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Last week, we held our inaugural Community Networking Fair, an event designed to connect local organizations with 8th and 9th graders to support their Civics Action Projects. The event helps our students to have a deeper understanding of Watertown’s needs and concrete ways in which they can contribute. This is a powerful way for organizations to connect with young leaders who are eager to make a difference and empowering students to become informed and active community members. In all, 18 local organizations and city departments shared their mission, educated students on community needs, and offered guidance to our next generation of civic leaders.Thank you to the local organizations, city departments, and all of our wonderful teachers and staff who helped make this a great success.

Students in Transitional English, as part of a unit on the idea of success, interviewed two panels of guest speakers. The first panel was made up of current college students, and the second was made up of Watertown Public Schools administrators, Superintendent Galdston, Assistant Superintendent Pena, and Director of DEIB Dr. Daly, as well as WHS guidance counselors. Students asked questions about how individuals find success in college and in their careers. Thank you to our panel members for sharing your personal experiences and insights!

The WHS Model United Nations team attended its last competition of the year at the EagleMUNC tournament hosted by Boston College. 25 delegates from Watertown participated in a variety of committees, ranging from historical simulations of the Congress of Vienna and the War of the Roses to debates on critical contemporary issues, such as intellectual property law in the age of AI and diplomatic efforts to address climate change. These students spent the weekend developing their research, public speaking, and conflict resolution skills. It was a great experience for all involved and the team looks forward to continuing to represent WHS at next year's conferences.

Our band, orchestra, and chorus traveled to NYC for their annual trip last weekend. They visited New York's must-see attractions, saw a Broadway show, and performed at the Worldstrides Heritage Festival where they received numerous accolades, including a gold medal! Chris Papazian won the Festival’s Ovation Award, which is given to only one student in the entire festival! Bravo! Congratulations to all of the students and to Mr. Wulf, Mr. Saunders, Mr. Klein, Ms. Wilson, and Ms. Byham!

Mr. Riley's Digital Video Editing students collaborated with their peers in Connections to create a Public Service Announcement about Autism Awareness Month (this month)! If you want to watch their PSA, click on this link: Autism Awareness Month PSA

Laurie Halse Anderson, award winning author of Speak, the Chains series, and several other books, came to visit WMS last week! Students in one of our English classes are currently reading her Speak novel and were able to join the middle school students for Ms. Halse Anderson's presentation! She talked about her brand new middle grade book, Rebellion 1776, which is set in Boston during the American Revolution. Thank you Ms. Barker and Ms. Bloomer for bringing our students over to this awesome presentation.

Last week, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) club and the students from the Arabic classes organized a multicultural potluck to celebrate Eid El Fatr on April 2nd. In the spirit of Ramadan, the $5 fee for the food will be donated to a charitable organization. The event was completely sold out, raising a total of over $1,500, and the food was delicious!

Nairi Davidian performed at Symphony Hall on March 29TH as a member of the All State Chorus. The All State ensembles are made up of students who auditioned in January with students from across the Commonwealth, all of whom had already auditioned and been selected for their Regional District Ensembles. Those who passed the second round of auditions represent the top tier of all choral singers in Massachusetts and came together for a stunning concert. Congratulations, Nairi!

Today is the last chance to purchase your 2024-2025 yearbook. There will be no other opportunities after this deadline. Click here to order yours: WHS Yearbook

As previously shared via ParentSquare, WHS will be administering the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to all students next week. The deadline to opt your student out from participating in the survey is today. The opt-out form is attached to the April 4th ParentSquare post.

We would like to hear your feedback about your experience using ParentSquare for the spring family-teacher conferences. The survey is for everyone, even if you did not use ParentSquare for conferences. Follow this link to complete the survey: WHS ParentSquare Survey

In the next several days, families will be asked to review their student's course requests for next year and sign off on those requests. Please look for a ParentSquare notification from your student's guidance counselor for instructions on accessing these course requests and completing the form.

Students will receive their Quarter 3 report cards next Thursday, April 17th, along with an updated Attendance Wellness Report Card. As we enter the final quarter of the school year, please take time to review this report with your student and discuss the importance of attendance.

