This year Washington was able to create a clothing closet that they have named the Washington Wardrobe.
So far they have been collecting clothing items, hygiene items, and donations to help stock the Wardrobe. Their goal is to have the Wardrobe stocked and ready to go so that they can start having students shop next year.
Shopping will be free to the students and the clothing closet will allow them to receive access to items that they might not normally have.
Washington Elementary celebrates Hornets each mount by emphasizing different attributes.
For example, during the month of January, they celebrated Kindness and the guest reader was Mrs. Kline. Mrs. Kline works at Paddock Spring as the Director of Sales and Marketing, she loves to be a volunteer and be part of our community. She is part of the Big Brother Big Sister of Northeast Indiana Serving Kosciusko County, and she is also part of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. So excited to have her as our guest.
Hornets Heroes has been a highlight for the year as Washington exemplifies different attributes in the school, classrooms and community. They celebrate our students monthly by bringing them to the Innovation Lab for a small celebration with a guest reader, snacks and fun activities. The teachers choose a student from each classroom (KG to 6th grade).
During the Christmas season, Washington Elementary School collaborated with families and the community to continue its 2nd Annual Hornet Holiday Helpers program, which successfully provided a memorable Christmas for 126 Washington kids.
The initiative matched up children with families within the Washington community to help purchase Christmas gifts for those who would have otherwise gone without. The entire gift buying and delivery process was anonymous, with Helpers given a random number, a first name, and a list of the child's wants and needs to make the process easier. After purchasing and wrapping the gifts, they dropped them off at Washington for the families to pick up on a designated day. For those unable to pick up their gifts, staff and a bus driver (Donna) delivered the presents to their homes.
This year, a parent who was a Helper in the previous year got laid off before the holidays and was able to receive help from the program.
Hornet Holiday Helpers is an excellent opportunity for families in need, and it was heartening to see Washington families coming together to help one another during the holiday season.
At the school carnival, a group of fourth-grade students at Washington Elementary School organized a fundraising stand that sold baked goods donated by teachers, bracelets, and 3D printed items made by students. Washington's very own henna artist also provided her time and talents for this cause. They also held a chess challenge for donations and had a henna artist providing her time and talents for the cause.
The money raised, over $300, will be used to buy snow pants for students who do not have them for winter. These snow pants will be housed in the Washington Wardrobe room and will be available on a check-out basis.
The idea for this initiative came from one of the boys in the group who had forgotten his snow clothes and borrowed them from a friend. This incident inspired him to think about other students who don't have snow clothes and can't play in the snow at school. The Washington Wardrobe creators offered the space to make this initiative a reality, and the students quickly planned to raise funds.
The students were proud of their accomplishment and shared, “It felt really good to do something for someone other than ourselves.”
Our mission is to inspire and equip all students to continuously acquire and apply knowledge and skills while pursuing their dreams and enriching the lives of others.
Email: kpolston@warsawschools.org
Website: www.warsawschools.org
Location: 1 Administration Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580
Phone: 574-371-5098