Parent Update

Watertown High School

Parent Update 9.20.24

Thanks to our students and staff for another incredible week at WHS! I am so proud of our students for their positive transition back to the school year and want to take a moment to thank our WHS families for their ongoing support. Your assistance, collaboration, and support of your student sets the stage for a fantastic school year!

We celebrated our great start to the school year with an all school assembly during ELT today. There were many positive recognitions, but the most impressive was a RECORD 88 Gosling Flight Feathers awarded to students and staff. This is a fantastic affirmation of the gratitude our learning community shows on a daily basis. Thanks to the students, staff, and families who nominated someone so far!

Homecoming activities are only a few weeks away so be sure to mark your calendars for the #Goslingpride filled events! This is an exciting, busy time so please reach out to WHS staff if you have any questions or need any support for your student.

Have a great weekend and be sure to review the updates below!

Homecoming 2024

Sunday, September 29

Float Building

Locations TBA
12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Powder Puff Football Game

WHS Football Field: 5:30 p.m.
Admission: Free

Window Painting

Downtown Businesses
12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday, September 30

Hall Decorating Contest

Decorate your class hallway to show school spirit!
Monday before school 6:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

Dress-up Days

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: USA Day

Wednesday: Soccer Mom vs. Barbecue Dad

Thursday: Class T-Shirt Day

Friday: Gosling Pride Day

Dean of Students Update

I had the opportunity to watch multiple athletic events this past week. Our students are tremendous in their support of each other at these events. It was awesome to see the band as well as the dance and cheerleading teams perform at last week’s home football game. The energy and atmosphere was electric and I am looking forward to seeing this continue throughout the school year.

Students: If you are called out for an appointment or anything else during the school day, you MUST sign out when you leave the building at the attendance kiosk. If you fail to do this, you will be marked UTR as stated in the student handbook.

Parents/Guardians: In order for an absence to be excused, please make sure to notify the attendance office by midnight the day of the absence. Also, a medical excuse must be presented to the attendance office within 24 hours of the absence.

A few reminders about detentions. Failure to serve assigned detentions will result in more severe disciplinary actions.

A lunch detention is assigned if a student does not show up in the correct ELT location each day. It is important that students check Securly Flex each morning before ELT to make sure they are headed to the right location. If a teacher requests a student to be present, that would override a student’s choice for ELT. If a student does not make a selection and is not requested to report to a teacher, they will automatically be assigned to their homeroom. If a student feels an error has been made, please have the teacher send an email to Mr. Hayes to clear the referral and detention.
An after school Wednesday detention is assigned if a student is marked U-TR (truant) for an individual class period. There are multiple ways that a student could potentially be marked U-TR, please refer to the student handbook for possible examples. A teacher or parent/guardian needs to clear these referrals and detentions through the attendance office if an error is made.

Failure to serve assigned detentions will result in more severe disciplinary actions.

Keep up the great work Gosling Nation! A high work-ethic and great attitude puts you in places where good luck can find you.

Navigating Back-to-School

Simple Tips for Supporting Your Child’s Mental Wellness

Back-to-school time is here, and it’s normal for both kids and parents to feel a mix of excitement and nerves. As we all settle back into the school routine, focusing on mental wellness can make a big difference in helping your child feel happy, confident, and ready to learn. Here are five friendly tips to keep in mind:

Set Up a Steady Routine - Kids thrive when they know what to expect. A consistent daily schedule can help them feel more secure and at ease.
Keep the Conversation Open - Encourage your child to share how they’re feeling about school, friends, and anything else on their mind. Listening goes a long way!
Fuel Up with Sleep and Good Food - A well-rested child with a healthy diet is more likely to have a great day at school. Sleep and nutrition are the foundation of good mental health.
Partner with Teachers - Stay connected with your child’s teachers to stay in the loop about their progress and well-being. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Show Them How to Handle Stress - Practice simple stress-busters together, like deep breathing, mindfulness, or just taking a break to chat or laugh.

For more helpful tips and ideas on how to support your child’s mental wellness this school year, don’t miss our article on Back to School Mental Wellness. Let's make this a fantastic year for everyone—happy, healthy, and ready to thrive! Back-to-School Mental Wellness Tips

Picture Retake Day

Friday, October 11

Picture Retake Day will take place on Friday, October 11 during lunch hours (11:09 - 12:56). Please see the attachment below with details.

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Gosling Flight Feather

We are excited to announce the continuation of the 'Gosling Flight Feathers' program, an initiative designed to celebrate and recognize the extraordinary efforts of our students, teachers and staff. This special program, created last spring, is an opportunity for you to acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and positive impact that staff members of our school community bring to our high school.

The 'Gosling Flight Feathers' are more than just a symbol—they represent the high standards and unwavering commitment that our educators and support staff embody each day. Whether it's a teacher who goes above and beyond to help a student succeed, a staff member who creates a welcoming environment, or someone who contributes to making our school a better place in countless ways, this is your chance to honor their efforts.

Here’s how you can participate:

Nominate a Staff Member: If you know of a teacher or staff member who deserves recognition, please take a moment to submit a nomination. Think about the positive impact they’ve had, the extra miles they’ve gone, or the small acts of kindness that have made a big difference.
Share Specific Examples: Provide details about why you’re nominating them. Specific examples help paint a clearer picture of their contributions and the impact they’ve made on our community.
Submit Your Nomination: Follow the simple submission process provided in the linked Google form here. The form will be active all school year and will be accessible from the weekly Smore newsletter. All nominations will be reviewed, and all nominated individuals will be honored with a 'Gosling Flight Feather' at our upcoming monthly school assemblies.

By participating in this program, you’re not just recognizing individual achievements; you’re helping to foster a culture of appreciation and encouragement within our school. Let’s work together to celebrate those who inspire, uplift, and make a lasting difference in the lives of our students and the broader school community.

Thank you for your support and for helping us shine a light on the amazing work happening every day at our school. - Mrs. Jennifer Bault, WHS Associate Principal

Securly Flex Updates

Anticipated Changes Next Week

Thanks to our families, students, and staff for their flexibility as Securly Flex, our program to manage student movement during ELT time, has gone through updates. Due to the ongoing issues with Securly Flex, WHS is planning on returning to Edficiency as early as the end of next week. Students in grades 10-12 are already familiar with Edficiency as it was used during the previous two school years during ELT. All students will receive training next week, including resources and information that will ensure a successful transition.

We look forward to future updates to our ELT management system that will maximize the support students receive during this period of the WHS school day.

Stay tuned for updates next week!

Host Families Sought for German Exchange Students

Sina is 16 years old and has two rabbits and four colonies of bees. She likes to spend time with friends listening to music, watching shows, and traveling. She says, "I am very excited to see Watertown High School and experience the American lifestyle." You can be the host family Sina or one of her friends needs for their visit in October! Simply email schneiderk@mywusd.org or call (920) 341-1708 for more information.

Staff Spotlight: Jessie Cornelius

Mr. Jessie Cornelius is joining the WHS staff as the Business Education Teacher. Mr. Cornelius earned his Bachelor Degree at UW-Stout and this his Masters Degree at Oakland City University. Mr. Cornelius is a retired Marine of 23 years. Mr. Cornelius loves to golf, work in his garden, cook and spend time with his black pug named Gunner. Mr. Cornelius wanted to teach at the high school level to make a positive impact on the future of America.