Summer School

🎈 Watertown Children's Day Fair 🎈 The annual Watertown Children's Day Fair will take place Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m.-Noon at Watertown High School. This is a free, fun-filled event for young children (ages birth-8) and their families. Organized by the Watertown Unified School District, the Children's Day Fair provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to learn more about the school district, area preschool and daycare providers, and other local agencies that support young children and families. Children will have a blast enjoying activities and snacks throughout the morning. For more information, call (920) 262-1460.

Save the Date! Registration for the Watertown Unified School District's Summer School program opens Monday, April 7 at 4 p.m.

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.

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!

Lincoln STEM Elementary School hosted a career day on Friday where professionals from the Watertown community spoke with students about their respective careers and engaged them in demonstrations and activities. Among the visitors were a dairy farmer, police officer, mechanic, therapist, computer specialist, and even local government was represented by Mayor Emily McFarland. In addition, Jerry Hepp Excavating thrilled students by using their massive vacuum extractor truck to suction small batches of Legos! 🏫 It was a fun learning day for our students!

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!

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.

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.

🎳 Happening Tonight! 🎳 Come "Bowl the Blues Away" this evening at Watertown Bowl 18! The public is invited to attend this special bowling event from 6-7 p.m. where they will not only have fun bowling at a discounted rate of $2 per game, but they will also have the opportunity to learn more about mental health services in Watertown. For more information, contact Kenda Roman, WUSD mental health coordinator, at romank@mywusd.org.

📣 Attention parents and guardians of current Watertown area 5th graders! Riverside Middle School will host two Parent Information Meetings for incoming 6th graders - one on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 6 p.m. and another on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8:15 a.m., both in the Large Group Instruction (LGI) room at the middle school. There is no need to pre-register, please attend when it is most convenient for you.

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.