December Newsletter

Newsletter

December 31, 2025

As winter settles in, we’re feeling especially grateful. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we are thrilled to announce that we were able to fund 34 more grants, totalling over $44,000. Teachers will be able to use these funds in the coming year, enabling them to spark innovation and curiosity. It’s the kind of giving that wraps our schools in something warm and lasting, and we are so thankful.

That spirit of heart-forward generosity is exactly what we’ll be celebrating at Hearts and Smarts, our annual trivia event on February 7th from 4pm-6pm at Town Hall. It’s a cozy, joy-filled afternoon where quick thinking meets big hearts. Gather your smartest friends, mark your calendar, and register to join us! Space is limited, so don’t wait to register!

In Memoriam

On December 17th, we lost an important member of our Foundation family. Geri Mandell played a significant role in the beginning and growth of the Foundation. She was part of the initial steering committee, served on the board for many years, and was chair of the Distribution Committee. She was a product of West Hartford schools herself, a dedicated parent volunteer, and a treasured board member of the Foundation. As the year draws to a close, we want to honor her memory.

The Foundation in Action

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Grant: Making Electrifying Art with Paper Circuits

This grant proposal, Making Electrifying Art with Paper Circuits made a big impact on the students. Through the hands-on circuit building creation of a LED name tag, Smith STEM Elementary students were able to understand simple circuits and how the button battery can make the LED and name tag light up. This project supported cross-curricular learning by integrating art with science and problem-solving. According to teacher Kathy Hardsety, “They were so happy when it worked, couldn’t wait to wear them home, and are looking forward to using the materials again in the spring.”

John Kozak Memorial Grant: Nature, Animals, and More: Let’s Go on a Tour!

At Webster Hill, 48 pre-Kindergarten students are learning about nature through multiple hands-on experiences. Most recently, Westmoor Park brought animals into the classroom, allowing students to develop an understanding and respect for animals, their habitats, and the impact humans can have on them. In addition to classroom visits, they will also visit the Pickin’ Patch, Westmoor Park, and Mystic Aquarium. Just look at the children’s faces to see the joy, wonder, and appreciation they are developing for the world around them.

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Help us continue our mission!

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.

DONATE

Foundation for West Hartford Public Schools
50 South Main St., #420
West Hartford, CT 06107

860-561-8755
fwhps@westhartfordct.gov

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