Schools

Rockland Trust Offering Renewable Scholarships

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The following announcement was provided by Rockland Trust:

Rockland Trust is pleased to announce the launch of its 20th Annual Scholarship Program, which is open to students who are enrolling in a part-time or full-time post-secondary studies for the first time at an accredited two or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for the entire upcoming academic year (2024-2025). Rockland Trust will award up to 16 $3,000 renewable scholarships this year. Applications are available online at RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship. “For two decades, our scholarship program has enabled hundreds of local students to advance their journey through post-secondary education,” said Andrea Borowiecki, Vice President of Charitable Giving & Community Engagement. “Each year, we’re inspired by the ambition and talent of the students as they work toward their goals, ultimately bettering our communities.”

Applications will be considered based on financial need, academic performance, and unusual personal or family circumstances. Applicants must reside in a county Rockland Trust serves. To learn more about guidelines, eligibility criteria, and access the application, please visit RocklandTrust.com/Scholarship.

Schools

Watertown Students Earn Honors at SNHU & Plymouth St.

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The following Watertown students earned academic honors in the Fall semester of 2023. Southern New Hampshire University

President’s List

It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Fall 2023 President’s List. The fall terms run from September to December. 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. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.

Schools

LETTER: Watertown Educators Call for Emergency Protocol Training Following Third False Intruder Alert

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The following is a letter signed by 50 Cunniff families and more than a dozen additional community members in response to the third false alarm of the intruder alert at the Cunniff since the new building opened. 

January 14, 2024

In the aftermath of an accidental activation of the intruder alert at Cunniff last week, we want to publicly share our support for the heroism, leadership, compassion, and professionalism that our teachers demonstrated during this crisis. Thank you for prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of our children and for the countless ways that you support them every day. The district has released information about physical safeguards being installed to prevent another false alarm. Last week’s incident was the third occurrence during school hours since the opening of the new Cunniff. Watertown Educators shared via Facebook that Cunniff Educators have asked for emergency protocol trainings since moving into the new building. The signers of this letter are calling for immediate action by Watertown Public Schools district leadership and Watertown School Committee to ensure this need be met.

Schools

Free Workforce Training Courses Offered by MassBay College

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MassBay Community College Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students practice skills in the nursing labs on the MassBay Framingham campus, Framingham, MA, May 2019 (Photo/MassBay Community College). The following announcement was provided by MassBay Community College:

This spring, MassBay Community College is offering free workforce training courses for eligible Massachusetts residents in Automotive Damage Appraisal, Behavioral Health Technician I, Behavioral Health Technician II, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Phlebotomy. These grant funded courses are one-semester and provide students with in-demand skills that will strengthen gaps in the local workforce needs. “We are thrilled to continue to offer community members these classes, free of charge, enabling them to gain skills that qualify them for positions in growing industries that need trained and ready-to-work professionals,” said MassBay Executive Director of Corporate Partnerships, Workforce Development and Community Education Colleen Coffey. “Community members are able to learn a new profession in just a few short months, and in many instances, they are offered jobs at the conclusion of their clinical placements.”

Prospective students interested in learning more can visit MassBay’s Corporate Partnerships & Workforce Development (CPWD) course listing or email or call cpwd@massbay.edu or 781-270-4100.

Schools

High School Demolition Going Slower Than Anticipated, Work Continues This Week

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The remaining part of the old Watertown High School Building. (Courtesy of Vertex)

The following information was provided by project management firm Vertex:

The Watertown High School project team continues to be hard at work progressing the demolition of the existing high school and installing new foundations in preparation for our first steel deliveries in January. 

As you can see from the picture above taken from across Common Street at the corner of Spring Street, there continues to be structure remaining at that corner. Between recent challenging weather conditions, and a decision to use more “handwork” for demolition of areas closest to the cemetery and the street, we are progressing a little slower than we had hoped.  With that said, we have agreed that the Contractor can continue with onsite demolition Saturday 12/30/23 within normal working hours allowed by the City, which is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

There will not be any loading out of materials so the Community will still have the holiday reprieve from trucking. All normal trucking and construction activities will resume on Tuesday 1/2/24 at 7 a.m.

We appreciate your continued patience and support as we work together to bring the new Watertown High School to fruition.  There will be a lot of exciting updates to share with you in 2024!

Schools

Watertown Preschool’s Online Auction Features Local Eateries and Experiences

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Handmade Russell acorn and squirrel ornaments by alumni parent and artist, Kate Martens. The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

Bid for your chance to win gift cards and experiences from local Watertown businesses! Every December, Russell Cooperative Preschool hosts its annual online silent auction. Held in conjunction with its Winter Gala, the auction is the preschool’s largest fundraising event of the year. Last year’s event raised over $7,000 for Russell’s hands-on, play-based programs for students ages 2.9 to 5.

Schools

Rates of Alcohol & Drug Use Down for Watertown Students, But Depression & Stress Has Risen

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The rate of alcohol and marijuana is dropping for Watertown students, according to a survey by the Watertown Youth Coalition, but school officials have concerns about use among certain groups, as well as the feeling of depression and not having trusted adults with whom they can speak. For the past three decades, the Watertown Youth Coalition has monitored the well-being of Watertown students by tracking the use of alcohol and drugs, and rates of depression and stress. In November, the WYC reported the results of the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which was taken by 424 Watertown Middle School students and 591 from Watertown High School. At the high school 18 percent of students reported they had consumed alcohol over the previous 30 days, down from 23 percent in 2021 and 32 percent in 2017. The middle school went from 4 percent in 2021 to 3 percent in 2023.

Schools

Groundbreaking Ceremony Celebrates Start of Construction of Watertown’s Net Zero Energy High School

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Groundbreaking for the new Watertown High School included the City, School, and State officials. From left, Deputy City Administrator Emily Monea, WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi, Superintendent Dede Galdston, City Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. John Lawn, State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. Steve Owens, MSBA CEO Jim MacDonald, and Assistant City Manager Steve Magoon. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

A celebration many years in the making took place in Watertown Thursday to mark the beginning of the creation of an asset that will last for generations: the new Watertown High School. Superintendent Dede Galdton said she recalls the wheels already being in motion when she arrived in the district in 2017 when she was told the goal was to build a new, state-of-the-art high school, along with three elementary schools. “We are just so excited to begin the work, not that the work hasn’t been going on for the last five or six years, but the actual demolition and rebuilding of this beautiful place,” Galdston said.