Another school year is well underway and WEF is so grateful for the incredible ongoing support of this community. It is truly heartfelt when we say, “Thank You” to all of you who show up for us and our students, all year long!
Recap:
During the 2025-26 school year, we were able to support The Webster Schools by providing:
- $3000 to send the Skills USA/Tiger Tech students to the National Competition in Atlanta, GA
- $6500 in awarded scholarships for graduating seniors.
- $4000 to the new Scoreboard project
- $3000 for Middle School Band polo shirts for performances
- $2000 for a Portable AED for the athletic field (Funded by a grant from the Trenton Tuchenhagen Family)
- $1684 to the Cafetorium projector repair project
- $1000 to PAWS middle school positive behavior incentive program
- $2079 to the Trap Team
- $1079 to the Theatre Dept
- $3100 for the HS Social Studies field trip to Chicago WWII Holocaust Museum, Navy Peir Children’s Museum and Shedd Aquarium
- $250 in prizes for the Tiger Tech event
- $661 to send the 4th grade classes to the Science Museum
- $642 to send the 1st grade classes to see The Grinch play at the Children’s Theatre
- $740 for new protective Chromebook cases for the 5th and 6th grade classes
- $1000 for Teacher Appreciation week lunch and snacks
- $5000 for an annual grant to our Pupil Services/Guidance Counseling Dept.
Currents:
WEF hosted the 13th Annual Golf Scramble Fundraiser at the beautiful Voyager Village Golf Course on Friday, August 7th. Thirty-seven teams of four players had a shotgun start at 1:00 pm.
The winning team was made up of Bob Peterson, KC Belland, Bob Sunsdahl and Jen Sundsdahl. Congrats to them! There were several fun contests, great food and prizes and an opportunity to show off team spirit and creativity with our “Best Dressed” team competition! Thank you to all our wonderful hole sponsors, prize donors and players for making this an extremely fun and successful event again this year!
On Saturday, August 29th, Mitch Deering and Dani Johannson from The Gandy Dancer Saloon hosted a Volleyball Tournament to raise funds for WEF. Eight teams came to play an entire afternoon of volleyball and enjoy the music and friendly competition! A great time was had by all and the event raised $2400 for WEF to use toward the Fall Classroom Grant cycle projects. We hope to make this an annual event!
At the September WEF board meeting, the board approved several classroom grants for our Fall grant cycle, as well as some large project funding for needs in the district. WEF granted funding to replace the no longer functional poster maker/graphic printer at the Elementary School. WEF will be purchasing the equipment to create a Sensory Room for the Elementary School Special Education Dept. Funding for High School Science safety equipment, the Middle School PAWS program, a 1st Grade Children’s Theatre trip, and to restart the Middle School Student Council group were also approved. The total impact of these grants equals $13,940.00.
WEF has committed to providing continued financial support for the ongoing scoreboard project and annual funding for the Guidance Counseling Department in the 26-27 school year, as well.
The Show Must Go On:
In other news, WEF is looking at an initiative to raise funds and help our school Music Department replace aging equipment. It has come to our attention that our pianos in the Music Department are now all between 20 and 30 years old. Tuning is no longer effective, so pianos had to be borrowed to be able to host the Middle School Solo and Ensemble contest last Spring. Webster is hosting the High School competition this April, so the need is getting more pressing.
In addition, it seems that our Marching Band percussion equipment, including the bass and snare drums, cymbals and harnesses are in the neighborhood of 35-45 years old. They have had a good run, but they have earned their retirement!
The total cost of this project, that will have an impact on all Music and Drama students, is just above $15,000. At the September meeting, the WEF board was able to allocate $7500 from our Large Project Fund to cover the most dire needs immediately, but we will need a little extra help to complete this project by the Spring/Summer competition and parade season. In the October addition of The Bridge, you will find the WEF orange donation flyer. Please consider an end of the year donation to WEF. You may earmark it for the Music Department project, or to the general fund.
We continue to need financial support from alumni, community members and businesses, to be able to plan and carry out innovative projects, award scholarships and meet our goals. With rising costs and budget cuts, nearly all school districts are experiencing financial strain. WEF works hard to provide support and opportunities for all our students. We are so grateful for this community and all you have done to support our school and our students over the past year. It is great to be a Tiger!
The WEF board members are looking forward to this 2026-27 school year. We hope you all enjoy a beautiful Fall season!!! Please check us out on Facebook and visit our website at www.websteref.org #TigerProud