SWASF - Quarterly Newsletter

Greetings Cubs, Alumni, and Foundation Supporters,

Spring and summer have been filled with milestones worth celebrating and we're grateful to share some of those with you!

Thanks to the generosity of our donors and supporters, the Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation awarded more than $138,000+ in scholarships to the incredible Class of 2026 and continued to invest in our schools through another round of Classroom Grants. We also had the pleasure of reconnecting with alumni at our annual All-Class Picnic, celebrating our newest graduates, and honoring an extraordinary member of our Cub family, Barbara Ward Thompson, on her 100th birthday.

In this issue, you'll find highlights from our recent scholarship and grant programs, photos from recent class reunions, updates on Foundation news, and opportunities to stay connected and involved with the alumni community.

Each of these moments reflects the generosity, pride, and lasting connections that make the Sedro-Woolley community so special. Whether you're a recent graduate, a longtime alum, or one of our many supporters, thank you for helping us continue our mission of honoring our past while investing in the future.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the success of Sedro-Woolley students and our community. Here's to another great year ahead—because once a Cub, always a Cub!

Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation – Board of Directors

• September 18th, 2026 --SWASF Board Meeting
• November 20th, 2026 --SWASF Board Meeting

The 24-member volunteer board meets on the third Friday of odd-numbered months at the Sedro-Woolley School District administrative offices on Trail Road at 11:00 a.m.

Interested in Getting Involved?
If you’re passionate about supporting students, honoring alumni, and giving back to the Sedro-Woolley community, we’d love to hear from you! For more information or to express your interest on getting involved, please reach out to us at info.swasf@gmail.com.

This year, the Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation awarded $17,800.64 in classroom grants to educators across the Sedro-Woolley School District. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and dedicated funds, these grants are helping bring innovative learning opportunities to life...from literacy and STEM projects to music, art, sensory supports, technology, and classroom enrichment.

Grants were awarded to educators at Central Elementary, Big Lake, Cascade Middle School, Evergreen, Mary Purcell, State Street High School, Good Beginnings Preschool, and the Central Hi-Cap Program.

We're excited to share a few photos and updates below from grant recipients, highlighting how these funds are already making a difference in their classrooms and enriching student learning.

With this year's awards, the Foundation has now invested more than $467,000 in classroom grants since the program began. Thank you to everyone who helps make these opportunities possible for our students and teachers! 💛

At Evergreen Elementary, fourth-grade students in the afterschool reading program received new books and snacks through a Classroom Grant for a "Reading Beyond the School Day" Program. The new reading materials sparked excitement and enthusiasm among the students, helping create a fun and welcoming environment where they could continue building their reading skills after the school day ended.

Students in the Cascade Middle School MLL New Student program participated in a neighborhood field trip designed to build confidence, independence, and real-world life skills. After learning about public transportation from Skagit Transit representatives, students rode the city bus to visit the YMCA, Sedro-Woolley Memorial Park, the Sedro-Woolley Library and Pioneer Marketplace.

Along the way, they received library cards, explored community resources, and practiced budgeting by purchasing their own items within a set spending limit. The experience gave students valuable hands-on opportunities to navigate their community while building confidence in everyday skills.

Students enjoyed a lunchtime cultural celebration centered around Ukrainian traditions and cuisine. The event gave students the opportunity to sample authentic Ukrainian foods, learn about the history and significance of pysanka (decorated Easter eggs), and paint their own eggs to take home or share with a loved one.

For many students, it was their first time experiencing these foods and traditions, creating a fun and meaningful opportunity to broaden their cultural awareness and understanding of the world.

Thanks to a Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation Classroom Grant, students in the MLL New Student classroom at Cascade Middle School are experiencing the power of visual storytelling.

The grant helped purchase materials for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a unique novel that tells much of its story through illustrations. The visual format makes the book especially engaging for students who are new to reading in English, allowing them to understand the story and build confidence through both words and images.

"Students have been enjoying reading the book 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret'. This book is unique because a large part of the story is told through the illustrations. This makes it an accessible option for our students who are newer to reading in English, as they can grasp the concepts and plot through the images."

The Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation is proud to announce our 2026 Scholarship Recipients! This year, we awarded more than $138,000 in scholarships to outstanding Sedro-Woolley High School graduates as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys.

These scholarships were made possible through the incredible generosity of local families, businesses, community organizations, and the Foundation's fundraising efforts. Together, we are helping students pursue their dreams and invest in their futures.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional SWHS Cubs and State Street Eagles and wish them continued success in the years ahead!

Enjoy a few of the photos from the awards evening!

This year's recipients are continuing their educational journeys at colleges, universities, trade schools, and apprenticeship programs both close to home and across the country.

While many students are staying local by attending institutions like Skagit Valley College, Western Washington University, and colleges in the Seattle area, others are heading to schools in Idaho, Michigan, Iowa, Arizona, Oregon, California and beyond. We are proud to support these exceptional students as they take the next step toward achieving their goals and wish them all the best in the years ahead.

Sedro-Woolley School District is excited to celebrate 100 years of Central Elementary School at our Central Centennial Celebration on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

As we prepare for this historic milestone, we are looking for Central Elementary alumni who would be willing to share stories, memories, or possibly serve as speakers during the celebration. Your experiences are part of the rich history that has shaped generations of students in our community.

The celebration will also include a community open house with self-guided tours, giving alumni, families, and community members a chance to walk the halls and revisit the school.

If you attended Central Elementary and would like to share a memory, photos, or be considered as a speaker, we would love to hear from you.

📧 Email: swsdcoms@swsd101.org

The 4th Annual Jennifer Francis-Schmidt Memorial Kickball Tournament is just around the corner! Join us on Saturday, October 17th, for a fun day of friendly competition while supporting two great causes—the Jennifer Francis-Schmidt Memorial Scholarship and the Sedro-Woolley High School Fastpitch Program.

Last year, two scholarships were awarded through the Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation in Jennifer's honor. Thanks to your support, we look forward to continuing this meaningful tradition and celebrating Jen's lasting legacy.

Event Details:

• ⚾ $200 per team (up to 20 players)
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly – all ages are welcome to attend and participate!
• 🥸 Costume Contest with prizes for both individuals and teams
• 📅 Registration & payment deadline: September 18, 2026
• ☔ Games will be played rain or shine!
• ❤️ Donations are always welcome: @Laura-Schmidt-144
  
  

⚾ Registration is now open! Gather your team and get signed up today. We can't wait to see you on October 17th!

On May 28, 2026, the Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation had the privilege of celebrating a truly remarkable milestone—Barbara Ward Thompson's 100th birthday!

Barbara has been a treasured member of our Foundation and the Sedro-Woolley community for decades. Her unwavering dedication, generous spirit, and commitment to supporting future generations have made a lasting impact on countless students and families. It was a joy to celebrate this special occasion with Barbara and recognize a century of service, kindness, and Cub pride.

Happy 100th Birthday, Barb! Thank you for all you have done to help strengthen our community and inspire those who follow in your footsteps. 💙🐻🎉

If your class is having an event in 2026 or 2027 - a reunion, happy hour or other social gathering, be SURE to send it to us to include here in our newsletter or on our Facebook page! We are always happy to help share information about your event and help get the word out. We love seeing our fellow Cubs together and having fun!

The Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation is a non-profit 503(c)(3) that raises, manages and distributes funds in support of student education in the Sedro-Woolley School District. If you would like to help support the Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation, a list of different ways that you can help is included below.

1) Visit https://woolleycubs.com/cubsgive to make an online donation.

-You can set-up reoccurring donations, along with designate your donation to a specific area: scholarships/classroom grants/greatest need.

2) Venmo @swschoolsfoundation

-Search for @swschoolsfoundation or scan the QR code (pictured below) to send payment.

3) Mail check to Sedro-Woolley Alumni & Schools Foundation at P.O Box 509, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284

We invite you to join the Foundation in a partnership with the community to make a difference for our children!