Schools

Kids & Parents Can Join Science, Tech & Art Camp Over February Break

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The following information came from the Watertown Public Schools:

Watertown Public Schools is collaborating with PTO’s and C-STEAM Futures to host a FREE, Innovative, 3 day, Parent-Child February vacation camp for students in grades 3-5. The WPS Family STEAM+CS (Science Technology, Engineering, Art and Math + Computer Science) program is designed to engage children in the interdisciplinary world of STEAM & Computer Science and aim at engaging them in hands-on creative problem solving and computational thinking. Activities include:

Introduction to Basics of 3D Modeling & Printing Designing interactive circuits with Makey MakeyIntroduction to important coding and STEM concepts with Osmo Awbie and Scratch Jr.Designing a Fitbit prototype using Micro Bit microcontroller

Seats are limited so we urge you to please register soon. Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3qx5iLqwwPbsYAhGFtjIl3ipC43bOGBDWU6zf0BsWOVtBxw/viewform

Registration link will be open until February 5th.

Schools

Parents Say Watertown Schools Not Doing Enough to Stop Bullying

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The School Committee got an earful at their most recent meeting from some parents about what they see as an inadequate response to bullying that occurs in the Watertown Public Schools. Maria Hinkson, the mother of two girls, told the School Committee Monday night that she believes the Watertown Public Schools are not doing enough to stop students from being bullied. Her younger daughter, who is at the middle school, has not been bullied, but her eldest, who is now in college, dealt with bullies from the third grade through high school. “No one has taken any action. I made calls, sent emails, argued, fought for years,” Hinkson said.

Schools

Watertown Parents Invited to Kindergarten, PreK Information Nights

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Parents and guardians interested in enrolling their children in Watertown’s kindergarten or PreK program can learn more at upcoming information nights. Each of the three Watertown Public Schools’ elementary schools will hold kindergarten info nights on Jan. 16. On Jan. 14, there will be an informational session about PreK at Hosmer School.

Schools

Deadline for Watertown Parents to Enter Student Information Online Approaching

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The Watertown Public Schools is going digital when it comes to registration forms filled out by parents and guardians about their children. The deadline for filling out the online forms is Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. School Committee member Amy Donohue reminded her colleagues, and parents, about the upcoming deadline to fill out the forms on the Watertown Public School’s online system. Superintendent Dede Galdston said the effort is to get all the information on the district computer system, and will make it easier in the future.

Government

Snow Closes Watertown Schools, Delays Opening of Town Buildings

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Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:

“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.

Cunniff School

Watertown School Recognized for MCAS Results, No Schools Require Intervention

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Hosmer Elementary School in Watertown. The State recognized a Watertown School for its results on the 2019 MCAS test, and Watertown Middle School improved its scores enough so that it will no longer be under special scrutiny by state officials. Superintendent Dede Galdston gave an overview of the Watertown Public Schools’ results on the statewide standardized test at Monday’s School Committee meeting. “We did very well on the exams,” Galdston said. “I am very proud of the work that was done last year, and we will no longer require assistance or intervention (from the state).”

Schools

Superintendent Unveils Goals for Watertown Public Schools

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Dede Galdston, current assistant superintendent in Billerica, interviewed for the Watertown Superintendent’s job Monday night. Watertown Superintendent Dede Galdston’s goals for 2019-20 include providing more feedback to teachers, working on the school building projects and community more with parents and the community. The School Committee heard the final draft of the goals at the September School Committee meeting. The goals are:

Goal 1 (Student Learning): Fair, Effective Educator Goal Setting, and EvaluationGoal 2 (District Improvement): Effective communication with larger school communityGoal 3 (District Improvement): Building for the Future Elementary and High School ProjectGoal 4 (Equity): Systems and structures that ensure equityGoal 5 (Student Learning): Increase student achievement for all students in the Watertown Public SchoolsGoal 6 (Student Learning): Tiered systems of supportGoal 7 (District Improvement): Shared vision for district improvement

Galdston said she wants to make sure teachers are observed and also get feedback about their performance. “Last year, we focused on educational goal setting which did very well.

Government

Increases for Police, Fire, Schools Library & DPW Included in Watertown’s FY2020 Budget

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll revealed the Fiscal Year 2020 budget on Tuesday. Next year’s Watertown Budget includes money for an additional police office, a new leadership role in the Fire Department, and at the Library. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Fiscal Year 2020 budget to the Town Council. The total operating budget is $147.76 million, which is an increase of 3.89 percent or $5.53 million. When Driscoll presented the budget projection in October, there was a shortfall of about $800,000, but Tuesday he said the Town’s revenues came in close to $1.5 million above the projections.