Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will hold three committee meetings this week.
The Human Resources Committee will meet this evening, Monday, Jan. 19, at 5 p.m. and the Fiscal Management Committee will also meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. The Curriculum Committee will meet tomorrow morning, Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 a.m. All meetings will take place in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge. St.
In addition, Board members will host engagement sessions this week to connect with the community regarding the upcoming referendum and other school-related topics. Find them at:
📆 Chamber Business After Hours - Thursday, Jan. 22, 4-6 p.m., Earth Angel Sound Healing, 204 S. Water St.
📆 Literacy Night - Thursday, Jan. 22, 6-7 p.m. at Lincoln STEM Elementary School
📆 Boys Basketball Game - Friday, starting at 5:45 p.m. at Watertown High School
Watertown High School has earned this designation because 58% of its seniors took at least one AP exam during their high school career, with 45% earning a score of three (out of five) or higher to earn college credit. In addition, 13% of seniors have taken five or more AP exams as students at WHS!
The Honor Roll recognition is based on criteria that reflects a school's commitment to college readiness by providing opportunities for students to earn college credit while still in high school. The AP School Honor Roll offers four levels of distinction: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. This is the first year WHS has earned the silver distinction after previously being recognized at the bronze level.
“I am so proud of our students and teachers for all the work they put into AP studies at Watertown High School,” said WHS Associate Principal Jennifer Pennington. “Whether a student is bound for college or career post high school, we are dedicated to making sure they are well prepared for what lies ahead. This continued recognition from the AP Honor Roll, and especially with us moving up to the silver level, is a positive reflection of this work and our extensive AP course offerings.”
There are currently 22 AP courses offered at WHS taught by 20 teachers. Courses include AP Biology, AP Computer Science, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Culture and Literature, and more.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Please come with questions - we look forward to seeing you there!
After making "Zimtsterne" (cinnamon star cookies) together, which we used for St. Nick's Day, German 6 & 8 students pursued different paths. Third year students learned how to write recipes and successfully translated recipes into German, while fourth year students researched holiday traditions in Germany and gave interactive presentations to the whole class. Finally, the classes came together again to watch a video of "Hansel & Gretel," where they were introduced to the source of the allusions in an article about gingerbread houses. They then built gingerbread houses on the foundation of this background knowledge.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
To register for the Fall 4K program, children must be four-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. To register for the Fall 5K program, children must be five-years-old by Sept. 1, 2026. Half-day and full-day options are available for 4K. The 5K program is full day. Watertown 4-Kids learning programs include STEM, Environmental & Agricultural, eCampus, Traditional, Multi-Age, Dual Language & more!
For more information, email Cheryl at hollatzc@mywusd.org or call (920) 262-1460.
📆 Policy Committee - Monday, Jan. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
📆 Educational Services Committee - Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 a.m.
📆 Special Board Meeting in Closed Session - Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
📆 Planning Committee - Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m.
In addition, the Board and district representatives will be present at several community engagement sessions this week to share information about the April 7, 2026 Operational Referendum and other school district activities. For more information, please email referendum2026@mywusd.org.
Community invited to attend Referendum Q & A Sessions
The Watertown Unified School District is hosting several public events in the coming week to share information about the April 7, 2026 operational referendum.
📆 On Saturday, Jan. 10, Board of Education members will be present at Literatus & Co., 401 E. Main St., from 9:30-11 a.m. to discuss the referendum and other recent board activity.
📆 On Monday, January 12, district representatives will greet community members in the lobby of the Watertown Public Library, 100 S. Water St., from 5-7 p.m.
📆 The district will also host a Burke’s Briefing on Thursday, January 15 from 12-1 p.m. at the Watertown Community and Senior Center, 514 S. First St.
A Burke’s Briefing is an hour-long town hall-style meeting facilitated by Superintendent Dr. Jarred Burke designed to share information and gather feedback in an informal setting regarding WUSD programs, news, and any school district issues that impact the greater Watertown community. This event is open to the public, there is no pre-registration required.
