Parent Newsletter

First Quarter Success & Gratitude

Can you believe the first quarter is already in the books? We have had a truly fantastic start to the school year, filled with hard work, excitement, and strong community spirit. October was a prime example of what makes Riverside Middle School such a special place:

• School Culture & Spirit: Our halls were filled with energy and pride during Homecoming Spirit Week as students and staff celebrated together.

• Family Engagement: Thank you to all the families who joined us for Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences to celebrate growth and partner with our staff.

• Academic & Career Exploration: From protecting daily DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time to strengthen literacy stamina, to our AVID team visiting UW-Milwaukee and our 7th graders engaging in Career Day, our students have been actively connecting classroom learning to real-world opportunities.

None of this would be possible without you—we deeply appreciate our parents and guardians partnering with us on all things school-related. Your ongoing communication, support, and involvement make a meaningful difference in our students' daily success.

Celebrating IXL Growth & Our Milwaukee Zoo Trip!

We are thrilled to share some big news! Thanks to our students' incredible effort and academic progress on IXL leading up to our October diagnostic deadline, each grade level has officially qualified for a reward trip to the Milwaukee Zoo! We are so proud of the dedication our students have shown toward their learning goals.

Looking ahead, we are excited to use growth as the key determining factor for all of our reward trips this year. We believe in recognizing perseverance, individual growth, and collective progress at every step of the journey.

• When: Thursday November 12

• Details:

• Students attending the trip will be leaving the building after 1B and returning around 2:45.

• Lunch:

• Students taking a lunch will need to remember those from home or bring money for concessions.

• Students requesting a lunch from school have already done so via Google Form at the time of sign up. They will pick this lunch up from the check in spot by the penguin exhibit at 11:30am.

• Dress:

• Please remind your students to dress appropriately for this trip as the majority of the exhibits are outdoors.

• Students remaining back at RMS will be in non-instructional rotations starting after 1B until students from the zoo return at 2:45.

Veteran’s Day Assembly Wednesday November 11

Please read the flyer included below for important information regarding our Veteran’s Day assembly happening on Wednesday November 11.

Quarter 2 Reminder: Gear Up for Changing Weather

As we move into the second quarter, the weather is turning colder. Please remember that our students will continue to go outside for recess and outdoor movement as long as conditions permit. To keep everyone warm, safe, and comfortable, please make sure your child comes to school each day with appropriate outdoor clothing, including warm coats, hats, gloves/mittens, and boots as needed. (Tip: Labeling your child's winter gear with their name helps us return any misplaced items quickly!)

Thank you again for your incredible partnership and support. We are looking forward to another fantastic quarter together!

Warmly,

Mike Cunningham

Leigh Ann Graf

RMS Co-Principals

Nov 2 - Advanced Learning Fall Award Night & Family Meeting - 6PM @ WHS Auditorium

Nov 5 - Washington Workshop Parent Meeting - 6PM - LGI

Nov 11 - Veterans Day Assembly/Breakfast

Nov 12 - Milwaukee Zoo Field Trip

Nov 19 - RMS Orchestra Concert - 6PM - WHS Auditorium

Nov 25 - 27 - No School - Thanksgiving Break

RMS invites our school family to join us on Wednesday, November 11th, for our annual Veterans Day assembly as we honor the service members who touch the lives of our students, staff, and community!

Please review the flyer below for details on how to:

Submit a veteran to be featured in our tribute slideshow

RSVP for a light breakfast with your student following the assembly

We look forward to celebrating and honoring our community’s heroes together!

School starts at 7:45AM daily, attentdance is taken right after the 7:45AM bell. 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.

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.

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!

Boys Basketball Starts November 2nd, first game November 12th.

2. Make Reading Part of Your Routine

Set aside 15–20 minutes each day for reading. This could be before bedtime, after dinner, or during a quiet afternoon. When reading becomes part of the daily routine, it feels less like an assignment and more like a natural part of the day.

3. Be a Reading Role Model

Let your child see you reading! Whether you're enjoying a novel, reading a magazine, listening to an audiobook, or browsing an online article, show them that reading is something people of all ages enjoy. You can even share what you're reading with each other.

4. Explore Different Formats

Not every student enjoys traditional chapter books, and that's okay! Encourage your middle schooler to explore graphic novels, comics, audiobooks, e-books, magazines, and short stories. All forms of reading help students build literacy skills and discover what they enjoy.

5. Talk About Books Without Making It Feel Like Homework

Ask your child what they're reading and what they think about it. Try questions like:

• What's the most interesting thing that's happened so far?

• Which character is your favorite?

• Would you recommend this book to a friend?

• What do you think will happen next?

Keep conversations casual and fun. The goal is to build connections through reading, not quiz your child on what they've read!

Remember, the goal isn't necessarily to get your child to read more books or read faster. It's to help them discover the joy of reading. Sometimes finding the right book is all it takes to turn a reluctant reader into an enthusiastic one!

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!

Enrollment is underway but there are still spots available. Please reach out to Katie Dittberner for more information!

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.

Good Afternoon,

In 1952, Clarence “Pop” Wendt started a program to ensure that all children from families in need throughout Jefferson County would receive gifts for Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of local individuals, organizations, and businesses, the Christmas Neighbors program continues to reach record numbers of local children. Last year, over 500 families received gifts through our Toy Distribution and Adopt-A-Family programs.

Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors is now accepting online applications for the Toy Distribution Program and will be accepting applications for both the Adopt a Family Program and Toy Distribution Program starting November 2nd via the phone lines! Please note you must be an active participant of a State-funded child welfare program, and be the legal guardian of at least one child (infant to 18 years of age) to be considered for acceptance into either program.

Eligible families can register online NOW for the Toy Distribution Program, or may apply for the Adopt A Family or Toy Distribution Program via our traditional phone lines (920-674-4499) which will be open Monday, November 2nd-Thursday, December 10th from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

LIVE LINK to register for Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Toy Program:

Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Registration

Best regards,

Kathy Volk
Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Board of Directors

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:

Dear Middle School Families,

As we work together to ensure a safe and positive school year, we want to ask for your partnership in reinforcing expectations for bus behavior. Safe transportation is a shared effort, and our drivers need every student's cooperation to maintain a calm, secure environment so they can focus on navigating the roads safely. Under Watertown Unified School District policies—including Policy 5500 (Student Code of Classroom Conduct) and Policy 8600 (Transportation)—the same standards of respect, courtesy, decency, and property care required in our classrooms extend to all district vehicles. Behaviors such as bullying, intimidation, or disrespectful conduct are strictly prohibited.

Please take a moment to review these expectations with your middle schooler at home. Remind them that riding the bus is a privilege that depends on following driver directions and treating fellow students with kindness. We deeply appreciate your support in helping us keep every ride to and from school safe, comfortable, and welcoming for all students.

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