Webster Elementary Newsletter
Watertown Unified School District | December 2023
Hello Webster Families:
I thought we could all use a few reminders about our school schedule. The doors for breakfast open at 7:30 each day. All other doors open at 7:50 and school starts at 7:55. Please remember that the 10th Street driveway is for a quick drop-off only. Our school day ends at 3:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and 2:00 on Wednesday. No cars are allowed in the 10th Street driveway after school. The Watertown Police Department has informed us that people arriving to pick-up students should not park in front of school or between the bus lanes on 10th Street prior to 15 minutes before school lets out. If you are in those spots earlier, they will consider you “parked” and not just “picking up” and you may receive a parking ticket.
Our teachers have finished assessing all our students in reading and math. They use this information to help them adjust and guide instruction for each student. Each student read one-on-one with their teacher and the teacher calculated their reading levels. We do this assessment 3 times a year with every student. Students in grades 1-5 took the STAR reading and math assessment. This assessment is done on their computers. You should be receiving their results with report cards or during parent/teacher conferences. Parent/teacher conferences are by invite only and will be held on Thursday, February 8. If you would like to have a conference and have not been invited, please reach out to your child's teacher.
Spring is on the way! March and April are very busy months for us at Webster. We have Pizza Picasso Night, PTO Scholastic Book Fair, PTO Carnival and the Spring Concert for students in grades 5K, 1st and 2nd. Spring Break is from March 25-29, 2024.
Students in grades 3,4 and 5 will be taking the statewide Forward assessment during the last week of March and much of April. This is a state mandated test that every 3rd, 4th and 5th grader in the state will be taking. These are not the type of tests that students can study for. We just want them to work their hardest on each question. They should get a good night sleep and have a good breakfast everyday so they are feeling good. We will be supporting them in giving “100%” effort on these tests by wearing our “100%” t-shirts on the first day of their test taking weeks. Watch for more information on t-shirt wearing dates.
Mr. Clark
The Watertown Unified School District (WUSD) will begin online enrollment for our 2024-2025 4-year-old and 5-year-old kindergarten programs on Monday, February 5th at 10:00a.m. If you, or someone you know, has a child who will be turning 4 or 5 on or before September 1st, 2024, please enroll online. See the section below if your child currently attends the WUSD 4K program. You can find more information on our district webpage, https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/enrollment-and-registration If you do not have online access, you can make an appointment at the Educational Services Center (ESC) at 111 Dodge Street from 7:45-4:30 Monday-Friday. If you have any questions about our 4-year-old kindergarten program please call 920-262-1485. If you have any questions regarding the 5-year-old kindergarten please call 920-262-1490.
Webster Elementary had 11 students whose writing or drawing were chosen to represent Watertown at the Southern Lakes Anthology competition. Congratulations to:
Cooper Reichert, Sophia Helser, James Pedersen, Cal McFarland, Elliana Walter, Jake Ruetten, Josey Weber, Kinsley Strobel, Evelynn Winkelman, Peter Saugstad and Braylee Poling.
Three Webster fifth grade students will have their writing and artwork published in the 2024 edition of the Southern Lakes Anthology. This year's theme is "What If". Kinsley Strobel and Josey Weber collaborated on an Illustrated Writing entry named "My Pet Ostrich". Josey also will be published in the prose category with "Water Skiing Worries". Peter Saugstad's artwork, "If I Got a Hippopotamus for Christmas" will also be included in the book.
By: Ms. Alwin
We are holding our Kids Heart Challenge event from February 5-23, 2024. The Kids Heart Challenge is a fun and exciting event where your student learns about their heart while helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association. It prepares your child for success through physical and emotional well-being. They will learn about healthy eating, healthy life choices and how exercise benefits our bodies. Our goal is to have everyone take the Health Challenge which requires no fundraising efforts on your part. If you choose to fundraise all our fundraising efforts will all be done online at http://www2.heart.org/goto/WebsterElementaryWatertown If you have more questions please contact Ms. Alwin.
Wisconsin’s inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they reside. The regular Open Enrollment application period for the 2024-2025 school year is February 5 - April 30, 2024. The application period closes at 4:00 p.m. on April 30, 2024. The best way to apply is online at https://dpi.wi.gov/open-enrollment
You can call the Watertown Unified School District Office at (920) 262-1460 Ext. 3217 if you have questions.
Each year, National Read Across America Day is celebrated on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. This annual event is part of Read Across America, an initiative to encourage a love for reading in children. At Webster School, we will celebrate on Friday, March 1, with a "Would You, Could You, Read in Your Hood?"-an all school dress up day. Students simply need to wear some type of hooded shirt to school on Friday, March1st. Students will be able to wear their hood up over their head for the entire day. This will be a special treat as we typically do not allow hoods to be worn inside the building. Students will also have a designated time to read independently and enjoy a small snack!
March is Youth Art Month. The Art Show will be held on Thursday, March 14th in the Webster Cafeteria from 4:30-7:00. Come have pizza with your budding Picassos and check out their masterpieces! The students have been working extremely hard and will have a great Art Show to share with you and your families. Make sure to stop by and write your favorite artist some “fan mail”!
