🌱 Patch AM: Why did Watertown’s special education rating drop for the first time?

Hi Watertown! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did Watertown’s special education rating drop for the first time?

Also on today's calendar: Sacred Circle Open Sharing And Guided Meditation ( Free Event) and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mainly cloudy, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.
• Sunday: Snow and flurries, up to 1", temps: high: 31, low: 14. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Sun, then clouds; cold, with a high of 29 and low of 21 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Watertown's Special Education Program 'Needs Assistance' According to State Report (watertownmanews.com) — Watertown Public Schools’ special education program has been rated “Needs Assistance” by the state, falling short of the usual “Meets Requirements” mark and prompting a detailed review of outcomes, compliance, and spending. School and city leaders discussed graduation and dropout rates, MCAS performance, and heavy out-of-district placements, and plan a multi-year Special Education Strategic Plan informed by an outside AthenaK12 report.
   

📸 Around Watertown

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Watertown

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday December 13

• Sacred Circle Open Sharing And Guided Meditation ( Free Event)
  Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA(2nd Floor Luicia Mastrangelo Room),
  2:00 pm
• Archery Night Out!
  115 Kinnaird St, Cambridge
  7:00 pm
• Holiday Concert with Harvey Reid and Joyce Andersen
  50 Church St, Waltham
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Meditations and Carols for the Solstice
  St. Anne's Chapel, 20 Claremont Ave, Arlington
  7:30 pm

Thursday January 8

• Dive In Commonwealth Virtual Information Session
  Virtual,
  7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 14

• Breakfast with Santa
  Brigham House , 341 Mt Auburn St , Watertown
  10:00 am
• Ikue Albert
  Watertown Free Public Library Lucia Mastrangelo Room (2nd floor) , 123 Main St, Watertown, MA, 02472
  1:00 pm
• Girl Scouts Troop 67336 Meeting
  Watertown Free Public Library Raya Stern Trustees Room (2nd floor) , 123 Main St, Watertown, MA, 02472
  1:00 pm
• Cuerd@s Embroidery Workshop
  Watertown Free Public Library Lucia Mastrangelo Room (2nd floor) , 123 Main St, Watertown, MA, 02472
  1:30 pm
• NextGen: 3D Design & Printing
  Watertown Free Public Library Teen Room , 123 Main St, Watertown, MA, 02472
  2:00 pm
• Cambridge Community Chorus Concert
  Kresge Auditorium , 48 Massachusetts Ave w16 , Cambridge
  4:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Stars in the Morning: A Winter Solstice Celebration
  Church of the Good Shepherd , 9 Russell Ave , Watertown
  7:30 pm

📣 Watertown Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Watertown PatchAM possible:

• Flourishing Intimacy — (508) 449-0634
  private coaching & group events for couples
• Dependable Cleaners — (617) 471-1900
  Discover the Dependable Difference!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• UPS driver took back my boxes he had just delivered.
  I behaved terribly. In retaliation, he took the boxes back. My behavior was inexcusable, but he should not have taken my property. My email and RING… (Nextdoor Watertown East)

• CROSSMARK posted a job opening for Retail Reset Merchandiser- IMMEDIATE HIRE in Watertown. Apply here.
• Chipotle posted a job opening for Kitchen Leader in Watertown. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watertown here.

🗞 Nearby News

Belmont

• Harvard Presents Brighton Street Overlay Findings (belmontvoice.org)
• December 12 2025 Public Notices (belmontvoice.org)
• Marauder of the Week for Dec. 12, 2025 (belmontvoice.org)

Cambridge

• Cambridge cuts ties with Flock Safety after 2 unauthorized license plate cameras installed (wcvb.com)
• The Cambridge Day guide to Michelin's local notables (cambridgeday.com)

Brookline

Ok Watertown! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook