Skip to main content

WHS Principal's Newsletter

Posted Date: 12/05/24 (3:40 PM)

Raider Logo
PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER
Watertown High School
December 5, 2024
 
WELCOME TO PARENTSQUARE
As a quick reminder, we are currently piloting sending our newsletters via ParentSquare! This is a new system that we are still learning so please be patient as we become experts :-)
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Field Hockey
STATE CHAMPIONS...AGAIN!
Congratulations to our field hockey team for winning the state title for Division 3 for a monumental 4th time! They played a great game against Sandwich, winning 2-0. We are so proud of you!
Students in Medical Assisting
SPECIAL GUEST
The students in Medical Assisting were visited by Caroline Kerr, Clinical Research Coordinator at the MGH Sean M. Healey/AMG Center for ALS! She talked about careers in medical research, clinical trials and had students conduct a mock Functionality Questionnaire used in ALS research trials.
Cheer
CHEERLEADING MAKES STATE FINALS
To cap off a wonderful fall season, our cheerleading team made it to the state finals, dazzling with a high flying routine. Great work!
Expedition Club
HOO'S THERE?
The Expedition Club spent a warm November night in the woods of Waltham on its 4th annual Owl Prowl. No owls to be found, but plenty of smiles!
Interview with Kerry Kelley
AN INTERVIEW WITH OFFICER KELLEY
Last week, Mr. Riley’s Studio TV Production class welcomed Watertown Police Department's School Resource Officer, Officer Kelley, for an episode of “What’s up Watertown”!

The show was hosted by Josh Crespo (2027) and Kate O’Connor (2028).

Watch the show in its entirety here as Officer Kelley discusses her job and career as a Police Officer!
Restorative Justice Conference
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRESENTATION
Nine WHS students recently attended a talk on Restorative Justice presented by Dr. Fania Davis at Tufts University with Mr. Karp and Ms. Carroll-Cachimuel! Dr. Davis spoke about the current movements in the United States and how restorative justice can support schools to be strong learning communities.
Football
THANKSGIVING VICTORY!
Congratulations to our Raiders Football Team for beating Belmont on Thanksgiving. The team had a great season with new Head Coach Joey Carroll.
FEM-CO Trip
TRIP TO BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY
FemCo went on a field trip to Brandeis University last week with Ms. Mundy! They toured the Reproductive Rights and Wrongs art exhibit at the Women's Studies Research Center. 
English Conference
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR TEACHERS OF ENGLISH CONFERENCE
Last week, at the National Council for Teachers of English conference in Boston, Ms. Andrews , Mr. Espada, and ten WHS students presented "Beyond Bridges for Multilingual Learners: Student-Centered and Student-Driven Practices for Equity." Students engaged the participants in scenarios to improve classroom instruction, and Ms. Andrews and Mr. Espada presented specific pedagogical practices.
A DELICIOUS MONDAY
Last week, our Armenian, A.S.I.A., Black Student Union, Brazilian, and LatinX clubs joined forces to host a multicultural potluck at WHS, celebrating and sharing the cuisines from around the world that are an integral part of our community. Beyond the breaking of bread, students shared their culture with the attendees, all of whom raved about the gathering. The event was a huge success and we thank all of our students and teachers who made this happen! Special shoutout to Mr. Bridge, Ms. Regan, Mr. Cooke, Ms. Carvajal Castrillón, and Ms. Tamakian!
potluck!
students at potluck
Model UN
MODEL UN CONFERENCE
This past weekend, our Model UN club attended the Boston Latin School Conference with Mr. Mastro. This was a very successful conference for the club! The students did an outstanding job in their committee during their debates. The club was recognized with two awards; The first award going to Daphne Goldstein for Honorable Mention and Carson Beale for Outstanding Delegate. Congratulations!
CONGRULATIONS!!
Just a few more congratulations to...

  • Gabe Berkowitz and Ana Ochinnikov for winning the Word Painter Spooky Writing Contest! Their pieces will be in the spring issue.
  • The Drama Club!! With two casts and four showtimes, the Drama Club gave an amazing performance of their fall play, The Play That Goes Wrong!
  • Our Spirit Committee raised $461 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute following their Think Pink event in October! They want to thank everyone who purchased a shirt and donated to the fund.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REMINDER! ANNUAL VERIFICATION
If you have not yet completed your annual verification, please do so by December 20th! This includes verifying your contact information and permissions for the current school year. Families have also received reminder emails.
------------------------------------------------------------
Previously shared:

We are excited to announce that the Fall Annual Verification is open! This process utilizes our online registration/enrollment system and is required annually to verify and update student demographics, health, family contact data, and permissions.

