Watertown High School Newsletter
Watertown Unified School District | February 2024
Parent Weekly Update 3.22.24
Spring break is finally upon us even though the weather still seems like winter!
Thank you to the WHS students and staff, Watertown and surrounding area businesses, and the Watertown Chamber of Commerce for a very successful Career Fair! We had 80 vendors (apprenticeships, employers, colleges, etc.) sharing their information to students. All grade levels experienced the event so don't forget to check in with your student to see what they learned. For additional resources please see this website as it is a resource your student can reference in considering local employment opportunities as well as future careers.
We hope you have a healthy, relaxing week and we look forward to seeing students back at school on Monday, April 1st!
Herb Kohl Education Foundation Award Recipients
Watertown High School is excited to announce two Herb Kohl Education Foundation Award Recipients: Jacob Johnson and Addison Schuch. Below is the press release from the Herb Kohl Foundation.
The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced 304 Wisconsin students, teachers, and administrators are the recipients of the organization’s 2024 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership awards. Student Excellence and Initiative Scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded to 187 graduating high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence and initiative and have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership in their community. Teacher Fellowship awards of $6,000 will be presented to 100 teachers who were nominated for their leadership and service in and outside the classroom, their ability to inspire a love of learning and to motivate their students. Principal Leadership awards of $6,000 will be given to 17 principals for setting high standards for instruction, achievement and character, and creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff and community. “Herb Kohl believed that education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation,” JoAnne Anton, President & CEO of Herb Kohl Philanthropies said. “That’s why he invested in and prioritized awards that recognize students, teachers, and principals who demonstrate incredible hard work, achievements, and service. We hope this year’s awards help this impressive group of recipients in their individual pursuits today so that they pay it forward in the future. We call that the Herb Kohl Way.” Award recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA), the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and the Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association. The Kohl Foundation award program was established by Herb Kohl, former U.S. senator, philanthropist, and businessman who died December 27, 2023. Since 1990, the foundation has awarded nearly $38 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools.
Jacob Johnson
Addison Schuch
PreACT Secure Testing:
Freshman & Sophomore Students
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Freshman and sophomore students will take the statewide online PreACT Secure test in person at WHS on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Junior and senior students will NOT report to school on Wednesday, April 10.
On Thursday, April 4, freshman and sophomores will have a homeroom in which they will receive information on practice tests and test tips.
All WUSD freshman and sophomore students should report to WHS between 7:30 a.m. – 7:55 a.m. (breakfast provided) on test day, Wednesday, April 10. Testing begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. in all testing rooms, so please remind your student to do everything possible to arrive early so testing can begin on time! Students will be dismissed when testing is complete at appx. 11:30 a.m. Students who need to wait for the bus at 2:15 p.m., can wait in the commons area.
Students are asked to please leave their cell phones, smart watches, electronic devices, and backpacks at home as they are not allowed in the testing room. If a student has any interaction with their cell phone or other device, even during break times, the test will be invalid. Coats can be left in the back of the testing room as lockers will not be available.
Students MUST bring their WUSD Chromebook, Chromebook charger, a student ID/driver’s license, pencil and a calculator with them to the testing room. Students should plug in their Chromebook overnight to ensure it is fully charged on test day. Students will only be allowed to take the ACT on a district issued Chromebook.
WI Forward Testing: Sophomores
Thursday, April 18
Sophomore students will also be participating in the Wisconsin Forward Exam (Social Studies test) on Thursday, April 18 during an extended homeroom period. The Wisconsin Forward (Social Studies test) is an untimed test that has two sessions.
Students MUST bring their WUSD Chromebook and Chromebook charger with them to the testing room. Students should plug in their Chromebook overnight to ensure it is fully charged on test day. Students will only be allowed to take the WI Forward on a district issued Chromebook.
Senior Graduation Information
Graduation Ceremony
The Class of 2024 Graduation Ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 10 a.m. in the WHS Fieldhouse. Arrangements are being made to live-stream the ceremony for additional family members.
