Sporleder succeeds current Principal Jeff Weeks who announced in February his intentions to resign at the end of the school year. Sporleder will remain at Garrison for the remainder of this school year and begin his new position July 1.

“I am excited about this new chapter in my life and I am really looking forward to this new challenge,” Sporleder said. “Garrison has been my extended family for the past 20 plus years. I have grown as a person and professionally working with such committed staff and will always carry them with me. This new opportunity allows me to grow both personally and professionally. I will give the new position my best effort and look forward to meeting the students, staff, and parent community.”

Sporleder has been employed in the district for 21 years – all at Garrison. He began his tenure in the district in 1986 as a Special Education teacher. He spent three years as Garrison’s assistant principal and is in his 10th year as the school’s principal. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in 1976 in Physical Education and K-12 Special Education.

He has a Master’s degree from Northwest Nazarene in Curriculum. He earned his Administration Degree in 1993. His previous teaching experience from 1977 through 1982 was in Glendora Unified School District. He took a break from education from 1982 to 1986 to work with his family’s retail business — Sporleder’s for Men and Women.

The district’s Personnel Department will lead a search for a new Garrison Middle School principal. No timeline has been determined.

The group of approximately 67 students will meet with Carman Tuesday, March 20 from 11:41 a.m. to 12:11 p.m. or Wednesday, March 21 from 12:14 to 12:44 p.m. All the students participating received the book The Young Man and the Sea by Rodman Philbrick.

Why is this activity so popular?
1). Carman is a famous author and students have read his books. Students have met and heard him in person. In his talk he let the students know that he is actually friends with Rodman Philbrick.

2). Students are excited to get the opportunity to go to Cordiner Hall to hear the author speak (as part of Walla Walla Reads – information below). The activity is designed to help students gain an understanding of how they could someday be writers and to continue to see the importance of reading and writing in school along with the joy of reading books

MEDIA VISITS SUGGESTED TIMES
Pioneer Book Club Event
- Tuesday, March 20 - 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 21 - 12:14 to 12:44 p.m
Pioneer Middle School (450 Bridge St. – 509.527.3050

Annual String Festival March 27
The 24th Annual District String Festival will be Tuesday, March 27 at 7:00 P.M. in the Wa-Hi Small Gym. Please note the time (it is different from the District Calendar).

If you have any questions, please contact either Ms. Woods or Mrs. Friese.
J. Woods
jwoods@wwps.org
527-3050

S. Friese
sfriese@wwps.org
527-3040

These students will also be eligible to compete for the Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Year Awards and special $1,000 college scholarships. Exchange Club of Walla Walla recognizes that the young people of our nation represent
America’s greatest treasure. Through our youth programs, America is reminded how outstanding and promising this treasure truly is. For every youth project our club participates in, we touch more lives.

Kris Rau
Rau plans to attend college at a four-year university next year. He enjoys art work -- especially drawing.

Rachel Pellicer
Rachel is fluent in German as a second language and is currently studying Spanish. She also participates in the Walla Walla High School music program.

Parents:
David and Elisabet Pellicer

Hobbies and interests:
Piano, music, travel, reading, photography, drawing, languages, tennis, cooking/baking, shopping and being with friends.

What I like about Opportunity program:
I like being one on one with your teacher. You are assigned your work and you go over questions and information and then they let you work at the pace that you need.

How I heard about the Congress/Bundestag scholarship: I learned about it through my Wa-Hi German teacher Mr. Shaffer. I filled out the application and then I heard back from the board that I had been selected as a runner-up. I then had to attend an interview with a panel of judges and all the other runners up that took place at Gonzaga University. I had a personal interview and then a group interview. Myself and a boy from my interview were awarded the scholarships.

Why do you love learning new languages:
I don’t really know why I love languages so much. I find them intriguing. I think that it is interesting that you can say something in a language that maybe no one else you know can understand yet someone else somewhere speaks that every day and that that is the only thing they may understand. I think that understanding and being able to communicate in other languages is also very important. Miscommunication I think happens a lot and is one of the reasons the world has many problems with understanding where someone else is coming from.

Plans after high school: I plan to attend college:
I plan on entering a nursing program and becoming a Registered Nurse. I would then like to get a job in a Hospital specializing in Pediatric Oncology. Hopefully I will be able to join Mercy Ship or some sort of medical mission to help the less fortunate countries.

