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December Community Announcements

Posted Date: 12/12/25 (06:20 PM)
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December Community Announcements

Watertown Public Schools

December 12, 2025
Hello Watertown Public Schools community,

Below you will find a listing of a variety of upcoming community events happening across our schools and in Watertown.

If you have any events that you would like shared with the community in our next update, please email matthew.mccarthy@watertown.k12.ma.us or susan.clark@watertown.k12.ma.us
The Watertown Public Schools logo features a shield with a large 'W'.
 

Inclement Weather Procedures

We live in New England, and whether we love them or hate them, snow days may be just around the corner.

information about school closures will be:

Posted on the District’s website (WPS Website), the WPS Facebook page (@watertownpublicschools) and the WPS Twitter feed (@watertownschool)

Emailed to parents and staff from the Superintendent’s office via the District’s messaging service

Broadcast by the following news outlets

●WCVB Television (Channel 5)
●WHDH Television (Channel 7)
●NBC Boston (Channel 10 and NECN)
●WFXT Television (Channel 25)
●WBZ Television (Channel 4)
●WBZ Radio (AM 1030)


We will post at the above locations as soon as the decision is made. On most occurrences, the decision to open, delay, or close school is made between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. It is only on rare occasions that conditions are such that a clear decision can be made the night before. In those cases, we endeavor to make the decision to have it broadcast on the 11:00 PM news. Additionally, the District will call households once a decision has been made about the school cancellation or delay.

Delayed Openings

A delayed opening may be announced to allow the District and/or Department of Public Works to adequately prepare streets, walkways, and parking lots for safe travel. Delayed openings will be for one (1) hour to two (2) hours after the schools’ regular scheduled start times. Before-school programs are canceled on days with delayed openings. Lunch will be served at the regular time and school will close at the regular time.

Preschool

Preschool classes are canceled on days of school closure. On days with delayed school openings, AM preschool will be canceled and PM preschool will begin at the usual time.

Extended Day

Extended Day programs are canceled on days of school closure. On days with delayed openings, before-school Extended Day programs are canceled and after-school Extended Day programs begin as usual.

On occasion, the District may call for an early release or cancel PM and evening activities including after-school Extended Day programs. Please check the aforementioned television and radio stations for notifications of PM closures.

Please DO NOT CALL the School Department, Police Department, or Fire Department for school cancellation information as these lines must remain open for emergency situations.
 

Reminder: City Overnight Parking Ban Begins in January

Enforcement of the City’s overnight winter parking ban this season will begin on the evening of January 1, 2026 (January 2 at 1:00AM). During the winter parking ban, no vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1AM and 6AM all days of the week. The overnight winter parking ban will end this year on March 1. For residents in need of off-street parking options beginning on January 1 or during a snow emergency, please visit the Winter Parking Ban webpage to find the City’s available off-street parking options.
Stay Informed About Snow Emergencies This Winter!

Sign-up today for Watertown Emergency Alerts! This is the fastest way to receive emergency notifications as we head into the winter season. Signing up will keep you informed of any emergency announcements made by the City, such as snow emergencies, disruptions to utilities in your neighborhood, and more. During snow emergencies in Watertown, on-street parking is prohibited, with fines of $100. Signing up today is the easiest way for you know how to avoid fines this winter season!
 

Early Steps Information Night

December 17

Parents of young children, the Early Steps School is holding a Pre-K and preschool enrollment information night next.

The virtual event will be held via zoom on Wednesday, December 17 at 6 and 6:30 p.m.

Those interested in attending should email christine.gibelli@watertown.k12.ma.us or scan the QR code in the attached flyer.
 

Winter Chorus Concert

December 18

The annual winter chorus concert for Watertown Middle School and High School is this upcoming Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m. in the Watertown Middle School auditorium.

Hot cocoa will be served before the event.

Good luck to all our singers!
 

Special Education Strategy Development Committee

The Watertown Public Schools is forming a District Special Education Strategy Development Committee, whose charge is to create a multi-year Special Education Action Plan.   

The team will develop a clearly articulated plan that emanates from the District’s mission, vision, and core values. 

Once these have been established, the team will determine the necessary initiatives and action plans to attain the objectives and set measurable benchmarks to monitor progress. The development of this strategy is an iterative process that will involve input and feedback from the School Committee, the District’s Leadership Team, parents, students, WPS faculty and staff, and WPS community members throughout the months. 

Watertown Public Schools is looking for broad representation of stakeholders on the Special Education Strategy Development Team, representing all schools and serving in a variety of roles. We seek diversity of thought, opinion, background, and experiences.  

