Welcome back to another exciting school year! As we embark on this journey together, I am filled with hope and enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead in the Watertown Public Schools. Our dedicated educators have been hard at work creating a supportive, engaging, and enriching environment for every student. WPS is committed to fostering academic, social, and emotional growth in each child, ensuring that they find success in every aspect of their education.
We strongly believe that partnerships between home and school are essential to student success. Your involvement—whether attending school events, engaging with teachers, or supporting learning at home—makes a tremendous difference. Please take a moment to read your Principal’s newsletters, as they offer valuable information on ways to stay involved. There are many opportunities to engage at the school level, including joining the PTO, FTO, or PTSO; participating in School Site Councils or Diversity and Belonging Councils; and attending events such as Back to School Nights and parent/caregiver conferences.
At the district level, you are always welcome to attend my "Conversations with the Superintendent," School Committee meetings, or the parent/caregiver Meet and Greets offered by our Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.
Additionally, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child(ren)’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns. If you require interpretation services, we are more than happy to assist.
Together, as a community, we can foster a love of learning and ensure every child reaches their full potential. I look forward to collaborating with you to make this school year a memorable and impactful one for all.
Best,
Dede Galdston, Superintendent of Schools
The first day of school is always an exciting day of new beginnings. All of us with Watertown Public Schools are looking forward to the year ahead.
At the Hosmer, Cunniff, and Lowell schools, the new year was rung in with familiar scenes of teachers holding signs welcoming their classes. It also marked a happy return to the big lawn at Lowell for a first day of school. 2024-2025 marks the first start of a school year with all three elementary building projects in the rearview mirror. It was a beautiful morning as families gathered outside our three spectacular new school buildings.
Watertown Middle School welcomed a new class of 6th graders. Students began the year with old friends from elementary school days and new classmates from across town.
At Watertown High School, 9th grade students took part in a day 1 orientation. Principal Joel Giacobozzi and Assistant Principals Brian Brewer and Adrienne Eaton talked with students about expectations, safety protocols, and how to navigate class schedules, the Moxley campus, and High School life. Students then broke down into groups with teachers and went on a tour of the Moxley building, the Watertown Middle School garden level, and the Boys and Girls club.
The start of the new school year brought with it the official launch of our new K-5 literacy program, Wit and Widsom.
This curriculum represents a significant step forward in our commitment to high-quality, comprehensive, research-based literacy instruction for our youngest learners. We are excited to implement it throughout the year.
In these photos, 4th graders at the Cunniff demonstrated their understanding of literature by creating tableaus in class.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is inviting members of the community to a series of caregiver meet and greets this fall.
These informal forums will give families and caregivers an opportunity to meet one another and will be led by Watertown Public Schools’ Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Director Dr. Ceronne Daly. These gatherings are born out of the Office of DEIB’s goal to plan, execute, and attend events that engage staff, families, students and the community in the work of DEIB. The office aims to enable opportunities to build and sustain strong and substantive relationships in the WPS community.
The meet and greets will be held at the Watertown Free Public Library. The goal of these sessions is to bring together groups of families who may have some shared experiences.
September 2024 (meet and greets will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.)
Wednesday September 18, 2024 - Caregivers of incoming 6th graders
Tuesday September 24, 2024 - Latino/a caregivers
Wednesday September 25 , 2024 - Caregivers of LGBTQ+ children
October 2024 (meet and greets will be held from 5:30-7 p.m.)
Tuesday October 1, 2024 - Single caregivers
Wednesday October 2, 2024 - Asian-American/Pacific Islander caregivers
Thursday October 3 2024 - Black caregivers
Wednesday October 16, 2024 - Caregivers of multi-racial children
Thursday October 17, 2024 - Intergenerational caregivers
Tuesday October 22, 2024 - Caregivers of adopted children
Wednesday October 23, 2024 - Caregivers whose first language is not English & caregivers of newcomers
Tuesday October 29, 2024 - Caregivers committed to raising anti-bias anti-racist children
Today (September 12) is instrumental music night for 4th and 5th graders! Students interested in band and strings can rent instruments as part of an event from 3-6 p.m. at Watertown Middle School.
Students can learn: flute, violin, clarinet, viola, saxophone, cello, trumpet, bass, trombone, and percussion
Free lessons are available during the school day. For students who have financial need, there are school instruments available.
If you are interested in band, please email Mr. Thew at maxwell.thew@watertown.k12.ma.us
If you are interested in strings, please email Ms. Byham at macullen.byham@watertown.k12.ma.us
We are underway with fall sports and we are wishing our Raiders teams good luck as they begin the year!
Raiders field hockey has begun their quest for a fourth straight state championship. Before the season began, seniors Adrianna Williams and Rachel Egan were recognized as the WBZ MVP's of the Week.
WBZ's Laura Haefeli visited Victory Field and talked with the co-captains about their careers with the Raiders and their upcoming journey to Division I programs (Providence and Holy Cross). She also caught up with head coach Eileen Donahue, who spoke about the commitment and dedication her two co-captains possess.
If you missed it, you can watch the story here:
Dr. Deanne Galdston
Email: deanne.galdston@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: www.watertown.k12.ma.us
Location: 30 Common Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7708
Facebook: www.facebook.com/watertownpublicschools
Twitter: @WatertownSupt