An Update from the School Committee

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The School Committee meeting on October 18 took place in the Learning Commons of the new Cunniff School. Principal Mena Ciarlone provided a slideshow tour of the new building. The slideshow included opening-day activities, such as a classroom ribbon cutting, and pictures from classrooms, the gymnasium, cafeteria, and outside the building. Teachers and students are very excited about their new building. Many thanks to custodians and teachers who worked over the October 10 weekend to prepare for the opening.

Superintendent Galdston provided an update on COVID-19 protocols. The “Test and Stay” program is operating at Lowell West (former St. Jude’s in Waltham). With this program, students who are unvaccinated and close contacts with someone who tested positive can continue to attend school as long as they have negative COVID-19 test results for seven consecutive days. The program runs from 7:00 am to 7:45 and includes a rapid test that produces results within 20 minutes. If the result is negative, the student can attend school rather than be quarantined. To date, 208 elementary and 16 Middle School students have participated.

Beginning October 21, symptomatic testing will be available at Lowell West from 8:15-10:00. This also is a rapid test. If a student tests positive, they would quarantine for 10 days. If a student tests negative, a PCR test may be required depending upon the nature of their symptoms. The state has provided guidelines and a flow chart for how this will work.

For grades 7-12, the School Committee approved a recommendation from the Superintendent to end mandatory testing for students who are vaccinated. Students who are not vaccinated will continue to be tested, and vaccinated students can choose to be tested. However, students in Middle School sports will continue to be tested. There have been no COVID cases among vaccinated secondary students while in school, and this adjustment will allow nursing resources to be focused at the elementary level.

The Superintendent provided a brief overview of planning for vocational education opportunities for Watertown students. Minuteman has had only a few seats available for Watertown students due to its smaller building that recently opened and the increase in participation by member districts. However, Watertown students interested in a vocational technical education have other options, including Medford High School, which has a full set of programs. In addition, we are growing our vocational technical opportunities at Watertown High School. We currently offer Engineering Technology and are developing several other programs, including Medical Assisting, Media Broadcasting, and Early Childhood Education, along with pathway programs in several areas. The Superintendent is meeting with surrounding districts next month to explore additional partnerships. A more detailed presentation will be made at the December School Committee meeting.

In other news, the Equity Audit continues with participation by students, staff, and the community in focus groups, and that there will be an additional opportunity for families to provide feedback via email to the consultants. It also was noted that the Town Manager recently made the FY2023 preliminary budget presentation in which he outlined the path forward for funding all school construction projects without requiring a Proposition 2½ vote by the community. This is an extraordinary commitment by the town in support of the school system.

In upcoming meetings, the School Building Committee will meet on November 3. The Curriculum Subcommittee meets at 3:30 on November 4 and the Budget and Finance Subcommittee meets at 5:00 on the same day. The School Committee meets on November 8.

Additional information is available on the Watertown Public Schools website at https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/cms/one.aspx?portalid=190103&pageid=556557.

John Portz

Watertown School Committee

Link to SC Meeting via Zoom:

https://watertown-k12-ma-us.zoom.us/j/88313558374

Or join us live in the Town Council Chamber located in Town Hall

Email: schoolcommittee@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.watertown.k12.ma.us/school_committee/home
Location: 30 Common Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617-926-7700
Facebook: facebook.com/watertownpublicschools
Twitter: @watertownschool