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.
Watertown High School was the setting last night for a phenomenal showcase of student art from all across the Watertown Unified School District. In addition, the Student Art Showcase featured the presentation of more than a dozen life-sized goose decoys that were hand-painted and decorated by local artists. They were truly a sight to behold - so much talent and creativity flows through Watertown.
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
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.
Elementary schools across the Watertown Unified School District participated in elections of their own on Tuesday by casting votes to determine favorite cookie flavor and even to elect a school president, which was the case at Lebanon LEAP Elementary School. It was a close race at LEAP between resident hen, Henny Penny, and resident snake, Jack Tater. Jack Tater was the top-vote getter in the end. 🐍
Please see the links below for two volunteer opportunities to help out the Webster PTO.
Volunteer at the Webster PTO Pottery Night on Friday, November 15th:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BADA72EAAF4C25-52010029-webster
Volunteer at the Webster PTO Scholastic Book Fair on Wednesday, November 20 and Thursday, November 21: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BADA72EAAF4C25-52011505-fall
Thank you.
Fourth-grade students at Webster Elementary School recently participated in their very own version of the TV game show Fear Factor for Halloween 🎃. Without being able to see what was in a variety of boxes, the students put their hands into witches eyeballs (grapes), goblin ears (dried apricots), monster tongues (banana peels) and more! The students had to guess what items they were feeling and the students who guessed the most items correctly won a prize. Pictured are the students who guessed at least four out of the six items correctly.
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!
Mrs. Peters’ Webster Elementary School 4K class recently read "Pete the Cat; I Love My White Shoes," and had a blast acting out the story! Students practiced reading and retelling the Pete the Cat story in many different ways including painting with model cats and using a magnet board story telling kit. The class had fun creating a patterning snack using the items that Pete the Cat walked in with his white shoes – blueberries, strawberries, and mud (chocolate sauce). To complete the story, students engaged in a Pete the Cat sensory activity by walking through blueberries, strawberries, mud, and water with their bare feet! This is a great example of Learning the Wildcat Way…100% every day!
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.
