Online Skyward Registration will be available until September 8. Every family is required to go through the Online Skyward Registration process which can be completed from your home. Online Registration can be found via Skyward Family Access on the left hand side. Online registration requires the full web-based version of Skyward Family Access. It is not possible to register online through the Skyward mobile app.

You will be given the opportunity online to pay fees with a credit card, near the end of the registration process. Paying by check or credit card will result in a convenience fee of 3% (online). If you are making a payment to a Food Service account, the convenience fee will be waived. You may also pay with cash or check at WHS on the registration day. You may also mail your payment to Watertown High School, Attn: Bookkeeping, 825 Endeavour Dr., Watertown, WI 53098.

Please mark your calendars for our Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 30th from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. The purpose of this informal event is to provide our families the opportunity to meet faculty and learn more about the curricular and co-curricular offerings available at WHS. All faculty will be in attendance.

One of the major WHS building goals is to increase the number of students involved in WHS activities/clubs and athletics. Being connected to the school community is an important factor of success and we highly encourage all students to enrich their experience by getting involved at WHS with our many opportunities.

This year’s Academic Award winners will be recognized on Wednesday, August 30th at 7 p.m. in the WHS Auditorium. Invites were emailed home to students and families who will be honored.

As was shared by the WUSD communication last week, we are thrilled that all WHS students will be assigned a Chromebook to take home beginning this school year! Chromebooks will be assigned to students on Tuesday, September 5th and WHS staff will work with students to share strategies for success, resources, and expectations to make the most of this exciting opportunity.

More details will be shared in the coming weeks and be sure to check the WHS Weekly Updates for key information, resources, and tips to help your student make the most of their new technology at school as well as at home!

As we move into an increasingly digital world, we understand that mobile phones and electronic devices have become an integral part of our lives. However, we also recognize that they can be a source of distraction and disruption, especially during class time.

With our move to a one-to-one Chromebook distribution system this year, all students at WHS will have a Chromebook issued to them and they can use this device for all educational purposes (including listening to music with headphones/earbuds) negating any need for them to use a cell phone during class time unless otherwise instructed by their classroom teacher. Students will still be able to use their phones in the hallways during passing time and at lunch, so parents and guardians will still be able to contact them with any information during non-instructional times.

As listed in the WHS Student Handbook aligned with WUSD School Board Policy 3515, students who have a phone out during class will be subject to the following disciplinary actions:

• 1st offense – The classroom teacher will collects the student cell phone for the hour, discusses with student, return the cell phone to the student, and communicate to parent or guardian;
• 2nd offense – The classroom teacher collects the cell phone from the student and brings the cell phone to the office where it will be kept until the end of the school day. A disciplinary referral will be written and the teacher will communicate to a parent or guardian;
• 3rd offense – The classroom teacher will collect the cell phone from the student and bring the cell phone to the office where it will be kept in the office until a parent or guardian can pick it up. Any subsequent offenses will result in escalating consequences as determined by WHS administration.
  

We anticipate that it may be difficult for some students to adjust to increasingly limited access to their cell phones. We intend to work with students to help them focus on their coursework throughout the day without immediate access to phones and we thank you in advance for your support of our efforts to provide a more distraction-free environment for students.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Jennifer Pennington and Jennifer Bault, WHS Associate Principals
penningtonj@watertown.k12.wi.us

baultj@watertown.k12.wi.us

(920) 262-7502

Network Photography will be at WHS to take student pictures on Thursday, September 7th (Student Last Name A – L) and Friday, September 8th (Student Last Name M – Z) in the WHS Auditorium. It is important that your student has their picture taken to secure a student ID card. Picture make-up day will take place on Friday, October 13th from 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the WHS Media Center.

The 2023-2024 yearbooks can be purchased online through the Herff-Jones website: http://bit.ly/2WFzrGD. The WHS order number is 3818 (if needed). This year, the yearbook fee will be $50. This is the only way to purchase a yearbook for this school year. Please plan accordingly as no extra yearbooks will be ordered. The 2023-2024 yearbook will be handed out in August of 2024.

There are a limited number of 2022-2023 yearbooks available for purchase from the WHS Bookkeeper. Cost is $50 per book.

Homecoming 2023 will take place the week of September 24. More details will be shared as the week approaches!

Friday, September 29:

• WHS Pep Rally
• Homecoming Parade Downtown (4 p.m.)
• WHS Football Game vs. Mount Horeb (7 p.m.)
  
