Dear Families,

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making CultureFest an absolutely amazing night! It was truly a joyous occasion to witness families coming together to share their food, culture, music, and most importantly, joy.

I must commend our students for their exemplary behavior throughout the event. Their respect and enthusiasm added to the overall positive atmosphere.

Furthermore, I was astounded by the incredible variety and quality of the food that was brought in from different cultures. The diverse range of delicious dishes truly showcased the richness of our community.

I would like to extend a special thank you to the Family Teacher Organization, Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Council, and the Watertown Community Foundation. Their generous funding, meticulous organization, and unwavering support were instrumental in making this event such a resounding success.

Once again, thank you to each and every one of you for your invaluable contributions. It is through your collective efforts that we were able to create such a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.

Thank you for making CultureFest a success!

With Gratitude!

Stacy

Dr. Elizabeth Englander, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) at Bridgewater State University, will be speaking to parents/caregivers about social relationships as they've changed during the last few years (bullying, social skills), screen/digital use (in kids of all ages), and how to help kids be more resilient emotionally and socially and develop better peer relationships, including how to handle bullying and cyberbullying. She will also address how to work with your child’s school if your child is being bullied, and strategies that only parents and families can use (e.g., spending time together, how to discuss tech rules with your kids, how to spot anxiety and depression).

Zoom link will be provided next week.

The Watertown Public Schools is required to and will conduct a Postural Screening January 30th - February 1st for students in grade five.

Research show that approximately seven to ten percent of children in the age group develop some degree of spinal curvature and two percent will require treatment.

The procedure is simple and takes only a few minutes. The physical education instructor and the school nurse will screen your child during the regularly scheduled physical education class.

We are sending home opt out of screening slips. Please fill this form if you wish your child not be screened.

Screening Days by Classroom:

Monday, January 30th Burton's Class

Tuesday, January 31st Brodeur's Class

Wednesday, February 1st Sudbay/Hansen

Thank you,

Nurse Taverna

Please select the link below to find the Winter II Program Offering Brochure

Watertown Recreation Department - Winter II Program Offering Brochure

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The Department of Recreation Field, Court, Track and Picnic Applications for 2024 are included in this message.

If you, your organization, group (private, public, or part of the city departments or schools) would like to utilize our outdoor recreational facilities, the application must be completed, submitted to the recreation department, and approved.

Both documents are fillable. Return to recreation@watertown-ma.gov or to the Watertown Recreation Department in the City Hall ground floor at 149 Main Street.

City of Watertown: Field, Court, and Rink Permit Application

City of Watertown: Picnic Permit Application

Please review all rules and regulations in advance of submitting your application.

Most of Arsenal Park (Phase B) section will be closed for the entire 2024 for all use due to major construction and renovation and no permits will be accepted. The Arsenal Green, adjacent to the Arsenal Yards, will still be open.

O'Connell Park (Adjacent to the Hosmer School) will reopen on or about April 1, 2024.

If you have permit requests for fields, courts or track for spring or summer, please send the application in by January 28, 2024. Permits will be issued based on the established priority system.

Natural Grass Fields will not be open nor permitted until April 1, 2024, or when the Department of Public Works approve the opening of the grass fields. Please stay off the natural grass fields off until this time. Our artificial turf field in the Victory Field complex will remain open, weather permitting.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, please contact the recreation department at 617-972-6494 or recreation@watertown-ma.gov

Thank you,

Ernie

J.R. Lowell Elementary School

123 Lowell Ave.

Watertown, Ma 02472

Phone: 1-617-926-7770

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRLowellElementary

Website: https://watertownjrlowell.ss19.sharpschool.com/

Principal- Stacy Phelan

stacy.phelan@watertown.k12.ma.us

Assistant Principal- Benjamin Kraus

benjamin.krausfriedmann@watertown.k12.ma

Administrative Assistant- Kara Flynn

kara.flynn@watertown.k12.ma.us

Receptionist- Jim Swift

james.swift@watertown.k12.ma.us

Nurse- Kathy Taverna

katherine.taverna@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance Melina Jacovides k-2

melina.jacovides@watertown.k12.ma.us

Guidance Brian Connors 3-5

brian.connors@watertown.k12.ma.us

Special Education Team Chair- Greg Roberts, ext. 37171

gregory.roberts@watertown.k12.ma.us

LEDP Site Coordinator- Adam Vachon

adam.vachon@watertown.k12.ma.us