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Citizens for Schools sponsor levy rally Sunday
Walla Walla voters will soon be casting ballots on a Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy. This proposal replaces local levy funding nearly 68 percent of Walla Walla voters approved in 2004. The Walla Walla Citizens for Schools volunteer organization is sponsoring a free levy information rally Sunday at the YMCA from 1 to 4 p.m. Student performances highlight the event.
Student Performances (schedule subject to change):
1 p.m. - Prospect Point Choir
1:30 p.m. - Prospect Point jump rope by TOPPs
2:15 p.m. - Edison Honor Choir
2:30 p.m. - Garrison Jazz Band
3 p.m. - Wa-Hi Drama skits
3:30 p.m. - WAHI clarinet duet
For more information, contact Co-Chairs Jennifer Northam at 301-3629 or Katie Christianson at 301-5143.
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School board work session and meeting Tuesday
Tuesday, January 15
6:00 p.m. - Boundary Study (future community growth discussion)
7:30 p.m. (regularly scheduled meeting)
Both meetings open to public
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District Wind Storm Damage Report
Clean-up continues from the destructive wind storm. District schools faced roofing damage, broken glass, fallen trees and general clean-up issues.
Walla Walla High School
• Several fallen trees throughout campus
• Large amounts of shingles blown off buildings
- Large gym
- Library
• Auditorium
- Music
- Portable on east side of campus
- Portable on west side of campus
- Baseball dugout
• Corner section of roof and rafters blown off music building
• Debris spread throughout campus
• Blue Devil sign outside of large gym blown off
• Tennis court fence blown over on south side
• Kitchen windows broken, lots of dirt throughout kitchen area
• Science building windows pushed into classroom
• Air-conditioning unit blown off roof mounts Science Building
Prospect Point
• Large amounts of shingles blown off buildings, some exposed wood
• Several fallen trees throughout campus
• Debris spread throughout campus
Garrison
• Several fallen trees throughout campus and side streets
• Debris spread throughout campus
• Portable bleachers may have some damage
• Football goal post may have some damage
• Tennis court fence on west side of campus damaged by fallen tree
• Running track damaged by flying bleacher dragging on track
• Garrison event sign in front of building
Blue Ridge
• Debris spread throughout campus
Lincoln
• Debris spread throughout campus
• Broken limbs down through out campus
• Roof has cut in membrane above old office area
Sharpstein
• Large amounts of shingles blown off roof
• Several fallen tree limbs throughout campus and parking lot
• Debris spread throughout campus
Administration Office
• Several limbs down on Park Street side of building, street area
• Debris spread throughout campus
Green Park
• Several areas of roof damaged
• Debris spread throughout campus
• Fallen tree limbs
Edison
• Debris spread throughout campus
Berney
• Fallen tree limbs
• Shingles off portable classroom
• Debris spread throughout campus
Pioneer
• Fallen tree by south portable classroom
• Shingles off roof of main building, some wood exposed
• Debris spread throughout campus
Support Service Building
• Several sections of metal roof blown off
• Debris spread throughout campus
• Several fallen tree limbs on sidewalk areas
Murr Field
• Small tree down
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Garrison Middle School plans Science Family Night
Garrison GEAR UP, Millennials, GMS Science teachers, and college reps will be having a Family Science Night at Garrison Middle School January 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Families are invited to enjoy free pizza, hands-on science activities, and meet college representatives.
Date: January 25
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Garrison Middle School (906 Chase St.)
Science Booths Presented By:
• Washington State University - Volcano Activity & College Information
• Walla Walla Community College - College Information
• Whitman College – Astronomy Activity – College Info
• Walla Walla University - Information
• Garrison MS Science Classes:
- Reid - Battery or magnet Activity
- Schulz & Ahrens – Connect Cars and Mouse Trap Cars
- Hulett – Exploding coffee can demonstration or dry ice activity
- Hamada – Glow Germ activity
- Parrish - TBD
• Walla Walla High School – Animation Team
• Millennials - Robotics Activity
• Gear-Up - College Information
For more information contact Jerri Doyle at 527-3040.
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Youth Entrepreneurial Award Nominees due by Jan 30
Do you have a young entrepreneur in the family? Key Technology, Inc. in partnership with the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce, would like to honor your rising star! Nominations are being accepted through January 30 for the 2008 Youth Entrepreneurial Award, which will be presented at the Baker Boyer Business Awards Showcase on March 11 at the Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center. Key Technology, the award sponsor, will present a $500 cash award to the winning nominee!
Your children, grades K through 12, who have operated a business within the past 12 months are eligible. If your budding professional promotes and provides a service or product - consider this fun approach that reinforces ambition and creativity in the context of basic business.
The deadline to submit your nomination to the Chamber of Commerce is January 30. Download the form at http://awards.wwvchamber.com.
Additional Information:
Jennifer Castro
Event Coordinator
Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce
509.525.0850
509.522.2038 Fax
jcastro@wwvchamber.com
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Explorer Program nominations due
Nominations for the 2008-09 Explorer (gifted education) Program are now being accepted at all district elementary and middle schools. The deadline is January 31, 2008. Students may be nominated by their parents, teachers or peers. Program information and nomination forms are available in English and Spanish at district schools and through the following link on the district website: http://www.wwps.org/programs/explorers.htm
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District seeks Graduates of Distinction nominations
Walla Walla Public Schools graduates who have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers will be formally recognized this spring through the Graduates of Distinction program. Nominations for inductees to this special program are now being accepted.
