WHS Parent Update

Greetings Gosling Families,

This is an exciting, busy time of year with many activities, competitions, and celebrations. It is a great time to be a gosling!

Don't forget to purchase your 2022-2023 yearbook as today is the last day to order! Senior parents, please make sure you have put in your request for graduation tickets for June 10!

Have a great weekend and please see the updates below for important information as we march through the third trimester!

Josh Kerr, Principal

Watertown High School

We did it! Watertown Unified School District has been named one of the #BestCommunitiesforMusicEducation for the 11th year running!

Thanks to our community members for their continued support of the music and arts in Watertown.

And thanks to our amazing team of music educators. Your effort in and out of the classroom is providing students with experiences and opportunities that make them smarter and more well-rounded humans!

The School to Career program offers WHS students the opportunity to explore future careers while getting .5 credits per trimester—and get paid for the time working with area employers. We have one- and two-year programs that students can start their junior or senior year. Programs include the Cooperative Skills Program through the Department of Public Instruction and the Youth Apprenticeship Program through the Department of Workforce Development. Students can gain experience in high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand career areas, see enclosed for program options.

We have an informational meeting on May 8, 2023, at 6:00 PM via Zoom: https://shorturl.at/B0178

All new students enrolled in the 2023-2024 School to Career Program are required to attend, and students who are interested in joining are welcome to attend.

The School to Career Program students benefit from the program through

⮚ Real-world on-the-job experience

⮚ Truly experience a career path before investing time and money beyond high school

⮚ Earn advanced standing credits for technical college or university

⮚ Earning a state-recognized certificate of occupational proficiency upon completion that could go towards an adult apprenticeship

⮚ Strengthening college and scholarship application content

⮚ Getting paid and earning WHS credit while working

To enroll in one of these programs, students will apply by completing and turning in the following:

1. See the link to print and complete the application: https://shorturl.at/cEF23

2. Attend an information meeting with a parent or guardian—see the enclosed flyer for details.

3. Turn in materials to me by May 31, 2023.

For more information, go to the Watertown High School Course Guide, the Jefferson County School to Career website at http://jcstc.org/, or, contact me at tarpeys@mywusd.org.

Junior students who took the statewide ACT test in March should have received their score in their MyACT.org account. Regardless of a college’s ACT submission requirements, a strong ACT score supports an application for admission. Be sure to check the admissions requirements of the colleges you hope to attend. ACT scores remain an important consideration for scholarships and course placement. Unsure if you should re-take the ACT? Make an appointment with your school counselor.

ACT registration is online at myact.org. Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch, or may be experiencing financial hardship, should see their school counselor for a fee waiver.

Upcoming ACT Test dates:

June 10, 2023 (May 5th registration deadline)

July 15, 2023 (June 16th registration deadline)

As we continue through the trimester, please continue checking your student’s grades in Skyward and communicate with your student’s WHS teachers if there are any academic concerns. This is especially important for our seniors who are close to the finish line! With only a few weeks remaining in the trimester as well as the school year it is more important than ever to ensure that your student makes the most of the academic opportunities available in their classes. It is a busy, exciting time of year and WHS staff want to partner with WHS families to ensure every student has a fantastic, successful end to the school year!

There is only one more week left to order your 2022-2023 yearbook! The deadline to order is TODAY. No extra yearbooks will be ordered so please plan accordingly. https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/general/displayLanding (school order number: 3818)

Prom Tickets are now on sale! Prom is Saturday, May 6 in the WHS Commons from 8:00-11:30, with the Post Prom to follow at the Elks Lodge from 11:30-2:00 am in downtown Watertown. Get ready for an amazing night! Tickets purchased after today are $35. Don’t wait! That ticket to prom also gets you into the post prom. Everything at prom is then free, including valet parking, coat check, and refreshments. Everything at Post Prom is free as well, including a huge buffet of food, casino games, and a pool, ping-pong, and bags tournament–all with prize money. In purchasing a ticket your name goes in for a drawing for loads of door prizes, including a Trek bike, Apple watch, dorm fridge, cash–and much, much more–but you MUST be present at Post Prom to win!

