PANTHER GAZETTE
Riverside Middle School Newsletter - August/September 2021
In this edition...
- Principal's Message - Welcome!
- The RMS Experience - AUGUST 17th - 19th from 9:00AM - 1:00PM
- New RMS Associate Principal - Mr. Mike Cunningham
- Skyward Online Registration Information
- Open House
- First Day of School - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST
- Early Release Wednesdays
- Traffic Plan/Grade Level Entry
- Student Fees & Schedule Information
- School Supply Lists
- Nutrition Services Information - Free/Reduced Lunch Forms
- Network Photo Dates
- Report Cards
- Attendance Policy
- Health Room Information
- Medication Forms
- AVID Update
- Name the Panther!
- RMS Athletics Information
- RMS Club Information - GET INVOLVED!
- Introduction to the RMS PTO
- Follow RMS on Social Media
- Community Happenings
Welcome to RMS 2021-22 from Mr. Widiker
We hope you are having a great summer. We are hard at work planning for an excellent start to the 2021-22 school year. Contained on this site will be important information you can reference as you prepare for the return to Riverside. This will replace the RMS Newsletter format and will provide more information, more quickly throughout the year. We hope you will like it.
As we get closer to the 1st day of school, on September 1st, please reach out if you have any questions. The Riverside team wants all of our students to feel confident and comfortable transitioning from summer to school.
Have a great rest of your summer!
Jason Widiker - Principal
The RMS Experience for incoming 6th Graders
Dates: August 17-19, 9am-1pm daily.
Location: Riverside Middle School
The RMS Experience is a transitional opportunity for all incoming 6th grade students. Students will meet August 17-19, 2021 from 9:00AM - 1:00PM at Riverside Middle School. Students will learn exciting things about the middle school, become familiar with the building, meet RMS staff members, and be able to ask questions to help ease their worries during this exciting transition. Lunch will be provided. For more information, please call RMS at 920-262-1494.
All incoming 6th grade students are highly encouraged to attend this event!
Associate Principal - Mr. Mike Cunningham
I am extremely excited to be entering my first year in my new role as Associate Principal at RMS! 2021-22 will be my 17th year in education and my 9th year at Riverside. Prior to starting my new role as Associate Principal, I was the Dean of Students for 3.5 years at Riverside. My first six years at Riverside were spent as the Technology Education instructor.
I attended UW-Platteville and earned my B.S in Technology Education. I received my Master's in Education from Viterbo University along with my principal license. My first teaching opportunity was at Kewaskum Middle School where I taught Technology Education for three years. I also taught Middle School Technology Education at Richland Center Middle School for three years followed by two years of teaching in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District.
I have coached a variety of sports including football, baseball, basketball, and track. I enjoy spending time with my two children, Cash and Crew, as well as time with my wife Kelly. Our boys keep us busy playing sports almost every night. I also golf, fish, hunt, and love spending time outdoors.
I am looking forward to continuing in my new role and getting to know all the new students and families coming to RMS!!
Skyward Online Registration is open July 26 - August 27
What you will need:
- Skyward Family Access login (If you don't know it, please contact your school)
- Family ID (Found in Skyward Family Access > go to the Student Info tab and select "View Family" link or call your school)
- All Fees should be paid during the online registration process
- Lunches will be FREE for the 2021-22 school year - EXCEPT there will be a charge for Ala Carte items
- Instructions to guide families through the online registration process will be posted on the WUSD Website Families page and within Skyward Family Access
WUSD Registration Night will take place at WHS on Monday, Aug 16th from 3:00 - 7:00PM. Families only need to attend Registration Night if they do not have access to the internet at home, would like to pay fees in person, or need help with language translation. Please watch for a link to sign up for an appointment if you wish to attend Registration Night.
Open House is...Monday, August 30th, 5:00 - 7:00PM
Friends Helping Friends, some of our 8th grade leaders, will be giving guided tours and will be able to assist where needed.
"Taste Of The Garden" - Mrs. Travis and some of our local gardeners will be showcasing harvested food from the RMS Garden. Stop by to taste what's on the grill and to see how important the garden is to our school and the environment!
The PTO will also be hosting a hotdog meal (hotdog, chips, and water) for all RMS students. Other family members will be able to purchase a meal for $1.00.
First Day of School - WEDNESDAY, September 1st!
For the 2021-2022 school year, the regular school day will be 7:45AM - 3:15PM (M, T, TH, F) and 7:45AM - 2:10PM (W). Students will be allowed to enter the building starting at 7:35AM and will be offered a grab & go breakfast as they head to their locker and to their 1st hour class. Students will be dismissed at 3:15PM (or 2:10PM on Wednesdays), regardless if they are bus riders or go home in another manner.
Early Release Wednesdays - 2:10PM
Traffic Plan/Grade Level Entry to RMS
For the 2021-22 school year, we are planning to continue the practice of assigning entrance locations, by grade level, for student drop off and student entry into the building. We noticed a calmer and better supervised start to our day last year by doing this and are excited to use our space to spread out our students (and driving parents). These locations are also closer to student lockers, which are also assigned by grade. The assigned locations are as follows:
6th and 8th grade students - Student drop off will be on the flag pole road and students will use the main entrance (A2) to enter the building
Please pull up to the car in front of you. When someone stops at the flagpole to let their student out, it means that 10 less cars can be letting their student out at the same time. Please pull up to the car in front of you and, if no one is in front of you, please pull up to the orange cone.
