The preschool housed in the Washington Elementary building is expanding hours, changing its name, and will continue to focus on providing high-quality early childhood education with a play-based program based on the Kids at Hope philosophy. Pre-school teacher Danielle Niehaus and Washington Elementary principal Kristin Murphy told Washington’s school board that the pre-school will be known as “Little Hatch Pre-school.” The name change will accompany the change from half-day schedules to an all-day, 7:30 a.m. to 2:35 p.m. schedule that will match better with parent schedules and better prepare pre-school kids for the “real” school experience. Murphy reported that the new addition to Washington Elementary will feature two rooms dedicated to the preschool. Registration for next year’s preschool is scheduled for April 28.
In another report, the Board learned that all six schools in the Washington Community Schools system have received national recognition from STEM.org, the nation’s longest continually operating, privately held STEM education research and credentialing organization. This distinction recognizes the Washington Schools’ district-wide commitment to providing high-quality, vertically aligned STEM learning experiences that prepare students for success in college, careers, and an increasingly technology-driven world.
Photos provided by Washington Community Schools. More information will be shared on this national recognition tomorrow.
In an accompanying announcement, Washington’s assistant superintendent, Dr. Steve Peterson, reported that the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program annually funds eighteen fellowships. Of this year’s educational fellowships, six were awarded to Washington Community Schools faculty members.
In personnel actions, the Board received a retirement notice from long-time Washington High School guidance counselor Tony Barnard, effective at the end of the school year. In other action, the Board received resignations from WHS Spanish teacher Viviana Galindo, effective at the end of school. Also received were resignations from Bo Burkhart as WHS basketball coach, teacher aides McKenzie Lintz and Tamara Wininger, and assistant track coaches Travis Harper and Michelle Tarr. The Board approved a stipend for Brian Hancock for teaching during his prep period for the remainder of the school year. The board also approved several ECA coaching appointments.
In other action, the Board approved an out-of-town overnight trip for the Lady Hatchets to participate in this weekend’s semi-state at Southport. Also approved were the FFA trip to the Indiana State Convention and several trips to competitions by the WHS Robotics team. The Board also approved the calendar for the 2026-2027 school year, fees for consumables and supplies for certain classes at WHS and WJHS, and TAG stipends for 26 faculty members. Superintendent Kevin Frank told the Board that 51 Washington teachers had qualified for the stipends, but the state restricted the number awarded to 26. Frank said a lottery was held of those qualifying teachers to determine the recipients. During the meeting the Board also discussed the ongoing session of the General Assembly and how proposed legislation could affect the local schools. The Board also heard a report on the Washington Elementary expansion project. Construction, and with it a change in traffic patterns, is expected to begin on March 2.
