Wildcat News

Principal Message

A few reminders for the week:

~ Volunteers needed: We are in need of volunteers to make our Walk-A-Thon a success as well as our picnic. Please consider signing up to help as the PTO needs you! Here's the link to volunteer for the Walk-A-Thon, and here's the link to help with the picnic. THANK YOU, in advance, for your willingness to volunteer! We simply could not do these fun things without YOU!

~ Pictures Retakes are scheduled for Thursday, October 2, 2025. The Lifetouch photographers will be available to begin taking photos at 7:00am if you wish to accompany your child for their photo. Please use Door #1 to enter the building, and the photographers will be set up in the Media Center. If students are having their picture retaken, please return the photo package you received. If students are having their picture taken for the first time, a PTO volunteer and the Washington office will make sure all students have their photo taken.

~ Walk-A-Thon: Envelopes and information came home with your child this week. Please help us reach our goal of $15,000 (rumor has it I may be sleeping on the roof again!!!). All the details you need to know are below AND came home with the envelope and letter. You can certainly return your donation sooner than October 3, but they are officially due on Friday, October 3. If you have further questions, please reach out to Diane in the office.

~ Walk & Bike To School Day is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2025. Special prizes will be given out that day. Students earn a ticket for walking or biking to school that day, and those tickets will be handed out on the playground when they arrive. Do not worry if your child cannot walk or bike to school--they can walk two laps on the playground and also receive a ticket. Students who are not able to walk before school can do so later in the day at recess.

Thanks for supporting our work! Go Wildcats!

Ann

Ann Haggerty

Washington Principal

ahagge1@isd77.org

Kathy Maass - Kitchen Manager

What do the students at Washington call you?

Miss Kathy, Cook and teacher.

What is your job at Washington?

Kitchen Manager

How long have you worked for Mankato Area Public Schools?

7 years

What is one of your favorite things about your job?

Working with amazing staff, watching the students grow, the smiles and giggles we get to see everyday.

What is an interesting fact about you?

Love to garden and can, camping at Sakatah Trails Resort and love the hours and hours of baking at Christmas time.

Tell us about your family.

My husband and I have been married for 51 years. 2 children, Terri and Brad, 5 grandchildren, Brittany, Dustin, Colten, Gavin and Hailey, 1 ½ great grandchildren - Luca and another on the way in March.

Where did you go to elementary school?

Minnesota lake, MN

Anything else you would like to share with families?

I love spending time with our great grandson. Watching his enthusiasm in everything he does.

Dear Washington Elementary Families and Friends,

We are excited to announce that it is time for our annual Walk-A-Thon! As most of you know, this is the fundraiser that provides money for our operating budget for the entire school year. We budget over $12,000 each year to provide for your students and to better their education at Washington Elementary. We have gone away from having kids sell stuff for money so that 100% of funds raised go straight to our school.

Money raised during our Walk-A-Thon goes towards many items the PTO provides, such as our Washington shirts for every student during the year. We also provide money to either offset costs of field trips, including busing, or completely cover them. These trips to museums, history day, theaters, colleges, and other sites give some students opportunities to visit places they otherwise would never get to experience. Money also goes toward our fun family events, including family fun nights, fall, and end of year picnics. We could not do any of this without your help!

Our Walk-A-Thon will take place on Thursday October 9th during the day (rain or shine) with our Fall Family Picnic to follow that evening from 5:00-6:30pm (rain date for the picnic is Tuesday, October 14).

Tentative Walk-A-Thon schedule:

1:10 - Kindergarten & 3rd grade

1:40 - 1st and 5th grade

2:00 - 2nd and 4th grade

If you would like to attend the Walk-A-Thon to cheer on your student, we expect students to begin walking/running at 1:10pm (subject to change) and finish by the end of the school day. There is no need to check in at the office–just meet your child out on the Washington playground. Please come back that evening to enjoy our picnic from 5-6:30pm. We will provide more information on the specifics in days to come.

Feel free to share the QR code (see below). Your child has also brought home an envelope which can be used for cash/check donations. The QR code is on the envelope as well for online donations. Please try and ask family/friends to include your child’s name in the “Directed to” option for the online donation so they are given credit for the donation!

Thank you for your help with our fundraising efforts. We look forward to seeing you there!

Washington Elementary PTO

Walk & Roll (Bike) to School Day

Washington students will earn a ticket for a prize drawing by walking or riding a bike to school this day.
Students that are unable to walk/bike to school can still earn a raffle ticket if they walk/run 2 laps around the Alps Trail (PAWS Trail) before school starts.