Community Connections
At Washington Elementary, we believe that strong community partnerships are essential to promoting a supportive environment for our students, families and staff. By collaborating with local organizations, businesses and families, we create opportunities for shared learning and involvement that benefit everyone in our school community.
Study Connection: Study Connection meets on Tuesday after school here in Washington. This program is made up of volunteers from the Fort Wayne Rotary Club that work with students on reading and math skills, often helping them with work that they have from their classroom. The volunteer tries to stay with the student through their time at Washington. This program runs all school year.
PALS: This program takes place at Emmanuel St. Michael Church, right across the street from Washington. It meets 8 weeks in the fall and 8 weeks in the spring on Wednesday after school. Staff from this program come to Washington to pick up students and parents pick them up at Emmanuel when the program is over. Volunteer middle school students and adults from Emmanuel run this program. It is geared toward reading, especially helping 2nd and 3rd graders work toward passing IREAD-3. The program provides extra support and encourages a love of reading through engaging activities and individualized attention.
Project Reads: Project Reads meets on Wednesday after school at Washington. The program focuses on reading tutoring. Volunteers are community members who want to work with students. This program runs all school year. It provides students with additional support to improve their reading skills and gain confidence. The one-on-one attention helps to address individual needs and foster a love of learning.
Lunch Buddies: The Lunch Buddy program at Washington is one of the biggest in Fort Wayne Community Schools. This program is run through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Volunteers from the community participate in the program. A Lunch Buddy meets with their student once a week during lunch and recess. Lunch Buddies serve as positive role models and encouragers to our students. Many volunteers work in downtown Fort Wayne and are fortunate to have their business support their time away from their job to volunteer in this role.
Local Church Support: We are fortunate to have two churches that pour their love into Washington staff and students: Emmanuel St. Michael and First Presbyterian. Emmanuel supplies all of our school supplies to children at the beginning of the school year. The only thing families need to provide for their student is their backpack. They host an after-school reading program, contribute clothing for our kids and assist with other needs we may have throughout the year. First Presbyterian is also a great contributor to our school. They provide funding to help with our exploration clubs, field day, special school resource needs, teacher appreciation days and clothing for our students. First Presbyterian also funds and packs our Blessings in a Backpack program.
The Fort Wayne Rotary Club: We have had a long-standing relationship with the Fort Wayne Rotary Club. “Service Above Self” is their motto and they certainly live up to it with our school. Over the years, they have contributed significant money and time to Washington. We were privileged to have them purchase a portable sound system, a Gaga Ball Pit, a new refrigerator for our staff lounge and numerous other resources. Each year, they give teachers $100 each to buy items that support students in their classrooms. They host our annual Hot Dog Dinner as part of our school open house, volunteer for Study Connection and take on a family each Christmas. We appreciate their partnership with our school!
Blessings in a Backpack: This program helps ensure that all of our students have enough food to eat over the weekend. Each week, First Presbyterian packs food items into grocery bags and distributes them to students on Friday to put in their backpacks. The food items are ones that students enjoy eating and can easily make at home or use as quick snacks. This helps ensure that no child is left hungry but can come to school with full bellies and be ready to learn.
