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Bond ballots must be postmarked by May 16
Ballots for the May 16 bond issue mailed out last Friday and must be post marked by Tuesday, May 16 to be counted.
All district schools and students stand to benefit from the measure through additional technology, maintenance and safety funding. Edison, Paine, Wa-Hi and Support Services are in line to receive significant improvements.
See more on the Bond 2006 web link at www.wwps.org.
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Current Bond Ballots tally
Current Bond Ballot tallied to date:
- Tuesday’s count: 2600
- Wednesday’s count: 1300
- Thursday’s count: 800
Total number of ballots mailed back to Walla Walla County Auditor to date: 4700
(this number puts the district well over the validation requirements of 3705)
The next bond ballot update will be available late Friday afternoon.
NOTE: These numbers merely account for the number of ballots returned to the Auditor's Office and do not indicate how people have actually voted.
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Where would Wa-Hi students attend class during construction of new school?
• Classes would be held in existing school buildings.
• This is less disruptive to the learning environment.
• Numerous, expensive portables would be required if the district were to remodel existing buildings.
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District celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Staff and students around the district celebrated Cinco de Mayo today and earlier this week with school assemblies, dancing, food and pinatas.
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo -- The 5th of May -- commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is not, as many people think, Mexico’s Independence Day, which is actually September 16.
Students around the district studied the history of the holiday and experienced opportunities for cultural awareness and learning.
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Wa-Hi choirs participate in state choral festival
This week Wa-Hi choirs traveled to the University of Washington to participate in the Washington State Gold Standard Choral Festival. Choirs had to receive a “Superior” rating at the regional level to qualify for this event.
The Treble Ensemble received a Silver Standard Award. Concert Choir and Chamber Singers both received a Gold Standard for the second year in a row.
“Our groups all did an outstanding job,” Wa-Hi Choral Director Norb Rossi said. “We are grateful the support of the staff. It is hard when we take students out of class. Please know we appreciate your efforts.”
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District Graduates of Distinction named
This year’s honorees for the Graduates of Distinction program have been selected. They are AnnRené Joseph, Val Jensen, and Dr. Stephen Hayner.
The 2006 Graduates of Distinction will be honored at a community reception on Wednesday, May 31 (details below). The community is invited to listen to their stories and hear who helped shape their lives during their school years. They also will participate in Wa-Hi’s academic recognition program that evening.
RECEPTION DETAILS:
Date: May 31, 2006, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., with the program from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Location: District Office Board Room, 364 South Park Street
AnnRené Joseph - Class of 1973
AnnRené has been the Program Supervisor for the Arts at OSPI for six years. Prior to that, she worked in Spokane and the Tri Cities as a music teacher, then served as an elementary principal for 11 years. She was nominated by Glen Mitchell, Director of District Music.
Dr. Stephen A. Hayner - Class of 1966
Stephen is currently a professor of evangelism at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. For 13 years, he served as the national president of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, managing a staff of 1,200 and working with more than 700 college campuses. He was nominated by the late Pete Hanson.
Val Jensen - Class of 1947
Val is founder and chairman of the Jensen Portfolio, a $2.7 million mutual fund. He managed his family’s Walla Walla apparel store early in his career, then worked primarily in investment companies until establishing his own business in 1982. He was nominated by James Aylward, a 1999 Graduate of Distinction.
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Wa-Hi music students excel at state competition
Congratulations to the following students who participated in the Washington State Solo and Ensemble competition at Central Washington University in Ellensberg last week.
Jeremy Ueckert and Eric Wiessner—Small Percussion ensemble
Samantha Anderson and Sara Heimbigner—Small Woodwind ensemble
Jeromy Kirby—baritone vocal solo
Annelise Spencer—soprano vocal solo
Lindsey Bruner—mezzo soprano vocal solo
Kevin Nims—Bass vocal solo
Jeremy Ueckert—Snare Drum solo
Paxton Gehling—Bassoon solo
Sara Heimbigner—Flute solo
Alex Bernstein—Piano solo
“Special congratulations to Sharon Rowley who placed 3rd in the Mezzo Soprano solo category and to Tom Callister who placed first in the multiple percussion solo category,” Band Director Andrew Ueckert said. “Way to go Blue Devil musicians!”
