Business

Charles River Chamber Awards Scholarship to Watertown High School Student

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Jessica Camara

The Charles River Regional Chamber announced its 2025 scholarship recipient fromWatertown. See the announcement below. Watertown High School graduate Jessica Camara is a tenacious leader who founded the school’s Medical Club and is determined to excel in her academics. Her chemistry teacher says she “had the maturity and confidence to advocate for herself when she did not understand something, and I can clearly remember multiple times when she would come in during lunch or before school to ensure she completely mastered topics covered.” Camara is a member of the Women in STEM club, and she allocates her leisure time to volunteer at an elementary school. She plans to continue her education at Sacred Heart University to major in nursing, with hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner.

Schools

Watertown High School to Pilot App That Would Disable Student Cellphones During Class

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Watertown High School students will use an app to disable cellphones during class beginning in the fall of 2025. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

Watertown High School plans to disable students’ cellphones during class using software that the school will be piloting during the 2025-26 school year. At Monday’s meeting the School Committee heard from parents who called one of the books on the recommended summer reading list “anti-Semitic.” The Committee also got more information on the changes to the Sexual and Sex-based Discrimination policy. Cellphone Pilot

WHS Principal Joel Giacobozzi told the School Committee on Aug.

Schools

WHS Changes Policies on Dress Code, Cellphone Use; School Committee Discusses Policy for Reporting Harassment

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The sign for the temporary Watertown High School at PFC Richard Moxley Field. (Courtesy by City of Watertown)

(UPDATED Aug. 20: Additional information was added about the cellphone policy at the high school and the personal electronic device policy.)

When the 2025-26 School Year begins in September, Watertown High School students will have a new dress code, and fewer days to add or drop a class. The School Committee also discussed the sex-based harassment reporting policy, and heard about individualized instruction for math and literacy, and district policy changes. The School Committee approved the changes to the WHS Handbook at its meeting on July 28.

Schools

Watertown Engineering Teacher Learning About STEM Careers in Construction Sector

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WHS engineering and robotics teacher Jason Welch

The following announcement was provided by Associated General Contractors of Mass.:

Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts (AGC MA) will present its fifth annual Building Advancement Externship (BAE) program from Monday, August 4 – Friday, August 8. The program exposes educators to a wide array of STEM-based careers in the construction sector and prompts greater awareness of professional work opportunities for young people. Jason Welch, engineering and robotics teacher at Watertown High School, is one of 15 educators to be selected for the program. “Participants in AGC MA’s annual Building Advancement Externship become well-informed and passionate advocates for the construction industry, eager and able to share its many diverse and fulfilling opportunities with students,” says John Ferrante, CEO at AGC MA. “The participation and enthusiasm of our membership has been essential to the program’s success, and reflects its value in developing and strengthening the regional construction workforce.”

Participants in the 2025 AGC MA Building Advancement Externship include:

* Andrew DeLuca, Greater Lawrence Tech

* Eric Furlong, Wahconah Regional High School

* Josh Greeley, Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School

* Grace Haggstrom, Randolph High School

* Jacob Humiston, South Hadley High School

* Timothy Lavin, Charlestown High School

* Joseph Migliore, Greater Lowell Technical High School

* Maureen O’Donnell, Boston Community Leadership Academy

* Julie O’Leary, Framingham High School

* Keith Powers, Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School

* Tracey Schryba, Franklin County Technical School

* Mario Sousa, Salem High School

* Melissa St. Pierre, BMC Durfee High School

* Heather Toomey, Lynn Vocational Technical Institute

* Jason Welch, Watertown High School

The 2025 Building Externship is supported and presented by BOND, Colantonio Inc., Collier’s Engineering & Design, Columbia, Consigli Construction, Dimeo Construction Company, Erland Construction Inc., Fontaine Brothers, Inc., North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Turner Construction, and Walsh Brothers, with support from Building Mass Careers, Building Pathways, Center for Smart Building Technology at Roxbury Community College, Fitchburg State University, Franklin Cummings Technical College, Mass CEC, Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning at Framingham State University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Worcester Polytech Institute of Technology, and YouthBuild Boston.

Schools

Watertown High School Class of 2025 Persisted Through Challenging Conditions to Reach Graduation

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Watertown High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian Nairi Davidian speaks at graduation at Victory Field. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Members of the Class of 2025 endured a lot in their time at Watertown High School, including shifting buildings, the Pandemic, and of course academic challenges. They showed resilience, toughness, and a strong spirit on the way to collecting their degrees on Friday evening at Victory Field. Even the graduation ceremony had its own uncertainty and challenges. With rain a serious possibility, the John A. Ryan Arena was set up to serve as the backup venue, and Principal Joel Giacobozzi thanked all the amateur meteorologists for their advice and forecasts.

Schools

Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2025 – See Photos & the Grad List

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Watertown High School seniors hug after graduating at Victory Field on Friday night. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

The 190 members of the Watertown High School senior class celebrated their graduation at Victory Field on Friday evening. Congratulations to the Class of 2025! Watertown High School Class of 2025

(+ Cum Laude Society, ^ National Honor Society, * Seal of Biliteracy, % Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction, # Engineering Pathway)

Nabila Abenaou

Majd Al Hady *

Rafat Alananzeh

Amra Bibi Ali

Aleks Alvandyan

Caroline Meredith Andrade ^

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Watertown News (@watertownmanews)

Evily Ketely Silva Andrade

Melissa Augusto *

Gagik Avakian

Lori Avakian ^*

Mkrtich Badalyan +^*

Sila Basboga ^

Uendel Gabriel Batista Santana

Iris Berati %

A 2025 WHS graduate holds up his diploma. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

Gabriel Goodwin Berkowitz

Emilio Raphael Berndt ^

Marwa Bibi

Safa Bibi

Sawera Bibi

Isaiah Schimith Bomfim *

John Manuel Brennan ^

Jack James Brisson

Noah Geoffrey Broadstone

Jessica Camara ^

Devyn Canfield

Ava Mary Ann Caulfield ^

A Watertown High School senior gets a high five from a teacher as the seniors enter Victory Field.

Schools

Student Records for Watertown High Class of 2018 to be Destroyed Soon, Copies Available

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The Watertown Public Schools provided the following announcement:

Kathleen Desmarais, M.Ed, Director of Student Services, is notifying the public that in accordance with  Massachusetts Student Records Regulations temporary records which have been maintained by the school system for the Class of 2018 are about to be destroyed. Former students have the right to receive copies of any or all of these records prior to their destruction.  

After July 1, 2025, only the transcript, which includes the minimum information necessary to reflect the student’s educational progress, will be on file for at least sixty years. Transcript information includes only name, address, course titles, grades, and grade level completed. 

The temporary record contains all other information maintained by the school about the student. All temporary records must be destroyed no later than seven years after the student leaves the school system. 

Former students from the classes of 2018-2024 may contact the Watertown High School Guidance Office at 617-926-7736 prior to July 1st and arrange to pick up their records.

Schools

WHS Grad Night Tradition — All Night Party — Continues, Volunteers Needed

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The All Night Party provides a substance free place for seniors to get together on graduation night. Volunteers do much of the set up, and chaperoning. The following piece was provided by the Watertown High School PTSO:

For decades, Watertown High School seniors have celebrated their graduation at the All Night Party, a cherished tradition organized by the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO). This event is a labor of love for parents, teachers, and community members who dedicate their time and resources to create a memorable and safe celebration for the graduates. The All Night Party provides a substance-free environment for seniors to gather and celebrate together one last time.