ELIGIBILITY FOR NOMINATION
• Must have graduated from high school in the Walla Walla Public Schools at least 10 years prior to nomination.
• Need not be a current resident of Walla Walla.
• Need not be present to accept the award, but will make a concerted effort to be present or send a representative to accept the award.
HOW TO NOMINATE
Complete an application form (available at the district office, 364 South Park Street and online at www.wwps.org), and return it by April 15, 2008. Inductees will be recognized during a public reception and at the Wa-Hi Academic Recognition evening.
For more information, please contact Kay Schisler at 526-6735.
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Wa-Hi PE teacher receives national recognition for excellence
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School Physical Education teacher Gayle See for recently receiving national recognition through the Joy of Effort Award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).
This award recognizes those individuals who have successfully portrayed the goals and objectives of physical education and sport as a warm environment, stimulated by devotion and perseverance. Gayle has served as WAHPERD President and NW District President and Executive Director.
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Community members sought for high school culminating project panel by Mira Gobel
The class of 2008 is preparing for their commencement in June. Their journey to graduation has not been easy, due to the changes in the Washington State graduation requirements.
Following are the four steps to graduation for the Class of 2008 and beyond:
1. High School and Beyond Plan
2. Earn required credit
3. Earn Certificate of Academic Achievement (WASL)
4. Culminating Project
Our seniors are preparing to present their Culminating Project and we would like to invite you to be a member of the evaluation panels. The students are creating PowerPoint presentations, professional binders, video productions, visual aids, and/or combinations of various modes of presentation. Students have decided to tell their stories via their accomplishments in music, visual arts, academics, athletics, community involvements and/or challenges they had to overcome. We believe that this event will be a celebration of our collective efforts and will provide each senior a moment to reflect on their past, present, and the future.
Please contact and RSVP to Mira Gobel @ 526-8661 or mkgobel@wwps.org.
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Prospect Point student qualifies for state “Hoop Shoot” competition
Prospect Point Elementary 5th Grader Jordana Storm will be heading to Bellevue, WA to take part in the Elks Hoop Shoot State Championship competition. Jordana took first place during the Prospect Point Hoop Shoot as well as in the city championship at the YMCA.
From there she traveled to Moses Lake, WA for the regional championship where, once again, she claimed first place. This qualified her to compete for the state championship on February 9, 2008. Good luck and congratulations!
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High School Technology teacher to be featured nationally
Walla Walla High School technology teacher Dennis DeBroeck will be featured in national educational publications for his successful techniques managing a computer lab and helping students master technical skills. DeBroeck was recently interviewed for a case study of his use of Script Logic in the classroom.
The article is expected to be submitted to several national educational publications. The article will help educators from schools across the nation learn more about DeBroeck’s successful program.
Staff pitch in to help family recover from house fire
Just before the winter break staff displayed their compassion for a district family that lost their home to fire by collecting nearly $3,000. Staff bought presents, packages, and other essentials to help the students and their family recover from this tragedy.
The family is very grateful for the outpouring of love and support they received from district staff.
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Replacement levy on February ballot
Walla Walla voters will soon be voting on a Replacement School Programs and Operations Levy. This proposal replaces local levy funding nearly 68 percent of Walla Walla voters approved in 2004.
Replacement Levy dollars pay for approximately 30 teachers in Walla Walla and 50 support staff. Levy funding ensures Walla Walla’s youngest students will continue to have elementary music and physical education teachers.
Students in need of medical attention will still be able to count on trained health clinicians in each school if the measure is approved.
Students visiting school libraries will have teachers with special training in library-media to help support their learning. All these positions are made available through local levy dollars.
Positive school activities like music, sports, drama and FFA are also funded by local levy dollars. In fact, all extracurricular programs exist because of local replacement levy funding. Research is clear students involved in school activities perform better academically.
Please remember to vote. Ballots mail out to voters February 1 and must be postmarked by midnight, February 19.
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Free Art class offered
Homelink Art Teacher Vicki Shafer is offering an eight session Art Class for 4-6 graders Monday afternoons from 3 to 4:15 p.m.
The class begins January 14 and runs through March 26 in the Homelink art room at Berney Elementary. Space is limited to 12 students. Shafer will focus on drawing, perspective, and a sculpture project. For more information contact Shafer at: vshafer@wwps.org
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Mariners Caravan comes to Walla Walla
Event: Free Seattle Mariners Autograph appearance
Date: Wednesday, January 16
Time: 4 to 5:30 p.m. (Moose photos from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.)
Location: Whitman College Sherwood Center (Main Gym - 345 Boyer Ave.)
Information: (206) 346-4000
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Leadership Walla Walla participates in Education Day
This week nearly 25 community members went back to school as part of the year-long Leadership Walla Walla networking program. Guests visited Lincoln Alternative High School and Walla Walla High School, heard from area educators and learned more about local educational programs.
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