  

Saturday, September 30:

• Homecoming Dance (8 p.m. - 11 p.m.)
  
  

Families will be able to purchase 2023 Homecoming t-shirts using this link: https://watertownusd.revtrak.net/ To place your t-shirt order, go the Browse Menu on the upper left and click WHS t-shirts. Shirt sizes small through XL will be $15 and 2XL will be $17 and 3XL will be $18. The Homecoming theme will be "I've Got the Music in Me!" (Seniors – Country; Juniors – Rock; Sophomores – Pop; Freshman – Hip-Hop) The deadline to order a t-shirt is Friday, September 1st.

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 3, 2023. Hard copy photos and emailed senior photos will not be accepted.

Parents are reminded to double check the spelling of their senior’s name in Skyward as that name will be used for the yearbook and their diploma. If you want a middle name on your student’s diploma, please make sure it is updated in Skyward before the school year begins.

As was previously shared, individual student schedules will be made available to students and families on Wednesday, August 16th.

• Students wishing to make adjustments to their schedule must complete the Schedule Change Form using the link provided beginning on August 21, 2023. Requests for changes MUST be submitted using this form. No email requests will be considered.
• Requests for Schedule Changes will be processed starting the week of August 21. No requests for schedule changes will be reviewed or acted upon until the week of August 21.
• Please understand that it is still possible for student schedules to be adjusted after August 21. The courses a student has been placed in will continue to be honored, however there may be the need to move students to a different section of the same course at a different time of the day to balance enrollments.
• Please note that the priority of schedule changes will be given to those students who have conflicts in their schedules, require changes for course work completed over the summer, have failed to meet prerequisite requirements based on the results of classes taken in the spring trimester, or are looking to take a more rigorous course.
• As stated previously, please note that not all schedule change requests can be honored. There are numerous reasons for this, including classes closed after reaching seating capacity, conflicts with classes offered at specific times, changes that may interfere with the ability to meet graduation requirements, etc.
• Students may make schedule changes during the DROP/ADD Period, which includes the first three days of the trimester (September 1st, 5th, and 6th). Changes made at this time are once again limited to availability. Note this applies to each of the three trimesters during the school year.
• We will not make schedule changes for the first trimester after September 6th. Please see page 91 of the 2023-24 WHS Course Description Book for more information on the Drop/Add Policy.

On Wednesday, October 11th, sophomore and junior students have the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT, or “practice SAT,” at WHS. The PSAT is an optional, online 2.5 hour test that is taken in preparation for the college admission process. The PSAT has a Reading, Writing, and Math section. Results are used to create the National Merit Scholarship score. Students who take the PSAT during their junior year are considered for the National Merit Scholarship competition. The most common reason students take the PSAT include:

*To receive feedback on strengths and weaknesses and focus preparation efforts
*To see how you compare to others applying to college
*To enter the competition for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (grade 11)
*To help you prepare for the SAT

If your student is interested in this opportunity, please see Kathy Klinger at the WHS Bookkeeping Office to pay the $20 fee (cash or check). Limited spots are available, so be sure to sign up soon. The deadline to sign up is September 1st at 3:30 pm.

Due to popular demand, we brought these amazing NubaySoft ™ D-Luxe Blankets BACK! They are super soft, HUGE and big enough for two people! By using your blankets at home, at the park, or at the game, our goal is to help student families feel included and connected to our great culture. Pricing is $70 each. To order, go to: https://watertownusd.revtrak.net/whs-gosling-blankets/#/list

The Shared Community Mission Group is once again offering free school supplies for the 2023-24 school year! Pre-registration is required.

Parking information will be collected online via the Skyward Registration Process. Parents will need to enter the following information into the online form: student driver’s license number, car make, model, year, color, current insurance vendor and policy number. Parents will need to add the parking fee ($100) to the checkout process when completing the registration. The parking fee must be paid in full. Parking tags for those students who have completed the registration process and fee payment are available for pick up at the Bookkeeping Office from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

WUSD is hiring for both instructional and special education paraprofessionals. Please see the flyer below for more information.

• Freshman Experience: Tuesday, August 15 - 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Back to School Night: Wednesday, August 30 - 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Academic Awards: Wednesday, August 30 - 7 p.m.
• First Day of School: Friday, September 1
• Picture Day: September 7 & 8 - 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• Homecoming Week: September 24 - 30
• College & Career Night: Monday, October 2