Royal Report

Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
Important Dates:
Socktober - Month of October
- 10/15 - 10/16 - No School MEA Break
- 10/20 - School Store Opens
- 10/21 - Unity Day
- 10/22 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 10/27 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
- 10/28 - DQ Art Night - 3rd grade Swartzer/Steuernagel - 5pm-8pm
- 11/4 - Picture Retakes
Fall Conferences
WMES Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Thursday, October 22nd and Tuesday, October 27th.
Pick a Time, our online scheduling tool for Parent/Teacher conferences, is open. Use the link below to set up a conference time if you have not already.
If you need assistance in setting up a conference please contact the ES Office @ 952-955-0300
Message from Principal Hansen
Dear Families,
As we head into our upcoming MEA break, I want to wish all of our students, staff, and families a restful and relaxing long weekend! I hope you have the chance to unwind, enjoy time together, and recharge for the weeks ahead.
Looking ahead, our Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner. Please be sure to schedule your conference using Pick-A-Time, our online signup tool.
Fall conferences are an essential part of our school year. They provide a wonderful opportunity not only to check in on how your child is adjusting and progressing day-to-day, but also to collaborate on meaningful academic growth goals for the year ahead. We truly value the strong partnership between home and school, and working together ensures our students have the support they need to succeed.
Additionally, mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 21st! We will be celebrating Unity Day as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. We encourage all students and staff to wear orange as we unite to send a clear, visible message of kindness, acceptance, and inclusion across our school community.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Enjoy the long weekend!
Growing together,
Jody Hansen, WMES Principal
Safe Routes to School Family Survey
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) survey is a tool used by schools and communities to collect data on how students travel to school, what barriers keep them from walking or biking and what safety improvements are needed. We would love for all families to fill out this survey, not just the families who participated in the Walk, Bike and Roll to school event. Please complete by Friday, October 23rd.
This Week in Pictures
Ms. Rosholt - our Music teacher - took advantage of the beautiful weather and music class was held outside this week!
School Store
Socktober
Kindergarten's service project is Socktober!!! Please consider donating NEW, unopened socks for children ages 3 months - 13 years old. These socks will go to an agency that services families in Carver County. Socks will be collected until Friday, October 30th. The Kindergarteners will celebrate the completion of their service project with a SILLY SOCK DAY on the 30th. Donations can be dropped off in the office or in the Kindergarten pod.
Fuel the Staff - Baked Potato Bar Sign-Up
Help us show our appreciation for our dedicated teachers and staff during Parent-Teacher Conference Night! The PTO is hosting a warm, delicious Baked Potato Bar to keep everyone energized during a long evening of meetings. We need volunteers to bring potatoes, toppings, sides, and paper products to make this event a success. Please check out the menu needs and claim an item on the link below.
The next PTO meeting is Mon, Nov 2nd 7pm in the media center. All are welcome!
Donate your Halloween Candy!
Once again, WMES is a donation location for any leftover/unwanted Halloween candy. Blue Star Mothers of Wright County will be collecting candy and handwritten cards for local troop serving our country here and overseas. Please consider dropping of a ziploc bag full or more! Candy and cards will be accepted through November 5th.
Understanding the Permanent School Fund
This November, all Minnesotans will have a ballot question about one of Minnesota’s oldest sources of public school funding, the Permanent School Fund. This fund was established in 1858 to benefit public education, however, distributions have not kept pace because of outdated constitutional restrictions. Voters this November can vote to increase the fund.
What does this mean?
Zero tax increase: It does not raise property income or sales taxes. It uses money already sitting in existing investment funds.
Watertown-Mayer Public Schools would receive approximately $50,000 in additional funding.
Sends more money to classrooms. The amendment modernizes the formula to increase the annual distribution from 2.5% to 4.5% of the fund's total value, significantly increasing payments to all Minnesota public schools.
What will appear on the ballot?
The ballot title will be “Increasing funding to school districts.”
The question will ask:
“Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to increase the funding going to all school districts from the permanent school fund, which is a fund that supports school districts without raising individual income or property taxes, effective July 1, 2027?”
An important voting rule
A constitutional amendment must receive “yes” votes from a majority of all voters participating in the election. If a voter casts a ballot but leaves the amendment question blank, the blank response does not count as a “yes” vote and has the same practical effect on the passage calculation as a “no” vote.
More Information: Permanent Fund Information
Special Education Advisory Council
Join Watertown-Mayer SEAC!
The Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) connects families with district staff to share feedback, access resources, and support students receiving special education services.
Upcoming Meeting:
*Thursday, October 22nd
*4:00–5:00 PM
*Community Learning Center room 220
Learn about our Early Childhood Special Education Program and connect with other families and staff. We hope to see you there!
Every Meal
What is Every Meal?
● Free for all families
● No qualifications required & you can enroll at anytime.
● Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
● Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
● Sign up below
Important Reminders, Please Read!
- Smart Watch/Phone Policy: - Ideally, smart devices are kept safely at home. The school district is not responsible for lost or damaged property. In the case a child needs a device to stay connected to family, it should be powered off and kept in their backpack during the school hours. Smart devices may be used before or after school. In the event that a student uses a smart device during school hours, staff will ask students to place it in their backpack for the remainder of the day. If a student continues to use smart devices during school hours, staff will collect the device and hold it until the end of the day. After multiple instances, the watch or phone will be held in the office. It may be picked up at the end of the day. In some cases, a parent will be asked to pick up the device. Please refrain from texting or calling your child throughout the day; it is disruptive to student learning. Should you need to speak to your child, email their teacher or call the main office at 952-955-0300. In addition, students may not call or text home from their personal smart devices. Access to school phones is not limited--students may come to the office to call home as needed.
- Drop Off/Pick Up Line: - DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR. Say your goodbyes ahead of time. This keeps the line running in a timely manner. If your child is unable to get out of the car on their own please pull into the parking lot, park, and walk your child to the office after 7:45am.
- Attendance: If you child will be absent please call the attendance line at 952-955-0321 or email the attendance line at esattendance@wm.k12.mn.us. Please indicate the reason for absence in your message or email (illness, appointment, out of town, etc.)
- Vacation: If you child will be gone for an extended period of time please fill out the Excused Absence for Family Activity/Vacation Form and turn into your teacher or the office. This form is linked below.
- Snacks: Please make sure to pack a snack for your child everyday!
WM Royal Booster Club Online Apparel Store
The WM Royal Booster Club is excited to present its new ONLINE APPAREL STORE!!!
Check out our online apparel store (by BSN Sports) where you can purchase personalized Royals apparel and accessories!
- Choose from a variety of different brands, styles, colors, and logos!
- Shipped directly to your home!
- Open year-round to shop at your convenience!
Watertown-Mayer Apparel Sideline Store
Happy Shopping!!!