The students were: Arón Castro, Esmeralda Andrade, Maria Andrade, Abraham Lopéz, Ruben Robles, Saúl Díaz, José Robles, Gustavo Ramírez, Armando Ibarra, Kelsey Trejo, Marina Marin, Stella Miranda, and Elizabeth Bahena.

The workshop, held in the District Board Room, not only focused on the many skills needed to be successful in school, but it also focused on leadership skills that they will need in the future. The session also allowed the students to set and express career and education goals for their future.

The workshop format was developed specifically for high school students by the “Learning for Life” program, which is a subsidiary program of the Boy Scouts of America, in an effort to expose migrant students to concepts and skills that they might not receive until they join the work force many years from now. The lessons that they experienced provided students with life skills such as personal management, community awareness, and leadership skills. “We hope that students who attend this conference will be able to use these skills immediately to make a difference in their school and community,” stated Diana Erickson, who is the migrant and bilingual coordinator for the school district.

The students had a chance to see different styles of leadership through the community members who volunteered to help throughout the Friday sessions. Randy Glaeser, Walla Walla County Public Works Director and Walla County Engineer provided a dynamic presentation on leadership principles. During his presentation he stated that, “The first rule of leadership is... everything is your fault and leadership is all about people.”

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan of the Walla Walla School District’s discussion on goal setting was helpful to many of the students. “It is our responsibility to set goals for ourselves,” said Abraham Lopéz after Dr. Jordan’s presentation. “Write your goals down on paper,” was another recommendation from Walla Walla High School Assistant Principal,
Brett Cox who gave the students tips on time management.

David A. Schmaltz & Amy Schwab, of True North pgs. Inc, gave a strong message to the students that they need to “find someone who can help you.” Andrew Dankel-Ibáñez, América Carrión, and Jessica Baser, of TRiO and Education Talent Search discussed the principles of what motivates people to action. Andrew Dankel-Ibáñez told the students that “they must keep it real.”

Ruben Robles said, “I really liked Joey’s presentation. It helped me. Joey August of La Casa Cultural de Walla Walla, discussed “Diverse Cultures and Climate.” He discussed appropriate ways to deal with discrimination and barriers that challenge them almost every day in their lives. “Treat people like you want to be treated,” Joey stated. “Use these situations as an opportunity to educate others.”

Local businessman and farmer, Tom Barnett, of Keystone Fruit Marketing provided an inspiring presentation using his personal life as an example. Growing up in a migrant family, he attended five schools a year as his family followed the harvest of crops. After working his way through college, he established himself in the agricultural marketing business. “The primary thing I look for in employees is their trustworthiness. If I hire someone, I must trust them to do what they are supposed to do.”

During the Saturday session, the students participated in a “Scouting for Food” service project and collected food for The Salvation Army in which the students collected approximately 200 pounds of food.

The students also had a great experience interacting with Deputy Jackson and Reserve Deputy Jackson of the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s department. Ruben Robles stated during the workshop that he “wants to be a policeman.”

Registration forms for the conference were delivered to elementary and middle schools last week for distribution to girls in grades 5-8 and their parents. Also delivered were reminder bookmarks for the girls and a CD with a brief PowerPoint explanation of the conference and a .pdf file with a printable registration form.

Walla Walla Public Schools co-sponsor the event. For additional forms, contact Jeanne Beirne, 525-7401 / jbeirne@hscis.net. or Carol Morgan, 525-3531/ pcmorgan@charter.net for registration or scholarship information.

Also, additional information and a printable form are on the AAUW website: www.aauw-wallawalla.org.

Following is a panel discussion with educators from four different levels on strategies for encouraging student interest in science and math. Panelists include WWPS teachers Sue Schultz from Garrison Middle School, Anne Swant from Walla Walla High School and Julianne Sachs of Walla Walla Community College with Lori Bettison-Varga of the College of Wooster. Coffee and cookies are provided.

Pre-registration for adults is encouraged to prepare for the appropriate number of attendees. Registration forms are available at school offices or contact Jeanne Beirne, 525-7401, jbeirne@hscis.net or Carol Morgan, 525-3531, pcmorgan@charter.net. Additional information on the conference is available at www.aauw-wallawalla.org.

