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.
Riverside Middle School recently hosted Courage Day for its 7th graders – a special event designed to help students step out of their comfort zone, build resilience, bond with their classmates over fun activities (like silly-walking across the gym), and to gain confidence in standing up for themselves and others.
This is the fifth time Courage Day has taken place at RMS. It is run by Minneapolis-based Youth Frontiers (youthfrontiers.org/courage-retreat) who were assisted by Watertown High School juniors and seniors involved in leadership activities. The high schoolers set a great example for the younger students that day. 💙
Students participated in large group activities and small group discussions which encouraged them to face their fears, be respectful, stand up against bullying, and to be kind to others. The 7th graders were challenged to choose an “Act of Courage” to do as an individual that would have a positive effect on themselves and their school as a whole. It was a great day to be an RMS Panther and Future Gosling. #WatertownWay
Let's congratulate Ms. Moulton’s 7th and 8th grade Riverside Middle School Healthy Living students who are now officially certified in Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED!
Thank you to RMS for providing the funds for the students' Red Cross certifications, and to the RMS PTO for granting funds for portable CPR breathing barriers.
These students are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to someday save a life!
The WUSD Nutrition Services Department was recently visited by past members of its leadership team. Sheila Price, supervisor of Nutrition Services, said it was a delight to have the former colleagues visit and to see the many changes the department has undergone – especially in terms of staffing. Pictured are (from left) Nancy Kopplin, current WHS production manager; Michelle Yelk, current administrative assistant for Nutrition Services; Joan Jaeckel, former supervisor of Nutrition Services; Joan Loomis, former production manager; Sheila Price, current Supervisor; and Jackie Walsch-McCabe, former supervisor. #WatertownWay
Riverside Middle School hosted wonderful and heartwarming Veterans Day ceremony this morning. Please enjoy these photos of our RMS Panthers honoring our local veterans.
Last Thursday, while classes were not in session, Watertown Unified School District staff participated in a variety of professional development learning opportunities at locations all across the community. In addition to meeting in our public school buildings, staff training and collaboration also took place at Watertown Regional Medical Center, Madison College, and at The Collective. Staff development focused on Literacy training, Keys to Literacy Module Work, Data Review, aimswebPlus training, ASCA training, NVCI training, FERPA training for certified and paraprofessional staff, and more. In addition, CTE (Career to Technical Education) staff received a behind-the-scenes tour of WRMC’s Harvest Market and district clerical staff received training in Canva, a graphic design program. It was a great day for team building all throughout our school district! #WatertownWay
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.
🎃 Join us for this special trick-or-treating event! 👻
The Watertown High School National Honor Society is hosting a Trunk-or-Treat and your children are invited! The event will take place on Wednesday, October 23 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the WHS student parking lot. Candy and treats available while supplies last. Costumes encouraged!
There are so many unique opportunities within the Watertown Unified School District for our students to always be learning something new. Pictured here are Tech Ed students at Riverside Middle School exploring and studying a variety of skills and applications, from hands-on wood lathe to digital 3D design and modeling. #WatertownWay
🎶 Congratulations to the Watertown High School Marching Band! 🏆
The band earned a 1st Place finish in Class Triple-A at the Red Hawk Invitational in Milton this past Saturday! The band set a school record high score of 70.35! Catch the band’s next performance on Friday at the WHS Varsity Football game as they prepare for their trip to the State Marching Championships on Saturday, Oct. 19 at UW-Whitewater.
Why is Watertown High School’s mascot the Gosling? Find out the answer to this question, and learn other interesting aspects of Watertown history, during a special presentation on Monday, Oct. 21 called Watertown: Where History Takes Flight. The presentation will be led by Watertown Historical Society President Melissa Lampe.
Organized by the Watertown Arts Council and the WUSD Art Department, the presentation will begin at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Watertown Public Library. In conjunction with this presentation, students and adult artists will decorate life-sized geese provided by the Arts Council, which will be formally unveiled on Nov. 19 at 5 p.m. at Watertown High School. The decorated geese will then be displayed throughout the city.
The presentation is free and open to the public. For information contact Dave pawld@mywusd.org
Watertown High School seniors Aubrey Keddington, Sara Rodriguez Machado, and William Wrolstad have been selected as Watertown Rotary Club students for the month of October 2024.
Keddington, Rodriguez Machado, and Wrolstad are being recognized for their academic achievements, participation in athletics and school organizations, and their contributions to the Watertown community. The students are invited to join the Rotary Club each Monday at its weekly luncheon meetings.
