Congratulations to Washburn Rural Middle School orchestra instructor Donita McLeland, who has been named the Outstanding Middle Level Orchestra Director by the Northeast Kansas Music Educators Association (NEKMEA) for the 2025–2026 school year! Donita was honored during Saturday’s NEKMEA mini-convention at Washburn Rural High School.

In a message announcing her selection, NEKMEA President Mariah Barnett shared, “You are doing incredible work in the Auburn-Washburn district and have been an integral part of that community. In addition to that, I have greatly valued your leadership in NEKMEA and the mentorship you provide to other orchestra directors.”

This award highlights Donita’s exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication to her students, colleagues, and the larger music education community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Reminder: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, is an early release day. All schools will dismiss 90 minutes early.

This Generation, the premier vocal ensemble from Washburn Rural High School, helped usher in the holiday season today with a beautiful performance at First Presbyterian Church of Topeka's Noon Noels concert series.

If you missed the chance to see them live, there are plenty of upcoming opportunities, including their annual Candlelight Concert:

📆Saturday, December 13
📍WRHS Auditorium
⏱️7:00 PM

Come experience an evening of holiday music that will leave you feeling merry and bright!

Last night's annual STEAM Carnival, hosted by the Washburn Rural High School Computer Science Honor Society, was a tremendous success! Students in grades K-8 rotated through several interactive stations, exploring hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. They dug into topics like volume, wind energy, physics, biology, coding, robotics, animation, and more!

Held each year in honor of Computer Science Education Week, the event continues to inspire young learners across our district. A big thank you to our CSHS leaders and their sponsor Haley Schmitz for hosting such a fun and educational evening!

Come support your Jr. Blues and all the students participating at tonight's Boys Basketball game vs. Blue Valley Southwest! Varsity game starts around 7:30 PM in the WRHS Activity Center and will be live streamed at http://wrhs.net/live.

Please note that the food truck fundraiser planned in coordination with the STEAM Carnival has been cancelled.

REMINDER: Washburn Rural High School's Computer Science Honor Society (CSHS) is hosting a FREE, family-friendly event for Computer Science Education Week on Thursday!

Earlier this year we shared the exciting news that 12 Washburn Rural High School students earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy based on their performance on the Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages (AAPPL). Today, we’re thrilled to highlight this group as they received their official certificates!📜

Congratulations to Saylor Classi, Stella Berry, Anisha Dhir, Eric Navarrete, Marion Alvarez-Chedzoy, Tanner Haddock, Madelynn Bauer, Madyson Nelson, Sven Siegel, Andres Morao-Jaspe, Genevieve Miller, and Kennedy Wright, for demonstrating high levels of proficiency in two or more languages!

REMINDER: There will be no school Monday, November 24 through Friday, November 28. Classes will resume on Monday, December 1. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

There’s still time to register for this weekend’s Turkey Trot! 🦃🏃‍♀️

Our elementary schools are teaming up for a districtwide Turkey Trot 5K & Fun Run, and we’d love to see you there! Register at https://runsignup.com/Race/KS/Topeka/TurkeyTrotAndFunRun.