Watertown High School Newsletter
Watertown Unified School District
Watertown High School has been recognized as a U.S. News & World Report Best High School for a SEVENTH time! The announcement of this honor is a perfect way to conclude Teacher Appreciation Week, as much of this recognition is based on our students’ academic achievements.
U.S. News & World Report ranked Watertown High School at #161 out of 462 ranked Wisconsin High Schools, and at #5,261 out of 17,655 high schools nationally. Watertown earned its placement with a graduation rate of 96%, and a college readiness score of 31.4 % of 12th grade students who took and earned a qualifying score on at least one Advanced Placement (AP) exam.
We are extremely proud that Watertown High School has again been named a “U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools” winner!” said Principal Josh Kerr. “This is a testament to the hard work our students, staff, and families put in every day to support high levels of learning at WHS.”
Watertown Superintendent of Schools Jarred Burke agreed. “I am continually impressed with the advanced achievement taking place at Watertown High School – both in terms of staff who excel in their fields and the students who work hard to earn and maintain high GPAs,” he said. “Watertown High School, and all schools within the Watertown Unified School District, strive to provide advanced learning opportunities and extracurricular activities to all students eager to learn and expand their horizons.”
The deadline to order a 2023-2024 yearbook is TODAY (5/10). No extra yearbooks are purchased so don't delay in ordering yours!
You can order a yearbook by clicking here.
Current Junior Students/Parents - ACTION BY MAY 17th REQUIRED
Attention all WHS, Endeavor, and eCampus Junior students and families: On Thursday, May 2nd information was shared regarding the UW Direct Admit Program with WUSD students during homeroom. UW Direct Admit is an opportunity for 11th grade students to be automatically admitted to participating University of Wisconsin system schools free of charge. Official information can also be found on the Direct Admit Wisconsin website.
In order to participate, 11th grade students must log into Skyward Family Access and “opt-in” by Friday, May 17th. Resources will be shared on the WHS Weekly Update and If you have any questions, contact Mrs. True, WHS counselor, at (920) 262-7500 ext. 6603 or truej@watertown.k12.wi.us.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! NAMI Wisconsin has great resources for mental health and the WHS Student Services website also has some straightforward coping and stress management strategies to get you started. Students and staff will be wearing green on Wednesday May 15th to support Mental Health Awareness!
Graduation Ceremony – Saturday, June 8th at 10 a.m. in the WHS Field House
Doors at WHS will open at 8:30 a.m.
Graduates should report to the WHS Peace Garden at 9:15 a.m. for a group picture.
Graduates will receive their diploma cover when crossing the stage and will receive their diploma in the Peace Garden (weather permitting) immediately after the recessional. Diplomas will NOT be mailed to students, so please don’t forget to pick it up.
Watertown TV will be live streaming the graduation ceremony on their YouTube Channel: The City of Watertown.
All obligations (detentions, fees, etc.) must be fulfilled before being able to take part in the Graduation Ceremony.
Graduation Rehearsal – Friday, June 7th at 10 a.m.
Rehearsal will begin on Friday, June 7th at 10 a.m. All seniors participating in Graduation are REQUIRED to attend Graduation Rehearsal.
Senior Fees – Paid by Friday, May 17th
All student fees are to be paid by Friday, May 17th to the Bookkeeping Office or via Skyward/RevTrak. Payments may be made by cash or credit card only. Remember, fees must be paid by cash or credit card in order to participate in, and receive tickets for the Graduation Ceremony. Students will be notified at Graduation Rehearsal if they have any outstanding fees. Parents can check their student fees at any time via Skyward Family Access.WUSD Elementary Alums Graduation Walk – Monday, June 3rd
You are cordially invited to return to your alma mater (Douglas, Lebanon, Lincoln, Schurz, or Webster) to “Walk the Halls” one last time in your cap & gown. Your parents are welcome to attend, as well, to take photos!
Douglas/Lebanon/Lincoln/Schurz/Webster on Monday, June 3rd at 2:40 p.m.
Seniors will need to complete a permission slip by Thursday, May 30th and turn it into the attendance office to leave WHS at 2:15 p.m. on June 3rd.
Seniors can pick up the form from the Attendance Office or print it off here.
Graduation Ticket Pick-Up - Monday, June 3rd
Tickets will be required for entry into the field house for graduation. Tickets will be available for pick-up by students/parents at WHS beginning on Monday, June 3 during regular office hours (7:45 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.). Tickets can be picked up from the front office near the main entrance. Please note that all student fees and WUSD owned devices must be paid in full/returned in order to receive tickets.WUSD Chromebook Collection - Monday, June 3rd
Senior students will be required to turn in their WUSD issued Chromebook & charger during Homeroom on Monday, June 3. Student fees will be assessed if the student Chromebook and charger is not returned.Senior Lockers – Cleaned by Thursday, June 6th by 11:30 a.m.
Seniors must clean their lockers out by 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 6th. Lockers will be checked after this time and any necessary fees will be assessed for lockers that are damaged. Fees must be paid in order to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. Anything left in a student locker will be disposed of.WUSD Student Email Accounts/Google Drive
Seniors are reminded to back up any documents they would like from their @mywusd.org account as those accounts will be deleted following Graduation. Please contact Miranda Kluge at klugem@mywusd.org with any questions.Final Transcript Request Form
Seniors students must login to their Parchment account to request their final transcripts be sent to their college of choice. Senior final transcripts will not be processed during June 14 - June 30.Cap & Gown
Jostens orders were distributed in mid-March. If your senior did not pick up his/her cap and gown, you must contact the Main Office ASAP at (920) 262-7500 ext. 6806. If your senior didn’t order a cap and gown, and needs to place an order, contact Jostens at 262-899-8334.
On Monday, April 22, we proudly recognized the 48 outstanding students inducted into the National Honor Society. These students exemplify the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Their commitment to academic excellence, their dedication to serving others, and their integrity in all they do inspire us all. As they join the prestigious ranks of the National Honor Society, we look forward to seeing the remarkable impact they will continue to make within our school and beyond. Congratulations to our newest inductees—you truly embody what it means to lead and excel.
In April, Watertown National Honor Society Members led a Clothing Donation Drive to benefit the Hope Center. The Hope Center is a non-profit organization that serves the basic needs of food, clothing, and financial assistance in Waukesha County. This Clothing Donation Drive is the group’s big service project for the year and the entire chapter was involved in planning and executing the service project. NHS members handed out flyers in the community that encouraged community members to donate any clothing in good clean condition to benefit families in need. This past weekend NHS members collected the donated items and sorted them out into men's, women's, and children's clothes.
The clothes were then re-bagged and donated to the Hope Center, an estimated 50 bags of clothes were donated.
Badger Talk: Leading the Band
Tuesday, May 28 @ 6:00 pm
Community Room at Watertown Public Library
Dr. Pompey talks about his experiences leading the famed UW-Marching Band, as well as what it is like to succeed the legendary Mike Leckrone. Dr. Pompey gives an inside look into the beloved organization that has been sharing music with the people of Wisconsin since 1885. This event is part of the Badger Talks program, which extends the resources of UW-Madison to citizens throughout the state.
