Coronavirus

Watertown Closing Playgrounds, Fields, Dog Parks as Coronavirus Precaution

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The tot lot installed at the 552 Main Street Park is one of the Watertown Recreation facilities that have been closed due to the Coronavirus. The Watertown Recreation Department has closed its facilities around town, including fields, courts, tot lots and dog parks, as a precaution during the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Recreation Director Peter Centola sent out the following announcement:

Please be advised that all fields, courts, track, tot lots and dog parks in Watertown are closed immediately due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Please adhere to this request and follow all guidelines by the Watertown Health Department and all governmental agencies. On Friday, the Town announced that all Recreation activities and permits had been cancelled through the end of March.

Business

Watertown Dance Studio, Personal Trainer Hosting Virtual Classes in Response to Coronavirus

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Two local businesses announced they will be holding video classes during the Coronavirus outbreak. The owners of Ballroom in Boston and Get Lively sent out the following announcement:

Due to the National Emergency and the need to temporarily cancel most fitness and dance classes, Ballroom in Boston and Get Lively will be doing their best to keep you active and feeling lively during this challenging time. Over the next two weeks, they’ll be exploring various ways to offer online videos, classes, and programming to keep you moving and smiling while the studios are closed. Virtual personal training and private dance lessons are now available for booking with a variety of video call and conferencing platforms available for you to use. (Contact information below to book your session!)

Ballroom in Boston will be offering free daily programming on their Facebook page, including:

● 11:30am Kids Dance Class ● 2:00pm Daily Dose of Dance (fun for all ages!) ● 6:00pm Dance Date Night

Get Lively® will also be offering a variety of free programming via the “Lively Lounge” Facebook group listed below.

Around Town

Mass. Gov. Bans Gatherings, Over 25, Makes Restaurants Take-Out Only & Closes All Schools

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Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced some sweeping steps to try to control the outbreak of Coronavirus in Massachusetts Sunday evening, including limiting the size of gatherings, allowing restaurants only to serve take out meals and closing all the schools in the state. During the press conference he said there are no plans currently to have residents shelter in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. He did stress that people should only gather in small groups, according to a report on WCVB Channel 5. “These gatherings include all community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based events, sporting events with spectators, concerts, conventions and any similar event or activity that brings together 25 or more people in single room or a single space at the same time. This includes venues like fitness centers, private clubs and theaters,” Baker said.

Around Town

Watertown Boys & Girls Club Closing as Precaution for Coronavirus

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The Watertown Boys & Girls Club announced it will follow the lead of the Watertown Public Schools and will close temporarily as a precaution after the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the area. Executive Director Renee Gaudette said: “At this point in time, WBGC will remain closed in sync with Watertown Public Schools. We are working closely with all town departments to ensure the safety of our members, families and community.” She added that updates about Club operations will be posted to the WBGC website (http://www.watertownbgc.org/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/WatertownBoysandGirlsClub/). Originally, the Club planned to close for deep cleaning and reopen on Monday, but that was before the Watertown School’s decision to close through March 27.

Schools

Minuteman High School Closes Temporarily in Response to Coronavirus

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The following announcement was provided by Minuteman High School:

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School will be closed through Friday, March 20, due to ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns, joining numerous other school districts in the region that have cancelled classes as a precautionary measure. 

This afternoon (Friday), Minuteman administrators were notified that one student, who resides in Arlington, is under self-quarantine after being exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. The student is not exhibiting any symptoms. 

Superintendent-Director Edward A. Bouquillon issued the following email to all students, families, and staff this afternoon: 

Dear Minuteman High School Community: 

We are writing to provide you several important updates about what Minuteman is doing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our school and communities. We continue to ask our students, staff, and families to visit Minuteman’s coronavirus web page for updates. Several important announcements are outlined below. 

One Minuteman student from Arlington is under self-quarantine after coming into contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. We were notified of this information this afternoon, Friday, March 13. The student is not exhibiting symptoms and is under quarantine as a precaution.

Schools

Schools to Provide Learning Opportunities During Coronavirus Closing, but Will Not be Business as Usual

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Watertown Public School students will have chances to continue learning from home while the schools are closed for two weeks in an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, but Superintendent Dede Galdston said it will not be considered part of the regular classes, nor impact grades. Students at Watertown High School have the Chromebooks, and efforts will be made to get the laptop computers to all Watertown Middle School students to use while they are out of school. Teachers are planning activities for the elementary school students, Galdston added. “Our intent is to keep learning alive, but it is not mandatory and not considered instruction,” Galdston said. “In order to provide equity in access, we are not allowed to provide remote learning as a replacement to in person education.”

Coronavirus

Town Closing Library, Senior Center, Rec Dept Until Late March in Response to Coronavirus

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In an effort to stop the spread of the Coronavirus, the Watertown Library, the Senior Center will be closed and all Recreation Department activities will be cancelled, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Friday afternoon. Town Hall will remain open. Driscoll spoke at a special School Committee meeting held Friday afternoon. This follows Thursday’s announcement that the Watertown Public Schools will be closed through March 27. While the Senior Center will be closed from Friday, March 13 to the end of March for activities and exercise programs, some senior services will continue.

Around Town

Presumptive Case of Coronavirus in Watertown, Schools Shutting for 2 Weeks

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The Watertown Health Department is investigating a case of Coronavirus in Watertown, and the Watertown Public Schools will be closed temporarily beginning Friday. ​The update on the Town of Watertown website reads:

We have been advised that there is a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Watertown. The case is not associated with the schools and has no children in the school system. The Health Department case investigation is ongoing and we will provide additional information tomorrow. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston confirmed that the Watertown Public Schools will be closed for two weeks beginning Friday.