Douglas Elementary School

Since Jan. 20, the Watertown Unified School District has hosted more than 40 referendum pop-up discussions and formal presentations throughout the community to provide factual information regarding why the referendum is needed and to answer questions. Pictured below are two slides from our presentation - the first image illustrates the potential property tax impact of an approved referendum on homes at various price points in Watertown. The second image charts Watertown's current mill rate in relation to our neighboring communities. An approved referendum would add 70 cents to Watertown's current $5.99 mill rate.

The Watertown Unified School District is currently taking nomination forms for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award was formed in purpose of providing our current students and community with a vision of the outstanding legacies of Watertown High School. The eligibility and criteria for nomination for the award are as follows: *Nominees shall be graduates of the Watertown Unified School District, that is, alumni who have received diplomas from the Watertown Unified School District *The nominee as gone on after high school to serve their communities and world through their careers, vocations or service dedication, and/or through a variety of endeavors, including: professional, athletic/entertainment, science/technology, community/governmental service, and/or entrepreneur/industrial, and/or *The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to society, and/or *The nominee has displayed outstanding leadership, and/or *The nominee is a person of historical significance, and/or *The nominee has been a prominent local, state, national and/or world figure. Nomination forms can be found on the Watertown Unified School District’s website at: https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/distinguished-alumni-award. Nominators may also pick up a packet at the Educational Service Center (ESC) – 111 Dodge Street, or request the forms be mailed to their residence by contacting Lynn Linskens at (920)262-1460 Ext. 3202 or linskensl@mywusd.org. Nomination forms must be received by May 1st, 2025 to be considered for the 2025 award.

Tomorrow night (Wednesday, March 19), from 6:30-7:30 p.m. join us for a LIVE VIRTUAL Road to the Referendum presentation right here on Facebook and also streaming live on the Watertown Unified School District's YouTube channel. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jarred Burke will lead a brief presentation and then respond to questions regarding the referendum. A form to submit questions will be made available on the WUSD's Facebook page and on its website (https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum) starting at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow. Here are the links to tune in live: YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/lCb-UMUZKuo?feature=share Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1381462432846595/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22attachment%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22newsfeed%22%7D]%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D

The Watertown Unified School District will host a VIRTUAL Road to the Referendum presentation with Q&A this Wednesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on this Facebook page and the WUSD's YouTube channel. During this live virtual presentation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jarred Burke will provide an overview of the referendum and then answer questions submitted by viewers during the presentation. A link to a Google form will be made available to submit questions starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Watch for more information to follow!

On April 1, our community will vote on a recurring operational referendum question for the Watertown Unified School District to raise the state-imposed revenue limit by $7 million. This funding is needed to fill a gap in the district’s budget to protect and preserve our high-quality instruction and programming, and to maximize school safety. The $7 million is not for new spending, building construction, or remodeling projects. The WUSD is facing budget challenges because state funding is not enough and costs are rising due to inflation. Learn more by visiting https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum .

Fifth-graders at Douglas Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit from Alex Harrington, chief meteorologist at News 3 Now / Channel 3000 in Madison. Students learned about how weather is forecasted and they observed a "pepper tornado" experiment. What a great experience for our students, who also got to be on TV! Please enjoy these photos from Alex Harrington's visit, and watch the on-air segment below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAc_5d0avA&t=1098s

As we continue on the Road to the Referendum, we invite the community join us at an upcoming referendum presentation or at an informal meet & greet. All events are open to the public! Here's where to find us this week: 📍 Watertown Community & Senior Center (presentation, Q&A) 📅 Wednesday, March 12, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 📍 Lincoln Elementary School Gymnasium (presentation, Q&A) 📅 Thursday, March 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. 📍 The Grove at The Marquardt Towne Center (presentation, Q&A) 📅 Friday, March 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 📍 Watertown Jig Jog 5K ☘ (come say hello by the Watertown Public Library!) 📅 Saturday, March 15, 9:15 a.m.-Noon

This was so fun - staff members at Douglas Elementary School last Thursday hosted a Masked Dancer show for the students to enjoy. The students laughed and cheered, and the teachers in costume were great sports (and pretty great dancers, too 😀). Tradition. Innovation. Transformation. #WatertownWay!

Come learn more about the upcoming WUSD referendum! On Tuesday, March 11 join us for a Referendum Lunch & Learn at the Watertown Public Library sponsored by the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce. Lunch is optional, but please still RSVP. Program starts at Noon. Tonight (Thurs. March 6) the WUSD will host a Road to the Referendum presentation at Douglas Elementary School at 6 p.m. These are great opportunities to ask questions to make an informed decision on April 1!

