Parent Update 2025

The Watertown Unified School District Board of Education is seeking to gauge voter support for a potential future operational referendum through a survey that has been mailed to all school district households (expected arrival Oct. 30-Nov. 3).

The Board of Education has hired School Perceptions, an independent education research firm, to conduct the survey and to ensure all responses are kept confidential.

The survey has been emailed to WUSD staff members, and it will also be emailed to WUSD parents and guardians (you may have received your email survey already). If multiple voting-age members of one household would like to take the survey, additional copies may be obtained by contacting Lynn Linskens at (920) 262-1460 ext. 3202 or by emailing linskensl@mywusd.org. Each survey contains a unique confirmation code to avoid duplication.

The survey response deadline is Nov. 17. The Board of Education thanks the community for its support of our public schools and strongly encourages all voters in the district to complete the survey. For more information, visit: https://www.watertown.k12.wi.us/page/spring-referendum.

Junior Meetings - Class of 2027

You are cordially invited to your child’s Class of 2027 Junior Meeting. Watertown High School’s Junior Meetings will run between November 2025 and February 2026.

The junior meeting will include a review of your child’s strengths, interests, talents, abilities, and academic performance. Our meeting will discuss post-secondary goals, how to achieve them and discuss the next steps toward those goals. Your involvement in this conference is very important for the success of your child’s ongoing education and preparation for the future.

Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to participate in person or virtually. Please notify us if you need to attend virtually, so we are prepared to open a link. If you are unable to attend, please know that we will share a summary of our discussion with students and families after each meeting.

We look forward to meeting with you, and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions.

Junior Conference Action Plan

Junior Conference Preview

Please click on the name of your child’s assigned school counselor below to schedule a conference; include your child’s first AND last name in the appointment title. If Spanish translation services are needed, please put “SP” in your calendar reservation with your child’s first and last name.

Amy True, School Counselor A-He, truea@mywusd.org,920.262.7550
Erikka Olson, School Counselor Hi-Ph, olsone@mywusd.org, 920.262.7550
Matthew Dunn, School Counselor Pi-Z, dunnm@mywusd.org, 920.262.7550

Food Resources

We understand that the recent government shutdown and the resulting pause in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits may be creating hardship for some families in our community.

Please know that our school breakfast and lunch programs will continue to operate as usual, providing nutritious meals to all students each day. Families who may need assistance with meal costs are encouraged to complete a free and reduced-price meal application.

There are many community programs and organizations that provide food resources for families. These services help ensure that families have consistent access to nutritious and affordable meals.

Watertown Food Pantry - (920) 390-4252

209 N 9th St, Watertown, WI 53094

The Bread Basket - (920) 390-2575

208 S 3rd St, Watertown WI 53094

Ruby’s Pantry - St. Peter's Lutheran Church

W4661 South Street, Lebanon, WI 53047

Next pop-up pantry: 11/11/2025 3:30 PM
Must register the first time you attend
Cost is $20 per share. Please bring two boxes or laundry baskets to carry your food.

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Applications

Families may apply for food service benefits anytime through out the year.

To apply:

Online: Login into Skyward Family Access -->Select Food Service Tab on left hand side -->Click Application to start the online process.
Paper Application: https://watertownunified.healtheliving.net/what-we-do/meal-applications/

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Nutrition Services at 920-262-7536.

Juniors - Class of 2027

As you are aware, Watertown High School is participating in the Direct Admit Wisconsin program for the Class of 2027. UW Direct Admit is an opportunity for 11th grade students to be automatically admitted to participating University of Wisconsin system schools free of charge. Direct Admit Wisconsin offers early and proactive admission to participating Universities of Wisconsin for rising seniors at participating Wisconsin high schools.

In order to participate, 11th grade families must log into Skyward Family Access and “opt-in” by Thursday, April 30, 2026. Directions are attached on how to locate the Direct Admit Wisconsin in Skyward Family Access. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. True, WHS counselor, at (920) 262-7500 x6825 or truea@mywusd.org

Seniors - Class of 2026

The Universities of Wisconsin admission pathway portal is now open! In order for students to officially accept their Direct Admit offers, they must complete their Direct Admit form. Students are encouraged to login to complete their view their Direct Admit offers and submit the Direct Admit form. This is an important next step for students to receive critical enrollment information from the UW universities such as financial aid, housing, and next steps in their admission process. When a student submits a form to a UW it is not a commitment to attend that UW, it is a way for the student to let the UW know they have interest in attending. As such, students may submit forms to multiple UW universities to which they were directly admitted.

Direct Admit Walkthrough Guide

Chad Hayes - Dean of Students

Student Cell Phone Expectations

To help maintain a focused learning environment, we ask that students place their cell phones in the classroom phone caddy during class time, unless the teacher has given permission for academic use.

We appreciate your support in reminding your student to follow these expectations so that we can keep classrooms free of distractions and focused on learning.

Student School Email Reminders

Please remind your student to check their school email daily. All attendance-related notifications from WUSD are sent through student email accounts. This includes messages about attendance errors and any Attendance Reflection Time that may be assigned.

We’ve noticed that students have been doing a much better job of staying on top of their email lately—thank you for encouraging this habit! Regularly checking email helps ensure that attendance matters are handled promptly and that students stay informed.

Families are reminded that AP testing fees must be paid by Friday, October 31 to ensure your student's AP exams are ordered. Thank you to all the families who have already submitted their payments!

Advanced Placement Testing Hub

Deadline is Friday, November 21

Senior yearbook photos must be uploaded directly to the Herff-Jones website at yearbookshare.com/eShare using the school code 825. The senior photo should be a headshot with no hands visible in the picture. The deadline to upload your senior picture is Friday, November 21, 2025. Please note that hard copy photos and emailed senior photos will not be accepted. Make sure to follow the guidelines and submit your photo on time to be included in the yearbook.

NHS Trunk or Treat

WHS National Honor Society hosted Trunk or Treat last Wednesday. NHS members got dressed up in costumes and decorated their vehicles to hand out candy to younger children from the Watertown area.

Song of the Day

WHS held it's Song of the Day Contest today! First hour classrooms who meet their goal for the week were eligible to call in. Mrs. Mueller's 1st hour Endeavor: Fundamentals of Project Based Learning class was the 13th caller with the correct song title and artist, which was "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. The class was treated to Rice Krispies Treats! Congratulations!