Parent Newsletter
Riverside Middle School | December 2024
February Parent Newsletter
Co -Principal Update
Hello RMS Families,
How is it second semester already?! We feel like we blinked and first semester was gone!
We have had the pleasure of working with and talking with your students a lot over the first semester. As we have grown in our roles as Co-Principals, we have been blown away by how amazing our students and staff are.
We gave our student and parent engagement surveys a couple weeks ago and were excited to celebrate the growth we have experienced and are ready to dig into the opportunities for improvement that were presented in our feedback.
Specific results we would like to celebrate from our building goals:
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 in order to improve math and literacy academic outcomes across the building.
Student Engagement Survey:
We were thrilled to see that we have improved every score across all of our student engagement questions. We will continue to work to move toward students responding “Strongly Agree-5” for all statements as we work our way through second semester. We will be administering this survey again at the end of March in order to gauge progress and determine what else students are asking for in order to help them be successful.
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 in order to improve math and literacy academic outcomes across the building.
Student Rounding Conversations:
Through the 150 student 1:1 conversations we have had so far this year, we have gathered a lot of information and identified action steps we can take as a building to be responsive to what our students are asking for. The specific action steps we have taken toward the end of second quarter and will remain intact for third quarter are:
6th grade action item: Create a system for knowing when assignments/homework is being given to lessen the load for students
7th grade action item: Work towards adapting at least one more activity/lesson per unit to make it hands-on.
8th grade action item: 8th grade teachers will administer a common survey regarding seating preference and develop seating charts based on these preferences to give students more ownership in their learning environment.
Electives: commit to having an increased adult presence in hallways. Focus on hallway behavior and volume.
We are committed to continuing to respond to the needs of students. In order to do that, we know we need to continue to ask students and parents what they feel they need from us. We look forward to a great third quarter!
Please reach out with any questions!
Leigh Ann Graf
Mike Cunningham
RMS Co-Principals
Important Upcoming Dates
Feb 9 - No School
Feb 13 - School Dance 6pm - 8pm
Feb 14 - Solo/Ensemble Festival @ WHS
Attendance Information
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
Athletics
Please note schedules are open to changes as particiation changes. Thank you!
Girls Basketball
Girls Basketball practice will start January 6th, make sure all your students forms are in.
Wrestling
Wrestling practice will start January 6th, make sure all your students forms are in.
Please click each link below for the forms you need.
Rocky's Library Link 📚
March Book Madness is just around the corner! We’re excited to invite students to take part in this fun reading challenge. Students who choose to participate can select and read books at their own pace so they’re ready to vote for their favorites as the competition unfolds. It’s a great way to discover new stories and share the joy of reading. Voting begins in March. Join the excitement and stop by the library to pick up a novel today!
Fun at Riverside!
Board Game Club
WUSD 5th-8th graders participated in the Southern Lakes Advanced Learners' Network Math Meet at UW-Whitewater on Wednesday, January 7.
On the 5th and 6th grade team, Oliver Hensler and Brynleigh Wegner were the top 2 scorers in 5th grade, and Jake Ruetten and Zander Unkel led the 6th graders. Oliver Hensler took 1st place overall in 5th grade, among hundreds of students! The 5th and 6th grade team took 6th place overall. Nice job, team!
On the 7th and 8th grade team, Kinsley Strobel and Parker Wheeler were the top two seventh grade scorers, and Eliana Keddington and Oliver Wegner were the top two eighth grade scorers. Eliana Keddington took 3rd place overall in 8th grade, among hundreds of students! The 7th and 8th grade team took 5th place overall. Awesome job, everyone!
After many weeks of memorizing facts and going over practice questions our RMS Quiz Bowl team took 1st place at districts tonight! Great job to Teagan Graham, Sophia Tietz, Makayla Flanagan, and Heather Zambriski. Many thanks to coach Taylre Tietz and our HS Advisors Mr Gross and Mrs Schultz!!! We are looking forward to Sectionals coming up in March!!
6th graders had an amazing time being student conductors.
Goosebumps Musical Schedule
Riverside School Dance
RMS Club Schedules
Lost & Found Items
Please talk with your student about any items they may have lost or forgotten at school. Our Lost & Found is very full! Items that are not picked up by February 6th will be donated!
Daily Time Schedule
- 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.
Seal -A- Smile for 6th & 7th Graders
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.
Influenza Information
2025-2026 School Year Immunization Requirement
Free/Reduced School Meals
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.
Operational Referendum Information
Rooms Information
Riverside Middle School T-Shirts
Riverside Middle School T-Shirts are available for $10. Please bring Cash or Check to the Main Office.
Front
Back
School Store Links Below
RMS Phone Numbers
Riverside Middle School - 920-262-1480
Main Office - Ext 5801
Bookkeeper - Ext 5802
Attendance - Ext 5811
Student Services - Ext 5821
Fax - 920-262-1468
Find us on...
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
