February 9, 2024
Dear Watertown Public Schools Faculty, Families and Students,
Around this time of year, student recognitions and awards begin and we start to see hard work planted in the Fall months begin to come to fruition. In short, it’s been a productive start to the month of February.
Please see below for several updates of the good work around our district.
Updates Regarding Preschool and Transition Kindergarten for 2024-2025
JTPS’ Just Friends Preschool Registration is now open! We are excited to welcome all of our new Preschool friends soon.
Kindergarten Registration continues to move forward. Please go to our main website to register and click the link below for answers to important FAQ’s regarding Watertown’s Transition Kindergarten and Why the age for Kindergarten entrance is now 5 years of age by September 1, 2024. Frequently Asked Questions regarding Kindergarten Entrance
Watertown Public Schools in the News!
Last week, WHS hosted a panel discussion with our local Watertown Police Department, School district, and community mental health partners to talk about the positive impact School Resource Officers have in our schools. This was the first of many more important panel discussions that WHS looks forward to hosting. Click the link below to read the RepAM article. Watertown in the News: Bridging the Gap
A big shout out to, Ms. Stephanie Milo, teacher at Polk School who is a grant recipient of the Mohegan Challenge Grant, out of a record number of applicants from around the State! Click here to read all about it Watertown in the News: Mohegan Grant
And, if you’re looking forward to Sunday’s game…Have a great Superbowl Sunday!
Dr. V
Black History & Heritage Month
The great contributions and impact that we can celebrate and recognize for Black History & Heritage Month are too great to count! From the arts, sports, academia, culture, politics & advocacy, and every aspect of life, we are immersed in the talent, accomplishments and achievements of the many people who represent Black History and Culture. During the month of February (and all year round) we look forward to acknowledging those who have made significant contributions to - and are part of - the Black community both locally and globally from past to present.
Lunar New Year
Year of the Dragon begins today! A 15-Day celebration for many Asian families around the world and locally will end with the special Lantern Festival on Feb. 24, 2024! Just like New Year’s traditions in the United States, Chinese New Year, Tết Nguyên Đán in Vietnam, and Seollal in South Korea will be celebrated for a fresh new start to the year.
This year happens to be the year of the dragon! According to the legacies, those born in the year of the dragon may find themselves to be: confident, charismatic, intelligent, powerful and naturally lucky. We wish all of our families who celebrate this holiday, a very happy Lunar New year!
Inclement weather bus routes for VoTECH and VoAgriscience schools
This is a friendly reminder that weather decisions are school district/school specific. If your child attends a VoTech (Kaynor) or VoAg (Nonnewaug) school, their school calendar will be different from the Watertown Public Schools. Transportation for students who attend VoTech and VoAg schools is provided according to the VoTech/VoAg school day and not the WPS school day. Please follow their calendar and notifications for any weather delays or PD/Early Release Days, etc.
Naugatuck Valley Community College: Summer Intro to Manufacturing Opportunity
Intro to Manufacturing Summer Workshop for Junior and Senior HS Students
School Counselors Appreciation Week
We celebrate all of our school counselors who make Watertown Public Schools a place to thrive and feel supported. Give a shout out to a school counselor who makes a difference in your PK-12 journey!
Important Dates and Happenings
February 10 - Lunar New Year Begins, Year of the Dragon!
February 12 - Regularly scheduled BOE meeting, 7PM, Superintendent’s Proposed FY 25 Budget Presentation
February 14 - Valentine’s Day, “Brighten somebody’s day by sharing a word of kindness”
February 15 - Watertown Public Schools hosts Canton Public Schools: Science of Reading Initiative
February 19-20 - President’s Day Break, Schools and Offices Closed
February 21 - School Capital Projects Buildings Committee Meeting, 7PM, Town Hall Chambers
February 26 - Regularly scheduled BOE meeting, 7PM
February 27 - Watertown Public Schools hosts Partnership for Educational Leadership Superintendents
March 3 - Judson performs at St. Jude’s Telethon Live!
March 8 - WHS in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Testing
March 14-16 - WHS Theater Presents ‘Chicago’
April 6 - Traffic Stop Workshop for Autistic Individuals at WHS
Events In and Around the Community
Click here for the Watertown Parks and Recreation Winter Activities Guide
February 18, 19, 25 - Indoor Ice Skating at Taft Rink
Open to residents and non-residents. You must provide your own skates. All ages welcome
Time: 4 pm – 5 pm – Sundays 12 pm – 1 pm
Mondays $5.00 per resident (with proof or residency)
$6.00 per non-resident (or resident w/o proof of residency) Pay at the door.
February 21 - Managing Anxiety: Free Parenting Webinar From Around the Field
Periodically school districts are sent opportunities to learn from mental health providers from around the tri-state area. Although this is not a district-sponsored event, when there are interesting or applicable workshops that might be of interest to our parent community, we are happy to pass it along. Virtually on Wed, 2/21 at 7:30pm, the Manhattan Psychology Group will give a free webinar focused on how parents can address adolescent anxiety.
Click here for their website:
https://manhattanpsychologygro...
Click here to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webina...)
March 23 - Shamrock Shuffle Signup!