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.

Around Town

Q&A with Laura Kurman Who is Retiring from Wayside Multi Service Center After More Than 30 Years

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Laura Kurman retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center in June. She worked there for more than three decades. (Courtesy of Wayside Multi Service Center)

For more than three decades, Laura Kurman has been working to help those in need in Watertown. She retired as Executive Director of the Wayside Multi Service Center at the end of June, and looked back on her time. Kurman spoke with Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose in her office at the house on North Beacon Street that serves as the offices for the Wayside Multi Service Center in early June.

Around Town

Watertown Rotary Members from Past and Present Gather to Celebrate 100th Anniversary

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The Rotary Club of Watertown celebrated 100 years with a dinner on June 24. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

WALTHAM — For a century, the Rotary Club of Watertown has been coming together to make the community a better place, and put service above self. The Club has a variety of events, including hosting the Senior Citizen Cook Out for more than 30 years, awarding scholarships to Watertown High School students, and hosting the Dancing With the Stars event. Watertown Rotarians from as far back as the 1980s joined current active members on June 24 to celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary at an event held at Stazione di Federale in Waltham. Longtime Rotarian, and emcee for the evening, Paul DerBoghosian said that Watertown’s club was founded 25 years after the first Rotary Club was founded when Paul Harris brought a group of people together in Chicago to make their community and our world a better place together.

Entertainment

Mosesian Center for the Arts Announces New Executive Director

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Aliana de la Guardia

The Mosesian Center for the Art’s Board announced the hiring of the next Executive Director in an email on June 27. Aliana de la Guardia will take over for interim Executive Director Roberta Miller. See the MCA’s announcement below. Dear MCA Community,

I am delighted to share with you that Aliana de la Guardia will be our new Executive Director beginning July 14, 2025! Aliana is a visionary arts and culture leader who knows the power of building community and belonging through the arts.

Around Town

Watertown’s Roberta Miller Named “Commonwealth Heroine” by State Women’s Commission

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Watertown Resident Roberta Miller was nominated to be a Commonwealth Heroine by State Rep. Steve Owens. (Courtesy of Rep. Owens’ Office)

The following announcement was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Elected officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities but not necessarily making the news. This year, the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines comprises more than 125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more. “I’m honored to nominate Roberta Miller as a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine,” said State Rep. Steve Owens.

Police/Fire

Police Log: Suspect Kicked Officer While Being Arrested, Man Threatened Customer with Piece of Glass

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. June 14: At 2 a.m. Officer Khalil Mafhoum spotted a pickup truck stopped in traffic at Galen Street and Nonantum Road and the driver was asleep behind the wheel. The vehicle was running and the brakes were on. The driver seemed confused when he was awakened and did not know where he was. Police detected a smell of alcohol.

Government

Funds Approved to Update Part of Parker Building, Build New Home for Watertown Food Pantry

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The Parker Annex Building (Courtesy of City of Watertown)

Tuesday night, the City Council approved funds to renovate the Parker Annex Building to set up a new home for the Watertown Food Pantry, update and rehabilitate the building, and bring it up to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. On June 24, the Council unanimously approved borrowing $5.778 million to pay costs of renovating the Parker Annex Building, the former school building that became an office building before being reacquired by the City in 2023. City Manager George Proakis the money will be combined with the $326,890 in ARPA and other funds set aside for setting up the Watertown Food Pantry in the Parker Building, and $104,000 (also approved Tuesday) to cover the cost above the project estimate. “We’re excited about this project. What this project accomplishes is it builds out the second floor for the (Department of) Community Development and Planning,” he said.

Government

Funds to Improve Track & Courts, Create New Entrance at Victory Field Approved

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The Victory Field Phase II project includes renovation of the track, courts, and the driveway in the complex. Several years after the planning began for improvements to the track oval and tennis and basketball courts area at Victory Field, funding for the project was approved by the City Council Tuesday night. The final recommendation for the project was approved in 2018, but the project was pushed back on the City’s list of capital projects until this year. On June 24, Councilors unanimously approved borrowing $8.9 million to pay for construction and reconstruction of parts of the municipal outdoor recreational and athletic facilities located at Victory Field. The project is the second phase of improvements to the Victory Field athletic facilities, coming after the improvements to the stadium area (where sports including football, soccer and field hockey play) and the baseball diamond.