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!
The Endeavor Charter School located within Watertown High School now has openings for new students. Incoming freshmen or students currently enrolled in WHS but looking for a different type of learning environment are encouraged to apply at endeavorcharterschool.org.
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.
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.
Students at Riverside Middle School have been busy learning about woodworking through their technical education classes. Sixth-graders in Tech Ed Survey recently learned how to use the bandsaw, scroll saw, disc sander, and Dremel for their Animal Door Stop project. They also practiced hand sanding and staining.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Design and Modeling students learned 3D modeling by designing their own puzzle - learning tolerances between shapes and how they all fit together, and students in the 8th grade Advanced Woods class designed and built their own unique projects. It's great to see this hands-on learning happening everyday.
#tradition_innovation_transformation
Several Watertown Unified School District 5th-8th graders participated in a Math Meet earlier this month at UW-Whitewater sponsored by the Southern Lakes Advanced Learners Network. Our students competed in five different math events, and then enjoyed a delicious lunch compliments of Pizza Ranch of Watertown.
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!
WUSD Parents & Guardians:
Please watch for an email and/or text message this afternoon regarding signing on to Rooms - a new two-way secure messaging tool that will enable parents, teachers, coaches and students to stay better connected. Please note - upon registering, you will enter a virtual "waiting room" at your student's school. This is where all families will gather until Rooms opens district-wide later this spring. Rooms will go live at the start of the Third Trimester or Fourth Quarter depending on where your student(s) attend school.
Endeavor Charter School is now accepting new students for the 2025-26 school year! Endeavor Charter School is located within Watertown High School and provides a unique alternative to traditional learning environments. Current high school students and incoming freshmen interested in attending Endeavor are invited to apply today at endeavorcharterschool.org.
Current Watertown 8th graders and their families will have an opportunity to tour the Endeavor classrooms during Freshman Preview Night next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Watertown High School will host Freshman Preview Night for all current area 8th graders on Thursday, Jan. 16. This event is an excellent way to learn more about the high school and its many academic and extracurricular offerings. No need to pre-register, just attend!
WUSD Nutrition Services moves to new hot lunch menu platform and app through My School Menus.
Download the My School Menus app or access the new menu link for all WUSD schools on the district's homepage (https://myschoolmenus.com/organizations/2346) or on each individual WUSD school building website.
Features of this new platform include:
• Complete list of all food choices available to students
• Nutrient data for menu items
• Ability to Build-A-Meal and create customized meals
• Ingredient information for certain menu items
• Allergen identification by filtering menu items
• Dietary preference identification showing symbols identifying foods
• Translation to 180 languages using Google Translate
Please contact the Nutrition Services office at (920) 262-7536 with any questions.
Our students and staff had so much fun during the month of December spreading holiday cheer for all to see and hear - Happy Holidays from the Watertown Unified School District! 🎄🎅⭐
