Royal Report

• March 21st - Yearbook orders due!!
• March 24th - March 31st - Spring Break No School
• April 1st - School resumes after break
• April 2nd - DQ Art Night - Delano 5-8pm - 2nd Grade Jakel/Roberts

This week every student in our school participated in this collaborative painting project through COMPAS. The students created a series of large paintings that will be exhibited in the Elementary School. We will unveil this amazing creation at our Celebration of Learning in May. Special thank you to Heidi Jeub - our artist in residency - for sharing her passion and artistic knowledge with all our students. What an amazing week!

A very special THANK YOU to the WM - PTO for funding this opportunity for our students!!

World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on March 21 each year, because individuals with Down syndrome have three copies of their 21st chromosome. The chromosomes resemble, socks, so we wear mis-matched socks to celebrate and spread awareness and acceptance

Students from Mrs. Victory's art class at the High School created art pieces to hang in the front office, nurse's office, Principal's office and library. The students asked staff for ideas and then created beautiful art pieces to add to our spaces. Thank you!!!!

This week Kindergarten and First Grade students were treated to a live concert by The OK Factor during their music class! Cellist Olivia Diercks and violinist Karla Colahan find great joy in performing for school audiences. In their Class Notes Concert, The OK Factor performs "Harald and His Headphones,” an original, story-based program centered around a fictional character named Harald, who is listening to music through his headphones. Ask your student what they learned from The OK Factor.

A big THANK YOU to all the parents who brought food to feed our teachers for conference night and those who volunteered to work the Book Fair. We couldn't do these events without your help!

Things are very busy in the world of PTO!

• Save the Date! Strides for Students is Saturday, May 3rd. This is the PTO's one and only fundraiser for the year. To help make this event a success we are looking for any parents who might be interested in helping on different committees. Please look at the link below.
• If you have any questions about PTO please reach out. The next PTO meeting is Monday, April 7th @ 7:00 in the media center at WMES. All are welcome!

Students who read have the power to succeed. That’s why WMES is looking for a Reading Corps tutors to make sure every student is a strong reader.

Tutors serve during school hours and spend their days helping students build their skills and confidence. With the support of an on-site coach, you’ll be trained to deliver activities proven to help students improve as readers.

No experience? No problem. Our tutors come from all walks of life. Whether you are a recent grad, career changer, stay-at-home parent, or retiree, you can make a great tutor!

Part-time and full-time positions for the 2025-26 school year are available beginning in August, October, and January. Tutors receive a paycheck every two weeks plus an education award to pay for qualifying college tuition or student loans. Tutors aged 55 or older may gift the education award to their child, grandchild, stepchild, step-grandchild, or foster child.

Ready to put your passion in action to help more students succeed? Learn more or apply at Join.ReadingandMath.org. Questions? Email join@ampact.us or call 866.859.2825.

The Watertown-Mayer Technology Department, in partnership with Linewize's Teodora Pavkovic, hosted an Online Safety Webinar for parents on Monday, March 17th. The session covered key online safety risks and effective management strategies. A recording is now available on the Technology Resources for Parents and Students page of our district website.

We welcome your input for future webinar topics. Please complete this brief, two-question survey to provide feedback. Thank you!

The Watertown-Mayer Technology Department, in partnership with Linewize's Teodora Pavkovic, hosted an Online Safety Webinar for parents on Monday, March 17th. The session covered key online safety risks and effective management strategies. A recording is now available on the Technology Resources for Parents and Students page of our district website.

We welcome your input for future webinar topics. Please complete this brief, two-question survey to provide feedback. Thank you!

WM Community Ed has a class for you! Check out Blast Off Paint Bombs on Monday March 24.

Register Today or call 952-955-0280 with questions.

Child Tax Credit

• Families may qualify for a Child Tax Credit of $1,750 per qualifying child with no limit on the number of children claimed. They can receive a refund even if they do not owe tax.
• For more information visit our Child Tax Credit webpage or watch our video on the Child Tax Credit.

K-12 Credit and Subtraction

• Minnesota has two tax relief programs for families with children in kindergarten through 12th grade: the K-12 Education Subtraction and K-12 Education Credit. Both programs help lower taxes and may provide a larger refund
• For more information visit our K-12 Education Subtraction and Credit webpage or watch our video on the K-12 Education Credit and Subtraction.

Free Tax Preparation

• Families may qualify for free tax preparation through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide. These programs prepare federal and state income tax and property tax refund returns.
• To find a free tax site near you visit our free tax preparation webpage.

The Minnesota Free School Meals Program is now permanent!

• What does this mean? Students can receive their first standard breakfast and lunch for FREE!
• What do I need to remember? If students go back for a second full meal, additional entrees, side items, or a la carte, these DO cost extra based on the item. If your child has permission to get extras, please be sure that there is money in their lunch account. This includes milk to accompany any home lunches.

HERE is the link for the updated cost of full second breakfast, lunch, and the approximate costs of a la carte items.

Have You Applied for Educational Benefits?

Even though the Minnesota Free Meals Program is permanent, we strongly encourage families to apply to see if you are eligible for educational benefits through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Educational benefit applications (Free and Reduced applications) impact the educational funding that our schools receive and can affect other additional fees.

HERE is the link to our website to learn about how you can apply!