Happy Administrative Professionals Day to this amazing group of WUSD employees - thank you so much for all you do to support our staff, students and families.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Vian Abdulrahman, Terri Danner, Cory Dittmann, Jaime Fischer, Jill Geske, Danielle Hansen, Jennifer Harris, Jean Heiden, Cheryl Hollatz, Diane Klemm, Kathryn Klinger, Kelly Kwapil, Amy Liesch, Lynn Linskens, Sherrie Loeffler-Tietz, Dawn McBride, Jennifer McCrory, Sarah Miller, Kelley Piasecki, Katie Pirkel, Amanda Ristow, Jaclyne Rocole, Sara Schmitz, Katie Schroeder, Crystal Stalker, Angel Vander Steeg, Jean Vesper, Amy Wesemann, Jennifer Willis, Michelle Yelk and Laura Zautner. 💙
Registration for the WUSD Summer School program is now open through Friday, May 2. There is no cost for students to attend Summer School and lunch is free. (Please note, there is a $9 T-shirt fee for Rising Stars participants.) Summer School runs June 18-July 18 with no classes on July 3, 4 or 7. Register through Skyward Arena Scheduling.
The WUSD fourth and fifth grade show choir, Pizzazz, had the incredible opportunity to sing and dance with the Watertown High School Show Choir on Friday as the high schoolers performed at our middle school and elementary schools. Here the students are pictured performing at Webster Elementary School. 🎶
Registration is now open for the WUSD Little Goslings Peer Model Program. Would your child be a good peer model for the program? If yes, enroll now!
For the 2025-2026 School Year, please apply here:
https://forms.gle/boEwoi1uZ67WE1oe9
*Children must be turning 4 after September 1, 2025.
*Applications due: April 30, 2025
*Screening date: May 7, 2025
Questions? Please contact Kayla Wendt (WUSD Early Learning Systems Coordinator) at
wendtk@mywusd.org or 920-262-1495 ext. 3221.
The annual Watertown Children's Day Community Fair was held Saturday, April 12 at Watertown High School. Organized by the Watertown Unified School District, the Community Fair is designed to connect young families in Watertown to daycare and preschool providers and to organizations that offer youth sports, learning and recreational opportunities.
Thank you to all the vendors and the many community members who attended this special event!
What a fun Friday for our students - the Watertown High School Show Choir performed at Riverside Middle School and several elementary schools today and they were fantastic! The community is invited to see the Show Choir perform this evening at WHS starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door - admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for students.
🎈 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.
The Watertown Unified School District is currently taking nomination forms for the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. The Distinguished Alumni Award was formed in purpose of providing our current students and community with a vision of the outstanding legacies of Watertown High School. The eligibility and criteria for nomination for the award are as follows:
*Nominees shall be graduates of the Watertown Unified School District, that is, alumni who have received diplomas from the Watertown Unified School District
*The nominee as gone on after high school to serve their communities and world through their careers, vocations or service dedication, and/or through a variety of endeavors, including: professional, athletic/entertainment, science/technology, community/governmental service, and/or entrepreneur/industrial, and/or
*The nominee has made an outstanding contribution to society, and/or
*The nominee has displayed outstanding leadership, and/or
*The nominee is a person of historical significance, and/or
*The nominee has been a prominent local, state, national and/or world figure.
Nomination forms can be found on the Watertown Unified School District’s website at: https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/distinguished-alumni-award. Nominators may also pick up a packet at the Educational Service Center (ESC) – 111 Dodge Street, or request the forms be mailed to their residence by contacting Lynn Linskens at (920)262-1460 Ext. 3202 or linskensl@mywusd.org. Nomination forms must be received by May 1st, 2025 to be considered for the 2025 award.
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 .
Fifth-graders at Douglas Elementary School recently enjoyed a visit from Alex Harrington, chief meteorologist at News 3 Now / Channel 3000 in Madison. Students learned about how weather is forecasted and they observed a "pepper tornado" experiment. What a great experience for our students, who also got to be on TV!
Please enjoy these photos from Alex Harrington's visit, and watch the on-air segment below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIAc_5d0avA&t=1098s
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
This was so fun - staff members at Douglas Elementary School last Thursday hosted a Masked Dancer show for the students to enjoy. The students laughed and cheered, and the teachers in costume were great sports (and pretty great dancers, too 😀).
Tradition. Innovation. Transformation. #WatertownWay!
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!
Look at these cute Douglas Elementary School Tigers learning about the Core Values outlined in the Watertown Unified School District's new 2024-27 Strategic Plan. Last summer, more than 100 local citizens engaged in the WUSD's Strategic Planning process, that took place over several open meetings at the Watertown Public Library. The Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Education on Oct. 28, 2024.
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
