Winona Area Public Schools

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, students and families could send a personalized electronic thank you card to their favorite educator. They were able to choose from six designs and add their own message. They also had the option to share their message on social media. More than 250 cards were sent, and a little more than half of the messages were shared on Facebook and Instagram. It is clear that the students and families of Winona Area Public Schools respect and admire the educators that serve them every day. #WinhawkProud #WhyWAPS #ThankATeacher

A special ceremony was held on Thursday to celebrate the students in the Work Experience Program. This program connects students with jobs in the community they can work for school credit AND a paycheck (with parent approval.) The program relies on community partners like the Career Force Center and Express Employment Professionals - Winona. Students are placed in jobs based on interest. For some, that could mean working at Happy Hounds Grooming, Steak Shop Catering, Rogan's Shoes or Hy-Vee. Other students are placed in jobs in the district, such as in the WSHS kitchen, WALC child care or working with elementary students. Everyone associated with the program — students, families, staff members, community partners, employers — was invited to the ceremony Thursday.  Even former students came to show their appreciation. The Work Experience Program is run by Patti Darbo, who has been with Winona Area Public Schools for 20 years. She is retiring this fall, and the program is being turned over to Brittany Moncrief, who is just as passionate about helping students find their passion as Ms. Darbo has been. Way to go, students. We are so proud of you. And thank you to all who make this program happen ... especially Ms. Darbo. 

Coming together. Giving back. The Winona Middle School AVID Holiday Store is a prime example of how our students and staff give back to their community. Each year, students and staff members collect items that would make for good holiday presents. These items are sold for $1 to WMS students. Staff members volunteer to wrap the gifts. The proceeds are donated to the Winona Community Warming Center. Once again, they raised a record amount. We are #WinhawkProud of the staff members at the middle school who inspire, engage and empower our students to give back to their community. #WhyWAPS #AVID