Current junior and senior students may bring ONE guest that is enrolled in high school or a graduate under the age of 19 to Prom on May 6th. The guest pass and a $10 non-refundable guest verification fee is due to the Bookkeeping Office by Tuesday, May 2nd. Please plan ahead as no late forms/screenshots of the form will be accepted.

Message from WHS Associate Principals:

Since prom is right around the corner, and we want to make sure that students who are eligible to go to Prom can do so. Students must have served any outstanding detentions by Thursday, May 4th. Additionally, students who are considered habitually truant (10 or more dates of unexcused absences/truancies) will be denied entry into prom. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Pennington (A-L) ext. 6805 or Ms. Bault (M-Z) ext. 6804.

Graduation Tickets

Graduation will take place on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 10 a.m. in the WHS Fieldhouse. This will be a ticketed event for guests, with each graduate being allocated 12 free tickets. Unused tickets will be made available to families who may want additional tickets. The deadline to order graduation tickets is May 1st.

Click here to request your tickets!

Senior Fees

We would like to remind parents that all school fees must be paid in full in order for your child to participate in the Graduation Ceremony. Fees can be paid by cash or credit card and are due no later than Friday, May 19, 2023.

Graduation Practice

Rehearsal will begin on Friday, June 9th at 10 a.m. All seniors participating in Graduation are REQUIRED to attend Graduation Rehearsal.

Graduation Video

The Graduation Committee is looking for childhood (baby/elementary age) pictures for the senior slideshow. Pictures can be submitted to whsgradpics@gmail.com. The deadline to submit pictures is Friday, May 5.

Watertown Daily Times Graduation Ads for Purchase

Parents and families wishing to place an graduation ad in the Watertown Daily Times for their senior student should contact ewatson@wdtimes.com by Friday, May 5. A sample of the ad is below.

Due to popular demand, we brought these amazing NubaySoft ™ D-Luxe Blankets BACK! They are super soft, HUGE and big enough for two people! By using your blankets at home, at the park, or at the game, our goal is to help student families feel included and connected to our great culture. Pricing is $70 each. To order, go to: https://sites.google.com/spectatorblankets.com/watertown-goslings/home

The WHS Health Room has a free supply of COVID-19 Antigen Self Tests. If you are in need of a

box of tests, please have your student stop in the Main Office and talk with Dawn Teesch, WHS Health Room Assistant.

WUSD has the following positions open for the summer. If you know anyone interested, please have them contact Cheryl Hollatz at hollatzc@watertown.k12.wi.us.

• Summer Cleaner (Must be 16 years old)
• Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Wage: $15.71 per hour
• Lawn Maintenance (Must be 18 years old):
• Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Wage: $15.71 per hour

A reminder to students and their families, that the respect nomination form is posted on the WHS website and posters with QR codes are posted around the building. Be sure to nominate a student or staff member!

https://bit.ly/3yBC4K6

Are you looking for the ultimate resume and college application builder? If so, we have an opportunity for you to hone your mentoring skills, obtain valuable leadership traits, and gain intellectual property knowledge. Camp Invention is looking for Leadership Interns!

Volunteer Leadership Interns are extremely important to Camp Invention because they empower participants while supporting the local Director and Instructors. Their role is to act as a mentor to program participants by helping them brainstorm and problem-solve throughout the week. Leadership Interns also receive formalized, online leadership training, earn up to 40 volunteer hours, AND receive a letter of recognition from the United States Patent and Trademark Office! Space is limited so reach out to secure your spot today! For additional information on this opportunity, please contact Candace Fessler at fesslerc@mywusd.org

This summer Camp Invention will be July 24 - 28 from 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• May 6: Prom 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
• May 8 - 12: Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 19: Senior Fees Due
• May 29: No School - Memorial Day
• May 30: Art Walk Celebration - 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Awards 6 p.m. Town Center)
• June 8: Early Release 11:30 a.m. - Last Day of School
• June 9: Graduation Practice - 10 a.m.
• June 10: Graduation Day - 10 a.m.