📆 Representatives of the Board of Education will also be present on Monday, January 16 at both the Schurz Elementary School Carnival from 5-7 p.m. and the Watertown Wrestling meet at WHS starting at 7 p.m.
Please email referendum2026@mywusd.org for more information.
The Watertown Unified School District is seeking 3 & 4-year-old students to join our Little Goslings Program. The Little Goslings Program is a play-based program focused on routines and social skills and is designed around the needs of our youngest learners with learning delays. As part of the program we seek Peer Models, same aged peers who display strong social skills, communication, and are toilet trained, to join our class. Peer Models help support an inclusive setting for all learners while participating in creative activities, strengthening school readiness and communication skills, and fostering relationships.
The next Peer Model screening will take place January 13, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at Douglas Elementary School. To register your child for a screening or to learn more, click the link below or contact WUSD Special Education Program Manager Rebekah Faas at faasr@mywusd.org.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyPrCtYpw16s8f1tc_Lj9tmgz0B8Td94grJXLWax4VcE63tw/viewform.
Please send any questions to referendum2026@mywusd.org.
In addition, the public is invited to come chat with select board members this Saturday, Jan. 10 from 9:30-11 a.m. at Literatus & Co., 401 E. Main St. Board members will be handing out flyers regarding the April 7, 2026 operational referendum. Please come with questions!
For more information, and to view the Human Growth & Development Committee agenda, please click here: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open#.
Students are selected to be Pandas of the Month for displaying academic excellence and positive leadership skills. They are nominated by their classroom teacher and then recognized by Principal Kayla Wendt.
Keep up the great work!
Second and third graders at Lincoln STEM Elementary School recently completed their Gift of Empathy project. Through this exercise, students interviewed and observed a classmate, and then created a gift for them based on their interests, needs and wants. Tina Oiler and Miranda Weinheimer are the Lincoln STEM Grades 2/3 teachers. Mrs. Oiler said, "We loved watching our students give and receive the gifts that they worked so hard on - their thoughtfulness and hard work was reflected through their smiles as they shared their gifts with one another."
This is such exciting news - a new digital scoreboard will soon be installed at the Riverside Middle School pool! The RMS pool is home to both the Watertown High School Swim Team and the club-based Watertown Aquatic Team (WAT). Thank you to WAT, Watertown Family Practice, Watertown Regional Medical Center, Meade Medical Clinic, and the Watertown Athletic Booster Club for raising funds to make this project a reality. 🌟
Thank you to Ed Zagorski of the Watertown Daily Times for highlighting this donation in a recent newspaper article.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Mr. Schwenkner was presented with cards from kindergarteners and first-graders, a book with ideas on how to spend his new free time by second and third-graders, and a service award and letter signed by all the fourth and fifth-graders thanking him for his hard work and dedication. In addition, Mr. Schwenkner was presented with a special portrait created by 3rd grader Harry Singer, plus a gift certificate from staff.
Thank you, Mr. Schwenkner, for your service to the WUSD!
Riverside Middle School STEM Academy students wrapped up their entrepreneurship simulation with a special visit from Amber Yelk, owner of Sassy Sweets Bakery. Amber shared her experiences as a local business owner and helped students see how classroom skills connect to real-world entrepreneurship.
The student "businesses" with the highest profits and best service earned hot cocoa bombs from her bakery - an extra sweet way to celebrate their success.
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
The Rotary Club of Watertown, WI held its annual holiday luncheon today at Watertown High School. The Rotarians were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by students in the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) class led by Mr. Larry Kempen and Mrs. Lauren Fuller. In addition, Rotarians enjoyed a wonderful performance by the WHS Carolers, which marked the troupe's final performance out of 29 total performances this holiday season. The Carolers are directed by Mr. Ryan Moldenhauer. 🎶🎄
Amazing things happen in our schools everyday. 💙
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation.
#WatertownWay!
