Wayne Township Education Foundation
News Details
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November 2025
Do you remember learning to write your first letters…your first words…your first sentences…your first stories?
Many of Courtney Ramos’ kindergarten students at Westlake Elementary are experiencing those “firsts” this year. And thanks in part to grant funding from the Wayne Township Education Foundation, they have a new tool in their hands to help ignite their imaginations.
Primary composition notebooks, a special type of notebook with space for both writing and drawing, are making a difference for Mrs. Ramos’ students. “Having access to notebooks with pages that have a designated space for both pictures and words invites creativity and minimizes the pressure to fill a page,” she said.
Mrs. Ramos requested funding for the notebooks in a DonorsChoose grant application called “Little Hands, Big Stories.” With help from both that organization and WTEF, she was able to purchase the notebooks, which her students have been using two to three times per week since mid-September.
The notebooks provide a singular place for students to do all of their writing, so Mrs. Ramos can see their progress throughout the year. “The students have taken great ownership in their notebooks,” Mrs. Ramos said. “They get a sticker on the cover for every piece of writing they create, with the goal of filling the entire cover.”
Students end each week with their primary composition notebooks - a highlight, said Mrs. Ramos.
“If you came into the classroom and asked what their favorite part of the week is, half of the students will say 'Free Write Friday,' which is a time where we get all cozy and comfy in 'Starbucks Mode' and get to write and draw about anything they want.”
ABOUT THE WAYNE TOWNSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Wayne Township Education Foundation (WTEF) provides community leadership to enrich, engage, and stimulate teaching and learning in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township. WTEF accomplishes this by supporting school programs and resources, while recognizing excellence among students and staff. To learn more about WTEF, call 317-988-7966, visit wtef.wayne.k12.in.us, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @WayneTwpEdFound.