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Friday, August 4, 2023

Dear Watertown Public Schools Faculty, Students, and Families,

Beginning in the next couple of weeks, you will begin to receive communications directly from Principals in regards to the 2023-2024 school year. In addition, communications will be sent directly from our District Department heads so please be on the lookout as information regarding schedules/orientations; opening week activities; athletics and the nurses office are just around the corner.

In the meantime, please see below for updates and friendly reminders.

Thank you,

Dr. V

Important Forms and Updates

A Message Regarding Bus Transportation

Thank you to all WPS families who submitted a Transportation Intention Form for the 2023-2024 year. Your forms helped us determine adjustments to our current Bus routes.

On a separate note, as we know much can happen over the summer IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE YOUR CHILD’S TRANSPORTATION TO SOMETHING OTHER THAN WHAT WAS SUBMITTED IN THE SPRING, please use the following form and submit it directly to Ms. Michelle Penella at First Student via email michelle.pennella@firstgroup.com. Click here for the form. Again, this is ONLY IF YOU NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE.

A Message from the WHS Athletics Department

For all WHS families/students who wish to participate in fall sports, the following are required:

  1. Register on familyid: https://www.familyid.com/organ...

  2. Up to date physical must be on file.

    1. School nurse will be in the building 8/14 Time TBD, 8/16, 8/22 (8am-1pm)

  3. An $80/per player pay to participate fee must be received by 8/24 to play.

    1. Checks or cash may be brought to the WHS main office .

There will be a mandatory fall sports meeting on Monday August 21, 2023 in the WHS Gym at 7pm. Please contact Athletic Director Paul Catuccio at catucciopa@watertownps.org  or 860-945-5005 with any questions.

Fall Sports Tryout Schedule

Football (*Football tryout dates are subject to change. Please double check the main WHS Athletics Website periodically for updates https://www.watertownps.org/o/watertown-high-school/page/athletics)

  • *8/10, 8/11, 3:30pm-5pm, WHS Gymnasium

  • *8/12, 9am-10:30am, WHS Gymnasium

  • 8/14-8/18, 5pm-8pm, WHS

Girls Soccer

  • 8/24 and 8/25, 7:30am-9:30am, Swift Middle School

  • 8/26 10am-11:30am, Swift Middle School

Boys Soccer

  • 8/24-8/26, 3:30pm-5pm, Swift Middle School

XC - Cross Country

  • Dates will be released soon

Field Hockey

  • 8/24 and 8/25, 4pm-6:30pm, Swift Middle School

  • 8/26, 8am-10am, Swift Middle School

Girls Swimming and Diving

  • 8/24 and 8/25, 9am-11am, WHS Pool

Volleyball

  • 8/24, 8/25, 8/28, 8/29, 2:30pm-4:30pm, WHS Gymnasium

Just Friends Pre School at JTPS - Schedule for the First Day of School

To uphold our model of gradual release and transition to Preschool

Wednesday, August 30: AM Pre K (9-10:35 am) & PM PreK (11:20 am - 12:55pm)

  • (optional - not required) Parents are invited to attend with their child for the first day of school as part of our gradual release and transition into the school year.

Thursday, August 31: AM Pre K (9-10:35 am) & PM PreK (11:20am - 12:55pm)

  • Parents should drop their child off for the Early Dismissal day

Friday, September 1: No PreK 

  • Select students will be invited directly from the Special Education department to attend a special session.

Head Start PreSchool by EdAdvance for Eligible Families

The Watertown site houses a Head Start-funded half school-day classroom located at JTPS.

Click here to download the brochure or for more information: Headstart Pre-K

To register for Head Start or Early Head Start, please contact Rebecca Litz, Family Services Manager at 860.482.5286 x1180 or Heather Stampp • 860.626.9527

Important Dates and Happenings

August 16 - School Capital Projects Committee, 7PM, TC Chambers

August 21 - PMT Training for all New Employees, 8-3:30PM

August 22 - New Employee Orientation at Swift MS

August 25 - All Faculty return for the 2023-2024 academic year

August 28 - Regular BOE Meeting, 7PM, WHS Lecture Hall

August 29 - JTPS Popsicles on the Playground - Kindergarten

August 30 - PreK-Grade 9 First Day of School/ Early Release Day - Afternoon PD for Faculty

August 31 - School for ALL grade level students/ Early Release Day - Afternoon PD for Faculty

September 1 - Early Release Day for students/ Afternoon PD for Faculty

September 4 - Labor Day - All Schools and Offices Closed