Schools

State Auditing Watertown Schools’ Decision Not to Move Up Change to In-Person Learning

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The Watertown Public Schools are being audited by the state regarding the district’s decision not to move up the start of hybrid learning in the schools. Watertown School officials received a letter from the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (DESE) this week informing them of the audit. On Tuesday, Superintendent Dede Galdston confirmed that Watertown is being audited. The district is one of two being audited, according to a story on MassLive.com, along with East Longmeadow. Both were among the 16 districts to receive letters from DESE pushing them to return to in-person learning, at least part time, because the rate of COVID-19 was not high under the state’s virus tracking system.

COVID-19

No Vote on Watertown Schools Moving to Hybrid; Supt. Optimistic for Oct. 27 Opening

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School officials are optimistic that Watertown elementary school students will return to classes part time in a hybrid model beginning Oct. 27, and the middle school could go to a hybrid model weeks earlier than originally planned. The School Committee met Monday night, during a meeting held virtually over Zoom, but did not take a vote on the start of hybrid learning in Watertown. Instead, they left the decision up to the superintendent. On Thursday, Oct.

Schools

Watertown Moves into Yellow for COVID Cases as Schools Looking at Reopening

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The state’s COVID-19 Community Level Reporting map showing Watertown in yellow, or moderate risk for the spread of the virus. Previously Watertown had been green, or lower risk. The rate of infection in Watertown has risen into the moderate risk (yellow) category in the state’s COVID-19 Community Level reporting. On Monday, the School Committee will be discussing whether to open the Watertown Public Schools for hybrid learning. Watertown’s infection rate is 4.5 per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s Community Level COVID-19 Reporting map.

Government

COVID-19 Will Impact Watertown’s Budget, Property Tax Revenue Will Grow

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Watertown’s Town Hall. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt in the Town of Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2022 budget (which starts July 1, 2021) but a recent real estate deal will help relieve some of the pain. This year’s budget is the 29th that Town Manager Michael Driscoll has led in Watertown, but he is dealing with a new challenge when making the FY 2022 budget. As part of Tuesday’s budget presentation to the Town Council, Driscoll had a list of budget issues for FY 2021 and FY 2022. “There are 61 bullets on this page.

Letters

LETTER: Former Teacher Concerned with Health of Schools During COVID-19

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Editor,

The Watertown Public Schools have had unsafe buildings for years. The school Administration and Town officials since spring of 2017 have denied, deflected, or ignored-the concerns of Watertown parents, faculty and students. The goal of creating safe buildings has been our petitioners goal from the start. Please read our petition to learn more about W.P.S. building conditions and the years of asbestos compliance violations. https://www.change.org/p/mark-sideris-asbestos-and-other-dangers-in-the-watertown-public-schools

I’d add that our petition group thinks all of this takes on a more immediate importance given the short-term latency effects of the COVID-19 virus.

Around Town

Health Department Shares Ways to Have Halloween During COVID-19

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Health Department:

For residents planning to celebrate Halloween, Saturday, October 31 st , the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is recommending that you follow safe and healthy tips to participate in Halloween activities that may limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current state gathering size limits as well as applicable sector-specific workplace safety standards. Consistent with the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some things to keep in mind in celebrating Halloween this year include:

Trick or Treating with Kids and Passing Treats Out at Home

Enjoy Halloween outside rather than attending indoor events.Place candy on a platter instead of a bowl.Instead of traditional trick or treating, opt for one-way trick-or-treating, with treats placed outside of the home for trick-or-treaters as a “grab and go” while keeping distance from others.Consider leaving hand sanitizer by any treats left out for trick-or-treaters to use. Masks – Mask Up MA

Wear a face mask or face covering. For more information on face masks and face coverings, please see the state’s Mask Up MA webpage.A costume mask is not a substitute for a face mask or face covering.

Schools

School Officials Hold to Hybrid Start Date for Elementary Schools, Looking at Moving Date for WMS, WHS

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Lowell School in Watertown. After hearing from several parents anxious to see the Watertown Public Schools open for in-person learning as soon as possible, the School Committee did not adjust the Oct. 27 reopening date for elementary schools. However, they will look into moving up the date for middle and high school students from late November. Monday night, about a dozen people spoke during public forum during the virtual School Committee meeting.

Around Town

Learn About Putting on a Wedding During the Pandemic

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Watertown’s Commander’s Mansion will show people how they can hold a wedding during COVID-19 at “Gossip!” The event will be held Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person, and include “nibbles and sips.” The Commander’s Mansion sent out the following information:

You will walk through a micro wedding at the Commander’s Mansion as if you were a guest. Experience all the components of a wedding day — ceremony, cocktails and reception — and hear from industry professionals along the way.