Watertown High School

Greetings Gosling Families!  

Believe it or not, summer is coming to an end!  Throughout the month of August, the WHS staff has been extremely busy setting the stage for a fantastic school year.  The WHS custodial staff is working tirelessly preparing the building, teachers are meeting in teams to discuss building initiatives, our leadership team has met to review goals for the 2021-22 school year, and our athletic seasons are in full swing.  We are very excited for the rest of the student body to arrive on September 1st! 

Please review the updates below and stay tuned for additional communications in the coming weeks.  If you need additional assistance in the meantime, please contact the WHS Student Services Office as a great resource to discuss alternative ways to support your student. You are also always welcome to contact any administrator.  We hope you and your family have a fantastic school year.  It is a great time to be gosling!

Josh Kerr, Principal
Watertown High School  

WHS Family Feedback Session:  As the new WHS building principal, I wanted to provide an opportunity for WHS families to provide feedback as to what have been our strengths, weaknesses, and future opportunities for growth.  You are welcome to join me via Zoom at 5:30 pm on Monday, August 16th.  I will share a short presentation and then open the floor to questions, thoughts, and feedback around how we can work together to make WHS great for years to come!  To access the session, please use this link.  

Time Schedule: As we transition to the 2021-22 school year, please keep the following items in mind regarding the new WHS Daily Time Schedule:

• The WHS school day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays school will begin at 8:00 a.m. and dismiss at 2:15 p.m.

• In order to maximize instructional time WHS class periods will be approximately 80 minutes long.

• This will provide additional time for WHS teachers to support students in each class and includes an additional 400 minutes of instruction per trimester as compared to our previous bell schedule.

• We are excited to share that all WHS students will attend a 30-minute Homeroom Period every Wednesday at the conclusion of 1st period. During Homeroom, students will have an opportunity to receive important information, participate in Academic and Career Planning activities, and receive additional instructional support.

Freshmen Experience: WHS is excited to host the Freshmen Experience for incoming 9th grade students on August 17 - 19 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to meet other 9th grade students, tour the building, team building activities and many other fun activities. Lunch will be provided.

Back to School Fair: Mark your calendars as WHS will hold our Back to School Fair on Monday, August 30 from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. outside of WHS on the sidewalk and Peace Garden Area. The purpose of this event is to provide families with the opportunity to meet faculty and learn more about the wealth of curricular and co-curricular offerings available at WHS. Since this event will be held outside, we plan to watch the weather carefully and will make a decision about whether or not to hold the event by Thursday, August 26.

PSAT: On Wednesday, October 13th, sophomore and junior students have the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT, or “practice SAT,” at WHS. The PSAT is an optional, two-hour test that is taken in preparation for the college admission process. The PSAT has a math section, a verbal section, and a section testing English grammar. Results are used to create the National Merit Scholarship score. Students who take the PSAT during their junior year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition. The most common reason students take the PSAT include: 

• To help you prepare for the SAT

• To enter the competition for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11)

• To see how you compare to others applying to college

• To receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses and focus preparation efforts

If your child is interested in this opportunity, please see Kathy Klinger at the WHS Bookkeeping Office located by the front entrance or register via eFunds. Limited spots are available, so be sure to sign up soon. The deadline to sign up is September 13th at 8 am and the cost is $20.00. 

2021-22 WHS Entrance Procedures: Please note during the 2021-22 school year the main entrance doors and student parking lot doors will open at 7:45 a.m. WHS students driving to school should plan on parking in the WHS Student Parking Lot.  During times of inclement weather, students arriving to school on the bus will be escorted by a WHS staff member to the WHS Commons.