Parent Newsletter

We are super excited to be welcoming your children to Riverside Middle School for the first day of school. Please feel free to reach out to Mr. Cunningham or Ms. Graf with any questions throughout the school year. Our email addresses are cunninghamm@mywusd.org or grafl@mywusd.org.

We want to focus this school year on student engagement. We want this to be a place your children feel comfortable and want to be every day. In order to do that we have set our school goals to engage your children here at RMS.

Student Goals

Goal One

1. By May 31, 2026, the middle school leadership team will conduct quarterly student rounding conversations with 25 students per grade level, totaling 225 students across the year, to gather input. This baseline data will be documented, analyzed quarterly, and used to inform building-wide strategies.

Student Rounding Questions

1. What makes learning feel meaningful or interesting to you in your classes?

2. When you’re in class, what helps you stay focused and involved in the lesson?

3. If you could change one thing to make your classes more engaging or meaningful, what would it be?

4. How do students treat each other in the halls, lunchroom, and other parts of the school?

5. What do you do when you see another student not following the rules or expectations?

Goal Two

By March 31, 2026, the middle school will administer a student engagement survey three times—once during each of the first three quarters of the 2025–26 school year. This baseline data will be analyzed within two weeks of each administration and used to inform school-wide strategies to improve student engagement.

Student Engagement Questions

1. My teachers explain things in a way that I get.

2. I can relate to what I am learning at school.

3. I feel safe at school.

4. Students treat me with respect.

Goal Three

By May 31, 2026, the number of behavior referrals for 2025/26 seventh grade students will decrease by 5% decreasing from 697 to 663, through targeted interventions including parent communication, student recognition, and participation in co-curricular activities, and tiered attendance supports.

Dress Code Reminder

We also wanted to remind you of a policy that did change over the summer that may pertain to your child. 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. The new policy is listed below:

5511 - DRESS AND GROOMING

The Board recognizes that each student's mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of personal style and individual preference. The Board will not interfere with the right of students and their parents to make decisions regarding their appearance, except when their choices interfere with the educational program of the schools. This policy and any additional school or activity rules established related to student dress shall be published annually in student and staff handbooks.

The Board generally prohibits student dress or grooming practices that [consider reasonably anticipated or forecasted to]:

1. present or be interpreted to present a threat to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school, including but not limited to threats of harm or depictions of harmful conduct directed at others;

2. interfere with school work, create disorder, disrupt the educational environment, or promote a hostile environment, including but not limited to invading the rights of others;

3. cause excessive wear or damage to school property; and/or

4. prevent the student from achieving their own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement.

Specifically, students must comply with the following guidelines and expectations:

1. There can be no gap between a shirt and bottoms;

2. All private body parts and undergarments must be covered;

3. No spaghetti straps, strapless tops or a-shirts are allowed;

4. Hats and hoods are not allowed to be worn during school hours. Headwear may be worn only for religious purposes, health or safety, or for sensory sensitivity;

5. Anything that covers the face is not allowed (including sunglasses, with the exception of transition lenses), unless worn for religious or reasons determined necessary by a student's 504 or IEP team to address disability related needs;

6. Apparel that is see-through or includes excessive rips or tears can be worn so long as there is an additional layer of clothing underneath;

7. Apparel that has words or pictures on it is allowed so long as the words and pictures are not obscene, lewd, vulgar, indecent, or plainly offensive or can be plausibly interpreted as promoting or depicting illegal activity, including but not limited to illegal drug use or underage alcohol consumption, or inciting violence; and

8. Bottoms should be at least finger tip length.

These guidelines shall also apply to the dress requirements for members of the athletic teams, bands and other school groups when representing the WUSD at a public event. Where appropriate, a uniform or specific dress requirement shall be used for students when representing the WUSD as described.

Any exceptions or modifications to these rules shall be communicated by the building principal or designee for special events such as prom, homecoming, spirit day, field trips, etc.