The Fifth Grade Art Club will also be holding a bake sale and craft sale to help raise money for their spring field trip, with some High School artists providing face painting for 50 cents a cheek. There will also be live demonstrations from our High School art students to let students and families get a peek at many different types of art in motion.
Along with all the wonderful art work you can browse the book selection at the PTO Scholastic Book Fair which will run Wednesday, March 13th 8:00a.m. –2:00 p.m., and Thursday, March 14th 8:00a.m. – 3 :00p.m. and 4:30 p.m.—7:00p.m. Information regarding the pizza part of the night will be sent home soon. Beverages will be sold. We are still in need of volunteers to help during the event. Please watch for the SignUp Genius that will be coming out soon.
I am looking forward to seeing you all at our Pizza-Picasso Night! Please remember this is your child’s show and even if you do not order pizza, come and view their artwork. I have enjoyed working with your children and appreciate all their hard work so far this year.
Artfully yours,
Ms. Babino
The Watertown Jig Jog 5K is gearing up for their annual event on Saturday, March 16th. The run/walk starts at the Watertown Public Library. All proceeds go the the Educational Foundation of Watertown which last year gave over $38,000.00 in grants directly to local public and private classrooms. Registration is now open at https://l.facebook.com/l.php?
The year was 2018 and the school with the most participation was Webster! Let's do it again Webster Wildcats!
The theme this year is “When the unexpected happens, Poison Help is here for you 24/7.” Poison Help is here for you 24/7 with fast, free treatment advice by calling (1-800-222-1222) or visiting Poison-Help.org. Whether it's a question or an emergency, Poison Help can provide life-saving information when people need it most. Calling a Poison Center is faster and more accurate than an internet search. Whether you have general questions or an emergency, Poison Help is available 24/7/365 at no cost to you. Call Poison Help with questions for medications, cleaning products, insect bites, food poisoning, and liquid nicotine…just to name a few! Printed from: American Association of Poison Control Centers
Camp Invention is a nationally acclaimed summer program where STEM concepts come to life. It is for children entering grades K-6th grade.
Location: Lincoln Elementary STEM School
210 N Montgomery St
Dates: July 22-26, 2024
Time & Cost: 9:00am to 3:30pm $270 (before discount)
Camp Director: Candace Fessler
Register at www.invent.org/camp
“This material and/or activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the School District or its personnel.”
During the month of March, 2nd through 5th grade classes will explore a chess unit during Media classes. All students will learn the basics of chess along with a few tricks! After Spring Break, 4th and 5th grade students will participate in the annual Webster Chess Tournament! Challenge your student to a game of chess!
By: Mrs. Gilbert, BSN, RN, NCSN District Nurse
The incidence of severe and life-threatening allergies has been rising over the past several years. Watertown Unified School district has developed school policy and procedural guidelines to support students with life-threatening allergies, minimize the risk of accidental exposure to allergens, and have a plan to recognize and manage allergic reactions and anaphylaxis at school. The district is committed to working cooperatively with students, parents, staff, and physicians to provide a safe educational environment. To access the “Guidelines for Managing Life Threatening Allergies” and “Life Threatening Allergy Management ” Policy #5405, please refer to the WUSD website at: www.watertown.k12.wi.us If your child has a life-threatening allergy, or if you have any questions/concerns, please contact Lynn Gilbert, District Nurse at 920-262-1460 X3219
Children should check the lost & found bins that are located outside the office, by the cafeteria, and by the south doors (near room 201). Lost eye glasses, jewelry and smaller items can be claimed by stopping in the office. Please label shoes, backpacks, coats, hats, mittens, boots, etc. with your child’s name.
UPCOMING EVENTS FEBRUARY 2024
1 5th Gr Art Club Mtg 3-4 Art Room
6 2nd Qtr Wildcat Leaders Mtg 3-4 LMC
7 2:00 Dismissal
13 PTO Mtg 6-7 LMC
14 2:00 Dismissal
15 5th Gr Art Club Mtg 3-4 Art Room
16 NO SCHOOL-Staff Development
21 2:00 Dismissal
21 Jr Coaches Mtg 2:15-3:30 Gym
28 2:00 Dismissal
29 5th Gr Art Club Mtg 3-4 Art Room
UPCOMING EVENTS MARCH 2024
6 2:00 Dismissal
12 PTO Mtg 6-7 LMC
13 Scholastic Book Fair 8-2
13 2:00 Dismissal
14 PTO Scholastic Book Fair 8-3 and 4:30-7:00
14 PTO Pizza Picasso Night 4:30-7:00
20 2:00 Dismissal
20 Jr. Coaches Mtg 2:15-3:30
21 5th Gr Art Club Mtg 3-4 Art Room
21 Elementary 4th & 5th Gr Choir Concert at WHS
22 4th & 5th Gr Choir Skating
22 End of 3rd Quarter
25-29 NO SCHOOL-Spring Break
Community Events
*Watertown Family Connections https://www.watertownfamilyconnections.com/
*Watertown Park and Recreation Department
https://watertownwi.recdesk.com/Community/Home
*Watertown Public Library https://www.watertownpubliclibrary.org/
*YMCA https://www.glcymca.org/
“This material and/or activity is not sponsored or endorsed by the School District or its personnel.”