Parent Newsletter

Good afternoon RMS families!

Thank you for an incredible, high-energy first week of school! Launching a successful school year is a true community effort, and we are so deeply grateful for your partnership, encouragement, and support in helping our students hit the ground running.

Our staff has been blown away by how quickly our students stepped into our building expectations and embraced our school rules. From navigating crowded hallways with respect and courtesy, to adhering to classroom guidelines, managing technology responsibly, and showing up on time ready to learn, our students demonstrated impressive maturity. Watching them support one another, practice daily routines, and embody responsibility from the very first bell set an inspiring tone for the entire year.

Middle school is a period of massive growth, and seeing our students take pride in their behavior and school culture reminds us what makes this community so special. The conversations you had at home about our policies—whether regarding cell phones, dress code, water, backpacks, lockers, attendance, or everyday kindness—made a visible, positive impact in our hallways and classrooms this week.

We wanted to complement your students on how they navigated the following processes this year so far this year:

1. Lunches:

1. We heard a lot from parents last year on our Engagement Surveys that the lunchroom could be overwhelming for students both in the number of students and the short timeframe by which they were given to be in there before some wanted to transition into being outside. In response to this, we transitioned from 3 lunches to 4 lunches this year which allowed us to give students a smaller environment to eat in; with fewer students in the lunch room at any given time, the volume is way down and it is creating a calmer environment for students. We were also able to give them more dedicated time for physical activity in their recess time. Students are using that physical outlet in order to play games of their choice or walk the track. It has been really nice to get them some additional time for movement in the middle of the day.

2. Lockers:

1. While it took a little getting used to in the first day or two of school, we have found that our hallways are a calmer place to be. There is a noticeable difference in volume and movement in the hallways. It is incredibly impressive. We also notice that our beginning of the day and end of the day time periods are a lot calmer as well. We are thankful for all of our students working together to navigate this new change. It has gone incredibly smoothly.

3. DEAR Time:

1. We have had a lot of our students really excited about the opportunity to read something of interest to them. We have worked through 6th and 7th grade book checkouts so far this week. 8th graders will be wrapping up checking out initial selections on Friday.

2. DEAR time will officially kick off next week in ELA (English Language Arts) classes. Students will start each of their ELA class hours with 10 minutes of silent reading. The following week students will start their math classes with DEAR while the week after that they will start social studies/science class with DEAR. We will then rotate back to ELA.

3. We have heard from some concerned parents that DEAR might not be a favorite thing for their students. We understand that. We also recognize that our data came back from the Forward assessment we took as a building last spring, and that assessment indicated that only 37% of the building was reading at grade level or above (everyone else was below grade level). With scores that low, we needed to try something different. While we are engaging with reading strategies in all classes across the building to help students make connections in new ways with reading, we also wanted to reengage our middle school students with the act of reading that might just spark in some of them a love of reading. This will take time. This won’t happen overnight. We would truly appreciate your partnership with this work. Anything you could do to help encourage reading in your household will help us more successfully get more students to grade level proficiency with reading.

We wanted to provide you with some resources that were used to support your students at Riverside. Below, you’ll find the specific teaching resources we used to help students navigate different processes within the building. We thought it might be helpful to you to see them in order to build a strong partnership with us.

1. RMS Goals/Updates

1. We used this slides presentation to make sure students knew what our goals were for this year as well as to let them know directly from us what the changes were to some of the processes at RMS.

2. Chromebooks w/Clever Badges

1. Students were provided with their Chromebooks on the first day of school. We ask that students bring their charged Chromebook with them every day.

2. Students were given a temporary paper copy of their Clever Badge with which to log into their Chromebook. When we have Picture Day(s) next week (September 8th & 9th), students will get their new IDs. Those IDs will have their Clever badge QR codes for Chromebook access printed directly on them. Those IDs will be how students access their Chromebooks and get into school activities/dances/sports. Please make sure they keep those IDs safe.

3. Binders

1. We took students through the process of organizing their AVID binders as part of their science or social studies classes this week. The video we used is there so you know how we would ask students to keep their things organized throughout the year. New copies of Tables of Contents will be provided to them for organizing their items as the classes run out of space on their existing ones.

2. Teachers have noted marked differences in overall course grades for students who keep an organized binder with and updated Table of Contents page. They know where their study material are and know how to find the things they need to be successful. We want to encourage students to use this valuable tool, so our staff will set aside time to take students through writing in their Table of Contents and clipping things into their binders.

