Hello Early Steps Preschool and Pre-K Families,
As Halloween approaches, we want to share a friendly reminder that Early Steps does not celebrate Halloween as part of our school day.
We recognize that Halloween is an exciting time for many children and families. We also recognize that our school community represents a variety of cultures, traditions, and beliefs, and that not all families celebrate this holiday.
At Early Steps, we strive to create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment where every child and family feels a sense of belonging. Our classrooms will continue to embrace the fall season through developmentally appropriate activities, including seasonal stories, art, sensory experiences, and opportunities for play and exploration.
As a reminder, we ask that children do not wear Halloween costumes to school, as we will not be holding Halloween celebrations or costume activities during the school day.
Thank you for your understanding and continued partnership in helping us create a school community where all children feel welcomed, included, and valued.
Warmly,
Early Steps Preschool and Pre-K
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As a reminder, tomorrow, Friday, October 30, 2026, we have a scheduled early release for conferences.
Students will be dismissed at:
- 11:30 a.m - Early Steps Preschool and WHS PreK
- 12:00 p.m - PreK - Cunniff, Early Steps, Hosmer, and Lowell
Please plan accordingly for your child’s early dismissal.
We appreciate your help in ensuring a smooth dismissal for all of our students!
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As part of our commitment to student safety, we’d like to share a reminder with our families about Massachusetts state laws regarding children riding in vehicles.
In Massachusetts Child Passenger Safety Law:
- Children must ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat until they are at least 8 years old OR over 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) tall.
- Children should remain in a rear-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limit set by the car seat manufacturer.
- After outgrowing a rear-facing seat, children should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness for as long as possible.
- Once they outgrow the forward-facing seat, children should use a booster seat until they meet the height requirement above.
- All children under 13 years old should ride in the back seat whenever possible.
These guidelines are in place to help ensure that children are as safe as possible while traveling in a vehicle.
We appreciate your attention to this important safety information and your continued partnership in keeping our students safe.
If you have any questions or would like additional resources on proper car seat use, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
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Project Overview
Watertown Public Schools’ (WPS) leadership is listening, learning, and rebuilding trust with caregivers, community members, and staff. Following leadership transitions in special education and a recent external audit, WPS is committed to transparent communication, honoring lived experiences, and co-creating a collaborative path forward centered on care, respect, and equity.
To support this effort, WPS has partnered with Dr. Charmain F. Jackman, Ph.D., and Innovative Psychological Services, Inc. ( InnoPsych). Grounded in predictability, collaboration, empowerment, and transparency, InnoPsych will help establish a welcoming, supportive environment for caregivers, staff, and leaders to engage in shared healing. Beginning with comprehensive input from caregivers and stakeholders, the project will use a range of approaches to repair harm and build trust, including community care practices, structured dialogue, mindfulness, and restorative principles, to foster reflection, strengthen communication, and support lasting positive change across our school system.
Key elements of the project include:
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Healing-Centered Framework: Prioritizing caregiver psychological safety, trust, predictability, and mutual dignity across the community.
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Assessment Phase (Oct – Nov 2026): Gathering caregiver insights through listening circles, surveys, staff sessions, and leadership meetings to inform custom interventions.
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Intervention Phase (Dec 2026 – Jan 2027): Facilitating caregiver healing circles, community care practices, and targeted staff workshops.
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Core Practices: Integrating mindfulness, structured dialogue, and restorative practices to rebuild trust and elevate engagement.
Assessment Phase Schedule
(October 21, 2026 – November 30, 2026)
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2026 Fall Meet & Greet for Caregivers of neurodivergent children & Children with disabilities: Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm (Hybrid at Watertown Free Public Library) (Zoom Link)
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SEPAC General Meeting: Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 6:30pm– 8:00pm - Remote Only (Zoom Link)
Special Education Team
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Assessment Meetings: Between October 29, 2026 and November 13, 2026 (To be scheduled)
District Leadership Team
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Kick-off Meeting: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
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Report Out & Intervention Strategy Review: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | 11:00am – 12:30pm
Intervention Phase Schedule
(December 9, 2026 – January 25, 2027)
Caregivers & Community
Caregiver Healing Sessions
(In-person only) (Location to be determined)
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Session 1: Wednesday, December 9, 2026 | 8:15am– 9:45am
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Session 2: Thursday, December 10, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Special Education Team
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Workshop: January 2027 (To be scheduled)
District Leadership Team
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Workshop: Tuesday, January 5, 2027 (12:00pm – 2:00pm) OR Tuesday, January 12, 2027 (11:00am – 1:00pm)
Dr. Charmain Jackman’s Bio:
Dr. Charmain Jackman is a licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience in child and adolescent mental health. She served as Dean of Health & We
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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:
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Lowell Elementary School: Wednesday, November 4, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
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Cunniff Elementary School: Thursday, November 5, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
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Watertown Middle School: Thursday, November 12, 7:45 to 8:45 AM
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Watertown High School: Wednesday, November 18, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
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Early Steps Preschool: Friday, November 20, 8:00 to 9:00 AM
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Upcoming Events
Upcoming Dates:
- Friday, October 30, 2026 - Early Release - afternoon conferences
- Sunday, November 1, 2026 - Fall Back - Daylight Savings
- Thursday, November 5, 2026 - evening conferences
- Friday, November 6, 2026 - afternoon conferences
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Early Steps Early Childhood Center
1 Concord St.
Watertown, Ma 02472
Phone: 1-617-926-7765
Principal - Christine M. Gibelli
Administrative Assistant - Kanika Chambers
Special Education Team Chair- Shauna Vyner
Nurse - Madison Sullender
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