MEMBERS: 

The composition of the team will be as follows:

  • Superintendent
  • Assistant Superintendent
  • Director of Student Services
  • Educational Data Analyst
  • 15 teachers- (teachers will receive a $300 honorarium for their time)
  • 1 special education teachers from each school
  • 2 ESL teacher- one elementary, one secondary
  • 1 general education teacher from each school
  • 1 additional member appointed by the Watertown Educator’s Association
  • One Elementary Principal
  • One Secondary Principal
  • 3 Instructional Assistants, one from each level (IAs will receive a $300 honorarium for their time)
  • 1 Assistant Principal
  • 3 Coordinators
  • 3 parents of children with IEPs
  • 3 students with IEPs
  • 1 community member
  • 2 School Committee Members

DATES FOR MEETINGS: 

All meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Cunniff Elementary School. 
  • Thursday, January 8, 2026
  • Thursday, January 22, 2026
  • Thursday, February 5, 2026
  • Thursday, February 26, 2026
*Fifth meeting will be held in March if needed

Regular attendance and participation are necessary to ensure the completion of the plan. Additional information about the meetings is available here. 
TASKS:

The tasks for the Special Education Strategy Development Committee are as follows:
  1. Review pertinent data, including the DESE Special Education Determination, Integrated Monitoring Report, and the AthenaK12 Program Review, to determine District priorities and identify key issues facing the District.
  2. Review the Watertown Public Schools' vision and goals to determine alignment with the findings and the data analysis. 
  3. Create goals and actions to actualize the District’s vision and mission and propose strategies to achieve the goals. 
  4. Share goals and actions with the larger WPS community, faculty and staff, students, and the School Committee. 
  5. Share the strategy with principals and site councils to be used as the basis for School Improvement Plans. 
  6. Embed measurable outcomes in the Special Education Strategic Plan and prepare an annual analysis for the community that describes the District’s progress on the outcomes.

APPLICATION PROCESS:
If you would like to apply to be part of the team, please complete the following Google Form.  

Applications are due by December 17, 2025.
 
The team will be selected jointly by the School Committee Chair, the Superintendent, and the Director of Student Services; team members will be notified on Friday, December 19, 2025.  
 

MassPAC Calendar of Events

MassPAC, the state association of Special Education Parent Advisory Committees, has a number of events this upcoming week, including sessions on understanding IEPs, eligibility and evaluation, and transition planning.

For more information, please visit https://fcsn.org/masspac/
 

Watertown Community Food Drive

There is still time to contribute to the City of Watertown's Food Drive, which benefits the Watertown food pantries and families in need. We are asking those who are able to donate nonperishable food items at one of the several food donation locations found around Watertown.

You can find a food donation bin in all Watertown Public Schools, as well as many other locations listed below.

  • All Watertown Public School locations and the Phillips School
  • Watertown City Hall (149 Main Street)
  • Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main Street)
  • Watertown Police Department (552 Main Street)
  • Watertown Fire Station (564 Mt. Auburn Street)

Learn about more about the Community Food Drive on the City’s website.
 

WHS Art Show

The 4th annual Watertown High School visual arts show is underway at the Watertown Free Public Library.

Student work will be on display throughout December on the second floor of the library.
Student artwork at the WFPL
Student artwork at the WFPL
 

Watertown Youth Soccer Registration

Registration closes December 31

Registration is open for Watertown's Youth Soccer spring programs.

Travel registration for grades 3-8 closes on December 31. In-town programs for grades Pre-K-4 runs until April 1.

For more information, please visit watertownyouthsoccer.org
Watertown Youth Soccer flyer
 

English Learner Parent Advisory Committee Meetings

The English Learner Parent Advisory Committee has announced its schedule for the 2025-2026 school year.

Meetings are once a month on Mondays at 7 p.m. To RSVP, please text 617-581-8200. Interpreters are available if requested.

12/15
1/26
2/23
3/23
4/13
5/18
6/8
An informational graphic for ELPAC, the English Learner Parent Advisory Council, with meeting details.
An informational graphic for ELPAC, featuring a globe illustration and text in Portuguese.
ELPAC informational graphic with a globe illustration and text in Spanish.
 

Anti-Bias Coalition Meetings

The WPS Anti-Bias Coalition has announced their meeting dates for the 2025-2026 School year.

December 15, January 5, February 23, March 30, April 28, May 26, June 29. All meetings run from 5:30-7 p.m.

The ABC stands together to promote equity and inclusion through transformative conversations, education, and activism for children and their caregivers in Watertown.

Email watertownantibiascoalition@gmail.com for more information.
A flyer for the Watertown Anti-Bias Coalition, promoting equity and inclusion.
A schedule for Anti Bias Coalition meetings, listing dates, times, and locations.