4. Agendas/Google Classroom

1. Linked above, you’ll find a forced copy of the digital planners we are trying out this year. The physical agenda logs we used to use cost the building a lot of money, so we are trying to use a digital resource moving forward.

2. Your students were taken through this instructional slides to help students understand how to use that tool above. We encouraged all students to share their digital planners directly with each of you so that you could see their homework they were logging throughout the day. It is a great communication tool between school and home if you’re looking to see what students have for homework. Teachers are taking time out of class to have students log their homework/work directly into that resource.

3. Google Calendar talks with Google Classroom, so any time a teacher assigns something in Google Classroom with a due date, your student’s Google Calendar gets an assignment created on it automatically. We encouraged students to share their Google Calendars directly with you so you can monitor upcoming due dates alongside your student. Slide 4 provides a really clear step by step for students on how to go about sharing that, so if they didn’t already, you could have them take you through it from home.

Get to know your Co-Principals:

• Leigh Ann Graf

• Mike Cunningham

September Newsletter

We are honored to partner with you in creating a safe, welcoming, and high-achieving environment for your children. Thank you again for your trust, your active support, and for sending us such exceptional young people every day.

Enjoy a restful weekend with your family—we can't wait to see everyone back on Monday morning for another great week!

With deep gratitude,

Leigh Ann Graf

Mike Cunningham

RMS Co-Principals

Sept 8 - Picture Day Last Name A - L

Sept 9 - Picture Day Last Name M - Z

Sept 15 - 8th Grade Marching Band - 5pm @ WHS

Below you will see an attendance email address for Parents and Guardians to use to report that your student will be absent. As always, you can still call and leave a message with attendance. It is important that you let us know in advance if your student will be absent. That way attendance can be marked accordingly and automated absent phone calls will not go out. Adding RMS as a contact in your phone also helps you to know who is calling, if your student needs something. Thank you!

Attendance Email: rmsattendance@mywusd.org

Attendance Phone Number: 920-262-1480 - EXT 5811

For the 2026-2027 school year, we are planning on continuing the practice of assigning entrance locations by grade level for student drop off and student entry into the building. We have noticed a calmer and better supervised start to our day the last few years by doing this and are excited to use our space to spread out our students (and driving parents). These locations are also closer to student lockers, which are also assigned by grade. The assigned locations are as follows:

• 6th and 8th grade students (and any students eating breakfast) - Student drop off will be on Rocky Road (flagpole road) and students will use the main entrance (A2) to enter the building.

  • Please pull up to the car in front of you. When someone stops at the flagpole to let their student out, it means that 10 less cars can let their student out at the same time. Please pull up to the car in front of you and, if no one is in front of you, please pull up to the spot closest to Hall St.

  • Students should be ready to exit the vehicle as soon as you come to a stop. If you need more time to gather materials or have a last minute conversation, the stalls on Hall Street would be appropriate.

  • Parents, during our before school drop off and after school pick up times, there will be no parking in the stalls along Rocky Road by our flagpole. This will help keep traffic running smoothly If you need to park to come into the building, please do so by using the designated parking stalls on Hall Street.

• 7th grade students - Student drop off will be on Hall Street, using the parking stalls facing the school. 7th grade students will use the door nearest the greenhouse (B1) to enter the building.

• If you are dropping off multiple students in different grades, it is completely acceptable to drop off all students in the area that is most convenient for you.

• School staff will not be able to direct traffic on Rocky Road or Hall Street. We rely upon our parents to safely follow the above directions to ensure a smooth drop-off process for our students.

Online Skyward Registration will be available starting on Monday, July 27. All families are required to go through the Online Skyward Registration process which can be completed from your home. Online Registration can be found via Skyward Family Access on the left hand side. Online registration must be completed using the full web-based version of Skyward Family Access. It cannot be completed through the mobile app.

Families will be given the opportunity online to pay fees with a credit card, near the end of the registration process. Paying online will result in a 3% convenience fee. You may also mail your payment to Watertown High School, Attn: Bookkeeping, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown, WI 53098.

The Watertown Unified School District has active guidelines regarding the waiver of school fees. Under this policy (po6152.01), the Board will waive assessed fees for students whose parent(s) are unable to afford them, ensuring these costs do not act as barriers to their educational program.

Families that qualify through Direct Certification, will be notified of eligibility via email or mail and must complete the "Consent to Share Information Form" before any fees may be waived.

