Congratulations to our Transportation team on an outstanding showing at both the state and international school bus driver safety competitions!

International Safety Competition – Austin, Texas
🥉 Stephanie Johns, Auburn-Washburn's School Bus Trainer & Safety Coordinator, placed 3rd in the Conventional Bus (Type C) division and 5th overall against some of the best bus drivers from across the country. Achieving a top-three finish at this level is a remarkable achievement that reflects exceptional skill, dedication, and commitment to student safety.

Kansas State Safety Competition – Wichita
🥈 Stephanie Johns earned 2nd place in Conventional Bus (Type C) division and 3rd overall.
🥉 As a team, Stephanie Johns, Anna Cooper, and Dianne Collins placed 3rd overall.

These competitions test precision driving, safety knowledge, and vehicle inspection skills – qualities our drivers put into practice every day to safely transport Auburn-Washburn students. Please join us in congratulating Stephanie, Anna, and Dianne!

It's here! The newest edition of School News is on its way to mailboxes. Inside you'll find:

🏆 Student and staff achievements
👏 A farewell to Dr. Scott McWilliams as he begins his retirement
📚 Highlights from every school in the district
📈 A look at the progress and growth achieved through Strategic Plan 2026
🗓️ Back-to-school dates, registration information, and more

Access the digital version at: https://usd437.net/assets/newsletters/school-news/summer-2026

📢 UPDATE 📢

Beginning July 1, Auburn-Washburn's FREE Summer Meal Program will transition to a convenient grab-and-go format. Meals will be available Monday through Friday at Pauline Central Primary School. Please note the program will be closed on July 3 in observance of the Independence Day holiday.

⏰ Pickup Time: 11:30 AM–1:00 PM

Each child who is present may receive both lunch for the current day and breakfast for the following morning during a single pickup. Meals no longer need to be consumed on site.

We look forward to continuing to serve our students and families throughout the summer!

They've done the research. They've built the exhibits. They've produced the documentaries. And now they're competing on the national stage!

More than a dozen students are in Maryland this week representing Kansas at the National History Day competition. Join us in wishing them the best of luck as they compete against some of the top young historians from across the country!

Links to each project are included here so you can explore the students' research and presentations firsthand: https://usd437.net/news/2026-06-students-compete-on-national-stage-at-national-history-day.

Ten talented Washburn Rural North Middle School photographers earned statewide recognition in the 2026 Kansas Scholastic Press Association Middle School Photography Contest. Their work was evaluated by industry professionals on criteria such as creativity, technical quality, composition, visual impact, storytelling, simplicity, cropping, and lighting. Six students received Superior honors and four earned Excellent ratings. Congratulations to the award-winning photographers featured in this gallery!

For more than a decade, Dr. McWilliams has dedicated himself to creating opportunities for Auburn-Washburn students and helping them reach their full potential. To honor his extraordinary service and lasting impact, the Auburn-Washburn Board of Education and Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation have come together to establish the Dr. Scott McWilliams Scholarship Fund. It is a fitting tribute to an educator whose life's work has been centered on creating opportunities for students.

The scholarship fund is very close to being fully endowed, which means it will continue supporting Auburn-Washburn students for generations to come. If you wish to honor Dr. McWilliams for his many years of service to Auburn-Washburn, please consider making a contribution in his honor: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PV8XT7MCFAD9Q.

As it turns out, Washburn Rural High School earned not one, but TWO state titles this weekend! 🏆🏆

Congratulations to Christian Hartman-Babb, who captured gold in the 100-meter dash at the 2026 Kansas State Track & Field Championships in Wichita. Hartman-Babb clocked a winning time of 10.59 seconds to earn the state title!

Came in as underdogs. Came out on top.

For the first time since 1952, your Washburn Rural High School Junior Blues are 🏆STATE BASEBALL CHAMPIONS🏆! The team captured the title with an exciting victory over the defending state champions.

Congratulations to these future Hall of Famers on an outstanding season! Way to get it done! 💙🤍

Today’s semifinal baseball game has been canceled due to weather. The game has been rescheduled for Friday, May 29, at 10:00 a.m.

Dr. McWilliams has dedicated his entire professional career – more than 30 years – to public education. He has made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community through his leadership and service.

Please join us as we celebrate his remarkable career and honor his years of service to Auburn-Washburn.

📅 Wednesday, June 3, 2026
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Washburn Rural High School Innovation Center

We hope you will join us in thanking Dr. McWilliams for the many contributions he has made to public education and the Auburn-Washburn community.