Students should be ready to exit the vehicle as soon as you come to a stop. If you need more time to gather materials or have a last minute conversation, the stalls on Hall Street would be an appropriate place to stop.
7th grade students - Student drop off will be on Hall Street, using the parking stalls facing the school. 7th grade students will use the door nearest the greenhouse (B1) to enter the building.
When students enter the building, they can grab a free “grab and go” breakfast at their assigned entrance, head to their locker, and then go directly to their 1st hour class.
Student Fees & Schedules
RIVERSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2021-22 FEES:
Registration Fee - $80.00
Instrument Rental - $50.00
Replacement ID Card Fee - $5.00
Yearbook (Optional) - $12.00
Athletic Fee (per activity) - $35.00
Student Schedules
Student schedules will be available in Skyward Family Access in mid-August. It is important for students to remember that schedules may change before the beginning of the school year.
Nutrition Services Information - Free/Reduced Meal Forms
Lunch
Students will return to the cafeteria this year for lunch. As was the case in the 2020-21 school year, hot lunches will continue to be FREE for students. There will also be an a la carte option for students to purchase something different or additional to their lunch. There is a per item cost for all things in the a la carte menu.
Picture Day is... 9/13 & 9/14
Riverside Middle School Prepay link
*Retake day will take place on Wednesday, October 20 from 7:45 AM - 9:45 AM.
RMS Report Cards
If you would prefer a hard copy of these reports, please reach out to the RMS Student Services office at 920-262-1494.
Attendance & WUSD Board of Education Policy #5130
We ask that you consider scheduling your student's appointments after school hours, on days off, or over winter/spring break. We understand that not all appointments can be fulfilled during those times.
Students that arrive late to school will be required to stop by the attendance office to receive a pass to class. Students leaving early during the school day (appointment, illness, or any other reason) should stop at the attendance office to sign out. A note or phone call from a parent/guardian is requested within 24 hours of the absence. If a student misses more than 3 consecutive days of school due to illness, a medical excuse will be required.
RMS Health Room Information...
School immunization at Watertown Department of Public Health Immunizations will only be available for children (birth - 18 years of age) meeting the following criteria:
- Have Medical Assistance
- Have Badger Care
- Have NO insurance
- Insurance does not cover vaccinations
- American Indian
- Alaskan native
Families with private health insurance should contact their physician to schedule immunizations.
Eligible families can contact Watertown Department of Public Health offices @ 920-262-8090 to schedule an appointment.
Medication Consent Forms
Any questions, please contact Lynn Gilbert, WUSD School Nurse, at 920-262-1460.
AVID Update
Keep your eye on this spot in coming newsletters for the most up-to-date information about what our AVID students are up to.
Check out the AVID Newsletter from WHS attached below...
Name the Panther!
RMS Athletics Information
**Physicals that are turned in for Watertown Youth Football or Watertown Blue Revue are not forwarded to us per Federal HIPAA law. Please provide a copy to RMS.
RMS Sports:
- Cross Country
- Volleyball
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Basketball
- Wrestling
- Track & Field
RMS Club Information - GET INVOLVED!
- Art Club - Advisor: Mr. Heier
- Battle of the Books - Advisor: Mrs. LaDew
- Drama Club - Advisors: Mrs. Schrank & Mr. Wiley
- Forensics - Advisor: Mrs. Degrandt
- Friends Helping Friends - Advisors: Mrs. Konz & Mrs. Roost
- NEW Sewing Club - Advisor: Ms. Domokos
- Show Choir - Advisor: Mrs. Schrank
- SkillsUSA/Supermileage - Advisors: Mrs. Domer & Mrs. Olson
- Student Council - Advisors: Mr. Frank & Mr. Leonhardt
- Yearbook Club - Advisor: Mrs. Harris
Introduction to the Riverside PTO
- President - Cassie Lee
- Vice President - VACANT
- Secretary - Jennifer Harris
- Treasurer - VACANT
THE RMS PTO NEEDS YOU!!
The PTO is comprised of parents and staff members that work together to support the students at Riverside. We are currently looking for parents that would like to GET INVOLVED and MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Meetings are short (an hour or less) and gives all attendees a chance to have input in upcoming events and programs and is a GREAT way to meet other Panther families!
Currently, we are looking to fill two board positions. If you are interested, please contact Cassie Lee at thecassielee@gmail.com or Jennifer Harris at harrisj@watertown.k12.wi.us.
PTO Meeting Schedule
TBA
Hope to see you there!
Don't forget to follow us on Social Media!
Additionally, Watertown USD can now be found in your mobile phone app store. This is a great place to get the most up-to-date information regarding WUSD and your child's school.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Jen Harris in the RMS main office at 920-262-1480 ext 5423.
Community Happenings
Rock River Disc Club
- https://www.ci.watertown.wi.us/departments/park_recreation_forestry/docs/Disc_Golf_Handout.pdf
- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rock%20River%20Disc%20Golf%20Course/192647044119499/
Watertown Aquatic Team (WAT)
Watertown Archery Club
Watertown Blue Revue
Watertown Family Center
Watertown Lacrosse Club
Watertown Soccer Club
Watertown Thunder Fastpitch
Watertown Youth Baseball
Watertown Youth Basketball
Watertown Youth Football