As shared via ParentSquare last week, Watertown Public Schools will be conducting BMI screenings this spring per Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. Chapter 71, Section 57 and 105 CMR 200.000) which require that public schools collect height and weight measurements of students in grades 1, 4, 7 and 10. If you would like to opt-out your student from participating, please use the form attached to the April 3rd ParentSquare post by April 18th.

We are looking for a volunteer to be the parent/guardian representative on our 6-12 Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator Search Committee. Below are the details of the meetings:

• Planning Meeting: April 17th, 3:00 - 4:30 PM
• Interviews: April 28th & 29th (if needed), 3:00 - 7:00 PM

If you would like to volunteer to join the Search Committee and can attend all of the above meetings, please follow this link to submit your interest: SS Search Committee Interest Form

TONIGHT! MUSICFEST!

Don't miss MusicFest tonight at 5:30 PM at WMS, hosted by Friends of Watertown Music! There will be live music, an instrument petting zoo, community and professional ensembles, pizza and refreshments, and more! There is a suggested donation of $8/person or $25/family.

WPS ART SHOW

The WPS Art Showcase has officially begun! Visit the Watertown Mall now until May 1st to see the fabulous artwork from all WPS students.

DIVERSITY NIGHT

Our school is proud to celebrate our diverse community with our third annual Diversity Night on April 17th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at WMS! This evening will be a showcase of the many different cultures, traditions, identities, and backgrounds that make our schools such a unique and wonderful place. We believe that diversity is a strength, and that everyone has something valuable to contribute to our shared human experience. Clubs, student groups, families, and individuals are all encouraged to sign up to host a table, an experience, or a learning event - sign up here.

STEM NIGHT

The Watertown Business Coalition (WBC) and Watertown Public Schools are putting on a first of its kind STEM Night celebrating Science, Technology, Engineering & Math in the Watertown Community!

Join us on April 29th from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at WMS to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn about STEM offerings which lie ahead for students such as Math & Science curriculum, WHS Robotics, Science Clubs, Technical Career Pathways and more! This is a drop-in community event so stop in at any time.

Highlights will also include student ambassadors & presentations, local life science companies, and an in-depth look at the new high school!

Don't forget! Next Friday, April 18th, is a 1/2 day with an early release at 12:15 PM and is followed by our April break! School will resume on April 28th.

The end of the school year is a busy time at WHS! Here are the dates of all of our spring events:

• Sing Out!
• May 1st, 7:00 PM, WMS
• Band Concert
• May 8th, 7:00 PM, WMS
• Dance Team Showcase
• May 16th, 5:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• CTE Awards Night
• May 20th, 6:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Advanced Rock Ensemble Concert
• May 21st, 6:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Orchestra Concert
• May 22nd, 7:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Pop Music Night
• May 23rd, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Junior Cruise (only Juniors)
• May 30th, 4:00 PM
• Undergraduate Awards
• June 10th, 7:45 AM, WMS Auditorium

Senior Events (only Seniors)

• Athletic Awards
• May 27th, 6:30 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Last Day of School
• May 29th
• Academic Awards
• May 29th, 7:00 PM, WMS Auditorium
• Kimball Farm Trip
• June 2nd
• Prom
• June 3rd
• Senior BBQ
• June 5th, time TBD, WHS
• Graduation!
• June 6th, 6:00 PM, Victory Field

Class dues are collected every year from every student. Dues are $15 with a $5 late fee collected after the deadline (announced by advisor). Only cash or checks (made out to the City of Watertown) are permitted. These dues go towards all class events, gifts, scholarships, and more. Students who have not paid their yearly dues will, unfortunately, be turned away from class events.

If for any reason your family needs assistance with these dues, please connect with your student's class advisor. All information will remain confidential.

• Grade 9: Bannon Beall & Caitlin Davis
• bannon.beall@watertown.k12.ma.us // caitlin.davis@watertown.k12.ma.us
• Grade 10: Emily Ollero
• emily.ollero@watertown.k12.ma.us
• Grade 11: Malcolm Cooke
• malcolm.cooke@watertown.k12.ma.us
• Grade 12: Graham Madden
• graham.madden@watertown.k12.ma.us

• April 8th to May 1st

• April 17th

• April 17th, 5:00 PM, WMS

• April 18th, 12:15 PM dismissal
• Please note this dismissal is 15 minutes earlier than our normal dismissal time.

• April 21st to 25th

• April 29th, 5:30 - 8:00 PM (drop in), WMS