As part of the WUSD summer school drama and acting class, students performed "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterAugust 2015 
In This Issue


 

Dear parents, students, friends and neighbors,

 

I am looking forward to kicking off another exciting school year in the Watertown Unified School District in just a few short weeks. As you may know, our school district has been identified by the state of Wisconsin as a district that exceeds expectations. We plan to continue to exceed your expectations this year as we open our doors to students and staff for another year filled with opportunities, learning and enthusiasm.

We had many reasons to celebrate over the summer, including another terrific year of summer school. In addition, our students from Watertown High School and Riverside Middle School competed at the national level in the SkillsUSA Team Engineering Challenge and the national Family, Career and Community Leaders of America competition to bring home one silver and two gold medals. Girls' softball coach, Patty Jansen, also was named 2015 Wisconsin Fastpitch Softball Coach of the Year. Finally, our students, teachers and coaches facilitated summer athletic and music camps to keep our students engaged beyond the classroom. Summer is never quiet in our district!


We are in the process of creating our new strategic plan. Thanks to everyone who has participated in this process. You are helping to shape our district. We will continue to post new information on our website as we move forward with our plan, which will frame our vision for the future.


The 2015-2016 school year promises to be a great one for students and families, and I look forward to seeing you throughout the year at our many events. 

 

-Cassandra Schug

Superintendent, Watertown Unified School District
School registration: Plan ahead

We are excited to begin another school year and welcome our students back to school. Each school will be sending out registration information and dates. If you have a schedule conflict, please contact your school's office for alternative arrangements. 

 

Registration dates:

 

Elementary schools

Douglas Elementary School: Wednesday, Aug. 19, noon to 6 p.m.  

Lebanon and Lincoln elementary schools: Thursday, Aug. 13, noon to 6 p.m. Open house at Lebanon Elementary - Wednesday, Aug. 26, 4 to 6 p.m. Lincoln Elementary open house - Wednesday, Aug. 26, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Schurz Elementary School: Wednesday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

Webster Elementary School: Wednesday, Aug. 19, noon to 4 p.m. (registration only); open house and registration - Wednesday, Aug. 26, 5 to 6:30 p.m.  

 

Riverside Middle School

Registration: Monday, Aug. 17, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Open house: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 4 to 7 p.m. 

 

Watertown High School

Wednesday, August 12

Seniors:  9 a.m. to noon

Sophomores: 1 to 5 p.m.

 

Thursday, August 13

Juniors: 9 a.m. to noon

Freshman: 1 to 5 p.m.; orientation - Friday, Aug. 21, 8 to 11 a.m.

 

Make-up date for all high school students: Monday, Aug. 17, 2 to 7 p.m. Spanish interpreter available 4 to
7 p.m.
 

Open house and academic awards: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Academic awards held at 7:45 p.m.


Enrollment and registration forms are available from the Watertown Unified School District office, 111 Dodge Street, or any of the schools.

 
Webster Elementary receives $24,000 grant

Webster Elementary School recently received a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) start-up grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The UDL framework helps educators design lessons that reduce learning barriers in instruction to help students achieve academic success. The goal of the start-up grant is to build capacity in UDL principles within schools, with the hope that they become a model for other schools. 

 

Webster is one of 22 schools in the state to receive this grant. Each one receives $8,000 annually for three years, and school leaders are given the opportunity to work with UDL coaches and professionals. Read more.

 
Summer school stretches minds and bodies

From origami, dance and gardening, to health and managing money, more than 1,700 students in the Watertown Unified School district stretched their minds and bodies during summer school this year. 

"Thanks to the support of Summer School Administrators Andy Bare, Sara Dood, Jamie Koepp and Pam Brown, summer school was well managed and students stayed safe," said Kent Jacobson, Summer School Coordinator, Watertown Unified School District. "Next year, we expect to slightly stagger dismissal times to further enhance student safety." 

Students had the opportunity to maintain and improve their academic skills, as well as gain additional academic credits. Students attended summer school Monday through Thursday at Watertown High School except for younger students, who participated in classes at Lincoln Elementary School.
Annual school notices posted

Every year the Watertown Unified School District provides you with important information about board policies that may impact your children. This information includes everything from student records policies to anti-bullying and harassment policies.

Our annual notices are available to families on the district website and through Skyward. To access Skyward, visit the WUSD website, and log in to your child's account. If you need the log-in information, please contact Sharon Zastrow at the Education Service Center, at (920) 262-1460, ext. 3204. You also may pick up a printed copy of the annual notices at your child's school office.
Developing
Developing People and Partnerships
Staff spotlight: Frank Galioto and Judy Mueller
 
Frank Galioto is a computer technician with the Watertown Unified School District. "I got into computers
Frank Galioto
and started my technical career in my late 20s," Galioto said. "I enjoy working with others, making them at ease with their systems, and working to be sure they feel comfortable asking questions, large or small."

Judy Mueller
Judy Mueller has been working in the Watertown Unified School District for 17 years.During that time, she has taught high school English, public speaking and reading. She also has helped with many extracurricular activities, and served on school committees and in leadership roles. "My newest role is as lead teacher at Endeavor Charter School, where I represent the interests of an amazing group of teachers and students," Mueller said. 
Distinguished Alumni Award recipient announced
We are proud to announce our 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, John David, Watertown High School, class of 1966. One of an exceptional pool of nominees, Mayor David was selected for his outstanding leadership and contributions to society. Read more.
Planning for homecoming: Sept. 27-Oct. 3


Plan to attend all or part of our 2015 homecoming celebration events:

  • Sunday, Sept. 27: Annual powder puff football games and bonfire
  • Friday, Oct. 2: Distinguished Alumni Awards honoring 2015 recipient, John David
  • Friday, Oct. 2: Pep assembly and homecoming parade. Football game begins at 7 p.m. Watertown Goslings take on the Beaver Dam Beavers.
  • Saturday, Oct. 3: Homecoming dance

More details will be available soon about all of the exciting events and activities. 
District calendar available

Our 2015-2016 district calendar is now available. In addition to important information about the school year, including parent-teacher conferences and open house dates, the calendar includes school nutrition pricing information, school fee information, emergency closure procedures and attendance procedures.

Meeting
Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Population
Grant helps improve outcomes for students with disabilities 

Three Watertown Unified School District schools are entering their third year of participation in the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction State Personnel Development Grant. The focus of the grant is to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

Through the grant, Schurz and Webster elementary schools, and Watertown High School, have developed building leadership teams. In the past two years, each team has worked with an instructional coach to identify measurable academic outcomes in reading. Teams also are working to increase family involvement, and families from each school have been surveyed to see how the staff can work with parents to support each child. Read more.
District receives alcohol, drug prevention grant 

In a Department of Public Instruction grant competition to help school districts improve alcohol and drug prevention and intervention programs, Watertown Unified School District was awarded the highest available amount, $50,000 over a two-year period. This is the second time the district has received the grant.

During the next grant cycle, the planning committee will focus on healthy social-emotional development, risk factors and preventative factors, using data from a previously conducted needs assessment. A portion of the grant also will be used to purchase new pre-kindergarten through 12th grade educational materials. Read more.
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Watertown Unified School District 
 111 Dodge St. Watertown, WI 53094  |  (920) 262-1460

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