Superintendent's Newsletter
August 2, 2023
Welcome!
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A Message From the Superintendent
We have crested past the halfway point of summer, and what a treat it has been. We hope you are enjoying your time with your family and friends, and we look forward to welcoming you back in just a few short weeks.
Summer has been a time of transition in many of our central administration positions. We have a new Human Resources Director, Amanda Owens, who joined us in late May. Our Director of Finance and Operations, Heidi Perkins, has moved on, and in the interim, our Assistant Director, Lisa Gibbons, has taken on the role of Acting Director. We have a new Director of Public Buildings, Denise Moroney, who started on July 1.
Additionally, our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Dr. Kimberlee Henry, has accepted a new position closer to home. The Director of DEIB is an active search, and we are looking for parents, community members, students, and WPS staff to participate in the search. If you are interested, please see the information at the following link.
In this newsletter, you will find several high-interest items about our building projects, including the Lowell Elementary School, the new Watertown High School at Moxley, and the farewell tour of our existing high school building. Also highlighted are some of our amazing summer programs, our updated postings for positions in our schools, and our highly successful robotics program.
Wishing you the best for a happy and healthy August,
Dede Galdston, Superintendent of Schools
Saying Farewell to Watertown High School
Hundreds Come Out To Tour WHS
It was truly an intergenerational event and served as a reminder of what Watertown High School has meant to our city for the last century.
Please enjoy some pictures from the event and a news story put together by our friends at Watertown Cable News.
Moxley Update
As you'll see in the pictures below, everyone will enjoy larger (and fully climate controlled) classroom spaces compared to the old High School building.
Lowell Project Nears Completion
In the meantime, catch a glimpse of what Lowell looks like behind the scenes as construction crews work hard to wrap up the project.
Conference space
Conference area and offices
First floor hallway
First floor classroom
First floor classroom
Hallway and stairwell near Learning Commons
First floor hallway
Gym
Cafeteria
Summer Explorations
Each week, students engage in hands-on activities centered around the theme of the week. This year's themes are: All About Bugs Week, Messy Science Week, Mindfulness Week, Off To The Races Week, Water Week, and Mystery Week.
Here are some students enjoying songs, s'mores, and a virtual campfire.
Robotics On Display
Job Openings for the 2023-2024 School Year
We are also actively looking for substitute teachers for the upcoming school year.
Recently, the Watertown School Committee unanimously approved an increase in pay for substitute teachers, which brings our compensation for substitutes in line with surrounding districts. The new pay structure is:
$125/day for non-certified subs.
$135/day for certified subs.
$145/day for retired Watertown teachers.
Crossing Guards Needed!
For more information, please contact Watertown Police Sgt. David Sampson at dsampson@police.watertown-ma.gov.
WPS UPCOMING EVENTS
School Committee Meeting
Monday, Aug 21, 2023, 07:00 PM
Cuniff School, Warren Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Conversations with the Superintendent
Tuesday, Aug 22, 2023, 09:00 AM
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Feel free to reach out at any time!
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