We hope you are enjoying your summer! We are excited to provide you with some general information about the student registration process and the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

Online Skyward Registration will be available from July 29 - September 13. Everyone is required to go through the Online Skyward Registration process which can be completed from your home. Online Registration can be found via Skyward Family Access on the left hand side. Online registration requires the full web-based version of Skyward Family Access. It is not possible to register online through the Skyward mobile app.

You will be given the opportunity online to pay fees with a credit card, near the end of the registration process. Paying by check or credit card will result in a convenience fee of 3% (online). You may also pay with cash or check at WHS. You may also mail your payment to Watertown High School, Attn: Bookkeeping, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown, WI 53098.

Students requesting bus transportation for the 2024-2025 school year, must complete the GoRiteway Bus Form by Tuesday, July 30 to guarantee routing the first week of school.

WHS will host the 2024 Freshmen Experience for all incoming freshman students on Tuesday, August 13th from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The Freshmen Experience will begin at 8 a.m. in the WHS Commons. The event will provide incoming freshmen with an opportunity to prepare for the transition to high school through sessions designed to introduce students to life as a WHS student.

During the event, incoming freshmen will have an opportunity to get to know their classmates, explore the building, learn important skills to prepare them for the school year, meet WHS faculty, ask questions of current WHS students, run through a mock schedule, and learn more about co-curricular offerings. The event provides the perfect opportunity to jump start your student’s experience at WHS. If you have not signed up for the event, please do so through Skyward Family Access.

Please mark your calendars for our Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 28th from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. The purpose of this informal event is to provide our families the opportunity to meet faculty and learn more about the curricular and co-curricular offerings available at WHS. All faculty will be in attendance.

This year’s Academic Award winners will be recognized on Wednesday, August 28th at 7 p.m. in the WHS Auditorium. Invites will be emailed home to students and families who will be honored.

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 3rd with a full-day for all students from 8:00-3:30. Students will attend their assigned Homeroom class during the ELT period (9:17 a.m. - 9:52 a.m.) for the first week of classes. There is no set school supply list at the high school level. Please have your student bring a notebook/folder and a writing utensil for each class.

If your student is in need of school supplies, the Shared Community Mission Group, which is comprised of 13 churches in Watertown, will again distribute free school supplies through the SOS: Support Our Students program.

Beginning July 29 thru August 9, 2024 families can register for SOS Free School supplies at the following churches: Christ United Methodist, Ebenezer Moravian, Watertown Moravian, St. Bernard’s Catholic, First Congregational-UCC, First Baptist, River City, River Valley Alliance, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Immanuel Ev. Lutheran, and St. Paul’s Episcopal church.

One can also register at the following outreach programs:

• Summer Sandwiches in the Park on Tuesdays from 11:30 to 12:30 at Clark Park

• Summer Sandwiches in the Park on Wednesdays from 11:30 to 12:30 at Riverside Park

• Summer Sandwiches in the Park on Fridays from 11:30-12:30 at Timothy Johnson Park
• Watertown Food Pantry and Personal Essential Pantry at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church
• Bread and Roses on Thursday evenings at St. Bernard’s Catholic
• Loaves and Fishes on Monday evenings at Watertown Moravian Church
• Mary’s Room at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
• Watertown Family Center

This year the school supplies will be handed out in the parking lot of St. Henry Parish Center, 300 Cady Street on Tuesday, August 20, and the morning of Wednesday, August 21.

We are thrilled to announce that every 9th grade student at Watertown Unified School District will again be issued a Chromebook for the upcoming school year! This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to integrate technology into the classroom and ensure that all students have the tools they need for success.

To help your child make the most of their new Chromebook, here are some best practice strategies for taking great care of their school-issued device:

1. Handle with Care: Remind your child to always carry their Chromebook with both hands. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of it to prevent screen damage.

2. Keep It Clean: Encourage your child to clean the screen and keyboard regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the device.

3. Charge Responsibly: Make it a routine to charge the Chromebook every night so it’s ready for the next school day. Remind your child to avoid overcharging and to unplug the charger once it’s fully charged.

4. Store Safely: Ensure your child stores their Chromebook in a safe place when not in use, away from food, drinks, and extreme temperatures. This will help prevent spills and other accidents.