Families that do not qualify through Direct Certification but believe that they qualify for Free or Reduced Meals must first complete the required income-based application on the WUSD website at https://watertownunified.healtheliving.net/what-we-do/meal-applications/, or request a paper application from any school office, in order to receive consideration for the waiving of fees. If the application is approved as eligible, families will be notified via email or mail and must complete the "Consent to Share Information Form" before any fees may be waived.

Students who qualify for an approved fee waiver will have their fees removed from Skyward once all steps have been completed.

On Mondays we do have an Advisory schedule which is 30 minutes of extra time set aside to connect with students on various school related topics.

Network Photography will be at RMS on Tuesday, September 8th and Wednesday, September 9th. Students with the last name A - L will have their photo taken on Tuesday the 8th. Students with the last name M - Z will have their photo taken on Wednesday the 9th. It is important that your student has their photo taken to ensure they recieve a student ID card. Picture retake day is October 14th from 7:45AM - 10:45AM.

There are some important updates regarding Riverside Middle School athletics registration and schedules for the upcoming school year. Please review the major changes below:

• Introducing BOUND: Moving forward, RMS Athletics will use a new platform called BOUND for both athletic registration and sports schedules. Please see the attached document for detailed information and step-by-step instructions on setting up your account.
• Physical Exam Forms: You can now conveniently scan and upload your student’s physical forms directly to their BOUND account. Paper copies of the physical form are no longer required to be turned into the Athletic Office.

Note for Co-Parenting / Split Households: To prevent duplicate files, please designate only one parent or guardian to complete the online athletic paperwork in Bound. If you have any questions, please email Danielle Hansen at hansend@mywusd.org or call 920-262-1480 EXT 5802.

Thank you for your cooperation as we transition to this new system. Go Panthers!

Please fill out this form if you are interested in purchasing a 2026-2027 RMS Yearbook for $15. All orders are due by April 2, 2027. If you have more than one student please fill out the form for each student. Please send payments to the Main Office, you can make checks payable to Riverside Middle School. Thank you!

Families will find the 2026 Free and Reduced Price School Meal form on the Nutrition Services webpage. Forms can be turned in to any of the district schools. A new form must be completed each school year.

Under Wisconsin Statute 120.12 (22), students who qualify for free and reduced lunch will have their AP exam(s) cost waived. Families must complete the paperwork for free/reduced lunch each year. If you have not yet done so, that paperwork should be completed by October 1st to ensure that there is no gap in your student receiving free/reduced lunch benefits.

Students will be required to pay, or qualify for free breakfast or lunch, using their ID card, for any meals at school.

• Breakfast Instructions- For students eating breakfast, door A1 will open at 7:30, only for students eating breakfast. All other students will be expected to enter door A2 or B1 at 7:35, when the building opens for everyone. Students will grab their breakfast and take it with them to their locker and 1st hour class. If a student arrives after 7:35 and wants breakfast, they will come in through A2 or B1 and head to the cafeteria.

• Students that qualify for free and reduced lunch can sign up for free and reduced lunch on Skyward while registering your child for school. Another option is to stop in the office and fill out paperwork for free and reduced lunch.

To help your child make the most of their new Chromebook, here are some best practice strategies for taking great care of their school-issued device:

1. Handle with Care: Remind your child to always carry their Chromebook with both hands. Avoid stacking heavy items on top of it to prevent screen damage.

2. Keep It Clean: Encourage your child to clean the screen and keyboard regularly with a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can damage the device.

3. Charge Responsibly: Make it a routine to charge the Chromebook every night so it’s ready for the next school day. Remind your child to avoid overcharging and to unplug the charger once it’s fully charged.

4. Store Safely: Ensure your child stores their Chromebook in a safe place when not in use, away from food, drinks, and extreme temperatures. This will help prevent spills and other accidents.

5. Use with Care: Teach your child to avoid downloading unauthorized apps or software that could harm the device or compromise school network security.

6. Report Issues Promptly: If your child encounters any issues with their Chromebook, encourage them to report it to their teacher. Early intervention can prevent small problems from becoming bigger ones.

To receive needed vaccines, contact your primary care provider. Immunizations are also available at the Watertown Department of Public Health, located on 515 South 1st Street for “Vaccine for Children” (VFC) eligible families. These are children through 18 years of age who are on Badgercare, Medicaid eligible, uninsured, American Indian, Alaskan Native, or underinsured/no coverage for vaccines. You must have a complete written record of all previous immunizations in order to get immunizations at the health department. A parent/guardian must accompany any child under the age of 18. There is a charge for non-Badgercare clients of $15 for city residents and $20 for non-city residents for the immunizations. Please call the health department at 920-262-8090 for more information. Please note, vaccinations at the health department are by appointment only. Thank you for your cooperation.

