WESD Celebrates 2024 Lamp of Learning Honorees

It was an honor to help celebrate the 18 extraordinary winners at our annual WESD Lamp of Learning Awards Ceremony last Friday. We are truly grateful for the staff, volunteer and partner contributions, support and commitment that make a remarkable difference with the WESD Family. Thank you to Aunt Chilada's for hosting the event, Dorian Studios for capturing special moments and CORE and the Washington Education Foundation for their generous financial support.

Remember to visit the WESD’s social media pages this summer as we will proudly highlight each of our honorees.

School Connect Honors WESD at 2024 Champions of Education Awards

Congratulations to Desert View Elementary School Principal John Mospan and Sweetwater School who were recognized as finalists at School Connect's 2024 Champions of Education Awards yesterday. Mr. Mospan was a finalist for the Catalyst for Education Award, which honors a principal who has sparked collaboration toward a specific change, leading the way as a catalyst that ignites hope and rallies others to champion their school community. Sweetwater School, under the leadership of Susie Smith, was a finalist for the Because It Takes A Village Award, which honors a school that has built a diverse network of community partners to support its students, families and community.

Deb Lupnacca, Abraham Lincoln Traditional School Achievement Interventionist, was surprised with the 2024 Founder’s Heart Award during the ceremony. This special award honors a leader with a courageous heart who sees the genius, passion, and love in other people and then gathers those people together and works to unleash their collective power for positive change in the world around them.

It was a privilege to celebrate the honorees at the event along with Governing Board President Jenni Abbott-Bayardi and other fellow WESD staff. The WESD Family is proud of their achievements and appreciates their commitment to the district.

WESD Shares Third Quarter Attendance Highlights

The WESD is proud to share some exciting attendance highlights from the third quarter. As a district, we achieved a daily attendance rate of 92.30% including 1,563 students who earned perfect attendance. Additionally, 5,567 students improved their attendance by at least one day in the third quarter, when compared to the second quarter of this school year. I was honored to send each of these students a special digital certificate to congratulate them on their dedication to attendance. Let's keep up the great work and finish the remainder of the school year strong.

Join Us for Our BRIDGE Meeting

The WESD has a special opportunity for those who want to become a teacher and have a bachelor’s degree in an area other than education. Please join us for our BRIDGE Meeting on May 15th, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Governing Board Room at the WESD Administrative Center. During the meeting, the BRIDGE team and Human Resources representatives will provide information about our free program that can help you earn your teacher certification while working as a full-time teacher. To RSVP, please call 602-347-2622 or email Teach@wesdschools.org.

Help Support the Washington Education Foundation

The Washington Education Foundation (WEF) is the district’s non-profit organization that works to enhance the education programs of the WESD. The WEF is comprised of volunteers who actively work to fundraise throughout the year to support its mission: to promote, enhance and supplement the educational goals of the WESD by providing direct assistance to deserving students, staff and schools.

Next month, the WEF will be holding a virtual fundraiser with Panda Express. You can support the WEF by placing an online order for pickup or delivery on Friday, May 10th, 2024. Be sure to apply code 923147 in the Fundraiser Code box during online checkout. Twenty eight percent of sales will be donated to the WEF, which directly benefit WESD teachers and staff. To learn more, please click here. Thank you for your support.