Schools

School Committee Update: MCAS Results, Policy Changes & More

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The School Committee has met three times in the last 1.5 months. Below are some updates. 

The Watertown High School field hockey team won the State Championship with a 2-0 win over Sandwich. The team played with poise, intensity and impressive technical ability en route to an undefeated season, their second-straight state title, and the 20th state championship for head coach Eileen Donahue. Congratulations on an incredible season! 

Watertown had other athletic successes this fall: girls soccer had a fantastic season, qualifying for the state tournament and winning two exciting matches; boys soccer and football both made the state tournament; the cross country team had two runners advance to All-States; cheerleading advanced to States; lots of fun (and a great 21-7 win) was had at the 100th Annual Thanksgiving Football Game at Fenway Park. 

The WHS put on a fabulous production of Clue in November. And, the spring musical, Anastasia begins rehearsal this week.

Sports

“Inspirational” Watertown Field Hockey Team Honored by School Committee

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown field hockey players celebrate a goal in the State Final win over Sandwich. The Raiders won back-to-back titles, and WHS’s 20th overall. After winning the State Championship for the 20th time, Watertown High School’s field hockey team received praise from the School Committee, and the players were called inspirations who represent the community well. The Raiders completed an undefeated, untied season on Nov. 19, defeating Sandwich in the MIAA Div.

Schools

Vocational Committee’s Draft Recommendations Urge Students to Apply to Medford

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Medford High School and Vocational Technical High School

A committee looking at vocational education options for Watertown students recently created a set of draft recommendations, including that Watertown students apply to Medford’s vocational program and to continue to examine whether the City should join the Minuteman Vocational High School district. The Ad Hoc Career, Vocational, and Technical Education (CVTE) Committee has been meeting for months, and the chair, School Committee member David Stokes, presented the draft report to the School Committee on Dec. 5. The draft report, and the recommendations, will be discussed at the CVTE Committee meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.

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Watertown MCAS Data Looks Promising, School Committee to Discuss Details at 2 Meetings

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Watertown’s results on the 2022 MCAS generally look good, and the scores at two schools look very positive, Superintendent Dede Galdston told the School Committee on Oct. 24. The results of the MCAS, the state’s standardized test, and other measures used by the district will be discussed at a pair of upcoming School Committee meetings in early November. “The (Watertown) Middle School percentiles went way up as well as at the Lowell (Elementary),” Galdston said. “Everyone else did great, don’t get me wrong.

Schools

School Committee Update: Teacher Honored, Equity Plan & District Improvement Strategy

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The School Committee has met twice over the last few weeks (September 19th and October 3rd). Our own Jackie McCready (Lowell ESL teacher), was nominated by Latinos for Education for exceptional work at the Lowell Elementary School and within the community. She was also honored at the State House in early October. Congratulations, Jackie! Bianca Skraly, Watertown High School Student Advisor, provided an update on the happenings at WHS, including: academics, athletics, the new drop/add period and the upcoming school play Clue.

Schools

School Committee Update: Changes to Student Handbooks, Rendering of New High School & More

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The following information was provided by the School Committee:

The School Committee met on Monday, August 29, 2022. Over the summer, the School Committee completed and presented the 2021/2022 Superintendent evaluation. Dr. (Dede) Galdston was rated as proficient or exemplary by all members on all four standards in addition to her overall performance. She continues to show strong and steady leadership and we are grateful she is leading the Watertown Public Schools. Minor changes were approved for the Middle School handbook, High School handbook and District handbook.

Schools

Superintendent Gets Good Grades in Annual Review

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown Superintendent of Schools Dede Galdston. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston received good marks on her annual performance evaluation from the School Committee. The School Committee discussed their job review for the leader of the Watertown Public Schools on Monday night. On the overall performance, Galdston received two “exemplary” evaluations (the top mark) and five “proficient” (second highest), said School Committee Chair Kendra Foley. “This is a very positive evaluation.

Schools

School Committee: See What Happened at the June 6 Meeting

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By Kendra Foley, Watertown School Committee Chair

The School Committee met on Monday, June 6, 2022. We started the meeting by celebrating and thanking our WPS retirees. As part of the teaching and learning showcase, members of the WHS Robotics Team, known as the KwarQs, demonstrated the robot they built for competitions this year (their most successful year to date!). The team is an extracurricular group that teaches engineering, teamwork, and leadership skills while spreading the interest of STEM education throughout the Watertown Community. Their robot was impressive and the students were full of joy and curiosity!