If a school staff member believes that a student failed to comply with the dress code, the staff member may ask the student to modify or change to comply. If the student remains noncompliant, the staff member shall report the suspected noncompliance to the building principal. The principal or designee will determine if the student violated the dress code. If the student violated the dress code, the principal or designee will ask the student again to modify or change what the student is wearing. If the student does not have anything to modify or change what the student is wearing, the parent will be contacted to bring a change of clothes. If the parent is unable to bring a change of clothes, the principal or designee will request the student return home for the remainder of the school day.

The WUSD will implement this policy consistent with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and all other state and federal laws. Nothing in this policy prevents the WUSD from taking additional disciplinary action related to a student for noncompliance, consistent with state and federal law.

We are very much looking forward to kicking off the school year on Tuesday. Please reach out with any questions you may have!

Sept 8 - Picture Day - Last name A - L - Schedule Below

Sept 9 - Picture Day - Last name M - Z - Schedule Below

Sept 29 - AVID Family Night 6pm - 8pm in the LGI/Commons

New to our building this year is an attendance email address for Parents and Guardians to use to inform us that your student will be absent. As always, you can still call and leave a message with attendance as well. 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.

Attendance Email: rmsattendance@mywusd.org

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

This year, we are excited to introduce Securly Pass, a digital hall pass system that all students will use when leaving the classroom. This tool helps us monitor and manage hallway activity in real time, ensuring that students are using their time responsibly and that our school remains a safe, focused learning environment.

Key Benefits of Securly Pass:

• Improves campus safety by knowing who is out of class, where they’re going, and how long they’re gone
  
  

• Maximizes instructional time by reducing unnecessary hall pass usage and minimizing class interruptions
  
  

• Reduces mischief and vandalism, by limiting unsupervised time in hallways and restrooms
  
  

• Enhances emergency response by allowing staff to quickly identify students’ locations
  
  

• Simplifies record-keeping for teachers, administrators and families
  
  

Students will be introduced to Securly Pass during the first week of school and receive guidance on how to use it responsibly.

Thank you for your continued partnership in helping us start the school year strong. If you have any questions about Securly Pass or any other school procedures, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Josh Barnett

Dean of Students

920-262-1480 EXT 5807

Dear Families,

As we begin the school year, I want to thank you for your partnership in supporting your learners. One of the tools that helps us live out our mission of inspired academic excellence and student growth is the Chromebook issued to every student in grades 6–12. These devices connect students to learning opportunities that blend tradition, innovation, and transformation, allowing them to research, collaborate, and create in ways that prepare them for the future.

Caring for these Chromebooks is not just about protecting school property—it is about practicing our core values:

• Empathy – Understanding how keeping devices safe supports not only your child, but their classmates who rely on technology for learning.

• Honesty – Being truthful if something happens to a Chromebook so that it can be repaired quickly and learning can continue.

• Integrity – Taking responsibility by using the device as a tool for learning and treating it with care.

• Perseverance – Staying committed to responsible use even when challenges or temptations arise.

• Respect – Treating the Chromebook as an essential learning tool, with dignity and care, just as we treat one another.

By modeling and reinforcing these values, we are building a culture where students are ready to learn, grow, and thrive. Together, we are ensuring that our resources are used wisely and that every child has the tools they need to succeed—today and into the future.

Thank you for your continued support in partnering with us to create a caring, responsible, and innovative learning community.

In Community & Education -

• The RMS school day will begin at 7:45AM and dismiss at 3:15 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Wednesdays, school will begin at 7:45AM and dismiss at 2:10PM.

Whether you are interested or not, we ask that you please fill out the form below either way.

https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Program/SelectProgram

Please watch the video below for more information.

On Skyward Family Access, parents will find the 2025 Free and Reduced Price School Meal form. 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 the cost of their exam(s) 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.

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

Google Chat will be shut off for 6th and 7th graders this year.

Thank you.

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