Dear Cunniff Families,
It was a beautiful week at the Cunniff, but the temperatures are certainly dropping. Our students are really settling into their classroom routines, and are already making so many gains since the beginning of the year. We are heading into our 8th week of school next week - I can't believe how quickly time is flying!
Next week, we kick things off with our DBC Potluck on Monday evening in the Cunniff Cafeteria from 6p - 7:30pm. Please check out Amanda Quaranto-Schulte's ParentSquare post if you would like to bring something - all are welcome, and we hope to see you there!
We also start our Fall Caregiver Conferences next week. Please make sure you are signed up -- your child's teacher sent out sign-ups last week via ParentSquare. Make sure that you fill out the added form on the sign-ups to indicate whether you would like an in-person or virtual conference, and if you would like translation during the conferences.
And finally, we LOVE that so many students are riding bikes and scooters to school. Today, the Watertown Fire Department gave a wonderful presentation to all of our students and talked specifically about bike and scooter safety. Please make sure that your child wears a helmet any time they are on a bike or scooter - this is an essential safety step. If you do not have a helmet or would like help getting one, please let us know!
Have a wonderful weekend - we are looking forward to seeing many of you at Trunk-or-Treat tomorrow afternoon (see below for more details!)!
Warmly,
Julia MacEwan
Principal
|
The Cunniff PTO is hosting our 6th annual school-wide Trunk or Treat event Saturday, October 24th from 1pm - 3pm in the Cunniff parking lot for all Cunniff students and siblings! The PTO will supply a treat bag for all children attending.
In order to make our event successful, we are looking for several volunteers (caregivers from pre-k to 5th) to help us with the event! Ultimately, our goal is to provide a fun and inclusive family-friendly event for our students and their families. We want to be supportive and encouraging, and whether the children visit one car or ten, everyone is welcome to a prize. The PTO will be supplying a goody bag but if you are hosting a trunk you are also welcome to give out prizes!
Interested in Volunteering? Check out the latest PTO Parent Square or email cunniffpto@gmail.com for more info.
|
Stop by Yogurt Beach on Tuesday, October 27 from 12pm - 9:30pm to eat a frozen treat for a cause! Just mention "Cunniff" at checkout and Yogurt Beach will donate 30% of all sales right back to support our school. The sales help fund field trips, Field Day, teacher appreciation efforts, and more!
-
When: October 27, 12pm - 9:30pm
-
Time: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM
-
Where: Yogurt Beach (665 Watertown St, Newtonville)
-
How: Use the codeword “CUNNIFF” when placing your order!
|
Students in Grades 3, 4 and 5 will take MCAS assessments in the Spring. We are well ahead of the game in terms of planning, but we want to make sure you have these dates on your calendar - please avoid making any travel plans or appointments that would take your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student out of school on these days. Thank you! |
Dear Watertown Parents and Caregivers,
I am writing to personally invite parents and caregivers of students with disabilities who have an IEP or a 504 Plan to join me for a series of listening sessions this fall.
Last year, many of you shared your experiences, your hopes for your children, and your concerns about how our district serves students with disabilities. Your voices directly shaped our Special Education Improvement Strategy, the multi-year plan guiding our work to strengthen special education and student support services across Watertown. These sessions are the next step in that partnership.
I want to hear how things are going now. I hope we can celebrate the progress and successes we have seen so far, and I want to listen carefully to the concerns that remain. I will be repeating these listening sessions in the Spring of 2027 as well. What you share will help us measure whether the strategy is making a real difference for your children and guide where we focus next.
Superintendent Listening Sessions
Sessions will be held at each school. You are welcome to attend the session at your child's school or whichever date works best for you:
Hosmer Elementary School: Thursday, October 29, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Lowell Elementary School: Wednesday, November 4, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Cunniff Elementary School: Thursday, November 5, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Watertown Middle School: Thursday, November 12, 7:45 to 8:45 AM
Watertown High School: Wednesday, November 18, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
Early Steps Preschool: Friday, November 20, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
|
Additional Opportunities to Connect
Dr. Ceronne Daly, our Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, will host a Meet and Greet for caregivers of neurodivergent children & children with disabilities Thursday, October 29, at 5:30 at the Watertown Free Public Library.
We are also partnering with Dr. Charmain Jackman, who will join Dr. Daly's session on October 29. Dr. Jackman is a distinguished psychologist and the founder of InnoPsych, and she spent 17 years as a school-based clinician. She will hold a family focus group on Tuesday, November 17 via zoom (link to follow), and will facilitate two sessions in December to support families as part of our community healing project.
And the School Committee will hold a Listening Session during the evening of November 30. Additional details about the Community Healing Project and the School Committee Listening Session will be shared soon.
No preparation is needed for any of these sessions. Come as you are, share as much or as little as you would like, and know that your voice matters in this process.
If you would like an interpreter or any other accommodation to participate in any of these offerings, please contact me at 617-926-7708 or at deanne.galdston@watertown.k12.ma.us as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. If you are unable to attend but would still like to share your thoughts, you are always welcome to reach out to me directly by email or in person.
Thank you for your continued partnership. I look forward to listening and learning together.
Warm regards,
Dr. Deanne Galdston
Superintendent of Schools
Watertown Public Schools
|
October
-
Saturday, October 24: Trunk-or-Treat (1 - 3pm) 🎃
- (Sunday, October 25th: Trunk-or-Treat (1 - 3pm) RAIN DATE
-
Wednesday, October 28: Fall Conferences (4p - 6p)
-
Friday, October 30: Earl Release - 12pm dismissal for all students; Fall Conferences (1 - 2:30pm)
November
-
Thursday, November 5: Fall Conferences (5pm - 7p)
-
Friday, November 6: Earl Release - 12pm dismissal for all students; Fall Conferences (1 - 2:30pm)
-
Wednesday, November 11: No School - Veterans Day
-
Wednesday, November 25: Early Release - 12p dismissal for all students; No Extended Day!
-
Thursday, November 26 & Friday, November 27: No School - Thanksgiving Recess
|
|
The Watertown Free Public Library Bookmobile @ Cunniff
All community members are encouraged to visit the bookmobile during school dismissal and pick up some great reads for the whole family.
The Bookmobile will be at Cunniff on the following Thursdays:
- ✅ October 8
- ✅ October 22
- November 12
- December 10
Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30pm
Location: On Warren St. outside of Cunniff
|
Are you looking to better understand the special education process and your rights as a parent/guardian? Join the Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) for an informative presentation: Basic Rights: Referral, Evaluation, and Eligibility.
This workshop provides a comprehensive overview of special education laws and procedures, covering:
- The special education referral and evaluation process
- Understanding eligibility, services, and placement
- Parents’ rights and dispute resolution options
-
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
-
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
-
Location: Online via Zoom (Handouts & Zoom links sent prior to the presentation)
-
Cost: Free
|
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links:
- (617)-926-7726
- julia.macewan@watertown.k12.ma.us
- https://cunniff.watertown.k12.ma.us/
|
|
|
|