Each catagory had between 15 and 20 entries from around the State and each entry had to have won or been an alternate from their respective district.
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District Jazz Band Concert rescheduled
The Spring Jazz Band concert featuring the Wa-Hi, Pioneer and Garrison Jazz Bands has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 23 at 7 p.m. in the Wa-Hi Auditorium.
“This avoids a conflict with Walla Walla Symphony’s final concert,” Wa-Hi Band Director Andrew Ueckert said. “Join us in supporting these talented musicians for our last concert of the year.”
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Wa-Hi students art featured at Carnegie Art Center
Wa-Hi Visual Art Students Maribel Hernandez, Ellyn Hill, and Carmen VanDewark will have art work showing at the Jr/Sr Show which will coincide with the “Art about Agriculture” show at Carnegie Art Center through June 2.
“Art About Agriculture”
Tour dates: May 2 to June 2
Special Opening Ceremony: Sunday, April 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The 2006 Tour celebrates the theme -- Designing from Nature. This theme is based on Thomas Jefferson’s admiration of nature and agriculture. Area teachers are encouraged to participate with their classes for a one hour guided tour, complete with hands on projects to enhance learning about art and agriculture.
To book a tour, call Marilyn Miller at 529-5042 or Mary Towner at 525-3904.
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Personnel Report (from May 2, 2006 school board meeting)
• New Hires
(Classified) Colter Mohney, Mechanic, Transportation
• Resignations/Retirements
(Administrative) Brandon Jensen, Assistant Principal, Wa-Hi, 1 year (Certificated) Brian Senter, English Teacher, Wa-Hi, 7 years
(Resignation of .4 FTE only -- will continue as a .6 FTE Drama teacher)
Zena Broughton, Library Media-Specialist, Blue Ridge, 1 year (Classified) Bernardo Martinez, Bilingual Para-Educator, Prospect Point, 5 years
Maribeth Bergstrom, Health Clinician, Pioneer, 8 years • Leave of Absences
(Certificated) Kari Jones, 5th Grade Teacher, Sharpstein, 4 years
• For the 06-07 school year.
Gayle See, Physical Education Teacher, Wa-Hi, 25 years
• Leave of .2 FTE only for the 06-07 school year -- will continue as a .8 FTE PE teacher
Elisa Weinman Pogue, Preschool Teacher, Blue Ridge, 16 years
• For the 06-07 school year (Classified) Adriana Ruiz-Garcia, Family Advocate, Blue Ridge Preschool, 6 years
• For the 06-07 school year
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Green Park Elementary celebrates a Century of Class
School board members took a walk through a century of history Tuesday night thanks to Green Park Elementary students who were advertising their school’s Centennial Week activities scheduled for later this month.
Library-Media Specialist Michelle Shaul directed a skit which featured students talking about the Centennial schedule of events on telephones from the past 100 years.
Principal Mike Lambert even played a role as they encouraged everyone to celebrate with them and honor those who have made Green Park a Walla Walla treasure. “A Century of Class” -- Centennial Schedule
School Tours
- Monday, May 15 to Wednesday, May 17
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, May 18 and Friday, May 19
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 20
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Carnival and Spaghetti Dinner
Thursday, May 18
4 to 8 p.m.
100th Birthday Party
Friday, May 19
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Children’s program begins at 5:00
- Special memory lane Power Point presentation
- Birthday cake and ice cream
For more information, contact Centennial Coordinator Kathy Goodwin at (509) 526-7144 or Green Park Secretary Susan Stroe at (509) 527-3077
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