Auburn-Washburn USD 437

11/06/2026

This Sunday is Parents as Teachers Day – a day set aside to recognize and honor the people who walk side by side with families to ensure every child has the strongest start possible.

Our Auburn Washburn Parents as Teachers Program is a Blue Ribbon affiliate program, distinguishing it as one of the top-performing affiliates within the international network. Through home visits, group connections, child screenings, and connections to community resources, our team helps empower parents with the knowledge and tools they need to support their child's early development and prepare them for long-term success.

Expecting a baby or raising a child under five? Our free program welcomes expectant families and families with children up to age five. Complete our interest form to connect with our team and learn about participating: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsd06316hGzcArJAhexJUG_vg1zFgz18PvNb4lasKIXz0uZw/viewform

11/05/2026

From Topeka to Tanzania, Wanamaker Elementary School students help build and furnish libraries, one coin at a time.

For years, the school's Bucks 4 Books campaign has supported readers in their school and around the world. Here are just a few of the places the campaign has supported over the years:

👉 $7,500 to the American Library Association to help rebuild libraries affected by natural disasters
👉 $1,500 to help build a library at Angel House Children’s Home and School in Tanzania
👉 $300 to help furnish a library at Topeka Rescue Mission

Wanamaker librarian Alice Reinert shared the story behind the Bucks 4 Books campaign in her guest post for Teen Librarian Toolbox: https://teenlibrariantoolbox.com/2026/11/02/bucks-for-books-making-a-difference-one-coin-at-a-time-a-guest-post-by-alice-reinert/

11/04/2026

Please join us in celebrating two early childhood staff members who were recognized by the Board of Education on Monday night for the many ways they shine:

🌟 Certified All-Star Award – Heather Appenfeller
Early childhood teacher Heather Appenfeller was recognized for her positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and commitment to doing what’s best for children. Nominated by her peers, Heather understands that every child brings unique strengths and needs to the classroom, and she meets each learner where they are. As a member of the early childhood leadership guiding coalition, she helps shape the direction of the program with patience and thoughtful insight. She also invests time in training and supporting her paraprofessionals, and building a confident team that keeps students learning and growing. Her classroom was celebrated as a wonderful example of the welcoming, well-run learning environments the early childhood program strives to create.

🌟 Classified All-Star Award – Brennan Richter
Early childhood paraeducator Brennan Richter was honored for her steady kindness, quiet leadership, and strong relationships with students. During her 11 years with the program, Brennan has become a trusted resource for colleagues, generously sharing her knowledge and modeling exceptional support for children. Whether she is actively engaging with students at recess or helping a new learner feel welcome in the classroom, Brennan brings patience, attentiveness, and care to everything she does. Her commitment reminds us that making a difference in education isn’t always about grand gestures. It also happens through the consistent, everyday actions that help children feel connected and supported.

Congratulations to these well-deserving individuals for being recognized with the All Star Staff Award!

11/03/2026

We are tremendously grateful for the support we receive from the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation. Please join us in thanking their Board of Directors for the time, care, and selfless service they give to support our schools:

April Kelsey (President)
Sean Carter (Vice President)
Maria Kutina (Treasurer)
Alex Darby (Secretary)
Sarah Girard
Heath Horyna
Dustin Hawks
Danielle Pettit
Betsy Scott
Tanner Smith
Tamara Taylor
Brad Noller (ex-officio)
Jamie Stafford (ex-officio)

Through event fundraising and other philanthropic endeavors, the Foundation helps expand, enrich, and enhance educational opportunities for students across the district.

11/03/2026

🇺🇸 Washburn Rural High School will host its annual Veterans Day Program on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 2:20-3:00 PM in the WRHS Activity Center.

Led by the Air Force JROTC and featuring performances by the WRHS band and choir, this special program is an opportunity to come together in gratitude for our veterans’ service and sacrifice.

