Parent Update

Watertown High School

Parent Update 10.23.24

Thanks to our students and staff for a fantastic, short week at WHS! It was also great seeing families who were able to attend Parent Teacher conferences on Tuesday night. A quick reminder that families are encouraged to communicate with WHS staff on an ongoing basis with any questions or if their student needs any additional support. The partnership between school staff and parents/guardians is critical to student success throughout the school year!

A friendly reminder that WHS staff will engage in professional development on Thursday, October 24th. WHS staff are engaging in a wide variety of activities designed to enhance instruction and ultimately improve student academic performance, especially in the areas of literacy and math. We appreciate the community’s support as our staff works hard to make instruction even better for all WHS students! There will be no school on Friday, October 25 and the WHS offices will be closed.

Enjoy the long weekend and we look forward to seeing our students back at school on Monday, October 28th!

Dean of Students Update

Parents, please remind your student of the following:

Student PSA#1: Please check your school email daily.
Student PSA#2: Please leave your cell phone with your teacher if you need to leave the room after class has started.

Mid Trimester Motivation:

It’s supposed to be hard.

You’re supposed to have moments of doubt. You’re supposed to have days you don’t want to do it. You’re supposed to make sacrifices. You’re supposed to challenge yourself and push your limits.

That’s the price that has to be paid to separate yourself from the pack, stop being average and to do anything worth doing.

Stop trying to avoid it. Stop searching for a shortcut or easier path - it doesn’t exist. Feel the doubt and hear all your excuses but show up anyway - because the only way to beat them is to face them.

All great things must be earned, fall in love with the challenge and start building your best life now!

Student Chromebook Update

We sincerely appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your scholar’s educational journey. As we uphold the tradition of excellence in learning, we also embrace the innovation that technology, such as Chromebooks, brings to the classroom. To ensure your student remains focused and their Chromebook continues to function at a high level, we kindly ask for your help with the following strategies:

Regular Updates: Ensure the Chromebook is updated to the latest software version to improve security and performance.
Charging Routine: Establish a routine to charge the Chromebook overnight so it's ready for school each day.
Cleaning and Care: Gently clean the screen and keyboard regularly and keep food and drinks away from the device to avoid damage.
Safe Online Practices: Monitor your scholar’s online activity, reinforcing the importance of using safe and appropriate websites.
Storage: Remind your scholar to store the Chromebook in a safe place when not in use to prevent physical damage.

Together, we are transforming the learning experience, ensuring your student is equipped with the tools and habits to succeed in this digital age. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to their success.

Bullying Prevention Month

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. As a school community, we want to encourage everyone to stay informed about the signs of bullying, the impact it can have, and what to do if you see it happening.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as behavior that is:

Unwanted: The behavior is not wanted by the victim.
Aggressive: The behavior involves some form of aggression, such as physical force, threats, or intimidation.
Repeated: The behavior happens more than once or has the potential to happen again.

Acts of bullying may involve physical contact, words or gestures, or social exclusion. Bullying can happen in person or online.

The signs of bullying include:

Physical signs: bruises, cuts, torn clothing, missing items
Emotional signs: changes in mood, withdrawal from friends and activities, anxiety, depression
Behavioral signs: aggressive behavior, changes in eating or sleeping habits, truancy
Social signs: being excluded from activities, being made fun of or called names

If you see bullying happening, it's important to do something. Here are some things you can do:

Talk to the bully and tell them to stop.
Talk to the victim and offer your support.
Report the bullying to a trusted adult, such as a teacher, counselor, or parent.

If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are resources available to help:

Together, we can create a safe and supportive school community for all students!

Sincerely,

Watertown Unified School District

Bus Expectations Update

For those families utilizing bus transportation for their students please see the attached document sharing updated behavioral expectations across WUSD on the bus. Thank you for your ongoing support!

pdf

insert_drive_file

2024.10.9 Revised Final WATERTOWN Bus Behavior Protocols.pdf

Download

694.1 KB

Athletic Information

Winter Athletic Update

If your student participated in a fall sport this school year and plans to participate in a winter sport, the only item you will need for your winter sport red card is the $75 payment.

If your student did not participate in a fall sport but plans on participating in a winter sport, your student and a parent/guardian are required to complete the following:

Red Card Video (located in Skyward Family Access)
Online athletic forms (located in Skyward Family Access)
$75 Red Card fee payable online or to the WHS Bookkeeper
Updated physical from your doctors office

Red Card DUE DATES for winter sports are as follows:

Girls Basketball and Gymnastics red card items are due NO LATER THAN Thursday, November 7, 2024
Boys Basketball, Wrestling and Boys Swim red card items are due NO LATER THAN Thursday, November 14, 2024

Any late paperwork will result in missing the first day of practice.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please stop by Mrs. Piasecki in the main office.

Watertown Athletic Calendar

Senior Pictures

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.

eShare by Varsity Yearbook

hjeshare.com

Goslings Blankets

As the weather is getting colder, don't delay as there are only 20 blankets available for purchase! Blankets can be purchased for $70 by paying the Watertown High School bookkeeper, located at the front entrance of the high school. Check, Cash, and Credit Card accepted (small service fee applies). Or pay online here: https://watertownusd.revtrak.net/whs-gosling-blankets/

Staff Spotlight: Jenna Noggle

Mrs. Jenna Noggle is joining the WHS Social Studies team this year. Mrs. Noggle earned her bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and earned her master's degree from Southern Wesleyan University. Mrs. Noggle has 13 years of teaching experience in education.

When not busy with her children or at school, she loves to boat and be out on the lake.