Families should have received an email for each student with a Snapcode. The Snapcode acts as a key to access your student’s current information. Using the link in the Snapcode email, you will be automatically directed to your student’s data on the Watertown’s Registration/Enrollment site. Each Snapcode is unique to one student. Families will receive a separate email and snapcode for each student.

All questions can be directed to our Registrar's Office at (617) 972-4216 or via email to terri.stafford@watertown.k12.ma.us.
UPDATE ON MCAS
As of now, the vote on November 5th has not affected the MCAS exam process at Watertown High School. Watertown High School and neighboring schools are adhering to guidelines from the Department of Education.

Our plan remains to prepare students for the MCAS through data-share meetings for all 10th graders, emphasizing the test's importance and encouraging students to approach it seriously. Prior to the vote, we drafted a plan that includes student focus groups discussing the significance of the MCAS and interviews with students who have performed at various levels. Our coaching classes, aimed at helping students with their retakes (known as exploring ELA or Math practices), will continue with enrollment based on those who have failed one or more MCAS exams or show signs of potential failure in grade 10.

We believe that performing well on the MCAS is a valid measure of learning progress and will continue to stress the importance of high-stakes testing as part of students' educational journeys. 

DESE Guidance, November 6, 2024
  • Effective Date: The new law will take effect no earlier than December 5, 2024.
  • Graduation Requirements: All students must achieve a Competency Determination to graduate from a Massachusetts Public High School, and while passing the MCAS has been the traditional method, future guidance will clarify how districts can certify students' Competency Determination.
If you have any further questions, please reach out to our Assistant Principal, Ms. Adrienne Eaton.

MUSIC FILLED MONTH
Don't miss our 3rd Annual Visual Art Show this December (12/1 to 12/31) at the Watertown Free Public Library or our WHS/WMS Band Concert on December 12th!

Check out the flyers below for more information.
Art Show Flyer
Concert Flyer
SCHEDULE CHANGE
We have decided to make a change to our second chance breakfast schedule in an effort to preserve as much class time as possible. Started on Monday, second chance breakfast will only be offered between the first and second block of the day.

Our new schedule, here, includes a ten minute nutrition break. Students who arrive late to class will be marked tardy and receive the consequences outlined in the student handbook. We appreciate our food service workers who are working quickly to get all our students fed.

Please remember that breakfast is also offered before school!
WELLNESS WATCH
Our Nurse Coordinator, Jennifer Thermenos, will be sending Wellness Watch newsletters throughout the year. Please see her first Wellness Watch by clicking here.
ADVANCING FREEDOM
Students from the WHS Social Justice Trip (2024) would like to invite the WPS community to their second opening of their exhibition, "Advancing Freedom", at the Watertown Public Library Teen Room. The opening is free to the public on Sunday, December 15th, from 3:00 - 5:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. 
Cookie Flyer
CALLING ALL BAKERS!
Our very generous PTO is hosting a holiday cookie and hot chocolate bar for our amazing teachers! They are asking for donations of baked goodies to make this a success. Check out the flyer for all information.
 
PAST ANNOUNCEMENTS
ATTENTION SENIORS
Although it's only November, Graduation is fast approaching! Caps & Gowns are now on sale and orders must be submitted by January 5, 2025. Students MUST purchase a Cap & Gown in order to participate in the Graduation Ceremony.

ATTENTION GRADE 9 STUDENTS & FAMILIES
Per State mandate, every year all grade 9 students are screened by the school nurse for possible/potential substance use. Families have the option to opt-out of the screening. For full details, please see the linked attachment below.

REPORT CARDS
Report cards were distributed to students during Advisory on Monday, November 25th.
 
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE
We are implementing a new newsletter schedule, district-wide. Principal's newsletters will be bi-weekly and the "off" weeks will be filled in with district newsletters. As always, feel free to reach out directly to us with questions or concerns.
DECEMBER EVENTS
VISUAL ART SHOW
  • December 1st to 31st, Watertown Free Public Library
WHS/WMS WINTER CONCERT
  • December 12th, 5:00 - 9:00 pm, WMS Auditorium
SENIOR PORTRAITS
  • December 12th & 13th, WMS Cafe
  • Sign-ups Required
QUARTER 2 PROGRESS REPORTS
  • December 17th
EARLY RELEASE
  • December 20th, 12:30 pm dismissal
WINTER BREAK
  • December 21st - January 1st
 
HELPFUL LINKS
Save the Dates
Who to Contact
School Year Calendar
Early Dismissal Reporting Form
Absence Reporting Form
 
How are we doing?
We are open to feedback! As always, if you have things you think we should know, please fill out our survey here.