Schools

Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2023!

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by Charlie BreitroseA Class of 2023 graduate hugs Principal Joel Giacobozzi after getting his diploma on Friday. Congratulations to the 150 Watertown High School seniors who graduated Friday at the ceremony at the WHS Gymnasium. Watertown High School Class of 2023

(Honors: + Cum Laude Society, ^ National Honor Society, * Seal of Biliteracy, # Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction)

Nasim Abenaou

Johnny Abizeid

Bonsu Panin Acheampong

Aneeq Ahmed

Sandra Ali Alnamous

Payton Gian Andrade

Nicole Erica Babayan

Gayane Badalyan *

Thandiwe Naomi Alua Baker +^

Adrianna Elaina Benites ^

Gabriela Bondaryk ^

Jhulia Gabriela Borel Macedo

Henry Byrne Broadstone

Max Edward Burke

Lexi Burroughs

John Anthony Cacace +^

Serena Jean Calix

Aidan John Campbell

Brendan Patrick Campbell

Gabriel Celio Chaves Carvalho *

Ana Alice Castro

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Beatriz de Oliveira Castro

Phillip Morais Castro

Raymond Chen

Aren Cimenian

Raphaela Samara Coelho *

Miguel Angel Colon

Aidan Paul Conneely

Brianna Renora Cooper

Michael Fenton Corbett

Amanda Cosco ^

Collin Kerian Cox

Avaree Louise Crockton ^

Adrina Sima D’Arrigo ^

Caio Mesquita De Souza

Carina Bella Delorio +^

Briella Marie Demis

Emmalina Olive Rosana Devoy

Jack Edward Dickie

Riley Francis Donlan ^

by Charlie BreitroseStudents welcomed people to the 2023 Watertown High School Graduation Ceremony in their first language. More than a dozen languages were represented, including these Portuguese speakers. Bridget Mary Donohue

Margaret Grady Driscoll +^

Ricardo Mardoqueo Duran Amaya #

Iris Margaret Egan +^*

Mariangel Escobar Sierra *

Isaiah Junior Etienne

Allison Anne Fijux ^

Kelsey Fitzgerald

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Fitzpatrick +^

Shannon Marie Fitzpatrick +^

Catherine Bridget Fleming

Daou Emmauel Ignacio

Marina Claire Garcia-Rangel ^

Sean Patrick Gately

Jaylen Chavi Gonzalez

Emma Katherine Griffith

Camila Cardoso Guimaraes

Levon Gukasyan

Karen Maral Guler ^

Katherine Flynn Haley

Alique Mara Haserjian +^#

Johanna Hernandez #

Orlando Antonio Herrera

Cindy Chenyun Hong +^*

Sandra Emilio Hoxha

Ivy Huang

Brianna Marie Hume +^*

Robert John Iannetta +^*

Xavier Scensor Ip

Alyce Judge

Vana Rose Karaguesian *

Alexandra Christophile Karalis

Davit Karapetyan ^

Lara Jacqueline Kebabjian ^*

Hovanes Kehyeian

Jack Stratton Kelley

Abel Keshishian

Lwana Fawaz Khalil *

Paige Elizabeth King ^

Eric Vitaliy Kozorez

Derin Kugu

Benjamin Alden Kullman

Esmeralda Laurore

Maeve Ella Lawn +^

Ashley Bomfim Leal ^*

by Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown High School gym was packed for the Class of 2023’s graduation on Friday.

Schools

Watertown High Graduation Moving Indoors

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The Class of 2023 will graduate in the gymnasium at WHS instead of Victory Field. The decision was made because of rain expected to hit the area during the ceremony. The ceremony starts at 6 p.m. and Principal Joel Giacobozzi said the number of guests will not be limited but there will be fewer seats than at Victory Field. Parking will also be limited. See more information by clicking here

Around Town

Siblings Advocating for LGBTQ+ Rights at Watertown’s Schools

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Ashe and Vivian Flan have been advocating for Watertown’s LGBTQ+ students at their schools’ GSAs as well as in regional and statewide groups. (Photo courtesy of Alison Coleman-Hardy)

In the post-COVID times, the number of students coming out as gay, lesbian, non-binary, and trans has been on the rise, and a pair of siblings has been actively promoting awareness and seeking rights for members of LGBTQ+ in the Watertown Public Schools. Vivian and Ashe Flan are presidents of the Genders Sexuality Alliance (GSA) at Watertown High School and Watertown Middle School, respectively. While just four years apart in age, they have seen the difference in attitudes, and willingness for students to come out at an earlier age. Vivian, a WHS junior, who identifies as nonbinary and uses the pronouns they/them.

Schools

Say Goodbye to Watertown High During Farewell Tour

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The public is invited to take one last look around Watertown high School before it is torn down. Demolition is expected to start over the summer, and a new high school is planned to open in the same location in the spring or fall of 2026 (the temporary location will be Moxley Field — next to the Middle School). The WHS PTSO will hold a WHS Farewell Tour on on June 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

RSVP is not required, but appreciated. Suggested donation $10/person, proceeds benefitting the PTSO Scholarship Fund. See more details and RSVP here. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/05/19/general-contractor-for-high-school-project-has-good-history-in-town-utility-pole-may-delay-temporary-school/

Schools

Student Records for Watertown High School Class of 2016 to be Destroyed, Copies Can be Obtained

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Public Schools:

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 2016 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 June 1, 2023, 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.

Schools

City Officials Look at Ways to Deal with Soaring Cost of Watertown High School Project

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Ai3 ArchitectsA rendering of the designs for the new Watertown High School viewed from Columbia Street. Soaring construction prices have pushed the cost of the new Watertown High School millions above the original estimate, but City Manager George Proakis committed to getting the school built without sacrificing the educational program or the net zero energy design. During his Fiscal Year 2024 Watertown budget presentation on May 9, Proakis gave the City Council an update on the WHS project, and some of the imperfect options for paying for the cost increase. When the Council approved the WHS project in June 2021, the price tag was $198 million. That figure includes building a temporary high school site at Moxley Field and making the school net zero (producing enough energy to cover the amount used by the building).

Schools

Busing Available to High School Moxley Campus, Fewer Spots for Hosmer Bus Next Year

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by Pixabay

Students living more than three-quarters of a mile from the temporary Watertown High School campus at Moxley Field will be able to ride the school bus for free next year. The School Committee also heard that the number of seats on the bus to Hosmer Elementary School will be reduced starting in the fall. Superintendent Dede Galdston said that while the free busing to the high school will be available, it is intended for students would ride it regularly. “It is for students committed to riding the bus for the school year. It is not public transportation.

Schools

Tour of Temporary High School Wows School & City Officials

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Charlie BreitroseParker Helwig of J&J Contractors shows City and School officials around a classroom at the modular high school at Moxley Field. Ooos, aahs, and genuine surprise were the reactions of the Watertown School and City officials this week when they got a look inside the temporary high school going up at Moxley Field. Right now, the area between Main Street and Watertown Middle School has a bit of a barren feel, with the grey modulars in a large U on top of bare earth. Inside, the building feels much more like a typical school. The walls and ceilings are complete, except for the seams between the modules and the ceilings, which will be installed after the lights, electrical wires, fire sprinkler system and other systems are installed.