Our Career and Technical Education Department, composed of our Medical Assisting, Culinary Arts, Digital Media and Communication, Design and Visual Communication, Business/Marketing/Finance, Construction Technology, and Pre-Engineering programs, have been very busy! Here are just a few things they've been working on:

11th grade students will have the opportunity to take the SATs on Wednesday, March 26th, at Watertown High School. Students must sign up by Friday, February 7th using this form (students must use their WPS email address to sign up). This will be the only opportunity for juniors to take the SATs at Watertown High School this school year. 

The Guidance Department will host Junior Future Planning Night on Wednesday, February 5th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM in the WMS Auditorium. During this event, students and families will learn about the application and admissions process from admissions representatives at a variety of different schools (public, private, 2-year, and 4-year).

Quarter 2 ends tomorrow, January 24th. Second semester classes begin on Monday. Students will receive their report cards during Advisory on Thursday, February 6th.

The add/drop period for second semester classes begins next Monday, January 27th and ends on Thursday, January 29th. As a reminder, changes must go through the add/drop process and can only be made if certain conditions are met. Students should see their guidance counselor with any questions.

Students that receive Honor Roll distinction will receive those certificates shortly after report cards are distributed.

Per State mandate, 5th to 9th grade students must be screened by the school nurse for scoliosis each year. This year, however, screenings will only take place for those students whose parents/guardians opt-in to the program. For more details, please read this letter from our nurse coordinator, Jennifer Thermenos.

Don't forget to buy our 2024-2025 yearbook! Here is the yearbook newsletter sent earlier this week. As a reminder, all students, grades 9-12, will be included!

In addition, you can now purchase "senior ads" to give a special shout-out to your graduate!

Purchase your yearbook and senior ad here.

The Watertown High School English Language Arts Department is developing a Literature Advisory Board, made up of representative students, teachers, administrators, and caregivers. The goal of the board is to review current and proposed texts in an effort to ensure that our curriculum reflects the lived experiences and voices of the Watertown community. The Literature Advisory Board aims to support the WPS mission of creating anti-racist, culturally sustaining classrooms for all students. Volunteer applicants should submit their interest via this Google Form by Friday, January 31st at 11:59 PM.

WHS is organizing a Polar Plunge Team to raise money for Special Olympics Massachusetts! Led by seniors Peter O'Regan and Gabe Berkowitz, and English teacher Mr. Cooke, the WHS Raiders are joining Polar Plunge teams from towns and cities all over the state to raise money this winter for Massachusett athletes so they can train, compete, and live healthier lives. 

At 10am on Sunday, February 2nd, the team will be joined by groups from the Watertown Police Department, Cambridge Savings Bank and other local organizations at 130 Arsenal Yards to take the cold plunge!

Our team's goal is to raise at least $1000. Please consider joining the team, watching the plunge, or donating!

To donate, join, or learn more, see our team page here.

Students in our ESL program will be participating in ACCESS testing over the next several weeks. This testing provides important information about student progress and helps determine course placement for next year. All students in the ESL program are required to take this test. Students should come to school with their Chromebooks on test day and check their email for testing room locations.

Students in grades 11 and 12 who have not yet taken and passed the Science MCAS will take the test on February 4th and 5th. Students should come to school with their charged Chromebooks. More details will be shared with students in their science classes before test day. 

CoLAB Club's most recent after-school meeting was held on Thursday, December 12th. Students learned about an array of summer STEM opportunities and worked with local professionals to identify programs of interest and began working on the applications. Several students talked about their summer 2024 STEM experiences. In case your student missed the meeting, the list of summer STEM opportunities is linked here. The next CoLAB Club meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 30th at 3:30 PM in room 106A. All students are welcome to attend! Please reach out to Ms. Mundy if you have any questions. 

Check out the newest edition of our Concert Band Newsletter here!

We are open to feedback! As always, if you have things you think we should know, please fill out our survey here.