Look at these cute Douglas Elementary School Tigers learning about the Core Values outlined in the Watertown Unified School District's new 2024-27 Strategic Plan. Last summer, more than 100 local citizens engaged in the WUSD's Strategic Planning process, that took place over several open meetings at the Watertown Public Library. The Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Education on Oct. 28, 2024.

Join us tonight at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library for our next Road to the Referendum presentation. We invite you to participate in the discussion and ask questions. If you cannot attend tonight's presentation, then please join us on Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m. at Douglas Elementary School.

As we continue on our Road to the Referendum, we invite the public to attend our next referendum presentation on Monday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. We also invite the community to learn more about the WUSD's annual audit report that was presented to the Board of Education on Monday, February 24. We are always happy to answer any questions regarding the referendum or the district's finances. Please email referendum2025@mywusd.org. District audit: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/files/DE2Q9T67BB63/$file/Watertown%20Unified%20School%20District%20-%202024%20Financial%20Statements.pdf

As we continue on our Road to the Referendum, we invite the community to attend a special presentation this evening, Thursday, Feb. 27 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Watertown High School to better understand why the referendum is needed. If you cannot attend tonight's presentation, catch us on Monday, March 3 at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. A WUSD representative will also be present this afternoon from 4-5:30 p.m. to share referendum information at Glenn's Market & Catering, 722 W. Main St. Thank you to Glenn's Market for providing the WUSD with this opportunity to connect with the community!

Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day and the start of Adult Crossing Guard Appreciation Week in Wisconsin. Last week, our school bus drivers celebrated School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. We are grateful for our school bus drivers and our crossing guards all throughout the year. Please complete a Random Act of Kindness today by thanking a school bus driver, a crossing guard, a teacher, or anyone you know who works to support children in our community.

💕 Douglas Elementary School’s therapy dog, Bailey, was shown lots of love on Valentine’s Day. Not only did he receive pets and cuddles from students, but he was also the beneficiary of an amazing gift from the Watertown-Beaver Dam Elks Lodge 666 in the form of a donation check totaling $4,414 to support his ongoing training and care. The funds were raised through a benefit concert held Jan. 4 with added contributions from Elks Lodge members. This check is in addition to a donation made last year by the Elks Lodge for Bailey’s training, equaling $5,984 in total contributions! Pictured at the check passing last Friday were (from left) Charlie Hensen, school parent who helped spearhead the therapy dog program at Douglas Elementary School; Elks members Tammy Riege Lambert and Dave DeCono, who helped organize the benefit concert; Bailey; Douglas Principal Emily Lessner; and Elks members Cristine Crum and Mike Meyer. Thank you so much!

TONIGHT AT 5:30 P.M. - ROAD TO THE REFERENDUM PRESENTATION AT RIVERSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL The public is invited to come learn all about the Watertown Unified School District referendum question that will be on the April 1 general election ballot. Questions and feedback from audience members welcomed!

Attention WUSD Families! Due to the worsening weather conditions, all WUSD after school activities are canceled today, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Please note: Y Care will still take place as scheduled and the WUSD Policy Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. will be fully virtual. To join the meeting, visit: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.

It's School Counselor Appreciation week and we invite you to join us in thanking our very own caring and compassionate school counselors - Mindy Ganser, Bryce Steckbauer, Kelly Cunningham, Jesse Leonhardt, Lora Konz, Avery Harris, Erikka Olson, and Amy True. The Watertown Unified School District is fortunate to have you, and we thank you for all you do for our students!

Riverside Middle School STEM Academy Registration Deadline is Feb. 7! Attention parents and guardians of Watertown area fifth-graders – Riverside Middle School STEM Academy registration closes next Friday, Feb. 7 for the 2025-26 school year. If your child will be a sixth-grader at RMS this fall, please be sure to check out this unique program focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math education. To register, visit: https://sites.google.com/mywusd.org/rms-course-registration?usp=sharing.

🐝 Douglas Elementary School hosted its annual schoolwide spelling bee on Tuesday. Following grade-level qualifying rounds held earlier this month, 17 students in grades 3-5 advanced to the school-level spelling bee. The school-level champion, 3rd grader Amelia Manchester, is now eligible to participate in the regional competition to be held in February through the Scripps National Spelling Bee. The students bravely competed in front of a gymnasium full of their classmates and relatives in attendance.