About the students:
Aubrey Keddington is the daughter of Holly and Richard Keddington. She has been involved in multiple activities while at WHS including Girls Swim, WHS Carolers, River City Rhapsody, WHS Musicals, and Athletic Leadership. Aubrey is also a member of: National Honor Society (Secretary), Tri-M Music Honor Society (President), and National Art Honor Society. Aubrey is currently acting as President of the INTERACT (Student Rotary) club and the Secretary of Ecology Club. Aubrey was also selected to participate in Badger Girls State this past summer. Aubrey is currently working as a head lifeguard and swim instructor, and plans on attending a four-year university to study Cellular Biology or Pre-Med.
Sara Rodriguez Machado is the daughter of Zoraida Machado and Cesar Machado. Sara has been associated with National Honor Society, Tri M Music Honor Society, and the German Honor Society (Secretary). She has also been recognized for her score on the German National Exam and as an AP Scholar. When not at WHS, Sara is providing violin and piano lessons in addition to volunteering at a Bible study. After high school, Sara is looking to obtain her BBA in Accounting as well as becoming a certified translator.
William Wrolstad is the son of Kristin Wrolstad and Jeremy Wrolstad. William has been a part of SkillsUSA as a member, an officer, and as the head of electrical engineering on the solar car. He has also been a member of Show Choir, WHS Carolers, WHS Musicals, Academic Decathlon, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and INTERACT (Student Rotary). Recently, William was recognized as a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist. After high school, William is looking to earn a degree in a STEM related field.
The WUSD Board of Education meets tonight at 6 p.m. Please note, the location for this meeting has been changed to the Library Media Center at Watertown High School. To view the agenda for tonight's meeting, please click here: https://go.boarddocs.com/wi/watertown/Board.nsf/vpublic?open
The WUSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024 starting at 6 p.m. Please note, this meeting will be held in the Watertown High School Media Center, 825 Endeavour Dr. The Media Center is the library at the top of the main stairs at WHS. For more information, call (920) 262-1460 or email linskensl@mywusd.org.
Join us in celebrating National Information Technology Professionals Day! Technology is constantly changing, and these five outstanding employees work hard to keep our students, teachers, staff and families connected on the information highway. Thank you to David Lockstein, Miranda Kluge, Tyler Letlebo, Rich Bowman and Frank Galioto! 💻
On National IT Professionals Day, it is our pleasure to announce that WUSD Supervisor of Information Technology David Lockstein has been named the BEST TEAM LEADER through the 2024 Connection I.T. Superhero Awards!
The awards included five categories – Best Team Leader (leads to success, inspires others to greatness), Best Catch (made an amazing save, big or small, that averted disaster), Best Rookie (a fresh IT pro who performs like a seasoned pro), Most Unshakable (always calm, patient, and focused in the face of IT chaos), and Best Superpower (capable of performing astonishing feats, no matter the deadline).
The awards are sponsored by Hewlett Packard and Lenovo. Judges included Ed Soo Hoo, Worldwide CTO, Global Accounts, Lenovo; Patrick McGee, Director, Technology Support Services, St. John’s County School District, 2022 Ultimate IT Superhero Award Winner; and Johan Dowdy, Global Head of IT and IT Security, Asana, 2024 Ultimate IT Superhero Award Winner.
Congratulations to Mr. Lockstein on this impressive achievement!
SkillsUSA members from Watertown High School and Riverside Middle School traveled to Atlanta, GA in June to participate in the largest gathering and competition of America’s future skilled workforce. This competition is the ultimate recognition of excellence in career and technical education celebrating the accomplishments of 1st Place state competition winners from across the United States.
Our very own Watertown SkillsUSA members competed in:
➡ Urban Search and Rescue Robotics - Jake Johnson and Tyler Johnston (WHS) earned a Bronze medal against high school teams from across the country; and Isaac Manchester and Abbott Skrobak (RMS) won a gold medal, also competing against middle school teams nation-wide 🏆.
➡ Chapter Display - Teagan McGuire, Brayden Haversack, and Sarin Johnson (WHS).
➡ TV Video - Evan Rodriguez and Hayden Leonard (WHS).
➡ Naomi Domer (WHS) served as a National Regional Vice President during the 2023-24 school year and represented Watertown High School on stage at all ceremonies and conference events.
While at the conference, SkillsUSA members attended workshops, seminars, demonstrations and activities that brought together more than 16,500 attendees, including students, instructors, industry partners, government officials, administrators and more. They also enjoyed a visit to the Georgia Aquarium.
It was an exciting day yesterday at Riverside Middle School as teachers and staff welcomed students in grades 6-8 to the start of the 2024-25 school year!
To help students become more familiar with staff and to better understand school expectations, each grade attended a welcome assembly in the school gymnasium. Enjoy these images of our sixth-graders attending their assembly, as well as their first official lunchtime as middle schoolers in the cafeteria.
The Watertown Unified School District Administrative Team wishes all our students a great start to their school year! Welcome back to our WUSD staff, students and their families - let's make the 2024-25 school year the best yet! 🏫🍎🎒
