This Message Center is organized and operated by David Vitale Some programs in Watertown were adopted as part of an overall attempt by the state in the 1980s to create uniform constitutional standards for districts throughout the state that guarantee basic educational opportunities for all students.  The standards are known at the 20 Standards.   

Other programs and services reflect a community standard based on procedures leading to their adoption through official Board action. 

Computer Education -  Since the 1990s, our buildings have been wired for Internet access, equipped with computers in labs and classrooms, and have undergone other upgrades and maintenance projects to help ensure that students meet required Information and Technology Literacy Standards established by the state.  Stages that were once reserved for performances and school-community events have been retrofitted as computer labs or facilities that support art and music instruction.  

English Language Learners/ESL – Watertown has an increasingly diverse population that includes students who require varying degrees of support in English language skills in order to succeed in our schools.  Currently, Spanish is the primary language spoken in the homes of the majority of our students who require this support.  Other communities have experienced an influx of East Asian families.  The most intensive support requires a separate room or rooms to teach these students.  

Full Day Kindergarten-  Full day kindergarten was established in 2001.  The benefit to young students being in an academic setting for a greater length of time is established in research.  Parental support in Watertown for full-day kindergarten was substantial.  In spite of the benefits, the move required increased space and staffing needs. 

Early Childhood Education - Early Childhood Special Education programming for children ages three to five are part of the special education continuum operated by WUSD.  Services are housed at WHS due to space limits at our elementary schools where they were once housed. 

Expanded Health and Psychological Programs and Services

• Human Growth and Development and Comprehensive Healthy Human Development curricula,
• Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Awareness (ATODA) programs
• Increase in health and privacy issues (HIPPA)
• Peer mediation
• Group counseling

Gifted and Talented Services – Currently housed in all elementary buildings with a coordinator splitting time between WHS, Douglas Elementary, and Lebanon Elementary.  Students are pulled out of classes to receive enrichment instruction and to participate in higher order activities that support the curriculum in math, science, and language arts.  

High Stakes Testing – Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination represents the state and federal government’s focus on accountability via large scale, standardized paper and pencil tests.  

Literacy and Early Reading Interventions –

• Guided Reading
• Readers and Writers Workshop (student homogeneous and heterogeneous grouping)
• Early Reading Empowerment (ERE)
• Rock and Read 
• Accelerated Reader/Star Reading
• Read 180 (RMS)

In an attempt to not only bolster student reading comprehension skills, but to circumvent additional special education referrals, we’ve emphasized early reading support systems that help keep students performing at grade level.  

Everyday Math and Inquiry Based Science – emphasize a combination of rote skills, but often promote learning by doing and applying concepts of math and science reasoning.  The use of manipulatives, probes, and flexible student grouping helps achieve instructional goals.  

Alternative Options – Formal options currently exist primarily for middle and high school students.  The ALC on Hwy 26,  Nova Net, Riverside Alternative Program comprise our main attempts to provide non-traditional settings for students who are at-risk of failing or not graduating from high school.  It is not inconceivable for a need to develop to serve elementary aged students in a similar non-traditional manner. 

Title I Services – The Title I program refers to an NCLB federally funded intervention in either reading or math that serves students and schools based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged families.   

Food Service (Breakfast) – Breakfast programs are an increasingly popular option for students and families.  The use of cafeterias and gyms means that this space can not be used for pre-school day activities or programs. 

posted July 15, 2008 « back to Message Center home

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