News

See All

Previous Next

Upcoming Events

See All

Apr
1
  • All Day
Apr
1
  • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Apr
3
  • All Day
Apr
5
  • All Day
Apr
15
  • 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Apr
26
  • All Day

Social Media

Looking for summer camp options? We have you covered! Check out the community section of our website to learn more about some of the opportunities available: https://usd437.net/fliers. The site is updated daily, so check back often!

In the words of famed artist Romero Britto, "Art is too important not to share." With that, please join us in congratulating the following student artists for their recent achievements:

Washburn Rural High School senior Savanna Schmidt received a cash award from the The Arts Council at the Scholastic art show in Wichita for her work titled, "Castles Crumbling." She also received 1st place in the Anne & Bill Bracker 3-D Yam Competition at the Kansas Art Education Association Youth Art Month show for her work titled, "Wisdom."

✨Senior Syd Laster received a $500 Harry Hart Scholarship for her portfolio of work at this year's Kansas Art Education Association Youth Art Month show. Link in comments.

✨Senior Elli Brandt received 1st place in the 2-D division and the Best of Show honor at this year's Kansas Art Education Association Youth Art Month show for her work titled, "Interactionism." This competitive award is accompanied by a $1,000 prize package and given to just one student in the entire state of Kansas.

Let's hear it for these talented student artists! 👏


If you're looking for something to do during Spring Break, consider visiting the Kansas Youth Art Month Exhibit at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. The exhibit features K-12 student artwork from across the state, including that of 12 student artists representing Auburn-Washburn.

Washburn Rural High School: Douglas Bartlett | Ren Beard-Alvarado | Elli Brandt | Yecinta Ngure | Savanna Schmidt
Washburn Rural Middle School: Brynn Anderson | Serriana Carrasco
Farley Elementary School: Ethan Stephens
Indian Hills Elementary School: Laila Foster
Jay Shideler Elementary School: Kye Scott
Pauline Central Primary School: Gavin Roth
Wanamaker Elementary School: Daarshini Ganesh

It is a great honor to be selected for this exhibit. Each art teacher was only allowed to select one piece of artwork for display! Voting for People's Choice Awards will take place in the library atrium through March 18. The exhibit will remain on display through March 23.


Three Washburn Rural High School students are making an impact on hunger in Topeka through their work with local non-profit Bee the Blessing Box. Over the past two years, seniors Naledi Mackenzie, Sienna Hamilton, and Megan Weis have been awarded nearly $8,500 in grants from the Topeka Youth Commission to repair and replenish mini-food pantries throughout Topeka. In partnership with the National Honor Society, they purchase, sort, and distribute non-perishable food items and toiletries to the "Blessing Boxes" around town.

As students in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, the project meets an essential component of their core curriculum, satisfying at least two Creativity-Activity-Service requirements.


Hundreds of Washburn Rural High School band, choir, and orchestra students traveled to southern California over Spring Break, splitting their time between San Diego and Los Angeles. The trip served as a catalyst for artistic growth, educational enrichment, and unforgettable memories! Highlights included a Jazz Band performance and full group tour of the USS Midway, educational clinics at San Diego State and the University of Southern California (USC), and a performance and visit to Universal Studios. They also had the chance to visit Mission Beach, the San Diego Zoo, LA Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Santa Monica Pier.

Navigating a group of this size is never easy, but Band Director Luke Chaffee has it down to a science. Here's a look at their trip by the numbers:
🧳258 travelers, including 40 adult chaperones
🚌7 school buses to and from the airport in Kansas City
🚍5 charter buses in California
✈️2 flights
🏢2 hotels
☀️and sunshine the entire time!

We love providing our students with enriching opportunities like this!

Checkmate! Auburn-Washburn students had an exceptional showing at the Kansas State Chess Championships earlier this month, clinching three state titles and two second place finishes! Please join us in congratulating the following teams for their extraordinary achievements:

🏆STATE CHAMPIONS | Washburn Rural High School (K-12 division)
🏆STATE CHAMPIONS | Washburn Rural Middle School (K-8 division)
🏆STATE CHAMPIONS | Jay Shideler Elementary School (K-5 division)
🏆STATE RUNNERS-UP | Indian Hills Elementary School (K-5 division)
🏆STATE RUNNERS-UP | Indian Hills Elementary School (K-3 division)

Congratulations are also in order for the following individuals who placed in the top five in their divisions:

🏆Finn Byrne | 2nd place (K-12 division)
🏆Jay Kamble | 4th place (K-3 division)
🏆Rishik (Luv) Sinha | 5th place (K-5 division)

The chess championships were held at Emporia State University and hosted by the Kansas Scholastic Chess Association.


Part of Auburn-Washburn's mission is to instill in students the character required to be happy, responsible, and productive citizens. Volunteerism and service is a big aspect of that and is displayed daily throughout the district. Just recently, Wanamaker Elementary School hosted their first food drive in support of the Mustang Food Pantry. The outpouring of generosity was remarkable, filling their own pantry shelves and storage spaces and even allowing for a substantial donation to the district's monthly food giveaway. Witnessing such compassion and initiative from our students fills us with pride.

The Mustang Food Pantry got its start with a generous grant from the Auburn-Washburn Public Schools Foundation. The pantry is run by social worker Kara Haney-Wiltz and serves as a testament to our community's commitment to supporting those in need.

Congratulations to athletic trainer Brad Parry on his Hall of Fame career! Parry has treated hundreds of our athletes over the years and will be greatly missed in his retirement.


wibw.com
Topeka athletic trainer reflects on Hall of Fame career
Brad Parry has been helping young athletes get back in the game for 40 years.

REMINDER: There will be no school on Monday, April 1, 2024. This date was originally designated as a snow make-up day, but it will not be needed for that purpose. Enjoy the extended weekend!

🍎Kindergarten Roundup🍎 is just around the corner!

Each school will host a Kindergarten Roundup event on Friday, April 5, 2024. For more information and to register, visit http://www.usd437.net/roundup. Please note that students must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024 to attend kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year.