WMS--Back to School! School starts tomorrow! A few notes: our main doors do not open in the morning until 7:30 a.m. this year. Please don't arrive before 7:30 a.m. or you will be locked out! Students will turn off and put their cell phones in locker or backpack during the school day to avoid distractions and social media issues. Student use of cell phone is by permission only. Students should only be using corded earbuds (lightening or 3.5mm jack). Backpacks will be stored in lockers. 2021 is sure to be our best year yet!
WMS--Back to School Conference--Have you signed up for your child's back to school conference? The back to school conference replaces our open house/orientation. Please come and meet your child's advisor and visit about how to make sure back to school is a success. If you signed up already, we'll see you on the day/time you scheduled. BUT, our website recently changed, so if you didn't sign up yet, use this NEW LINK: https://www.watertown.k12.sd.us/o/middle-school/page/back-to-school-conferences (or click the link on the purple banner on our webpage). If you didn't get the back to school packet or you need to know your child's team/advisor (882.6370). Schedules will be given out at your back to school conference. Can't wait to see you all at the back to school conferences!
2021 - 2022 WMS School Supply List
In June 2021, Watertown Area United Way will be bringing the Delta Dental Mobile for two full weeks for the first time ever in the 10 years the bus had been coming. Youth ages 0-21 are eligible with or without insurance. Dental care is provided at no cost and in person Spanish translators are available. If you would like to schedule an appointment for the June or September bus or get on the waitlist please call United Way at (605) 886-5815 or email director@watertownunitedway.org. If you would like to volunteer at the check-in table, with scheduling, or translating please call or email Watertown Area United Way as well. Patient forms and more details about the bus can be found at Delta Dental Mobile Program | Watertown Area United Way (watertownunitedway.org) on the United Way website or Facebook event at (6) Delta Dental Mobile 2021 | Facebook. There are still plenty of appointment slots open so please spread the word! Thank you to the Watertown Intermediate School and Watertown School District for hosting the bus every year to serve local youth!
To all of our Watertown School District families: Thank you so much for helping us get through this unusual year. We appreciate your patience and flexibility, as we dealt with the COVID situation. We know it took work on your part, but we feel it was all worth it to continue educating the students in Watertown. Thank you for helping us keep our students and staff safe to finish the year! Best wishes on your summer.
Looking for some fun, safe summer ideas? Check out this link!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LgkLEof7wr9RAZP_OjxXpVWodz6mVZ-P/view
WMS--State testing begins Tuesday. Please remind your child to wear a mask and bring headphones.
Student Driver Education By: Chad Rohde
An update from the world of driving and Student Driver Education. We have some great news, unfortunately, we have some not so good news, too. First off, the great news! Driver Education will take place like normal this summer, with a few changes we made including making it more flexible and easier for families. We adjusted our age limit to allow summer birthday students turning “14” to be eligible for driver education which we are very excited for. Registration has been in full swing since March 1, 2021 and the number of families and the interest has been outstanding! Because of this high level of interest and number of registered students, this brings up the bad news. We originally had planned to close registration on April 30, 2021. However, we have reached our cap on the number of enrolled students, so we will now be closing registration for Driver Education. If you would like to be put on the waiting list in case anyone decides to drop the class, you need to reach out directly to Mr. Chad Rohde (chad.rohde@k12.sd.us). You will then be put on the list, first come, first served basis.
WMS Parents--Next week, March 22nd-26th, PEEPs Club is sponsoring Penny Wars. This is an annual all-school fundraiser, and this year’s beneficiary is the Glacial Lakes Humane Society. Students wanting to participate can bring change, cash, and checks (made to WMS) to help the Humane Society and their team. Each team that raises $1,000 will see a teacher taped to a wall - Mr. Rohde, Vikings; Mr. Ingalls, Wolves; Mr. Albertson, Coyote, and Mrs. McBurney, Jackrabbits. There will also be an Arrow Time celebration for the top giving team. Thanks for your consideration of this event. Contact jo.kjetland@k12.sd.us for more info.
WMS--Track Starts Soon! Sign up, uniform handout, and circuit training on Tuesday, March 23rd & Wednesday, March 24th at Watertown Middle School. NO PRACTICE on Thursday, March 25th (Dodgeball Tourney) & Friday, March 26th. 1st practice outside at Allen Mitchell Field starting Monday, March 29th. Pictures on Thursday, April 15th. Contact tom.mattingly@k12.sd.us with any questions.
The Watertown School District will have no school on Thursday, March 11. Due to the fact that we already had a planned 12:30 dismissal, a late start wasn't an option for today. All activities for Thursday, will either be postponed or canceled.
WMS--Drivers Ed information and applications are now available on either the middle school or high school websites (click on Explore and then Documents - from there you will see an informational letter and the application). Any further questions can be directed to Mr Rhode at chad.rohde@k12.sd.us.
WMS--Return to Learn: As we head into spring, we continue to have more students returning to in person school. As a result, we have some classes filling up, so we will need to change some student schedules to better balance the sections. I just wanted to give you a heads up that your child's schedule may change (the order of classes), but every effort will be made to keep them on the same team. Thank you for your understanding.
WMS--Eighth grade students and their parents are invited to a High School Course Registration information meeting on Monday evening, February 22, at 5:30 PM in the high school auditorium. Counselors, principals, and teachers will be present to provide information and answer your questions. The meeting will begin in the auditorium, then smaller groups will meet to discuss course registration in more detail. Face masks are required for this event. If you cannot attend this event, please call 882-6323 to schedule an individual appointment with a counselor in person or by phone. Please join us on February 22nd at the high school to help plan your child’s freshmen year!
WMS--Eighth grade students and their parents are invited to a High School Course Registration information meeting on Monday evening, February 22, at 5:30 PM in the high school auditorium. Counselors, principals, and teachers will be present to provide information and answer your questions. The meeting will begin in the auditorium, then smaller groups will meet to discuss course registration in more detail. Face masks are required for this event. If you cannot attend this event, please call 882-6323 to schedule an individual appointment with a counselor in person or by phone. Please join us on February 22nd at the high school to help plan your child’s freshmen year!
WMS--Drop in/open house conferences are tonight from 4 - 8 in the teacher's rooms...all are invited! Friday conferences are prescheduled and by appointment/invitation only. Your child's advisor will contact you to set up a time. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.
WMS--A reminder that drop in/open house conferences will be held on Thursday from 4 - 8. Teachers will be in their rooms for a quick check in. Friday conferences are prescheduled and by appointment/invitation only. Your child's advisor will contact you to set up a time.
WMS--Conferences are coming! Please ask your child to see their student led conference on their iPad. This is a way for students to give you a preview of what is happening at WMS. If you desire more details, we will be holding drop in conferences on Thursday, February 11th from 4 - 8 at WMS. You can stop by your child's classrooms for a quick check in with each teacher. There will be additional conferences on Friday, February 12th by appointment only (your child's advisor will contact you with an invitation).
WMS--2nd quarter grades/report cards are available on Campus...please access through your parent portal or ask your student to log in through their student portal.
From the Watertown School District: The Watertown School District will have no school on Friday, January 15. This is a change from last evening. Activities for Friday have been either postponed or canceled.