Embedded Files
Congratulations to the
New Retirees
Congratulations to the
New Retirees
Edward Biddy / H.S. / Sr. Custodian
Barbara Bourque / Kennedy /Art
Glen Brown / H.S. / ELL
John Carolan / H.S. / Spanish
Peter Delaney / All / Carpenter
Brad Ellenberg / H.S. / Music
Joyce Guelli / H.S. / Library Para
Carol Klatt / Kennedy / Library
Steven LaForest / H.S / Athletics Director
Kristen Libertini / Plympton / Grade 1
John Maguire / H.S. / Hockey Coach
Ann McNamara / Northeast / Grade 3
Mary O'Brien / Fitzgerald / Grade 3
Kerry Peterson / Plympton / O.T.
Cynthia Piantedosi / Central Office / World Language Dir.
Sheila Ponte / Stanley / Drama
Violet St Cyr / H.S / Food Services
Elizabeth Singer / Stanley / ELL
Mary Vigneau / Stanley / ELL
Amy Whiting / Northeast / Grade 1
Julie Blanchard / Director of Art / all
Gina Condon / High School / para
Mary Hodgdon / MacArthur / Grade 3
We couldn't do it without you
From the beginning of my administrative career in the Waltham Public Schools I was
very fortunate to have the support of very skilled secretaries. They taught me so much!
In my first position as the Title I Director and added responsibility for a number of
federal and competitive state grants Janet David was with me. She helped me in
numerous ways especially being sure that what we did was first and foremost to help
our students and families. She managed the RIF [Reading is Fundamental] grant for
years. Through this grant children in our Title I schools received the opportunity to
choose on their own books they could take home. Janet was a voracious reader and
loved sharing this with children as they selected books to add to their home library.
When my position expanded to Director of Student Services, I was again fortunate to
have Pat Rudman and Linda Marsoubian in the Guidance Department. Pat and Linda
were so good in working with counselors, students, parents, assistant principals, and
members of the community to be sure student records were accurate and up to date.
When Janet decided to retire the department was fortunate to have Peggy Rigoli
come on board. She seamlessly meshed with Pat and Linda while keeping all the
grants and programs [ academic year and summer] on track. We had many plates
spinning!
Pat Chadbourne and Marian Parrella were wonderful to me in my year as
Superintendent. I cannot thank them enough for how much they helped me during this
challenging period. They knew what I didn’t and provided me the support I needed to
help the district move forward.
Thank you, Janet, Pat, Linda, Peggy, Pat and Marian!
I believe the WPS has had and continues to have dedicated secretarial and support
staff. They help teachers and administrators do all that needs to be done daily to help
the children and parents of our students.
Anne Marie Carr-Reardon
Graduates in the News
(and on Broadway)
Krystal Hernandez / WHS 2013 (MacArthur and Kennedy)
Six
starring as Anne of Cleaves
Krystal is the daughter of Nilvia Hernandez, paraprofessional at McDevitt
Michael Graceffa / WHS / (Northeast and Kennedy)
Death Becomes Her
Ensemble/Dancer
Michael is the son of retired High School Principal, John Graceffa
Graduates in the News
(and on the bookstore shelves)
Lisa Genova / https://www.lisagenova.com/
More or Less Maddy
A breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally “normal” life for a career in stand-up comedy.
Joanna Schauffhausen / https://www.joannaschaffhausen.com/
All the Way Gone
The fourth installment in the beloved Detective Annalisa Vega series
Current Students in the News
Current Students in the News
WHS Show Choir
(article posted on Waltham Channel, March 2025)
Congratulations to WHS Show Choirs on wrapping up their historically successful competition season! Music Unlimited finished the season with 3 Grand Champion titles along with the highest number of major captions won (11) in school history. This includes 4x Best Choreography, 3x times Best Vocals, and 4x Best Band. The group also had an extremely strong showing at the Hoosier Show Choir Classic in Indianapolis against some of the strongest groups in the country claiming MU’s first finals appearance in the Midwest, 3rd runner up, and best band.
Senior captain Jonathan Masse made history on multiple occasions this season. He went a perfect 5/5 in Best Soloist awards in New England this season, something that has never been done in WHS show choir history. He has also shattered the WHS school record for most career Best Soloist awards winning 10 total over his four year show choir career.
Waltham’s Music Express also made history this season claiming the group’s first Gold Medal since 2012. In their first season in the Small Mixed Division they made the podium in both of their competitions. ME’s student show band also claimed Best Band at their final competition of the year at Andover.
