Schools

See Which Watertown Students Made the Dean’s List, Earned College Honors During Spring 2025

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Dozens of Watertown students earned honors at their colleges or universities during the spring semester of 2025. See the announcements sent by their institutions below. SNHU

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Spring 2025 President’s List. The spring terms run from January to May. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President’s List.

Schools

School Committee Hears Results of Survey of Watertown Students, Parents & Teachers

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At the Watertown School Committee’s June 23 meeting, school leaders coalesced to tackle a diverse agenda – from contract renewals to electronic device usage in school – while taking another look into how students, families, and teachers experience life in the Watertown School System. 5Essentials Survey

The centerpiece of the evening was the unveiling of results from the district’s 5Essentials Survey, a response-based study developed by the University of Chicago Consortium which collects feedback from students, guardians, and teachers on the district’s instructional climate, school culture, and other key metrics. Now in its fourth year of implementation in Watertown, the survey has proven to be a vital tool in shaping school policy and improving classroom practices. According to the memo supplied by Superintendent Deanne Galdston, “the 5Essentials framework identifies five core components that, when present and strong, reliably predict school improvement and student outcomes.”

These five essential components are: Supportive Environment, Ambitious Instruction, Collaborative Teachers, Effective Leaders, and Involved Families. More details about the 2024-25 5Essentials Study can be found here.

Schools

Cost Estimates for Watertown Middle School Project Concern Building Committee

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A vision of what a new Watertown Middle School could look like created by Ai3 Architects and presented to the School Committee. Members of the School Building Committee expressed concerns over the cost of the proposals for rebuilding or renovating and expanding Watertown Middle School. On June 18, Ai3 Architects presented the preliminary cost estimates for the project, and the two “preferred” option came in more than $30 million above the amount of money set aside by the City: $84.7 million. The “add/reno” option would keep the newer section of the Middle School. That includes the auditorium and gymnasium, both of which would receive “comprehensive renovations.”

Schools

Students at Jewish Day School Create Traveling Holocaust Museum

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One of the suitcases that are part of the Unpacking History – a Mobile Holocaust Memorial created by students at the Jewish Community Day School of Boston in Watertown. (Courtesy of JCDS)

Students at the Jewish Community Day School of Boston, located in Watertown, packed years of facts, artifacts and personal experiences into six small suitcases and a jewelry case to create a traveling Holocaust museum. The project, called “Unpacking History – A Mobile Holocaust Memorial,” is the creation of the eighth-graders at the JCDS. Each of the suitcases has a different theme, with one about the rise of Nazis in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, another about roles played in the Holocaust by companies which are still familiar brands, propaganda, stories of Jews living in Germany at the time, photos, and more. Some of the displays have audio and even video components.

Schools

Watertown Students Will Learn About Nutrition, Agriculture in Former Freight Containers

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Watertown Public Schools educators look inside the Freight Farm indoor growing system that was built inside a former freight container. The following piece was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

Watertown Public Schools is expanding its educational opportunities for students with the addition of a new Freight Farm, a converted shipping container outfitted to grow food year-round. The 40-foot container allows for food and crops to be grown in a controlled, self-contained environment by utilizing vertical farming techniques and a closed-loop system. The Freight Farm will be used to expand course offerings at Watertown High School while also increasing food production for Watertown’s school cafeterias. “After many years of planning, preparation, and securing funding, we are thrilled to welcome the arrival of our Freight Farm,” said Superintendent Dede Galdston.

Schools

Watertown High School Class of 2025 Persisted Through Challenging Conditions to Reach Graduation

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Watertown High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian Nairi Davidian speaks at graduation at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Members of the Class of 2025 endured a lot in their time at Watertown High School, including shifting buildings, the Pandemic, and of course academic challenges. They showed resilience, toughness, and a strong spirit on the way to collecting their degrees on Friday evening at Victory Field. Even the graduation ceremony had its own uncertainty and challenges. With rain a serious possibility, the John A. Ryan Arena was set up to serve as the backup venue, and Principal Joel Giacobozzi thanked all the amateur meteorologists for their advice and forecasts.

Schools

Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2025 – See Photos & the Grad List

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Watertown High School seniors hug after graduating at Victory Field on Friday night. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 190 members of the Watertown High School senior class celebrated their graduation at Victory Field on Friday evening. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Watertown High School Class of 2025

(+ Cum Laude Society, ^ National Honor Society, * Seal of Biliteracy, % Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction, # Engineering Pathway)

Nabila Abenaou

Majd Al Hady *

Rafat Alananzeh

Amra Bibi Ali

Aleks Alvandyan

Caroline Meredith Andrade ^

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watertown News (@watertownmanews)

Evily Ketely Silva Andrade

Melissa Augusto *

Gagik Avakian

Lori Avakian ^*

Mkrtich Badalyan +^*

Sila Basboga ^

Uendel Gabriel Batista Santana

Iris Berati %

A 2025 WHS graduate holds up his diploma. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Gabriel Goodwin Berkowitz

Emilio Raphael Berndt ^

Marwa Bibi

Safa Bibi

Sawera Bibi

Isaiah Schimith Bomfim *

John Manuel Brennan ^

Jack James Brisson

Noah Geoffrey Broadstone

Jessica Camara ^

Devyn Canfield

Ava Mary Ann Caulfield ^

A Watertown High School senior gets a high five from a teacher as the seniors enter Victory Field.

Around Town

Watertown Student Selected as Member of National Society of High School Scholars

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The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) announced Stefano A. Barresi from Watertown, MA, has been selected to become a member of the esteemed organization. The Society recognizes top scholars who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, scholarship, and community commitment. The announcement was made by NSHSS Co-founder and President James W. Lewis. “On behalf of NSHSS and our co-founder Claes Nobel, a member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, I am honored to recognize the hard work, passion, and commitment that Stefano has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” said Lewis. “Stefano is now a member of a unique community of scholars – a community that represents our very best hope for the future.”