Summer School

Several educators from the Watertown Unified School District recently attended the Professional Learning Communities conference in Madison to gain insight and share ongoing improvements in their teaching practices. A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a team of educators who share ideas to enhance their teaching practice, while creating a learning environment where all students can thrive. During the three-day conference, WUSD staff members had the opportunity to listen to speakers, attend training sessions and to network with other educators from across the state.

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.

Attention all incoming and current Riverside Middle School Panthers - make plans to attend the back-to-school OPEN HOUSE on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 5-7 p.m.!

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.

📢 Attention parents of incoming Riverside Middle School 6th graders! Registration is now open for the RMS Experience set for Tuesday, Aug 13. Please register your student through Skyward Family Access.

Summer School Scenes 🌞 Week 4 of the Watertown Unified School District's Summer School program is now underway! Last week, our 4K & 5K youngsters were busy learning, making crafts, and exploring the playground while sporting their patriotic colors in advance of the Fourth of July.

As a reminder, there is no Summer School on Thursday, July 4 or Friday, July 5. There is also no Summer School on Friday, July 12. Enjoy the extended holiday weekend!

Second and third-graders from Lincoln Elementary School recently visited the Mitchell Park Domes as part of the Project Lead the Way STEM learning program. The students observed different habitats and the living things growing within them. They also investigated how much water and sunlight plants need to grow in different environments. ☀️🌱🌎

Summer School Scenes 🌞 Week 3 of summer school is now underway! Middle schoolers are having fun at RMS baking, beading, playing sports, riding bikes, and more. We also have students working on improving their core curriculars. PLEASE NOTE: There are no summer school classes this Thursday, July 4 or Friday, July 5.

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.

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.

Did you hear the exciting news? The Watertown High School Marching Band has the incredible opportunity to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2026 in Dublin, Ireland! To help offset the cost of the trip for students, the WHS Music Department will hold its first-ever mattress fundraising event on Saturday, August 10, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in the WHS Commons. During the sale, high-quality mattresses manufactured right here in Wisconsin will be sold at deep discounts with a portion of sales going toward trip expenses. If you are planning to replace your mattress in the near future, please consider buying a new one at this event. Please mark your calendar for August 10 and help us spread the word! Follow the mattress sales fundraising event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1094485391619563?active_tab=about&scrlybrkr=49c5d569

Congratulations to our RMS Panthers who made Fourth Quarter Honor Roll!

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! 🎺🎻

The weather was picture-perfect for Douglas Elementary School's recent Field Day. Students had a blast playing water games, attempting balance and skill challenges, jumping in a bounce house, playing on a giant inflatable slide and more. Enjoy these photos from this very fun event!

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.

Students at Webster Elementary School enjoyed a number of fun activities as the school-year drew to a close. They had fun with bubbles, a special dress day, and even got to meet two friendly rats in person! 🐭😲 Have a great summer, Wildcats!

From WHS Athletics: There have been multiple requests for a fan bus for tonight’s Softball Semi-final State game. We will provide a free fan bus to include WHS Students and their families (and WHS staff) as an alternate to the traffic and limited parking at Goodman Diamond. Here is the info: Bus departure TODAY from WHS: 5:00 pm sharp (game time is 7:00 pm) Cost: FREE. Voluntary donations will be accepted to help offset the cost Sign up is REQUIRED NO LATER THAN 2:00 pm on Friday, June 7th so that we can plan accordingly for the number of buses. Please note there is limited availability and seats on the bus will be reserved on first come, first served basis. Game ticket can be purchased online here: https://gofan.co/event/1488559?schoolId=WIAA2 We are not able to accommodate any requests to ride the bus after the 2:00 pm deadline. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce2IP-X8ERq_JWdsBQev9FVH6THjyROpYFvv-13c6HCJFSMg/viewform?usp=sf_link We hope you will consider joining the fan bus to the game this evening to cheer our WHS Softball team on to victory!

Ameera Alouqui is a special little girl with a BIG talent. A recent 5th grade graduate of Schurz Elementary School, Ameera’s art club instructor, Mrs. Tahera Horstman, is shining a spotlight on Ameera’s extraordinary drawing ability. Ameera’s artwork has been recognized in the National Celebrating Art Contest and her peers chose another of her drawings as the image for this year’s Schurz Art Club T-shirt. Ameera said she enjoys drawing animals and figures of humans best, and finds happiness in the time she spends with her sketchbook. The drawings featured below were drawn free-hand by Ameera. The self-portrait was inspired by the purchase of a fancy umbrella at a yard sale, and sketching angels and anatomy is also of great interest to her. Mrs. Horstman said Ameera has an “amazing gift of seeing shapes, proportions and space layout – she works hard and finishes every piece she starts.” She added, “I envision her as a very successful free-lance artist who will build a name for herself making special commission portraits and figure art, or perhaps as a creative illustrator/media specialist for large corporations.” While contest opportunities are limited at Ameera’s age, Mrs. Horstman recently entered Ameera’s work in three youth judging opportunities and is eagerly awaiting the results. “Ameera has grown tremendously while in our art club,” she said. “I have witnessed her emerging talent since first grade, and her fear of taking risks because she always strives for perfection. After winning her art club logo design, and being published in the National Celebrating Art contest, Ameera gained her confidence in so many ways with her art and life!” Keep growing your amazing talent, Ameera!