Parent Newsletter

Aug 17 - 21 - All Grade Band Camp 8am - 11am

Aug 19 - 6th Grade Experience 9am - 1pm

Aug 27 - Cross Country Informational Meeting 5:30 in the LGI

Aug 27 - Athletics Meeting 6:00PM in the LGI

Aug 27 - RMS Fall Open House 5pm - 7pm

Sept 1 - First Day of School 7:45am - 3:15pm

Sept 8 - Picture Day Last Name A - L

Sept 9 - Picture Day Last Name M - Z

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

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.

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.

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!

Parent/athlete meeting - August 27, 5:30pm-6pm in the LGI

Practice starts on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 3:30pm-5pm after school.

Parents may contact me at heierj@mywusd.org if their student is interested or use the QR code to sign in.

Please see the Volleyball information below.

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.

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