5. Use with Care: Teach your child to avoid downloading unauthorized apps or software that could harm the device or compromise school network security.

6. Report Issues Promptly: If your child encounters any issues with their Chromebook, encourage them to report it to their teacher. Early intervention can prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones.

We are excited about the opportunities this technology will bring to enhance learning and engagement for our students. Thank you for your support in helping us take good care of these valuable learning tools.

Please look for details relative to Chromebook distribution in forthcoming parent communications.

Please remember that every upcoming 10th, 11th, and 12th grade student at Watertown High School has the opportunity to use their school-issued Chromebook over the summer and throughout the next school year. This initiative is designed to ensure that our students have continuous access to educational resources and can stay engaged in learning all year round.

To help your child take great care of their Chromebook during the summer months, here are some best practice strategies:

1. Handle with Care: Encourage your child to always carry their Chromebook with both hands.

2. Keep It Clean: Remind your child to clean the screen and keyboard regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the device.

3. Charge Responsibly: Make it a habit to charge the Chromebook fully before use. Ensure that the charger is unplugged once the device is fully charged to prevent overcharging.

4. Store Safely: Ensure your child stores their Chromebook in a cool, dry place when not in use. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight, near water, or in places with extreme temperatures, such as a car.

5. Use Securely: Remind your child to use their Chromebook in a safe and secure environment. Avoid using it in places where it could be easily stolen or damaged.

6. Report Issues Promptly: If your child experiences any issues with their Chromebook, encourage them to report it to the school's IT department immediately. Addressing problems early can prevent them from becoming larger issues.

7. Stay Engaged: Encourage your child to use their Chromebook for educational purposes over the summer. There are many online resources and programs that can help them prepare for the upcoming school year.

We are excited about the learning opportunities that continuous access to technology will provide for our high school students. Thank you for your support in ensuring that these devices are well cared for during the summer and beyond.

Network Photography will be at WHS to take student pictures on Thursday, September 5th (Student Last Name A – L) and Friday, September 6th (Student Last Name M – Z) in the WHS Auditorium. It is important that your student has their picture taken to secure a student ID card. Picture make-up day will take place on Friday, October 11 from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the WHS Media Center.

The 2024-2025 yearbooks can be purchased online through the Herff-Jones website: http://bit.ly/2WFzrGD. The WHS order number is 3818 (if needed).

This year, the yearbook fee will be $50. This is the only way to purchase a yearbook for this school year. Please plan accordingly as no extra yearbooks will be ordered.

Students who ordered a 2023-2024 yearbook can pick up their yearbook at the Front Office starting today from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Yearbooks will only be handed out to the student, sibling or parent.

Homecoming shirts will be available to purchase for $11 until Monday, September 16. Shirts can be ordered using the link to the online store: Homecoming Class Shirts.

• Seniors will be taking the senior group photo on Tuesday, September 10 during ELT. Following the picture, seniors will be meeting with Jostens to receive information regarding graduation items including ordering caps and gowns, Class of 2025 apparel, etc. Jostens will return on September 17 to take the orders.
• Senior yearbook photos will need to be uploaded directly to the Herff-Jones website: www.hjeshare.com and the school code is 825. The senior photo should be a headshot with no hands in the photo. The deadline to upload your senior picture is Friday, November 1, 2024. Hard copy photos and emailed senior photos will not be accepted.

• Parents are reminded to double check the spelling of their senior’s name in Skyward as that name will be used for the yearbook and graduation purposes (diploma, etc.). If you want a middle name on your student’s diploma, please make sure it is updated in Skyward before the school year begins.

On Wednesday, October 9th, sophomore and junior students have the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT, or “practice SAT,” at WHS. The PSAT is an optional, online 2.5 hour test that is taken in preparation for the college admission process. The PSAT has a Reading, Writing, and Math section. 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 receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses and focus preparation efforts
*To see how you compare to others applying to college
*To enter the competition for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11)
*To help you prepare for the SAT

If your student is interested in this opportunity, please see Kathy Klinger at the WHS Bookkeeping Office to pay the $20 fee (cash or check). Limited spots are available, so be sure to sign up soon. The deadline to sign up is Friday, September 6.

Wisconsin has updated its immunization requirements for child care and school entry. The changes for school entry go into effect for the 2024/2025 school year.

