School Committee accepts $15k in donations, addresses last week’s bus crash

By AUBREY HAWKE 
Waltham Times Contributing Writer

The School Committee accepted $15,000 in donations to the district at its Wednesday evening meeting. 

One $5,000 donation is for Stanley Elementary School from the Audrey P. Connor Trust Charitable Foundation on behalf of Stanley Special Education teacher Ashlee Heidgerd. 

Another donation is for Waltham High School’s career and technical education (CTE) department’s cosmetology program. This donation consists of approximately $5,000 worth of brushes and tools for the program, donated by beauty supply company Denman Inc.

Another $5,000 donation has been given to the WPS indoor and outdoor track teams. This donation was given anonymously by the parent of a former WPS athlete. 

Committee address recent bus crash

Kate Peretz, acting superintendent while Marisa Mendonsa is on medical leave, also addressed last week’s bus crash involving a Dual Language School bus. The crash happened the morning of Friday, Jan. 17, at the intersection of Lexington and Beaver streets, when a white van collided with the school bus. The driver of the white van and six Dual Language School students were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

Peretz specifically acknowledged Dual Language School special education teacher Olga Garza for her response to the incident.

“Olga Garza witnessed the bus accident on Lexington Street last week and jumped into action to help calm students on the bus until Waltham police and EMTs could arrive. We really appreciate her quick response and support during this difficult time for our students,” said Peretz.  

In other action, the School Committee

• heard a presentation on the high school’s CTE program from program director Michael Grace. 
• heard a presentation on the district math department from program director Valerie Alfeo.
• had the first reading of a revision to the School Committee policies regarding public input.