Graduation Tickets
The Graduation Ceremony will be a ticketed event for guests, with each graduate being allocated 12 tickets. Unused tickets will be made available to families who may want additional tickets at a later time. The form to request tickets will be shared to families in the upcoming weeks.
Graduation Video
The Graduation Committee is looking for childhood (baby/elementary age) pictures for the senior slideshow. Pictures can be submitted to whsgradpics@gmail.com. The deadline to submit pictures is Friday, May 3.
Senior Fees
We would like to remind parents that all school fees must be paid in full in order for your child to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. Fees can be paid by cash or credit card and are due no later than Friday, May 17, 2024. Additionally, any fees paid after May 1, 2024, must be paid by cash or credit card - no checks will be accepted.
Caps & Gowns
Seniors who missed the pick up of Jostens senior items, should stop in the Main Office to pick up their items ASAP. Students who didn't order their cap and gown yet, are encouraged to do so ASAP, by calling the Jostens Office at 262-899-8334 or ordering on their website: jostens.com.
2023-2024 Yearbooks
The deadline to order a 2023-2024 yearbook is Friday, May 10. No extra yearbooks are purchased so don't delay in ordering yours!
You can order a yearbook by clicking here.
Prom 2024
It's only the beginning of March, but everyone should mark their calendars for Saturday, May 4, which is the date of the WHS Junior Prom and Post Prom. Both events are open to EVERYONE at WHS.
Message from WHS Associate Principals:
Since prom is right around the corner, we want to make sure that students who are eligible to go to Prom can do so. Students must have served any outstanding detentions by Thursday, May 2nd. Additionally, students who are considered habitually truant (10 or more dates of unexcused absences/truancies) will not be allowed to purchase a ticket to prom. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Pennington (A-L) ext. 6805 or Ms. Bault (M-Z) ext. 6804.
International Friendships
There is nothing like international friendships! The Watertown-Heringen exchange program exists to help create friendships between students at WHS and our partner school in Germany. No knowledge of German is required—the program is open to all WHS students, including incoming freshmen. Open your home to a German student and experience the fun of introducing them to American culture! Travel to Germany and experience the excitement of discovering a new culture! Twenty German students will be here October 12-20 and WHS students will travel in June of 2025, traveling for a week and spending a week with a host family. Participants can host or travel or do both. See Frau Schneider in S274 or email schneiderk@mywusd.org to get information about being a part of the exchange.
WUSD Now Hiring
WUSD has the following positions open. If you know anyone interested, please have them contact Sarah Miller at millers@mywusd.org. Applications are also available in the WHS Main Office.
- Part Time Cleaner (Must be 16 years old)
- Monday - Friday from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
- Wage: $16.65 per hour
- Summer Cleaner (Must be 16 years old)
- Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Wage: $16.65 per hour
- Lawn Maintenance (Must be 18 years old):
- Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
- Wage: $16.65 per hour
Great Things Happening Around WHS!
Congratulations to our March Students of the Month!
On Friday, German 8 students expanded their study of history beyond the classroom through a virtual connection with the German Historical Museum in Berlin. A German-speaking docent led them through political developments and figures in Europe between 1648 and 1790. Using artifacts from a previous exhibit at the museum, he explained the leaders, events and thinking of the period. Students enjoyed the live connection, being able to use their German, and viewing the historical artwork and objects.
Important Upcoming Dates
- Spring Break: March 25 - March 29 (WHS Offices closed)
- PreACT Secure - Freshman & Sophomores: Wednesday, April 10
- No school for Juniors & Seniors: Wednesday, April 10
- Sophomore WI Forward Social Studies Testing: Thursday, April 18
- Parent Teacher Conference: Monday, April 22 (4:30 - 7:30)
- No School - Staff Development: Friday, April 26
- Prom: Saturday, May 4
WHS Phone Numbers
Watertown High School: 920-262-7500
Attendance Line: 920-262-7537
Student Services: 920-262-7550
Watertown High School Fax: 920-262-7545
Attendance Fax: 920-262-7538
Student Services Fax: 920-262-7589