a little over $100,000 left in next year’s budget after preserving the current staffing and programs, the School Committee heard last week. Director of Finance and Operations Heidi Perkins presented the level-service budget last week, which would be $53.75 million including a 3.5 percent increase in funding from the Town. That amount does not include other funds such as state special education circuit breaker money, which will add about half of the increase that makes the total budget $57 million. While the budget will go up by about $1.8 million, Perkins said that only six percent of that will be available for new proposals. The level-service budget, however, does include some new positions.

Around Town

MassBay College Nursing Students Volunteer at Watertown Vaccine Clinic

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MassBay Community College nursing students administering vaccines at a recent vaccine clinic in Watertown. The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

MassBay Community College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) students recently volunteered with the Watertown Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccinations. Fifteen ADN students and 11 PN students assisted with vaccine administration and with the registration process for hundreds of residents who received their COVID-19 vaccine. “Nursing students are needed to administer vaccines and provide vaccine education in our communities,” said MassBay Director of Nursing, Andrea Bresnahan. “Being part of the COVID-19 vaccination effort is a rare opportunity for students to directly learn about population health, participate in public health program, gain clinical experience, and ultimately save lives.”

The Watertown Health Department vaccination clinics that the student’s participated in were held the first and second weeks in February at Perkins School for the Blind for both students and staff and at the Watertown Police Department for people over 75 years of age.

Schools

Watertown School Officials Stand Behind Decision to Delay Start of Hybrid After Release of State Audit

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Watertown School officials stood by their decision to delay the start of in-person learning, citing COVID-19 safety concerns, after the release of the district’s audit by state education officials. Watertown was one of two districts audited in October 2020. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) commissioner sent a letter saying the Town’s COVID-19 rates were low enough that Watertown should start the school year with in-person learning, at least part-time. The Audit report largely summarized the findings of state education officials’ interviews with district officials, and the materials submitted by Watertown officials to DESE. (See the report by clicking here).

Environment

WHS Students Looking to Plant 150 Trees in Watertown, Selling Seedlings

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Two types of trees are available from the Watertown High School Environmental Club, the River Birch and Eastern Redbud. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown High School Environmental Club:

The Watertown High School Environmental Club needs your help to offset school paper usage in the community! During a normal school year, WHS uses up to 1.2 million sheets of paper, which is equivalent to 150 trees. The club has teamed up with Tree-Plenish to sponsor an event in which you can purchase a sapling for $5, and opt to have volunteers plant it in your yard. Tree-Plenish’s mission is to create more sustainable schools by replenishing the environment with these lost resources. 

“As a member of the WHS Environmental Club, I am very proud to be working with Tree-Plenish to help our community,” said Cooper Petrie.

Schools

Watertown Grad Makes Northeast-10 Conference Academic Honor Roll

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Watertown’s Catherine Connors is a sophomore field hockey player at Stonehill College. Watertown High School graduate Catherine Connors, a sophomore at Stonehill College, was named to the Northeast-10 Conference’s Academic Honor Roll. Connors plays field hockey for the Skyhawks. Stonehill Athletics sent out the following information about the NE10’s academic honors:

The Northeast-10 Conference has announced its Academic Honor Roll for the Fall 2020 semester, recognizing 333 student-athletes from Stonehill who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.00 or higher. The NE10 Academic Honor Roll acknowledges the commitment of NE10 student-athletes in the classroom with three distinctions – Academic Excellence (4.00 GPA), Academic Distinction (3.50-3.99 GPA), and Academic Honors (3.00-3.49 GPA).

Schools

Watertown Schools Begin Anti-Racism Training, Looking to Hire Equity Director

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Watertown School leaders have begun equity and anti-racism training, and more staff members will soon be working with the group hired after the reports of racial harassment in the Watertown Schools went public. School leadership recently went through a two hour training on becoming a culturally proficient leader, which is part of a 10-hour course, said Superintendent Dede Galdston. On Monday, Galston introduced Dr. Kalise Wornum of KW Diversity, which is conducting the training and working with the district on related issues, at the School Committee meeting. She also updated the committee on efforts to hire someone for the newly created Director of Equity and Inclusion position. Wornun has been working with schools on these issues with colleges and public schools for three decades.

Entertainment

New Rep Presents Virtual Romeo & Juliet for Schools, Community Groups

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Schools and community groups can view a recording of #RomeoJuliet, New Rep and Queen Mab Productions’ interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic plays. New Repertory Theatre and Queen Mab Productions present #RomeoJuliet, a raw and relevant 2-person interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet, directed by Benjamin Evett and starring Diana Lobontiu and Sharmarke Yusuf. Considering our shared experiences of 2020, this production examines deeply the play’s themes of isolation, separation, and what sacrifices we make as we attempt to cross boundaries. The performance will be available to view March 15 – June 15, 2021 for school and group organizations only. More information about #RomeoJuliet can be found athttps://www.newrep.org/productions/romeojuliet/

“We are so thrilled to collaborate with Queen Mab Productions to produce this innovative and contemporary educational version of Romeo & Juliet.” shares New Rep’s Communications Director, Jaclyn Dentino.

Schools

State Officials Have Questions About High School Project, May Delay Final Vote

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A conceptual design of the preferred option for the New Watertown High School, looking down Common Street toward Mt. Auburn Street. The date of the public vote on funding for the Watertown High School project may have to be pushed back after state officials had questions about the size and design of the proposed new school. After reviewing the preferred design of the new WHS, the Facilities Assessment Subcommittee of the Mass. School Building Authority sent back comments, and request for more investigation into other options after their meeting on Jan.