The ribbon is cut, teachers have been learning the structure and systems of the new building, student leaders have been trained to give tours to their peers, and our custodial team has the building looking new and shiny. We can't wait to welcome our students to Columbia St! Whether you're new to Watertown Public Schools, joining us from Watertown Middle School, or returning to the high school, we are all new to this building and will be learning together.
Below is a short reminder of items we sent out last week including what the first days of school will look like, how to access schedules, and our updated personal electronic devices policy. I can't stress this enough: if your student is unsure of what to do, where to go, or what they will need, do your best to tell them not to worry, we have them covered. Just show up and we will make them an expert, I promise.
The opening of the new building this week was bittersweet for many in our WHS family as we learned of the passing of Ms. Maureen Regan, a 24-year veteran of the Watertown Public Schools, who retired in 2025. Ms. Regan was a devoted educator who demanded excellence, inspired a love of literature, writing, and thinking, and supported students to achieve more than they ever thought was possible. Ms. Regan will be missed by so many in our community, but her presence lives on in our building through the many students and teachers she has impacted. Rest in peace, Ms. Regan.
|
Students should arrive, according to the schedule below, enter through the Columbia St. doors, and take a left into the gym. There, students will meet with their advisor to begin a day of orientation. A student's assigned Advisory or Homeroom teacher can be found in Powerschool or on the many lists that will be posted in our lobby.
Tuesday, September 8
Students will arrive to school at varying times according to the schedule below:
Grade 9, 8:30 AM Arrival
- Picture day, orientation, campus tour, activity/club fair
Grades 10 & 11, 9:30 AM Arrival
- Orientation, class meeting, campus tour, activity/club fair
Grade 12, 11:00 AM Arrival
- Orientation, class meeting, campus tour, activity/club fair
Wednesday, September 9
- All students arrive at 8:30 AM and report to their first class, following the Day 1 schedule.
- Picture day for grades 10, 11, & 12*
- *Seniors, please remember that this is different from your senior portraits and you must also take a picture on this day for our student records.
|
Operational Details of the New Building
As with any new building, we are doing our best to make operational decisions but will also have to live in the building and adjust as necessary.
Student Entrance
- Students will enter the building through our main entrance at 50 Columbia Street.
Open Campus Privileges
-
Only grades 11 and 12 (students in good standing) have open campus privileges during lunch
-
Only grade 12 students have open campus privileges during study hall
- Students in grades 9 and 10 are NOT permitted to leave campus
Student Parking
- There is NO student parking on-site. As a reminder, the City of Watertown has a two-hour parking ordinance, citywide. Students may NOT park at local businesses and can NOT block driveways, they will be towed at the owner's expense.
Getting to Know the Building
- All students will receive a building tour on the first day of school
|
Students can view their schedules through PowerSchool, signing in with their WPS Google credentials. Guidance counselors have reached out to their students about the process and will reach out directly for any specific questions they may have.
The deadline to request a schedule change before school starts has passed. Any further requests can be made during the add/drop period, September 17-22, after attending a full cycle of each class.
|
Events for the upcoming month will always be shared at the bottom of each newsletter. Please keep in mind these important dates in September and October:
September
- September 11, 4:00-9:00 PM: Senior Portraits (registration required)
- September 22, 6:00-8:00 PM: Back-to-School Night
- September 23, 6:00 PM: Senior Future Planning Night
- September 26: Fall Sports Media Day (except Football)
October
- October 2, 4:00-9:00 PM: Senior Portraits (registration required)
- October 3, 7:00 PM: Homecoming Dance
- October 8, 4:30-6:00 PM: College Fair
- October 14, 6:30-8:00 PM: Financial Aid Night
- October 15: PSAT (Gr. 10 & 11), Optional SAT (Gr. 12 - registration required)
- October 15, 5:00-7:00 PM: In-Person Family Conferences
- October 20, 4:30-6:30 PM: Virtual Family Conferences
|
Under the Watertown Public Schools (WPS) School Committee's Personal Electronic Device (PED) Policy, students may not access or use PEDs during the school day. Devices should remain in silent mode from the first bell until the end of the school day while students are in the school building.
To adhere to this policy, WHS will continue the use of the Doorman application. All students will download Doorman, an app that will allow students to keep their phone on them, but restrict the applications on the phone while the student is in school.
The new version of Doorman is more restrictive but still has the ability to unlock in the event of an emergency. Students will tap in to their first class as a way of taking their daily attendance. If a student has open campus during lunch or a study, Doorman will allow the student to unlock to leave campus.
If a student or family chooses not to use the Doorman app, but decides to bring their phone to school, they are required to lock their phone in the main office for the entire school day. If a student does not have a phone, or chooses not to bring it to school, parents/guardians will be required to complete our attestation form confirming this information. This policy is the same as last year.
What Doorman does:
- Doorman shuts down a student's ability to access apps, phone calls, camera, texting, etc.
- Gives teachers and administrators access to a dashboard to see attendance and any attempts at circumventing the policy
- Allows students to keep their phone on them and allows unlocking in the event of an emergency
What is does not do:
- Never engages automatically, only through the student's physical "tap-in"
- Does not "break" or permanently change the phone in any way
- Does not track any data, of any kind, except what is necessary to take attendance
|
Additionally, see my previous newsletter for more information about the beginning of the school year.
|
- 8:30 AM - 3:05 PM
- Early Dismissal at 12:15 PM
- Breakfast available 7:45 to 8:25 AM
- "Second Chance" Breakfast at 9:25 AM
|
Student MBTA Charlie Cards expire each year. WPS offers both the unlimited pass and pay-as-you-go cards. For information on requesting and receiving a student MBTA Charlie Card, please review our information sheet. |
Please review our updated open campus policy for the new building.
- During lunch, students in grade 11 and 12 have open campus privileges.
-
ONLY grade 12 students have open campus privileges during study.
-
NO student, regardless of their grade, are permitted to leave the campus if their teacher is absent. Students must report to the absent teacher workspace for that period, unless otherwise told by the morning announcements.
- Students in grade 9 and 10 are NOT permitted to leave campus. Students who leave will receive consequences.
- If you would prefer your student not be permitted to leave campus, please email our assistant principal, Mr. Brewer, at brian.brewer@watertown.k12.ma.us.
|
WHS fosters a strong sense of community and belonging. On the first day of school, we will be hosting a clubs and activity fair for all students to learn about our extracurriculars and have an opportunity to sign up. Our Clubs & Activities sheet is updated regularly and is also posted on our website. |
- Grade 9: September 8
- Grades 10, 11, 12: September 9
|
- September 11, 4:00 - 9:00 PM
- Registration required, no spots available
|
- September 22, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
|
- September 23, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Auditorium
|
- September 26, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Gym
- All sports EXCEPT football
|
|
|