All veterans are welcome to attend! We look forward to celebrating your service and expressing our gratitude for your sacrifice. 💙

10/29/2026

Our sixth graders are diving into hands-on science at the ESTEEM Lab this week! With help from Friends of the Kaw, students are investigating water quality and discovering what keeps our ecosystems healthy. They're surveying aquatic organisms, testing water chemistry, discovering microscopic pond life, exploring frog anatomy, and hiking the watershed to investigate how land and human activity affect our water.

Who knows? The next great aquatic biologist, ecologist, or water quality scientists may have just gotten their start here!

10/28/2026

These "Good Kids" are doing GREAT things!

Three Washburn Rural Middle School students are putting kindness into action, collecting hygiene products for local families as part of their Silver Award project.

Thanks for reminding us that you can make a difference at any age!

Washburn Rural Middle Schoool students Ava Golden, Hadley Tate and Harley Brossard partnered with nonprofit Be Filled for donation drive

10/26/2026

Washburn Rural High School Programming & Robotics students Ben Maas, Colin Kirkwood, and Cannon Wettengel put their troubleshooting skills to work to bring a Code-a-Pillar back to life for Mrs. Meier’s first-grade classroom at Farley Elementary School!

WRHS computer science teacher Haley Schmitz shared, "Over the course of a week, they used their technical skills and a soldering iron to make the necessary repairs and get the Code-a-Pillar working like new! Since its return to the classroom, students have been eagerly vying for a chance to use the Code-a-Pillar during their STEM stations."

This is such a great example of the impact of collaboration across our district! Not only did our high school students get to apply their coding, robotics, and troubleshooting skills to a real-world problem, but they also brought back something that brings so much joy to a group of younger students. Way to go, Jr. Blues!

10/23/2026

🦃 Join us for the districtwide Turkey Trot benefiting all USD 437 elementary schools!

📅 Saturday, November 21, 2026
⏰ 8:00 a.m.
📍 Washburn Rural High School

👉 Register by October 30 to meet the extended t-shirt deadline: runsignup.com/Race/KS/Topeka/TurkeyTrotAndFunRun

10/22/2026

At Monday night’s Board of Education meeting, Farley Elementary School Principal Katie Sonderegger celebrated three remarkable individuals from the Fox community who are making a lasting difference in their school.

🌟 Shining Star Student Award – Ty Odum
Fifth-grade student Ty Odum was recognized for his outstanding character, strong work ethic, and quiet leadership. A Farley Fox since preschool, Ty leads through his actions, consistently showing kindness, making thoughtful choices, and helping others succeed. Last year, he visited a classroom each morning to read with younger students, practice their heart words, and help with classroom tasks. His teachers describe him as a trustworthy helper, a wonderful friend, and a role model for younger Foxes. His determination and willingness to take on challenges make him a shining example of the character celebrated at Farley.

🌟 Classified All-Star Award – Ashlee Mendoza
Paraprofessional Ashlee Mendoza was honored for the patience, compassion, and consistent support she provides to students each day. She has a remarkable ability to remain calm in challenging situations, understand students’ needs, and help them feel loved and valued. One student affectionately calls her “My Ashlee,” a reflection of the trust and meaningful connections she builds. Ashlee balances encouragement and support with opportunities for students to grow more independent. Her colleagues also appreciate her dependable nature, willingness to help, and the joy she brings to their workday. "You make a difference in ways that go far beyond your job description," shared Sonderegger, "and we are incredibly lucky to have you on our team."

🌟 Certified All-Star Award – Michelle Quinn
Speech-language pathologist Michelle Quinn was recognized for her expertise, unwavering advocacy, and dedication to helping students find their confidence and their voice. Her colleagues regularly turn to her for guidance, and she generously shares her knowledge to help others grow as educators. Michelle also builds meaningful partnerships with families, taking time to listen, explain, and ensure parents feel valued and supported. Principal Sonderegger shared that families sometimes leave Michelle’s IEP meetings with tears of joy over their child’s progress. By helping students communicate with greater confidence and independence, she is making a lasting difference in their lives.

Congratulations to these well-deserving individuals for being recognized as shining stars in the Auburn-Washburn community!