Conard High School celebrated the Lunar New Year in style this year, thanks to a named grant sponsored by the Papasavas family. Through this grant, they were able to fund their Lunar New Year dragon parade and celebration. It also funded a day-long workshop led by a local Wushu master, teaching students the art of dragon dancing. This parade allowed students to participate in an immersive, hands-on activity that fosters cultural understanding and appreciation of diversity, not just for the students in the parade but for the entire school community who witnessed it.

Besides Sedgwick and King Philip, what two junior high schools existed in West Hartford in the 1980s? What is the name of Percy Jackson’s pen that turns into a sword? How many bones are in the human body? 

These questions and more challenged more than 200 students, parents, teachers, and community members who competed in our 1st Annual Hearts & Smarts Trivia Challenge. After fierce trivia—and a few surprise games—The Sedgwick Smarties, a team of Sedgwick teachers, emerged victorious. Thanks to our donors, volunteers, participants, Matthew Dicks, emcee extraordinaire, and Mayor Shari Cantor for making this event a success! Mark your calendar for February 7, 2026: Will the Sedgwick Smarties come back to defend their title? Can you beat them?

The grants we award fund opportunities above and beyond what the school budget allows. This is why your support is so important to the work we do. Your donation to the Foundation directly supports innovative, memorable opportunities for West Hartford Public School students.

Visit our website for more information about our organization and donation and sponsorship opportunities. And don’t forget to contribute to our Spring Fundraiser and to buy your raffle tickets!