Auburn-Washburn Foundation
The Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation is made up of of parents, community members, and district staff who work together to provide alternative means to enhance, enrich, and expand education programs, which are unavailable via conventional funding, for Auburn-Washburn students.
Albums
View photos of teachers and students receiving their grants and how they are being implemented in the classroom and around the district.
Contact
Questions or comments may be directed to:
Martin Weishaar
Director of Communications
(785) 339-4072
weishmar@usd437.net
Members
Craig Barnes
- Board Member (Shawnee County Health Department)
Sara Girard
- Board Member (Central National Bank)
Joy Glynn
- Board Member (Homemaker)
Jill Griego
- Board Member (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co)
Dustin Hawks
- Board Member (Gradient Insurance Brokerage)
Heath Horyna
- Board Member (Evergy)
April Kelsey
- Board Member (Farm Bureau Insurance)
Maria Kutina
- Board Member (HTK Architects)
Brad Noller
- Board Member (American Family Insurance)
Russ Petty
- Board Member (Petty Accounting)
Alex Reilly
- Board Member (MB Piland Advertising)
Betsy Scott
- Board Member (Retired USD 437 Teacher)
Officers
Martin Weishaar
- Administrative Director (ex-officio)
Jacquie Lightcap
- Board of Education Representative (ex-officio)
Social Media
Help Us Lift Up the Auburn-Washburn Staff!
To help celebrate American Education Week, the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation is renewing their Lift Up initiative.
Our teachers and other support staff are working hard every day to create the best possible learning experience for our children. We want to say THANK YOU to each one of them and we need your help.
If you click on the link below and sign up, we will provide you with the contact information for a randomly selected staff member. Then, whenever you have a chance, you can share a message of thanks and appreciation.
You will have the opportunity to choose the location and job category of the staff member you will be paired with. You can even sign up for more than one!
Click https://forms.gle/kFBZKKS7uU1993hU7 to help us say THANKS!
It's World Teachers Day so how fitting that for the 20th consecutive year, the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation Prize Patrol visited our schools to surprise teachers with Classroom Grant checks. Today we awarded 68 grants totaling over $63,000! Congratulations to all the innovative educators whose grants will provide opportunities to enhance, enrich and expand the educational experience for our students across the district.
Brewster Buddies & PC Pals
After a year of writing letters back and forth, students in Anne Hawkins’ third grade class at Pauline Central finally got to meet their Brewster Buddies in person for the first time recently. The project, made possible by a Classroom Grant from the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation, connected the students with residents at Brewster Place in a year-long, intergenerational literacy experience. “The kids grew their brains and their hearts in this learning project,” Hawkins said. “I can't express how excited the students have been all year – like, holiday-level excitement – with cheering and dancing every time they received a letter from their Brewster Buddy!”
When students finally met their new friends, it was like the holiday itself. They exchanged gifts they had made for each other. PC Pals brought hand-painted candle holders to their Brewster Buddy, to represent the light their Buddy shined into their third grade year. Brewster Buddies gave each student a hand-painted t-shirt they made, expressing that their PC Pal is a star in their eyes.
Staff Appreciation - Thank You!
This week the Auburn-Washburn Foundation and the Board of Education joined efforts and provided a Crumbl Cookie to every staff member to express their appreciation for the work they are doing.
Our Spring Breakfast will be held Tuesday, April 21. Here's a look back at how one grant was put into action.
A-W Foundation Spring Breakfast
- 4/21/22 at 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
- Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy
The Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation Spring Breakfast is back and in person.
This special breakfast event will feature Superintendent Dr. Scott McWilliams’ "State of the District" address and recognition of some of our outstanding students and staff. Of course we will also feature musical entertainment from some of the most talented students in the country.
We invite you to join in supporting our efforts this year through your attendance ($25 per ticket) and sponsorships in any amount. Your involvement will ensure the success of this year's fundraiser and help continue the Foundation’s commitment to excellence in education. Please join us!
Learn more about the Foundation and make an online donation here: https://usd437.net/foundation/
To purchase breakfast tickets, contact Martin Weishaar at weishmar@usd437.net or 339-4072.
Help Us Lift Up the Auburn-Washburn Staff!
To help celebrate American Education Week, the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation is kicking off their Lift Up initiative.
Our teachers and other support staff are working hard every day to create the best possible learning experience for our children. We want to say THANK YOU to each one of them and we need your help.
If you click on the link below and sign up, we will provide you with the contact information for a randomly selected staff member. Then, whenever you have a chance, you can share a message of thanks and appreciation.
You will have the opportunity to choose the location and job category of the staff member you will be paired with. You can even sign up for more than one!
Click https://forms.gle/kFBZKKS7uU1993hU7 to help us say THANKS!
Prize Patrol delivers 50 Classroom Grants totaling over $30,000.
wibw.com
‘Prize Patrol’ surprises Auburn-Washburn teachers with classroom grants
It’s that time of year again - when Auburn-Washburn teachers get their biggest surprise of the year.
Thank you to all the students, parents, staff, friends and sponsors who made our first outdoor Movie Night such a big success! We had more than 500 people attend on a lovely Friday evening, and more than $3,000 was raised in donations and concessions sales to support classroom grants. Thank you Hy-Vee for donating candy to our concession stand.
Watch for another Movie Night in the future and learn more about the Auburn-Washburn Foundation online at https://usd437.net/foundation/.
Drum line is warming up!