Celebrating Founder’s Day

The West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation is partnering with the West Lafayette High School Student Council to celebrate Founder’s Day on March 27th. This is a day for Red Devils to give back to their school community, with this year’s efforts focused on the RDP Gear Fund.

First, you may be wondering … What is Founder’s Day? So glad you asked! On March 27th, 1855, the village of Kingston was newly established, first platted as four town blocks. At the corner of North and Salisbury Streets, Jesse and Jane Lutz contributed one-fourth of the block “for school purposes.” The Lutz’s donation of land laid the foundation for what would become the first school in the area, later to be named West Lafayette.*

This year, as the West Lafayette Schools Education Foundation commemorates Founder’s Day on March 27th, we are partnering with the West Lafayette High School Student Council to raise funds for the new RDP Gear Fund. The RDP Gear Fund is available for school staff to use to help meet individual needs of students that arise throughout the school year. For example, funds can be used to purchase school supplies, provide sneakers or a uniform for PE class, and hygiene or personal products. The RDP Gear Fund is available to assist students in all three school buildings.

The Foundation is grateful to the individuals and student organizations who have already made contributions to the fund. And we’re excited to be partnering with the Philanthropy Committee of Student Council to continue these efforts. Student Council will be holding a “Cash Dash” in March. A grade level competition is taking place and students are encouraged to bring their spare change to fill the container for their grade level. Containers for each grade level are located in the Williamson Family Library. The Alexander Group has graciously offered to match, dollar for dollar, what the students raise during the Cash Dash. Thank you to Lauren Alexander and the Alexander Group for inspiring our students with this matching gift challenge!

Finally, the community can participate by dining at Chipotle on Tuesday, March 25th from 5:00-9:00 PM. Please show this flyer, either printed or on your phone, and 25% of your order will be donated to the Foundation’s RDP Gear Fund.

We hope you’ll find a way to support Founder’s Day this year, whether it’s with your spare change or dining out on March 25th. Thank you for helping the Foundation and Student Council to pay it forward and assist today’s students through the RDP Gear Fund.

*A Vision of the Past: History of the West Lafayette Schools by William M. Floyd, 1976.