Para recibir las vacunas necesarias, comuníquese con su proveedor de atención primaria. Las vacunas también están disponibles en el Departamento de Salud Pública de Watertown, ubicado en 515 South 1st Street para familias elegibles para "Vacunas para niños" (VFC). Estos son niños hasta los 18 años de edad que están en Badgercare, elegibles para Medicaid, sin seguro, indios americanos, nativos de Alaska o con seguro insuficiente / sin cobertura para vacunas. Debe tener un registro escrito completo de todas las vacunas anteriores para recibir vacunas en el departamento de salud. Un padre/tutor debe acompañar a cualquier niño menor de 18 años. Hay una tarifa para los clientes que no son de Badgercare de $15 para los residentes de la ciudad y $20 para los no residentes de la ciudad para las vacunas. Llame al departamento de salud al 920-262-8090 para obtener más información. Tenga en cuenta que las vacunas en el departamento de salud son solo con cita previa. Gracias por su cooperación.

The Watertown Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program is available at no charge whether your student is covered by dental insurance. The Seal-A-Smile program will bill Medical Assistance or BadgerCare if your student is covered by those programs.For more information on the Seal-A-Smile program, please visit: https://www.chawisconsin.org/initiatives/oral-health/wisconsin-seal-a-smile/

Please indicate your choice to opt in or opt out by filling out the online form here:

https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Home/About. Alternatively, paper permission slips are provided below and may be returned directly to the RMS Main Office.

For more information about the Watertown Seal-A-Smile dental sealant program, please call Watertown Department of Public Health at 920-262-8090 or e-mail at cquest@ci.watertown.wi.us.

Commonly Asked Questions:

What exactly does this program offer for my child?

• Sealants
• Fluoride varnish
• Tooth brushing instructions and oral health education
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• A letter sent home explaining what services were done and suggestions for further treatment

What is a sealant?

• A sealant is a thin, tooth colored, plastic coating that is painted on a tooth to help prevent cavities from forming
• Your child will be checked to determine which teeth can have sealants; sealants will be done that same day

What is a fluoride varnish?

• A fluoride varnish is topical gel that is painted onto the teeth, making them stronger

Did you know?

• In the US alone, children miss about 52 million hours of school each year because of oral health problems
• Poor oral health and untreated oral diseases and conditions can largely affect the ability to learn
• 90% of decay in children’s permanent teeth occurs on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth[1]; sealants serve as a physical barrier to the bacteria that cause decay.

Riverside Middle School T-Shirts are available for $10 in the Main Office. Cash or Check.

Available in Small - Medium - Large.

Please make sure you are signed up for Rooms in order to get all communication sent through that platform as that is an easy way for teachers to communicate upcoming deadlines and information to families the easiest.

A couple of things we would like to remind students and parents of:

• Cellphones: Students are not allowed to have cell phones on them. They are to be kept locked in their lockers for the entirety of the school day. If you need to get a hold of your child please call the office and leave a message that we will get to your child. If your child has to call you, please have them come to the office and we will help them to call you.

• Water only: Beginning this year, RMS classrooms and hallways will be water-only spaces. Students may bring water to school, but coffee drinks, sodas, energy drinks, juices, and other beverages will not be allowed in classrooms or hallways. Please plan accordingly when sending your student to school each day. We appreciate your help in making this transition smooth and supporting an environment that is focused on learning.

• No backpacks, bags, purses, etc: Students will need to place all bags in their lockers for the school day (7:45-3:15). This includes backpacks, purses, drawstring bags, and other types of bags. We know this is a new routine for some students, so we will spend time in classes on the first day of school reviewing how to access lockers and helping students become comfortable with this expectation. Our goal is for students to feel confident and ready to navigate this routine independently while also maintaining safety and security in our tight classroom spaces.

• Dress code: RMS staff and administration will be expected to adhere to School Board policy regarding the dress code. We appreciate your efforts to work with us to support your students here in our building. Per School Board policy 5511 Dress and Grooming:

Riverside Middle School - 920-262-1480

Main Office - Ext 5801

Bookkeeper - Ext 5802

Attendance - Ext 5811

Student Services - Ext 5821

Fax - 920-262-1468

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