In what seems like the blink of an eye, the five-week Watertown Unified School District Summer School program has come to an end. We would like to thank the many teachers and staff members, parents, and especially the students for having fun and learning with us this summer. Enjoy the remainder of summer break and we will see you when school resumes on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for students at Watertown High School and Riverside Middle School, and on Thursday, Sept. 5 for our elementary schoolers.
We're looking forward to hosting the third of our four Watertown Unified School District Strategic Planning Workgroup meetings this evening at 6 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. Read the latest Strategic Planning news and view the agenda for tonight's Workgroup meeting at https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/district.
It has become a tradition that at the end of each school year, the Watertown Unified School District purchases two art pieces from graduating seniors for display at the Educational Service Center (ESC) and at Watertown High School. Pictured are the two selected art pieces – “Out of the Hat” by Ryley Wolfe held by WHS Art Instructor Dave Pawl (pictured at left), and “Blue Symphony” held by artist Rae Heier. Wolfe’s artwork is set for display at the ESC, and Heier’s work can soon be viewed at the high school. The seniors were recognized for their artistic achievements at Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting.
Strategic Planning Work Continues 🗒✏️✔️
Parents, staff, students, and community members are continuing the process of developing a new, comprehensive strategic plan for the WUSD. The Strategic Planning Workgroup held its second meeting on Thursday, June 20 with more than 50 participants in attendance!
At the start of the workgroup meeting, Dr. Melissa Thompson and Nick Kent from Plunkett Raysich Architects provided an update on the state of the district's facilities. The attendees then discussed the purpose of a mission and vision for the school district, along with strengths and areas for growth within the WUSD. Members also discussed opportunities and threats to the district in the present and future.
The next workgroup meeting will take place July 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the Watertown Public Library. Community members are welcome and encouraged to join! To register, visit bit.ly/wusdspsignup.
Summer School Scenes 🌞
Week 2 of Watertown Unified School District’s Summer School program is off to a great start. Students entering grades 1-4 are having fun learning to cook mini pizzas, playing frisbee golf, creating 4th of July tissue paper wreaths, learning about sea turtles, diving deeper into core academics and so much more. This year, there are 1,050 students enrolled in Summer School entering grades K-12.
PLEASE NOTE: The WHS Band & Orchestra concert live Facebook stream is now expected to begin today at approximately 1:30 p.m. central time instead of 2 p.m. Also note: this is barring any technical difficulties. Thank you!
Special Announcement!
Tune in right here tomorrow at 2 p.m. central time to hear a live concert from the WHS Band & Orchestra from the deck of the USS Intrepid Air, Sea and Space Museum in New York City! 🎺🎻
Congratulations to the Watertown High School Class of 2024! On Saturday, June 8, more than 290 seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas in front of a packed field house of family and friends. The graduation ceremony was a wonderful celebration of our students, as well as the teachers, staff, parents and caregivers that have supported them along the way.
🎓 Watertown High School Class of 2024 Graduation will take place this Saturday, June 8 starting at 10 a.m. in the WHS Fieldhouse. Last week, several graduating seniors visited their elementary schools for the annual Senior Walk. The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed via Watertown TV at https://www.youtube.com/live/8Kt__Ln6fRw?si=-w3FJp_zkHLk8omf. Congratulations Seniors, and Happy Graduation!
Our Watertown High School Lady Goslings Softball Team is on its way to STATE! The team will compete tomorrow in the WIAA Division 1 Softball STATE Quarterfinal - SUN PRAIRIE EAST vs WATERTOWN at 10 a.m. at Goodman Diamond, Madison, WI.
A special send-off was held this afternoon at WHS. Congratulations Lady Goslings on your fantastic success, and let's bring home the WIN! #wearethegoslings #WuTownProud
Students Earn Global Seal of Biliteracy
Emily Arredondo-Galvan, Mariana Cabrera Canenguez, Michelle Jimenez, Odibel Campuzano, and Viridiana Velez, seniors at Watertown High School, have earned the prestigious Global Seal of Biliteracy. The Global Seal of Biliteracy is an international language certificate that recognizes and celebrates their level of proficiency in two or more languages. The Global Seal of Biliteracy enables programs and businesses across the world to quickly validate a student’s language skills to aide in advanced placement in a post-secondary language program, help students earn scholarships, and provide opportunities for employment. The Global Seal of Biliteracy allows employers to easily verify students’ language skills and be confident that they possess valuable soft skills linked to multilingualism.
In today’s global economy, proficiency in multiple languages has tremendous value. We are proud that Emily, Mariana, Michelle, Odibel, and Viridiana of the Watertown Unified School District are now part of this global community of multilingual individuals. We congratulate our students on this significant achievement and look forward to seeing the opportunities that their Global Seal of Biliteracy will bring them in the future.
As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, we reflect on our theme of “Together for Mental Health.” Our goal as a District is to continue to work toward not only awareness, but acceptance, that mental health plays an important role in our daily lives. Thank you to our students, families, educators and community members for supporting Mental Health Awareness Month 2024!
Chalk the Walk is happening right now on Main Street in preparation for tonight's Art Walk, which runs from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Watertown. Check out all this beautiful artwork being created by our very own Watertown High School students!
Let's give a #WatertownWay shout out to our WUSD Communications Specialist, Melissa Lampe, for School Communicator's Day! Thank you for all you do to share the good things happening here in the WUSD!
Let's all wish our very own Watertown Unified School District Nurse Lynn Gilbert a very special National School Nurse Day! We thank Nurse Gilbert for all she does for the staff and students of the WUSD!
We're celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week in the Watertown Unified School District!
We wish to express our gratitude for the incredible people who have dedicated their lives to preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Join us in thanking our teachers for all they do!
Happy National Principals' Day to all the outstanding building principals in the Watertown Unified School District!
Congratulations to the Watertown High School Forensics team on an incredible performance at the WISDAA State Competition on Saturday, April 20 at DeForest High School. The following students earned a gold medal: Caroline Belisle, Julian Byrne, Riley Runke, Elliott Small, and Olivia Sorenson. The following students earned a silver medal: Sophia Anderson, Caleb Lemke, Alondra Lopez, Drew Kaufmann, Alexa Muza, Ciara Schreiber, Lily Small, and Sophie Sullivan. Congrats on a wonderful season!
Last week a group of Mr. Gibson’s HOSA - Future Health Professionals students from Watertown High School qualified and competed at The HOSA State Leadership Conference and Competition held at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Miliani Trujillo and Ashley Almendarez Martinez took 4th place in the team event - Forensic Science, and Grace Walter qualified for the International Competition held in Houston, Texas by taking second place in Medical Spelling. Great job everyone! #WatertownWay
Congratulations to Watertown High School seniors Jacob Johnson and Addison Schuch for being named Herb Kohl Educational Foundation award recipients!
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation recently announced 304 Wisconsin students, teachers, and administrators are the recipients of the organization’s 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership awards. Student Excellence and Initiative Scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded to 187 graduating high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence and initiative and have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership in their community.
The Kohl Foundation award program was established by Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator, philanthropist, and businessman who died December 27, 2023. Since 1990, the foundation has awarded nearly $38 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.
