We’re proud to honor our incredible WUSD Library Media Specialist team who support over 3,200 students with dedication, heart, and a passion for learning.
From fostering a love of reading to coordinating state testing, fixing Chromebooks, and meeting students' individual needs - they do it all. Their work makes a difference every single day.
Thank you to Michelle Bergman, Conchetta Braatz, Jennifer Devers, Darianne Keuler-Nelson, Jamie Klubertanz, Jackie LaDew, Patricia Long, Kristen Roberts and Kelly Surdick for being the quiet heroes of our schools. We appreciate you!
Happy Administrative Professionals Day to this amazing group of WUSD employees - thank you so much for all you do to support our staff, students and families.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Vian Abdulrahman, Terri Danner, Cory Dittmann, Jaime Fischer, Jill Geske, Danielle Hansen, Jennifer Harris, Jean Heiden, Cheryl Hollatz, Diane Klemm, Kathryn Klinger, Kelly Kwapil, Amy Liesch, Lynn Linskens, Sherrie Loeffler-Tietz, Dawn McBride, Jennifer McCrory, Sarah Miller, Kelley Piasecki, Katie Pirkel, Amanda Ristow, Jaclyne Rocole, Sara Schmitz, Katie Schroeder, Crystal Stalker, Angel Vander Steeg, Jean Vesper, Amy Wesemann, Jennifer Willis, Michelle Yelk and Laura Zautner. 💙
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 .
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
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!
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!
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!
WUSD CLASSES CANCELLED TOMORROW - NO AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES TODAY!
Due to the extreme cold temperatures and wind chill, the Watertown Unified School District is cancelling school tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. In addition, all after school activities are cancelled today, Monday, January, 20, 2025.
Please stay safe and warm!
Due to the wintry weather and potentially unsafe driving conditions that we are experiencing, all Watertown Unified School District after school activities are canceled today, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.
Please stay safe and warm.
Jarred Burke
Superintendent of Schools
Last week, the Watertown Unified School District hosted three Community Input Sessions to receive feedback on its preliminary Long Range Facilities Plan. The district has been working with Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) since early March to develop this plan that will shape the look and structure of district buildings into the future. This long range plan is being developed based on future enrollment projections, highest and best use of classroom and programming space, evolving teaching best practices, and economic feasibility.
The feedback received last week from district staff members, parents/guardians and community members will play an important role in this planning process. Thank you to all who attended. A second round of Community Input Sessions will take place April 22-24, 2025. To learn more about the district's Long Range Facilities Plan, please visit https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/long-range-facilities-planning-study.
We are pleased to present the WUSD eCampus Trimester 1 High Honor Roll and Honor Roll for the 2024-25 school year. Congratulations to these students on this incredible achievement!
#Tradition_Innovation_Transformation #WatertownWay
The second of our three Community Input Sessions regarding the WUSD's Long Range Facilities Planning study will take place tonight at 6 p.m. at Riverside Middle School. We strongly encourage citizens to attend tonight's meeting or the third meeting tomorrow (Thursday) at Schurz Elementary School, also at 6 p.m. This planning study, coupled with community input, will shape the district's school building configurations into the future. If attending this evening, please enter RMS through the front doors by the flag pole.
Pictured are WUSD staff members attending the Facilities Study presentation yesterday. Speaking are Superintendent Jarred Burke, Buildings & Grounds Supervisor Kevin Sukow and representatives from PRA, the architecture firm conducting the study. Also pictured are some fabulous National Honor Society students who volunteered to watch little ones so their parents could attend the meeting. Childcare will again be provided tonight and tomorrow evening.
The Watertown Unified School District (WUSD) would like to announce that the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has released the State Report Cards for the 2023-2024 school year. These report cards provide valuable insights into the academic performance and growth of our district and schools, serving as a reflection of our commitment to educational excellence.
At WUSD, tradition, innovation, and transformation are at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to serving our students by providing educational opportunities that promote academic excellence and a lifelong love of learning. This focus drives our efforts to honor our community’s traditions, embrace innovative practices, and transform educational experiences to meet the needs of every learner.
We encourage families to review the State Report Cards and celebrate the successes outlined within them, while also joining us in identifying opportunities for growth as we work together to ensure high levels of learning for all students.
Our district and individual school State Report Cards are now available to the public. Please take time to access this information via a link to the Wisconsin Department of Public on the WUSD website at https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/o/wusd/page/district-accountability-reports .
Teams of Watertown Unified School District staff members have already begun digging into this data to understand areas for improvement and identify components to celebrate. This continuous improvement work coupled with the efforts currently underway in classrooms across our district will lead to improved learning experiences for each of our students.
Our district remains proud of the work that all staff members continue to do for and with students as we collaboratively prepare every learner for community, career and college readiness.
The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center, 111 Dodge St. Please note, a budget hearing will take place prior to the meeting at 5:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. To view the meeting agenda, please visit: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
There are several Board of Education meetings coming this week and next week. View all the upcoming agendas and read past meeting minutes by visiting https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open.