We also would like to congratulate our student crew who won best crew on multiple occasions this season.
More important than the awards we are incredibly proud of both groups’ unity, determination and character demonstrated throughout the year. The memories made this year will last a lifetime.
Waltham Boys & Girls Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year.
A Waltham High School senior was chosen Friday as the Waltham Boys & Girls Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year.
“I am blown away,” said Mirembe Bengui. “I am humbled and truly honored.”
WGBC Director of Program Operations Anna Sebunnya introduced her. “A passionate advocate, she speaks up with conviction, using her voice to uplift others and drive meaningful change in her community.“
At Africano Waltham, Mirembe does homework help for younger kids. She is also a debate leader and dance captain for the group.
She has also been a guest speaker for the Waltham Partnership for Youth (WPY) and a participant in its programs.
“When I was a kid here at club I was advised to do something now that my future self would be proud of, “ Mirembe told club members. “This phrase has guided me through my life. “
She wants to become an educator.
“I want to be a teacher who shows my students they are loved and they can do amazing things when they grow up,” she said.
Mirembe will represent the club at a state-level competition with other youths of the year. Congrats! (article from The Waltham Channel April 5, 2025)
Hawks Goalie Wins Sportsmanship Award
(article posted on Waltham Channel, March 2025)
Garo Gebeyan, an outstanding WHS sophomore goalie, earned a sportsmanship award from the Boston Bruins and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).
Each year, roughly two dozen student hockey players from across the state are honored for “exemplifying a commitment to sportsmanship, teamwork and dedication both on and off the ice.”
Garo (#1) was a defenseman, not a goalie, at the start of the season. He had to learn the position, with the Hawks’ projected starter not playing.
“He had a terrific season and started all 20 games with a 1.88 goals against average,” said WHS varsity hockey coach John Maguire.
Garo, who played alongside his brother and senior forward Shant, also overcame the loss of his mother Sevan to breast cancer in October 2022.
“Garo is an excellent student-athlete who has been an inspiration to the MIAA hockey community,” said Coach Maguire.
Award winners were honored during a recent Bruins game at TD Garden.
Congratulations!
City of Waltham Open Enrollment
City of Waltham Open Enrollment
Health Insurance and Allstate Cancer and Perm Life Insurance Open Enrollment period will be held
May 1st – 16th.
Representatives from our insurance carriers will be available to answer questions regarding plans offered to City of Waltham Employees.
Thursday, May 1st
10:00am – 4:00pm
Arthur J. Clark Government Center Auditorium
119 School Street
Waltham, MA 02451
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Delta Dental of Massachusetts
Marshall Cook, Life Plus Insurance – Allstate Cancer and Perm Life Insurance
Plan information and enrollment forms are available on the City of Waltham website.
You do NOT need to submit forms if you are not making any changes.
Current City Employees and all Retirees making changes must submit enrollment forms and documentation to the
City Payroll Department by Friday, May 16th.
Enrollments cannot be processed if enrollment forms or required documentation are not complete.
Forms must be submitted on paper with your original ink signature.
Deductions will begin in June for coverage starting July 1st.
For additional questions please email benefits@city.waltham.ma.us or call 781-314-3270
Save the Date
Save the Date
End-of-Year Party
End-of-Year Party
Waltham High School
Waltham High School
Honoring Retirees
Honoring Retirees
Glenn Brown John Carolan Brad Ellenberg Joyce Guelli Steven LaForest
Cynthia Piantedosi Violet St. Cyr Ed Biddy
Monday, June 16
2:15pm
City Streets Restaurant Waverley Oaks Road
The MTRS recently announced their website's new MTRS News section, is now accessible on their homepage. It allows quicker publishing of important updates.
They will continue to mail smaller and more efficient critical news mailings to members who do not have an email address.
As always, “Would you like to join our newsletter committee? We meet about 3-4 times a year.”
We Need You!
We Need You!
A new initiative of Retirees’ Corner is to reach out to recent and not-so-recent retirees to see if they might be willing to share a profile that we can add to subsequent newsletters. If you want to be part of this, below is a sample of the kind of information you could forward to us at retireescorner@gmail.com.
NAME
SUBJECT/SCHOOL
YEARS OF SERVICE
What did you enjoy most about your time in the WPS?
Who helped you the most in your career and why? (We may contact you to provide a longer article on your mentor.)
What are your plans for retirement or what has been most rewarding or unexpected about retirement?
Best wishes for a wonderful summer!
Best wishes for a wonderful summer!
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