Schools

Conceptual Designs for Renovation of Watertown’s Elementary Schools Approved

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Details of what Watertown’s three elementary schools will look like after they are renovated came more into focus Thursday when the School Building Committee approved the conceptual designs for Hosmer, Cunniff and Lowell elementary schools. With the approval, the architects from Ai3 will move onto the schematic design phase of the project. The conceptual designs provide a guide for where designers will put new additions and which areas will be renovated inside the existing buildings, said Scott Dunlap, principal of Ai3. He added, however, that architects are still “pushing and pulling” the floor plans inside the buildings. Thursday’s meeting began with a walk through of the Hosmer site, where Ai3 had staked out the corners of the proposed new school building that would be built in front of the building with the auditorium and gym, ask you look from Mt.

Schools

Hosmer Proposed as Swing Space During School Construction Projects

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The architects for the renovation or rebuilding of Watertown’s three elementary schools presented refined conceptual drawings of the schools, and proposed to the School Building Committee that students from other schools go to school at Hosmer School while their school is being renovated. The conceptual plans for Lowell, Cunniff and Hosmer elementary schools includes some new construction and some renovation at each school. Architects from Ai3 shared a schedule that would stagger the start of construction at the three schools so that the new construction at Hosmer would be finished first, freeing up the old section of the school for other schools to use for a few months. Saving money on the project has been a focus since it was discovered that the construction cost estimates in the School Facilities Masterplan done by SMMA in 2016 were much lower than is realistic. Town Manager Michael Driscoll has pledged $120 million for the three elementary schools that would come out of the Town’s budget, and not require a tax increase, but Ai3 estimated the cost of the project would be as much as $180 million.

Schools

Lowell School Online Auction Has Begun, Raises Money for PTO

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The Annual Lowell Elementary School Online Auction begins March 3rd at 8 a.m. and runs till noon on March 10th, the school’s PTO announced. Organizers sent out the following announcement:

We have a number of new items this year and over 270 items in total. We are adding new things daily and will have close to $30,000 worth of items to bid on. This auction is open to anyone, this is not limited to Lowell or Watertown families. The Lowell Elementary School PTO raises funds to support Lowell students and teachers and sponsors events to enhance the community spirit of our wonderful school.

Schools

School Committee Takes Lowell Site Out of Play for High School Spot, Approves Early Childhood Center

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The Lowell Elementary School site will not be considered as a possible location for a new Watertown High School, and the School Committee endorsed the idea of building a central location for the district’s preschool and pre-kindergarten programs.

The vote came Monday night, a week after the board discussed those two items during a public meeting. The decisions needed to be made so architects hired by the district can begin planning the renovation or rebuilding of Watertown’s three elementary schools. Also Monday night, the School Committee approved a peak capacity for the elementary schools when the building project is complete. Lowell Site
Last week, architects from Ai3 gave a presentation about the possibility of using the Lowell site – including the playground area – for a new high school building. 

“Ai3 did a great job in its memo and it’s presentation to us explaining why the site would not work – the site itself, the size of the site and the slope,” said Town Council President and School Committee member Mark Sideris. Architects said the site would be smaller than recommended for a high school and the property slopes significantly, making it difficult to build a school without having many level changes.

Schools

Architects Present First Visions for What Watertown’s Elementary Schools Could Look Like

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It will be a busy several years, but by 2023 Watertown will have built or newly renovated three elementary schools and the high school. Monday night the architect hired to do the schematic designs laid out the timeline to get there. The elementary schools and the high school are on different schedules, with the Hosmer, the Cunniff and the Lowell planned to be worked on simultaneously, and after those projects are complete it will be about time for construction to begin on Watertown High School, said Scott Dunlap, principal of Ai3, the district’s architects. Watertown school officials got a lot of good news last week. “Last week the most exciting time for a Superintendent occurred over a 24 hour period,” said Superintendent Dede Galdston.

Lowell School

Superintendent Announces Appointment of New Lowell School Principal

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After a long, intense search, Stacey Phelan was named as Lowell School’s new principal. Phelan will begin her new position on July 1, 2017, said interim Superintendent John Brackett. She comes to Watertown from Swampscott, where she has been the principal of Hadley Elementary School for the past three years. Before that she was vice principal at Connery Elementary School in Lynn. “She has worked at both high-performing schools and turn around schools,” Brackett said.

Schools

Lowell PTO Hosting Annual Online Auction Begins Soon

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The Lowell PTO Annual Online Auction will begin Saturday March 4 at 8 a.m. and end on March 11 at 2 p.m., the PTO announced. This years auction is not to be missed, we have 4 Disney World tickets, an American Girl Doll, Otterbox gift card, Westport Vineyards Private Wine Tasting and Tour, Total Wines & More wine class for 20, Alden and Harlow Chefs dinner for 2, many fantastic dining gift cards, Summer and Vacation Camp Weeks, Music lessons, children’s birthday parties, auto care, books, CDs, artwork, gift baskets, yoga passes, gym memberships, spa and salon services and so much more. We have almost 320 items to bid and hoping to raise $20,000. This auction is open to anyone that would like to bid, and as you can see from the above mentioned items, you don’t have to live in Watertown to participate. You can visit the auction website now and browse all there is, bidding will not be operational till March 4 at 8 a.m. Bid early and often so you don’t miss out.

Schools

Lowell School Principal Duct Taped to the Wall to Raise Money for Books

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Lowell School Principal Phil Oates found himself taped to a wall, but it was for a good cause. The Lowell PTO hosted a spare change challenge during our Book Fair in December. There were two jars to choose from: one to shave Mr. Oates’ beard, and the other being duct taped to the wall. From the picture above you can see what the winning challenge was. The effort raised over $600 dollars and Mr. Oates kindly participated.