If your child will be in 12th grade during the 2024/2025 school year, we need to have dates of two ACWY containing meningitis vaccines, unless the first dose was given after your child was 16 years old. Parents/guardians may sign a personal conviction or religious waiver for these meningitis vaccines, just as they may for other vaccinations, or have a medical waiver signed by a healthcare practioner.

If you have any questions about the new immunization requirements, please contact either your child’s medical provider or Lynn Gilbert, WUSD School Nurse, at 920-262-1460 x 3219.

All parking information will be collected online via the Skyward Registration Process. Parents will need to enter the following information into the online form: student driver’s license number, car make, model, year, color, current insurance vendor and policy number.

Parents will need to add the parking fee of $100 to the checkout process when completing the registration. The parking fee must be paid in full. Parking hang tags for those students who have completed the registration process and fee payment will be handed out during the first week of school.

As we move into the 2024-25 school year, please keep the following items in mind:

• The WHS school day will begin at 8 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.
• We will continue with the 35-minute Extended Learning Time (ELT) enrichment period at the conclusion of 1st hour every day. During ELT, students will have an opportunity to make up assessments, receive additional instructional support from their teachers, and receive important information. ELT will include a schedule that will allow movement so students are able to access teachers and classes for which they need additional support. Please note that to start the school year, students will report to their assigned homeroom until further notice in order to receive essential information to begin the school year.

WUSD will continue with the early release on Wednesdays at 2:15 p.m. Buses will depart immediately after school on Wednesday’s at 2:30 p.m.

While we fully expect that the majority of the students will leave WHS following the 2:15 p.m. dismissal each Wednesday, we understand that may not be possible, nor practical, for all students. Consequently, we have a plan of supervision for students who need to remain at WHS as follows:

• Supervised areas will include the commons, as well as the Media Center and Computer Lab for those interested in having a quiet place to study.
• We will monitor the number of students who remain after school, as well as their interests, and make modifications to our after school ‘offerings’ as needed.
• Please note that supervised areas will conclude at 3:15 p.m.

Individual student schedules will be made available to students and families on Monday, August 19th.

• Students wishing to make adjustments to their schedule must complete the Schedule Change Form using the link provided. Requests for changes MUST be submitted using this form. No email requests will be considered.
• Requests for Schedule Changes will be processed starting on August 22. No requests for schedule changes will be reviewed or acted upon until August 22.
• Please understand that it is still possible for student schedules to be adjusted after August 19. The courses a student has been placed in will continue to be honored, however there may be the need to move students to a different section of the same course at a different time of the day to balance enrollments.
• Please note that the priority of schedule changes will be given to those students who have conflicts in their schedules, require changes for course work completed over the summer, have failed to meet prerequisite requirements based on the results of classes taken in the spring trimester, or are looking to take a more rigorous course.
• As stated previously, please note that not all schedule change requests can be honored. There are numerous reasons for this, including classes closed after reaching seating capacity, conflicts with classes offered at specific times, changes that may interfere with the ability to meet graduation requirements, etc.
• Students may make schedule changes during the DROP/ADD Period, which includes the first three days of the trimester (September 3rd, 4th, and 5th). Changes made at this time are once again limited to availability. Note this applies to each of the three trimesters during the school year.
• We will not make schedule changes for the first trimester after September 5th. Please see page 87 of the 2024-25 WHS Course Description Book for more information on the Drop/Add Policy.

Student locker information will be available on Skyward Family Access starting on August 19th.

On Skyward Family Access, parents will find the 2024 Free and Reduced Price School Meal form. Forms can be turned in to any of the district schools. A new form must be completed each school year.

In an effort to be both fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly, WHS does not routinely mail hard copies of report cards home. This would include the conclusion of the grading periods and progress report grades. All grades can be viewed in Skyward. If you do not have internet access at home, please contact the Student Services Office so hard copies can be sent to you.

Parents interested in purchasing student insurance should visit the Student Assurance Services website.

• Freshman Experience: Tuesday, August 13 - 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Back to School Night: Wednesday, August 28 - 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Academic Awards: Wednesday, August 28 - 7 p.m.
• First Day of School: Tuesday, September 3
• Picture Day: September 5 & 6 - 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Homecoming Week: September 29 - October 5
• College & Career Night: Monday, October 7

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