Parent Newsletter

Things we noticed from the responses you provided were that

1. We are increasing our general communication.

2. We are increasing our ability to provide that communication in a timely and transparent manner

3. We are increasing the opportunities to provide feedback to us.

We noticed parents want to see us improving our environment for students to feel safer and challenged with higher expectations. Our goal in providing these engagement surveys is to improve the experience for you and your students.

In reading through the written responses,

1. folks asked for more private ways to provide feedback to us. Please know that you can reach out at any point to give us feedback through calls and emails as well as stopping by to let us know how things are going. We provided the in person option during Open House and Parent Teacher Conferences so that you have a way to connect with us in person while you’re already in the building.

2. folks stated that they would like to see an increased presence of adult supervision and monitoring in our unstructured areas (passing periods and lunch hours). We hear you and are working to do exactly this.

3. folks wanted more transparency with what rigor looked like at RMS as it relates to classroom instruction. Please know that we use the following curriculums in the building:

1. English/Language Arts class: Wit and Wisdom curriculum

2. Math: Illustrative Math

3. Science: Amplify Science

4. All classrooms: utilize AVID strategies for rigorous engagement within their classrooms

Please look for our Quarter 2 Parent Engagement survey to be sent January 12. We would love updated feedback for how to continue to improve for our students, parents, and staff. Please reach out to use with an direct feedback you’d like to provide prior to that survey coming to you.

All our thanks,

Leigh Ann Graf

Mike Cunningham

RMS Co-Principals

Hello RMS students and parents!

We are excited to wish Josh Barnett, our Dean of Students, the best well wishes as he transitions to Webster to fill in as Supervising Dean while Brad Clark is away. We are equally as excited to welcome Theresa Janke Oestreicher onto the administrative team at RMS as our Dean of Students for the next three months. Mrs. Oestreicher has served as our RMS band director for the last 15 years. She moves into this role with a wealth of knowledge about our building and its functions. She also brings with her fresh ideas for how to navigate the role of Dean. We look forward to our students, parents, and staff having the opportunity to welcome her and work with her over the next three months. We will be welcoming Josh Barnett back as our Dean of Students just after Spring Break. Please feel free to reach out with any questions!

Sincerely,

RMS Administration

Jan 6th - Girls Basketball Practice Starts

Jan 6th - Wrestling Practice Starts

Jan 15 - Freshman Preview Night - 6PM @ WHS

Jan 16 - End of Quarter 2

Jan 19 - No School - Teacher Work Day

Jan 22 - 5th Grade Parent Meeting - 6PM

Jan 23 - 5th Grade Parent Meeting - 8:15AM

Jan 23- Pep Band (8th Grade Night) 6:15 - 8:15 - @ WHS

New to our building this year is 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

Please note schedules are open to changes as particiation changes. Thank you!

Girls Basketball practice will start January 6th, make sure all your students forms are in.

Wrestling practice will start January 6th, make sure all your students forms are in.

How to Access Your Account Without a Clever ID

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Students and Staff had an amazing time at our Winter Assembly. Watertown Blue Revue performed for us, Mr. Washetas made a full court shot, Oreo eating contests, wrapping teachers in TP, Christmas Box Stacking and Santa Sleigh Relays had the students going wild! Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Please talk with your student about any items they may have lost or forgotten at school. Our Lost & Found is very full!

• 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.

Future Gosling Freshmen, start your high school career on an international note! You can promote world peace by becoming part of the Watertown-Heringen exchange program! Host a German student in your home for a week in October, 2026 or travel to Germany in June of 2027, or both! Bring your parents and learn more at the informational meeting on Sunday, January 11th from 7-8 pm in room S274. No knowledge of German required! Contact German teacher Kim Schneider with questions.

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.

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