Friday, December 1, 2023
Dear Watertown Public Schools Faculty, Families and Students,
Update on Kindergarten Entrance for the 2024-2025 Academic Year
Based on the newly passed Connecticut General Statute, Beginning July 1, 2024, children must turn five years old on or before September 1, 2024 in order to enroll in Kindergarten. Click here to learn more about the State's new Kindergarten entrance guidelines.
In response to the new legislation and in an effort to provide the smoothest transition possible for families, the Watertown Public Schools has developed a transitional kindergarten plan for the 2024-2025 school year and welcome all residents of Watertown/Oakville with children who would’ve entered Kindergarten this year to our Transition Kindergarten Program.
Any child who has not yet turned five years old by September 1, 2024 but turns five (5) by January 1, 2025 may enroll in the Watertown Transition Kindergarten Program by registering for the Transition Kindergarten Program using the district registration portal that will open in January, AND
All students who are not five years old by September 1, 2024, will be assessed using the Watertown Public Schools Kindergarten screener at the start and end of the 2024-2025 academic year. The screeners will provide information to Watertown personnel and act as a communication tool for families on the developmental growth of their Kindergartner.
After completing the Transition Kindergarten program, students will be recommended to move into first grade. If there are special circumstances that impact a student’s recommendation to first grade, families will be notified early on in the year by the school’s early intervention team to discuss specific progress and growth monitoring for their child which will help inform alternate plans for the 2025-2026 school year, if needed.
The Transition Kindergarten Program will follow all curriculum guidelines/requirements as our traditional Kindergarten program and will include additional supports specific to early development.
As soon as the Transition Kindergarten & Kindergarten registration portal opens, we will notify all families.
* Please note that the Transition Kindergarten Program is specific to the 2024-2025 academic year. As of July 1, 2025, ALL students enrolling Kindergarten must be five years old by September 1, 2025 to enroll in Kindergarten based on the new statute.
Based on the timing of this new legislation and understanding the difficulties that families might face with finding appropriate programs for the coming 2024-2025 year, we are delighted to be able to offer the Transition Kindergarten program.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Taylor by email at taylorel@watertownps.org or by phone (860)945-4801.
Sincerely,
Alison Villanueva, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Important Dates and Happenings
December 1 - Judson student theater performs ‘Willy Wonka’
December 4 - Budget and Finance Subcommittee - canceled
December 6 - WHS Winter Choral Concert, 6PM / WHS Winter Instrumental Concert, 7PM
December 7 - WHS Winter Concert Snow Date
December 7 - Early Release Day for students, PD for faculty
December 7 - Hanukkah begins
December 11 - Regular BOE Meeting of District Budget Presentations, 7PM
December 12 - Swift Choral Concerts 7th Grade & Select Choir, 6PM/ 6th & 8th Grade, 7PM
December 14 - Swift Instrumental Concerts: 6th Grade, String Ensemble, Jazz Band, 6PM / 7th & 8th Grade, 7:15PM
December 14 - District Wellness Committee Meeting, Swift Middle School, 4PM
December 20 - School Capital Projects Committee, 7PM, Town Hall Chambers
December 21 - Early Release Day for students, PD for faculty
December 22- January 1 - Winter Break for all students and faculty. Central Office open on adjusted hours.
Hanukkah & Christmas 2024
December 7 will be the start of Hanukkah! An important Jewish festival. Hanukkah’s tradition of lighting the Menorah for eight nights represents the miraculous oil that was found by the Maccabees that should’ve only burned for one day, but lasted for eight! Hanukkah is celebrated at home with friends and family, through special foods, songs and the exchange of gifts. Wishing all of our Jewish families a very Happy Hanukkah filled with happiness and joy!
The month of December is also the time of Advent for Christians. As we approach the end of the month, Christian families will celebrate one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar, Christmas! Acknowledging and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is a time where Christians are reminded of the miracles, love and compassion that his birth represents.
Join the Watertown Wellness Committee
Click here for the Food Services Newsletter
The Watertown Public Schools is launching our Wellness Committee! Our first meeting will take place Thursday December 14, 2023 at 4pm at Swift Middle School. If you are interested in joining the Watertown Wellness Committee, please click this link to RSVP. We are excited to welcome this committee as an opportunity for members to help bring solutions to improving our wellness policy!
Superintendent’s Annual Address
In case you missed it, CLICK HERE FOR THE INTERACTIVE VERSION WITH LINKS
2023-2024 SUPERINTENDENT’S STATE OF THE DISTRICT ANNUAL ADDRESS OR Click here for the PDF version of the address without links.
A Message from the Athletics Department
Congratulations to Brady Gambee, WHS student who was selected as the CT Insider Athlete of the week for high school football! Brady was nominated for his 185 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on Thanksgiving Day. Thank you to everyone who voted in support of our WHS team!
The Watertown football team advanced to the state semi-finals being played on Sunday, December 3rd at 12:30pm at Torrington HS. WHS will be sending a student fan bus for those that are interested in attending. The bus will be chaperoned by Watertown Public School staff members with more details to follow. We will need a minimum number of students signed up for the bus to travel.
Please use the link below to express interest. https://forms.gle/WkDZnsqwUqWf...
A Message from our Local Health District
Click here for the December Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) Newsletter