Hatchet Happenings
November 2022
Dual Language Immersion Program
This program will be open to WCS students entering Kindergarten in the fall of 2023. Students will receive approximately half of their instruction in English, while the other half of instruction will be in Spanish. Parents who wish to voluntarily enroll their children in this program will need to maintain a commitment through Upper Elementary School, as each year the program will expand.
There is a Parent Meeting scheduled for Monday, January 30, 2023, at 6:00 pm at Washington Primary. Districts similar to WCS have experienced such a high demand they’ve had to resort to an application and selection process. We expect the interest at Washington Community Schools to be high as well. More information about the application process will be available at the Parent Meeting.
Artificial Intelligence Curriculum with Indiana University
Professors, teachers, and researchers from IU visited Mrs. Emmick's STEM classes at Washington Upper Elementary, presenting some of the lessons they worked on during a week-long summer camp.
Students finished the unit by creating proposals for mobile apps and presented their ideas to engineers from Crane.
Animal Adaptations Parade at Washington Veale Elementary
Mrs. Conley's 4th graders have been learning about animal adaptations in science and recently read a book about Tony Sarge, the man who created the first Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade. We learned how Tony Sarge began his career with marionettes and decided to create our own marionettes and put on a parade.
The students were split into groups and each was assigned a biome. From there, they chose an animal from that biome, researched its adaptations, and created a marionette of the animal. We then filmed their marionettes in front of a green screen to make it seem like they were on the parade route! The students recorded a voiceover explaining the adaptations of their animals.
Mrs. Strange's students become Urban Engineers
We had great discussions about where public services should be placed. Police stations, fire departments, hospitals, and EMT services were spread out to ensure the town’s safety. Then we decided where restaurants and stores should be in relationship to our neighborhoods.
After all the planning, we became architects and build the entire town out of Legos, Lincoln Logs, and architecture kits. Once the town was built, we mapped out a parade route and coded the Spherio Indigo cars. We then attached our handmade hot air balloons to Indigo and let the parade fun happen!
Washington Intermediate Thanksgiving Day Parade
Washington Intermediate students have a challenge for our community
Students took on a battle of Penny Wars and raised $3,000 for the Comforting Hearts All-Inclusive Playground that will be located at Longfellow Park. This is a playground that will be equipped for people of all abilities. The surface will be wheelchair friendly, and the park will be fenced in for safety.
The students battled daily and the 4th grade came out with the win! Who will match our donation?! For more information on how to donate, contact Ms.Allison at lallison@wcs.k12.in.us
Good Grades pay off at WHS
The Advanced Placement Teacher Investment Program is part of the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame. It is a state-wide math, science, and English initiative dedicated to improving Indiana students’ college and career readiness.
The program's two main goals are:
- To increase the enrollment of students in math, science, and English Advanced Placement courses in the schools participating in the project.
- To increase the number of qualifying scores (3, 4, or 5) on AP math, science, and English exams in the schools participating in the project
Washington High School currently offers 12 total AP courses to our students. Through AP-TIP, students receive $100 for each passing score on the AP Exam of any AP English, Mathematics, or Science course, 51 WHS students earned qualifying scores and received checks of $100 or more for AP Exams taken during the Spring of 2022. These students earned a total of $7,400.00
Checks were mailed to graduates who earned qualifying scores.
Row 1: Leah Davidson, Amber Williams, Hallie Hill, Alyssa Edwards, Eliana Sellers, Juan Hernandez-Escalera, Jorge Barco
Row 2: Jason Smith (teacher), Angela Barnard (teacher) Alexander Myers, Brian Martinez-Ayala, Allison Davis, Lydia Tomey, Ella Barnard, Liz Perez, Brenda Stallman (teacher)
Row 3: Kevin Stallman (teacher), Jacob Traylor, Zachary Mann, Isaac Mozingo, Benjamin Myers, Jayden Meredith, Korban McBride, Joseph Scott, Xavier Frank, Matt Riney (teacher)
Washington Upper Elementary Intramural Robotics Competition
Washington Upper Elementary Student Council earns $2,302.87 for Jubilee Christmas
Washington Upper Elementary Student Council held a contest between classes to raise money for Jubilee Christmas. Due to the generosity of our students and families, WUE raised $2,302.87 and 135 stocking stuffers were donated!
Jubilee Christmas is a Connections program that provides food vouchers, gifts, and stocking stuffers to children and families in our community during the holiday season. This year Jubilee Christmas will be able to assist 167 families and 485 children.
Pictured are Sherry Davis- Director of Connections, Jeannie Burks- Jubilee Christmas Gifts, and student council members. and not pictured: Paula Twomey.
Madrigal Dinner 2022
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2nd, 6:30 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3rd, 4:00 PM
NEW MENU: Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Pork Loin; Mashed Potatoes & Gravy; Grilled Asparagus & Carrots; Dinner Roll w/butter; Figgy Pudding; Wassail; Lemonade; Tea; Coffee; Water
Washington High School Cafeteria & Auditorium
$16 Per Person For the Full Meal and Performance
$10 For Auditorium Performance Only (Approx. 1 hr. After Start Time)
WHS Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
"A Christmas Carol"
A holiday drama adapted by Peter DeLaurier
from the novel by Charles Dickens
December 16th at 7:00 PM
December 17th at 7:00 PM
December 18th at 2:30 PM
Washington HS Auditorium
ADMISSION (Not Sold in Advance)
Adults are $6
Students 18 and under are $4
Become an Instructional Assistant!
Do you have a caring heart and enjoy helping children learn and grow? Washington Community Schools needs you!
We are currently hiring Instructional Assistants at Washington Primary and Washington Intermediate. Apply today and make a difference! https://www.washingtoncommunityschools.org/careers
Podcast - Super Chat with Steve Peterson & Mary Sacarello
Click on the button below to listen to the December edition of the podcast with Asst. Superintendent Steve Peterson, and Dual Language Outreach Coordinator Mary Sacarello as they discuss the Dual Language Immersion program that will begin in the fall of 2023.
Dual language immersion education integrates and equal number of native English speaking and native Spanish speaking students in the same classroom. Students develop oral and cognitive academic language in both English and Spanish while mastering grade level knowledge and skills in all elementary content areas.
There will be a parent meeting on January 30, 2022 at Washington Primary for parents of incoming kindergarteners to learn more about the program and begin the application process.
Upcoming Events
December 7, 2022 - Holiday Band & Choir Concert, 7:00 pm
December 16-18, 2022 - A Christmas Carol
December 21-30, 2022 - Winter Break
January 2, 2023 - School Resumes
January 30, 2023 - Dual Language Immersion Information Meeting, 6:00 pm
imagine achieve master
Washington Community Schools
Email: tpeterson@wcs.k12.in.us
Website: https://www.washingtoncommunityschools.org/
Location: Washington Community Schools, 301 East South Street, Washington, IN, USA
Phone: (812) 254-5536
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WashCommSchools
Twitter: @WashCommSchools