Dear Watertown Public Schools Community,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are especially excited to greet more than 200 new preschool and Pre-K students who are joining our vibrant learning community for the first time. Guided by our core values of Excellence, Equity, and Community, we look forward to a year of joyful learning, meaningful relationships, and shared success. In the weeks ahead, each school will host Back-to-School Nights, an excellent opportunity to meet teachers, hear about classroom plans, and build connections. We also encourage every family to find a way to get involved—whether through the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), School Site Councils, Diversity and Belonging Councils, Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC), or the English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC)—because when families and schools work together, every child benefits.

Beyond the school day, Watertown offers many ways for our youth to stay active, curious, and connected. From programs at the Recreation Department and the Watertown Boys & Girls Club to opportunities with the Watertown Free Public Library, Arsenal Yards events, arts and music programs, local sports, and the Hatch Makerspace, there are countless activities to nurture creativity, teamwork, and leadership. We encourage families to explore these rich offerings to help students discover new interests, build friendships, and stay engaged in healthy, positive pursuits all year long.

To help all students remain fully present for learning, cell phones and personal electronic devices such as smart watches are not permitted for K–8 students from the start of the day until dismissal. At Watertown High School, we are piloting technology-based solutions to support a distraction-free environment. We are seeking community support for creating optimal learning environments and welcome community input on how best to do that. Please stop by the WPS table at the Watertown Faire on the Square tomorrow to participate in a quick poll about how families and neighbors can help create focused, device-free learning spaces. This poll will also be available at the Open Houses in each of the schools.

Together, we will ensure that every WPS student experiences a safe, welcoming, and engaging school year.

With appreciation for your partnership,

Dede Galdston, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Earlier this week, we learned that a Middle School building project is not financially feasible for the City at this time.

City Manager George Proakis announced to the City Council that the cost of building a new middle school is still far higher than what the City can currently support. Even after looking for savings and efficiencies, the lowest option—new construction—would cost $112.2 million, which is $27 million over the City’s budget target of $84.7 million. Understandably, this gap is just too large to move forward right now.

Although this is not the news we had hoped for, I want to thank all of you who participated in the visioning sessions last spring. Your voices, ideas, and hopes helped shape this process, and they will continue to guide us as we plan next steps.

The feasibility study conducted by the City gave us a clear picture of what is possible, and it leaves us with $17.2 million in a stabilization fund dedicated to the Middle School. At the upcoming School Building Committee meeting on Wednesday, September 17, City Manager Proakis will share ideas about how we may use these funds to take care of the most urgent needs of our building. These improvements could begin as soon as June 2026. He also emphasized that we can look ahead to a possible partnership with the MSBA in the future for a new school.

While the outcome is disappointing, please know that I will keep advocating for our students and staff, and I will work closely with the City to make sure the needs of our Middle School remain front and center. Our community has always shown a deep commitment to its children, and together we will find the right path forward.

Below you will find the annual Family/Household application for multiple program assistance. You only need to fill out the form once each year. This single application procedure covers most school fees in the full school year, with the exception of optional field trips. It also serves to determine financial need for programs such as Preschool/Pre-K. Financial assistance is also available for optional field trips, but it may not cover the full amount of the trip.

Monday, September 15, 7 p.m. at Lowell Elementary School.

Cunniff September 18, 6-8 p.m.

Lowell: September 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Hosmer: September 18, 6-7:30 p.m.

Watertown High School: September 18, 6-8 p.m.

7th & 8th Grade: September 25, 6-8 p.m.

September 24, 9 a.m. via Zoom.