Watertown School Committee Chair Kendra Foley Celebrates District Achievements, Shares Updates on Future Projects

WATERTOWN, MA – Watertown School Committee Chair Kendra Foley recently joined WPS Family Engagement and Communications Strategist Matt McCarthy at WCA-TV’s Studio B to provide updates on the district’s latest milestones and ongoing projects.

Foley and McCarthy celebrated several recent achievements, including the recognition of music teacher Liz Schorr as the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Educator of the Year. Schorr’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment was showcased through a performance by her second and third-grade choir, bringing the community together in a heartwarming display of student talent.

Another highlight was the Watertown Raiders Field Hockey Team, who clinched their fourth consecutive state championship under the leadership of Coach Eileen Donahue. With an impressive 22 state titles over her 39-year career, Donahue also earned the MIAA Coach of the Year award. Foley praised the team’s hard work, strategy, and determination, emphasizing their role as a point of pride for the district.

Foley also discussed major progress in the district’s school building projects. The new high school continues to advance, with exterior work nearing completion and interior work set to begin in January. Additionally, Watertown Middle School has been named the city’s top capital priority, with a feasibility study underway to explore renovation and replacement options for its aging facilities.

Another topic of discussion was the ongoing Victory Field Phase Two project. While the field is managed by the city, Foley shared the School Committee’s recommendations, which include improving safety with netting, ensuring access to outdoor defibrillators, and investing in proper maintenance of the grass fields to support school athletics.

Foley also highlighted the Hosmer Elementary School Buddy Program, a mentoring initiative pairing older students with younger ones to foster relationships and build leadership skills.

Looking ahead, Foley touched on the early stages of contract negotiations with the Watertown Educators Association, emphasizing the strong collaboration between the district and its educators to ensure a smooth process.

With numerous successes and forward-looking initiatives, Foley encourages families and community members to stay connected through the district’s newly updated website and active social media platforms. Watch all of Watertown’s School Committee meetings live and on-demand on WCA-TV’s Education Channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWYLe4jfrc8