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January 2026 Community Announcements and Events

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (03:41 PM)
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January Community Announcements

Watertown Public Schools

January 9, 2026
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'.
 

World Percussion Open House

You’re invited to the World Percussion Inclusion Ensemble’s open house and performance!

Monday, January 12th 2026
WHS @ Moxley Room 129 (The Music Room)
12:00pm - 12:25pm

Our World Percussion Ensemble students will perform and have a reception. Bring your lunch if you like. Come and support the hard work of our Connection’s students and the amazing teaching of Sidi Joh Camara.
 

All Elementary STEM Night

All things science, technology, engineering, and math will be celebrated with the All-Elementary STEM night at the Hosmer School. The event, scheduled for Thursday, January 15 from 6-7:30 p.m. will feature STEM-related activities, fun and games, and other learning opportunities for Watertown's elementary students.

For more information, please contact Elizabeth Kaplan at Elizabeth.Kaplan@watertown.k12.ma.us
STEM night flyer
 

River of Light Returns to Mosesian

WHS band to perform

Join us for the River of Light Lantern Parade, January 17 at 4:00 PM. Celebrate creativity, community, and light. Artists and community members will showcase handmade lanterns made in our workshops. Experience light through breathtaking performances by local light spinners and dancers. Watertown Free Public Library's Bookmobile will be onsite, and we'll have cookies and hot cocoa inside the Mosesian Center for the Arts at our MBar.

The River of Light is a celebration of light in winter. Presented by the Public Arts & Culture Committee and the Mosesian Center for the Arts in partnership with the Watertown Cultural Council, the lantern-making workshops and wintertime parade build community and bring light, joy, and festivities during the darkest season of the year.
 

MLK Unity Breakfast

Every year, the Watertown community comes together to celebrate civil rights and to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders by recommitting to foundational principles of racial, social and economic justice.

Join us in honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. with dialogue, celebration, and song. All are welcome!

Monday, January 19, 8:30-11 a.m, Hellenic Cultural Center.

For more information, please visit https://www.unitybreakfast.org/
 

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.
 

English Learner Parent Advisory Committee Meetings

The English Learner Parent Advisory Committee meetings are once a month on Mondays at 7 p.m. To RSVP, please text 617-581-8200. Interpreters are available if requested.

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.

Reminder: ACCESS testing for English learners

Multilingual learners in the English as a Supplemental Language (ESL) program will take the yearly English test (ACCESS) during the months of January and February. Students are tested in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking to see how much English they've learned over the past year. Scores will be available in May and sent home with report cards at the end of the year. We use the test scores to place students in their ESL classes for the following year. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's ESL teacher or the English Language Education (ELE) Director, Kate Phillipson (email kathryn.phillipson@watertown.k12.ma.us or text 617-581-8200). 
 

Anti-Bias Coalition Meetings

The WPS Anti-Bias Coalition has upcoming meeting dates.

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.
 

City Holding Final Walker Pond Meeting

Join the third and final community meeting for Walker Pond on February 5, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Jewish Community Day School, located at 57 Stanley Ave. At this meeting you will learn about all the incredible feedback we received from the community, dive deep into the details of a single refined concept design with the community, answer questions, and more!

If you missed the first two meetings, please visit the Walker Pond page to learn more about the project, the community feedback, the concept designs presented at meeting #2, and more!