Parent Update 2025

Dear WHS Families,

Homecoming is always a special time of year at Watertown High School. It’s more than just a week of traditions, celebrations, and school spirit—it’s a reminder of the strong community and partnerships that make WHS such a great place for our students to learn and grow.

This week, as our students come together to celebrate, we are reminded how much we accomplish when we work side by side—students, families, staff, and community members. Your encouragement and support not only help our students succeed in the classroom, but also allow them to build lifelong memories and connections outside of it.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Homecoming by attending events, showing your school spirit, and cheering on our students. Whether it’s in the stands at the game, along the parade route, or through the simple act of wearing school colors, your presence matters. Together, we build the pride, unity, and traditions that define the WHS community.

Thank you for being our partners in education and for supporting our students every step of the way. We look forward to celebrating with you throughout Homecoming Week!

Homecoming Dance Tickets

Homecoming Dance Tickets are on sale at the the Bookkeeping Office. Tickets are $10 per person. The dance will be on Saturday, October 4th from 8:00 pm-11:00 pm at WHS.

Homecoming Dress Code

With Homecoming happening soon, we have had questions regarding dress code enforcement at the Homecoming dance. According to Board Policy #5511, any modification of the dress code made for special occasions, must be communicated to families in advance. Strapless dresses and dresses with spaghetti straps WILL be allowed at the HOCO dance. We hope to see lots of students there!

Watertown High School will host College and Career Planning Night on Monday, October 6th, from 5:45 PM to 8:00 PM.

🎓 This important event is highly recommended for sophomore, junior, and senior students and their families. It's a critical time to begin your post-high school plan, and this evening is designed to help you explore all your options—whether college, career, military, or other pathways.

👥 Students should attend with a parent or guardian. Don’t miss this opportunity to gather valuable information and get your questions answered.

Mark your calendar and make a plan to attend!

This year's FAFSA application opens on October 1, 2025. Prior to the application, students and parents/guardians will need to create an FSA ID. You can get started now with the FSA ID right HERE. Please reach out to school counselors with any questions.

Current Senior Students/Parents

Direct Admit Seniors! You have received your direct admit offers, now what?

Students should complete the Direct Admit form via the UW Admissions Pathway Portal as soon as possible. Create an account (use your personal email) and follow the steps. The form must be submitted no later than May 1, 2026. After May 1, 2026 the direct admit offer(s) will expire and the student will need to complete a traditional admission application.
View the next steps checklist

Reminder: Completion of the Direct Admit Form is not a formal commitment to attend a UW. This form connects students with the UW university of universities they are interested in attending and will allow universities to communicate critical and important next steps to students.

Students who need help with account creation or completion of the Direct Admit form may contact the Go Wisconsin team for assistance.

Students and families, please reach out to Student Services if you have any questions or concerns.

Current Junior Students/Parents

The Watertown Unified School District is participating in a the state program called Direct Admit Wisconsin. Direct Admit Wisconsin is designed to provide a place for all Wisconsin high school students to access a world-class public education by proactively offering them admission to the Universities of Wisconsin. Families will need to opt-in to this program in Skyward before the deadline.

Based on a review of your student’s 11th grade transcript (grade point average, math coursework, progression towards graduation), you and your student will receive an email in July, 2026 indicating which UWs are providing them direct admission, and the next steps they are to take in order to learn more about enrolling within the Universities of Wisconsin.

There are 10 UWs participating in Direct Admit Wisconsin for Fall 2026. They are UW-Green Bay, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Stout, UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater. Please reach out to your student's school counselor for more information.

Friday, October 10

Picture Retake Day will take place on Friday, October 10 during lunch in the Media Center.

Picture Proofs Now Available

Students who had their picture taken on September 4 & 5 can pick up their picture proof in the main office for families to order pictures through Network Photography.

Senior Pictures

Senior yearbook photos will need to be uploaded directly to the Herff-Jones website: www.hjeshare.com and the school code is 825. The senior photo should be a headshot with no hands in the photo. The deadline to upload your senior picture is Friday, November 21, 2025. Hard copy photos and emailed senior photos will not be accepted.

Hey Goslings Fans! Watertown Athletics has a limited number of Gosling NubaySoft D-Luxe Blankets left to sell! Blankets are super soft, HUGE, and big enough for 2 people. Use your blanket at home at the park, or at the game! Gosling Blankets are $70 and can be purchased at the WHS Bookkeeping Office.

Photography Class

Mrs. Strobel's Photography class learned this week about panoramic cloning! Below are some of the finish photos. Mr. Diderrich was able to get a photo of one of the the groups as they completed their action shot!

Song of the Day Contest

WHS held it's Song of the Day Contest today! First hour classrooms who meet their goal for the week were eligible to call in. Mr. Moulton's1st hour Honors Chemistry class was the 22nd caller with the correct song title and artist, which was "Party in the U.S.A." by Miley Cyrus. The class was treated to Rice Krispies Treats! Congratulations!

We’re excited to welcome Mr. Danny Spatchek to the WHS Language Arts team this school year. A graduate of Lakeland University, Mr. Spatchek brings a diverse background in both education and writing. After college, he spent time teaching English at two different schools in South Korea, gaining valuable international experience. Upon returning to the United States, he worked for a year at a newspaper in Northern Wisconsin, putting his Language Arts degree to use in the world of journalism before returning to his passion—teaching.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Spatchek enjoys staying active with tennis, basketball, and ping pong, and he also appreciates the great outdoors through fishing and kayaking.

Please join us in giving Mr. Spatchek a warm welcome to WHS!