Hatchet Happenings

Last week, WCS opened their doors to local business partners, area educators, and community leaders to highlight their cutting-edge STEM program, powered by the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum. This event provided an opportunity for attendees to experience firsthand the district’s commitment to preparing students for future careers through advanced coursework in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

PLTW's project-based learning approach stood out as a key feature of the program. “The students get to create their own things. They envision what they want and bring it to life, which is really cool,” said Matt Riney, a computer science and robotics teacher at Washington High School. Students showcased impressive projects, including robots, apps, and other creative innovations, demonstrating their ability to turn abstract concepts into tangible results.

Assistant Superintendent Steve Peterson emphasized that hosting this showcase is a reflection of the strong community support and dedicated staff that have helped make PLTW a success. The program has steadily expanded over the past seven years, starting at the high school level and now encompassing grades kindergarten through four, ensuring students are immersed in STEM education at every stage of their learning journey.

“We just have to figure it out ourselves, and I really like that aspect of it because it has problem-solving with it and it really keeps me motivated to keep going and keep making stuff,” said Dyer. “It is a lot of fun.”

PLTW has helped WHS senior Amorenio Martinez plan for his future. “PLTW has really opened my eyes as to what I really want to do in life and college. It has given me more of a collaborative standpoint as well. I want to pursue civil engineering at either Rose Hulman or the University of Evansville.”

As a Kids at Hope district, we encourage students to “time travel” to their life’s future destinations. This nine-week’s focus is Community & Service.

Washington Intermediate held a Penny Wars and raised $3,881.62 dollars for United Way in one week! Mrs. Williams’ class raised the most money and got to pie Mr. Cherry in the face!

Mr. Furman at Washington High School had the opportunity to take 8 students to a STEM Challenge at the Vincennes Jasper Campus.

We had two teams of 4 students. The team of Amorenio Martinez, Zach Allen, Layla Gutierrez Cavillo, and Adalyn Williams won the Teamwork and Communication award and finished second in the Waupaca challenge. They received $320 for their accomplishments.

The team of Morgan Campbell, Nathan Sponn, Zach Veale, and Julio Sanchez-Espinoza was very competitive in all challenges.

Companies that were involved in the challenges were Kimball Electronics, Jasper Engines & Transmissions, Wabash Valley, OFS, Farbes, Kimball International, Waupaca, and MasterBrand.

At Upper Elementary we celebrated students of the month for November. They were rewarded with fries with Mrs. Fry. They are all great leaders in our school and we are proud of their hard work and leadership. Keep being great role models for our school!

JA JobSpark is a Junior Achievement initiative that includes a two-day, hands-on career expo for 8th graders in southwest Indiana and southeast Illinois, held at the Old National Events Center in Evansville, Indiana each year. The event is meant to “spark” an interest in students and get them excited for their future.

Students will learn about skills needed for jobs that will be in demand when they graduate while utilizing equipment that is used for those jobs daily. After the event, students will have a better understanding of the courses they will need to take in high school, a track for post-secondary, and a clear career pathway that aligns with their interests.

“This is the third year WJHS has been involved with the JobSpark Career Expo for 8th graders, and this year we are excited to be taking almost the entire 8th class, which is around 165 students,” said Careers teacher Erik Browning.

“From speaking to some of the students last year after the event, they were very surprised by the impact it had on them. The experience opened their eyes to thinking about their future schooling and possible career paths. Many commented that no matter what career they choose they want to make sure it is a job they enjoy. This is not a lecture about career clusters. This is a very hands-on day for the students who can spend time on only the clusters that they have an interest in.”

Washington Community Schools Computer Science students are working on coding and app development. They created an app to help 2nd grade students at Washington Intermediate practice adding 2 digit numbers! They showed students how to use the app and gathered data from students to evaluate the effectiveness of their app.

Jr. BETA placed top 3 in 34 of the 56 categories we entered, earning us the opportunity to compete at Nationals in Orlando, Florida this summer. Here’s how we did:

3rd place: 8th grade Language Arts- Baylee Cockerham, 8th grade Science- Kinsey Kelso, 8th grade computer science principles- Allie Newberry, 8th grade Health and PE- Cole McCleese, Apparel Design, Book Battle, Digital Portfolio, Onsite Art Drawing- Justin Shahat, Poetry- Elyn Hudson, Robotics, Mixed Media- Kinsey Kelso.

2nd place: 8th grade Math- Drew Clawson, Luis Lopez-Rubio, 8th grade US History- Kaleigh Kane, Musicology, Onsite Art Painting- Hazel Holland, Performing Arts Trio (Dance)- Kynlee Bruce, Bellah Cornelius, and Emersyn Sponn, Service Learning Showcase, Songfest, Digital Art- Taelyne Zollars, Recyclable Art- Miley Diaz, Woodworking- Parker Wilson, Pottery- Emma Bellame, Hand-Drawn Anime- Justin Shahat.

