
Parent Newsletter
Riverside Middle School | December 2024

May Parent Newsletter
Important Upcoming Dates
May 5-9 - Teacher Appreciation Week
May 12 - 16th - Future Panther Tours with 5th Grade Teachers
May 8 - Track Meet @ Jefferson - 5pm
May 10 - 54th Mass Band Concert @ WHS - 7:30PM - 9:00PM
May 14 - Jazz Band Concert @ WHS - 7:00PM - 8:00PM
May 20 - Orchestra Concert @ WHS - 6:00PM -7:00PM
May 22 - Choir Concert - 6:00PM - 7:00PM
May 26 - No School for Memorial Day
May 29 - RMS Band Concert - 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Dean Update
Dear Riverside Families,
It’s hard to believe we’re already turning the calendar to May. April seemed to fly by in a blur of activity and excitement! One of the highlights of the month was our 3rd Quarter Brewer Trip, and what a fantastic day it was.. Our students had a great time cheering on the Brewers, hanging out with friends, and enjoying all the classic ballpark treats. Personally, I wrapped up that day with 22,000 steps, but every step was worth it to see the smiles on students’ faces—especially those grinning ear-to-ear with baseball helmet nachos and cheesy fries in hand!
Now, as we head into the final stretch of the school year, we’re looking forward to one of our most anticipated events: the Mount Olympus Trip on Wednesday, June 4th. This trip is a favorite for many students and a great way to celebrate a year of hard work and perseverance. In order to attend, students must meet the following eligibility requirements from Monday, April 14th through Wednesday, June 4th:
No unexcused absences
C- or higher in all classes
No more than one major referral
Eligible students will receive notification of their eligibility through their student email on Monday 5/19. Sign up will 5/19-5/23. Eligibility requirements will continue to be monitored through the day of the trip for students who have signed up. Admins do reserve the right to withhold the trip from a student for any behavior or academic encounters. Contact Danielle Hansen with any questions.
As we support our students in meeting these expectations, your partnership at home is more important than ever. If you haven’t already done so, we encourage you to enable Skyward Parent Notifications to help monitor your child’s grades and attendance. This tool is an excellent way to stay informed and engaged.
If you need your Skyward Login, please contact Amanda Ristow.
Here’s how to turn on Skyward Notifications:
Log into your Skyward Family Access account.
Select “My Account” in the upper right corner.
Scroll to Notification Settings.
Check the boxes for the notifications you'd like to receive (grades, attendance, etc.).
Click Save.
As we close out the year, let’s continue working together to keep our students on track and finish strong.
Here’s to a strong and sunny finish to the school year!
Warmly,
Josh Barnett
Dean of Students
Rooms Information
Parents & Guardians – Please Sign Up for Rooms
Thank you to the many parents and guardians that have already logged in to Rooms – the WUSD’s new app-based two-way secure messaging tool that enables parents, teachers, coaches and students to stay better connected.
Rooms is now live across all grade levels. If you have not yet logged in to Rooms, we ask you to please do so now. Communication is already being sent home via Rooms and Rooms will be the primary way we communicate with all families at the start of the 2025-26 school year. We do not want you to miss out on any important updates or information!
To access Rooms, download the Watertown USD app by clicking the link below appropriate for your mobile device or computer. You will be prompted to log in with your phone number or email address attached to your student’s Skyward account. If you have any issues logging in, please contact Melissa Lampe, WUSD Communications Specialist at lampem@mywusd.org.
Link for Android: https://aptg.co/9F12nP
Link for iPhone: https://aptg.co/ZkZ2jK
Link for desktop login: edurooms.com (log in with your email linked to Skyward at registration)
Thank you, and please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Our Library is SWEET! 📚🍭
By checking out a book (or returning an overdue book), students were able to celebrate National Library month with a sweet treat!
Tips for Limiting Cell Phone Use & Boosting Reading Habits
1. Create “Screen-Free” Zones or Times
Designate certain times of the day—like dinner, bedtime, or the first 30 minutes after school—as phone-free.
Set a family charging station outside bedrooms to reduce late-night screen use.
2. Replace Scroll Time with Story Time
Encourage your child to spend just 20 minutes a day reading instead of scrolling. Even short reading sessions have long-term academic and emotional benefits.
Try audiobooks during downtime—they’re a great transition tool for reluctant readers.
3. Model the Habit
Kids notice what adults do! Let them see you reading for fun. Set a “family reading time” where everyone reads their own book together, even if it’s just 10–15 minutes.
Great Things Happening at RMS!
Our Eligible Students had an amazing time at the Brewer Game! The fact that the Brewer's WON made it even better!
Future Panthers
Please click the images below to login in to Skyward to Register your incoming 6th graders for the RMS Experience. It is under the Arena Scheduling Tab for Summer School Registration.
Public Service Announcement from the Watertown Police Department
Club Information
News from the PTO!
Scholarship Information
April is Financial Literacy Month! Below are 4 scholarships students may qualify for just by completing 1-3 lessons within specific EVERFI financial literacy-focused resources:
Eligible Students: 6-8th grade students
Application Deadline: June 9, 2025 (Spring Semester)
Prize: $2,000 - $5,000 529 College Savings Gift Card
Eligible Students: Students aged 13-19 years old
Application Deadline: May 4, 2025 (Spring Semester)
Prize: $2,500 in educational funding
Eligible Students: Students between 13-19 years old
Application Deadline: May 6, 2025 (Spring Semester)
Prize: $1,000 in educational funding
Youth Camp Information
Attendance Reminders
Please remember to call your student in if they will be missing school, running late or have an appointment. That way we can make sure they are marked accordingly for attendance and we can have passes ready in advance for your student to leave on time. Let's have a great year!
Free & Reduced School Meals
The 2024 Free and Reduced Price School Meal form can be found on Skyward Family Access. Forms can be turned in to any of the district schools. A new form must be completed each school year.
Lost & Found
Please remind your students to check the Lost & Found for anything they have lost. Currently the Lost & Found is overflowing from so much clothing that is lost. If the items do not get picked up, they will be donated. Thank you so much for help with keeping students responsible for their things.
Influenza Information
2025-2026 School Year Immunization Requirement
Care Solace Information
RMS Phone Numbers
Riverside Middle School - 920-262-1480
Main Office - Ext 5801
Bookkeeper - Ext 5802
Attendance - Ext 5811
Student Services - Ext 5821
Fax - 920-262-1468
Find us on...
Riverside Middle School on Facebook at https://shorturl.at/HnSJA
Watertown Unified School District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WatertownUnifiedSD
Watertown Unified School District on Instagram at instagram.com/watertownusd