The speaker is penguin researcher Elizabeth Skewgar, talking about Penguins, Politics and Possibilities. Elizabeth studies penguin migration in Argentina and Chile for her PhD research at the University of Washington. Before she became a penguin person, Elizabeth worked as a diplomat for the U.S.Department of State.

The keynote speech will be in Cordiner Hall at Whitman College, corner of Park and Boyer Streets, from 12 noon until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24. No registration is required to attend the keynote speech.

For more information, contact Jeanne Beirne, jbeirne@hscis.net, 525-7401 or Carol Morgan, pcmorgan@charter.net, 525-3531 or go to the AAUW website at www.aauw-wallawalla.org.

Garrison students promote literacy to preschool students
Recently nearly 200 Garrison 8th graders traveled to Blue Ridge Elementary to promote literacy to preschool students in support of their community service unit culminating project. Garrison 8th grade students are required to have 20 hours of volunteer work as part of their Social Studies classes.

They read two Dr. Seuss books to the kids, made special Dr. Seuss hats with them, participated in music and movement, and fed the younger children green eggs and ham.

“All students behaved beautifully and enjoyed their time with the ‘little guys’,” Explorers Teacher Beth Clearman said. “Garrison would like to thank Donna Painter and her wonderful preschool staff for allowing the 8th graders to experience this opportunity.”

Nass plans to use the mini-grant to help middle school special education teachers in their quest of teaching decoding and comprehension reading skills. To accomplish this, three copies of eight different novels will be purchased which would
reinforce students with the reading skills they have been working on.

Active members of the Walla Walla/Columbia School Retirees Association could apply for five $100.00 mini-grants which can be used to purchase supplies for the winner’s classroom or be used on a school related program. This completes the awarding of mini-grants for the 2006-2007 school year.

A total of 23 active Walla Walla/Columbia School Retirees applied for the ten mini-grants given out this year. Joyce Oakley serves as the association’s Mini-Grant Chair.

No Late Start Days April 19 and 25
Walla Walla Public Schools will NOT be having late starts on April 19, and April 25 due to WASL testing. On those days, busses will be running a “normal” schedule just as they would on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

(This is also the case for College Place school district & their busses). Contact your attendance area school for more information.

Parents/guardians who wish to open enroll their child to a school outside of their attendance area may pick up open enrollment application forms at their attendance area school during normal business hours. Kindergarten registration will be conducted at the student’s attendance area elementary school.

If there’s space available to accommodate some but not all open enrollment requests, then the priorities outlined in School Board Policy No. 3130 will be used to determine movement of a student. School Board Policy manuals are available at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the Administration Office. Board policies are also online at: www.wwps.org.

Open Enrollment/Kindergarten Registration Hours
Monday, March 19 - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 20 – March 30 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please contact your attendance area school for more information. District boundary maps are available at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the Administration Office at 364 South Park Street. For additional information, call Linda Boggs in the Curriculum Department: 526-6734.

This year the visiting authors are Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick. All area students grade one through six are invited to this FREE program located at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College Campus. Learn more at: www.wallawallakidsread.com

SCHOOL EVENTS
THURSDAY MARCH 22
Blue Session 1: Walter Wick Grades: 1-3
Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Davis (College Place)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 9 a.m, presentation begins promptly at 9:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY MARCH 22
Red Session 1: Rodman Philbrick Grades: 4-6
Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Meadow Brook (College Place), Pioneer (6th grade only)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1 p.m., presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2 p.m.

FRIDAY MARCH 23
Blue Session 2: Walter Wick Grades: 1-3
Schools: Berney, Edison, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 9 a.m., presentation begins promptly at 9:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 10 a.m.

FRIDAY MARCH 23
Red Session 2: Rodman Philbrick Grades: 4-6
Schools: Berney, Edison, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein, Garrison (6th grade only)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1:00 p.m., presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY EVENT
THURSDAY, MARCH 22
7 to 9 p.m.
Sharpstein Elementary School (410 Howard St. - 527-3098)

Schedule of Events:
7 to 8 p.m.
- Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick will autograph books. Come early - first come, first serve - the authors will only sign for one hour.
- View student essays and I Spy entries on display.

8 to 8:45 p.m.
- A moderated discussion with Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick! Bring your questions for a lively and engaging conversation with two great authors.