1st place: 7th grade Social Studies- Landon Frady, 8th grade Social Studies- Ward Barber, 7th grade Spanish- Dulce Gonzalez, 7th grade Computer Science Principles- Justin Shahat, 7th Grade Health and PE- Nolan Brower, Marketing, Performing Arts Small Group, Color Photography- Nolan Brower, Quilling- Baylee Cockerham, Fiber Arts- Alyssa Bubalo.

We also had 2 with Special Awards.

Bellah Cornelius was picked as a Premier Performer Dancer to participate in the opening ceremony performance alongside members from every state at Nationals this summer.

Baylee Cockerham received Best In Show for her Quilling Project. This means she had the highest score of ALL visual art projects.

Brody Wilson and Aly Mozingo both received $500 Scholarships from the Indiana Beta Club Council.

We had many students/groups that placed in the top three in their divisions or grade levels. The club received a total of 53 awards! These students qualified for Nationals this summer in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations to all of the winners!

First Place

Technology (Alton Ennis and Kelsey Vanpelt)

Grant Fry US History 10

Ellie Campbell Div 1 Digital Art

Mackenzie Spillman Div 2 Digitally Enhanced Photo

Kaylee Potts Div 1 Fiber Arts

Lluvia Becerra Div 2 Jewelry

Selina Villavicenia-Montejo Div 2 Painting

Lane Peachee Div 1 Pottery

Liv Cox Div 2 Pottery

Jessenia Bernardo Div 1 Quilling

Lexi Nalin Div 2 Recyclable Art

Isabelle Sweet Div 2 Sculpture

Aylin Bernardo French 9

Brooks Chestnut Social Studies 9

Anthony Armes Social Studies 10

Jessinia Bernardo Spanish 9

Gabriella Fry Div 1 Onsite Painting

Second Place

Julio Sanchez-Espinoza Spanish 12

Sydney Sandullo Div 2 Hand Drawn Anime

Addison Guthrie Div 1 Jewelry

Sarai Hernandez Div 1 Painting

Grace Hickey Div 2 Woodworking

Lillian Wright French 11

Kaylee Potts Poetry Div 1

Zoe Kelso Science 10

Jerzie McCord Div 2 Speech

3D Design

Apparel Design

Scrapbook

Brecklin Cox Div 1 Onsite Drawing

Selina Villavicenia-Montejo Div 2 Onsite Drawing

Campaign Skit

Third Place

Brecklin Cox US History 9

Solo/Duo/Trio Dancer (Callie Ziegler and Trinity Dyer)

Genesis Gomez-Moreno Div 1 Drawing

Brent Barber Agriscience 9

Mackenzie Spillman Agriscience 12

Danica Dowling Biomedical 9

Breckyn Ivers Biomedical 10

Isabelle Sweet Biomedical 11

Digital Portfolio (Aylin Bernardo)

Yahaira Flores French 10

Paige Dills Health and PE 11

Addison Guthrie Language Arts 9

Claire Waller Psychology 9

Jerzie McCord Psychology 12

Keegan Dillon Science 12

Liv Cox Social Studies 11

Daniela Montoya Castillo Spanish 10

Elire Parsons Div 1 Speech

Show Choir

Julio Sanchez-Espinoza Div 2 Onsite Cake Decorating

Club Trading Pin

This year, we proudly honor our outstanding staff for their dedication and exceptional commitment to our students every day.

At each monthly school board meeting, we will highlight staff members who have been nominated for exemplifying the highest standards of excellence.

Congratulations to Jo Roach, teacher at Washington Upper Elementary, Connie Clarke, teacher at Washington Intermediate, and Shawn Gray, district facilities! Thank you to Tim Cochren from Habig Injury Law for supporting our staff and providing each nominee with a $50.00 Amazon gift card and Yeti Tumbler!

Congratulations to Washington Junior High’s overall Students of the first 9 weeks!

Anderson, Nolan, Landon, Aleigha, and Savannah have excelled at grades and leadership these first 9 weeks. Also, a big THANK YOU to the New End Zone for donating this year's student of the week shirts.

The Christmas Light Show is a joint project with the Computer Science classes and Construction classes at WHS, the City of Washington and Washington Light and Power.

Computer Science students code the light show in sync with the music. Jason Johnston and his construction classes really stepped it up and were awesome this year - all props were upgraded and rewired with LED lights. The electrical crews from the city are always amazing to work with. Also, Patty Allen managed the process of getting all the lights and materials for our students to use.

Between Gates 2-3 on Bedford Rd.

November 27 - January 6, 2024

Listen to Radio Channel 90.7!

Join us for the 55th Annual Madrigal Dinner!

December 13 & 14, 6:30 pm Washington High School

November 27 - 29 - No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 4 - JH & HS Band Holiday Concert, 7:00 pm

December 10 - Kindergarten Holiday Concert, 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm

December 11 - JH & HS Choir Holiday Concert, 7:00 pm

December 13 & 14 - Madrigal Dinner, 6:30 pm

December 23 -January 3 - Winter Break

January 6 - School Resumes