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School board meeting and public work session Tuesday
Budget work session - 6:30 p.m.
Regularly scheduled meeting - 7:30 p.m.
364 S. Park St.
Both meetings open to the public
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Retirement Celebrations 2007-2008 (remaining)
District Office
Marilyn Brown
Thursday, June 5
4 to 5:30 p.m.
Board Room
Edison Elementary
Georgie Germain
Monday, May 19
Edison Library
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Garrison Middle School
Karen Sippert
Wednesday, May 28
Garrison Library
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Green Park
Kathy Rudell
Wednesday, June 4
Library
3:30-5:30 p.m.
Prospect Point
Evie Dutton
Cheryl Ford
Jani Kay
Rick Nebeker
Thursday, May 29
4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Whitman Cellars
1015 W. Pine
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Wa-Hi Health Clinician receives performance recognition
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School Health Clinician Susie Morris for receiving a Public School Employee Job Performance Excellence Certificate. PSE Zone 1 Director Duane Adams and local PSE President Larry McCauley of Plant Facilities presented Morris with her certificate. Wa-Hi Assistant Principal Matt Bona submitted the nomination form.
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Wa-Hi Golf team named academic team of the year
Congratulations to Wa-Hi Golf Coach Jim Smith and the boys golf team for being named the state’s 4A Academic Champions with a 3.6 team GPA. This spring 14 of Wa-Hi’s 18 spring sports teams were recognized at the state level for their academic achievement. This year 40 of Wa-Hi’s 46 teams which were eligible for WIAA recognition were honored.
“Congratulations to all of our coaches and athletes and thank you to all the teachers and support staff who work with these student-athletes each day to help them be successful in the classroom,” Wa-Hi Athletic Director Don Wilkins said. “It has been another great year of academic achievement for our athletic teams.”
WIAA offers two awards based on the team GPA calculated from the previous semester grades. WIAA gives the “Outstanding Scholastic Award” to teams with a combined team GPA of 3.5 and above and the “Distinguished Academic Award” to teams with a combined team GPA of 3.0 to 3.499. The following teams and their coaches were recognized for this spring season:
Outstanding Scholastic Award (3.5 and above)
Varsity Boys Golf - 3.657, Coach Jim Smith
Varsity Girls Track - 3.617, Coach Eric Hisaw
Varsity Girls Tennis - 3.614, Coach Keven Peck
JV Girls Tennis - 3.557, Coach Arthur Curry
Distinguished Scholastic Award (3.0 to 3.99)
Varsity Boys Tennis - 3.495, Coach Ted Cummings
JV Girls Track - 3.475, Coach Eric Hisaw
Frosh Baseball - 3.441, Coaches Scott Tibbling and Conor Fish
Varsity Softball - 3.412, Coach Jerry Humphreys
JV Softball - 3.339, Coaches Nichole Riggs and Kelsee Anderson
Girls Golf - 3.318, Coach Mike Patterson
JV Boys Tennis - 3.290, Coach Matt Baley
Frosh Softball - 3.259, Coaches Pattie Eagon and Gina Eggers
Varsity Boys Track - 3.238, Coach Harvey Wellington
JV Baseball - 3.214, Coach Jason Parsons
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Washington’s “First Gentleman” visits Blue Ridge
Governor Christine Gregoire’s husband Mike visited Blue Ridge Elementary during a trip to Walla Walla. Gregoire toured the school, played a civics learning game with 5th grade students and read a story to third grade students. Gregoire stressed the importance of education to the students and said it is the key to success.
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New Lincoln Library on display to public
Please come and see the progress at the new Lincoln Alternative High School Library.
• Friday, May 16
• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Lincoln Alternative High School (421 S. 4th)
• Great books, contests, and refreshments
A brief history of the project:
• In February, Natalie Allen-Tibbling, Lincoln High School Teacher, began a clean-up project with students in her class. Liz George, Youth Services Assistant, Walla Walla Public Library, volunteered some time each week to help the students organize the project.
• In March, Janis Barton, Library Media Director for the District, Jim Sporleder, Lincoln Principal, Jackie George, District Library Mentor, Natalie Allen, and Liz George met; the clean up project received approval and it was determined that there was a budget for materials at Lincoln.
• In April, the first phase of the clean-up project was completed. A book order was placed and cataloging and collection clean up began.
• In May, the majority of the new books are ready. The books have been organized and labeled using the Dewey Decimal System. There is a reading area, displays of new materials, and library information. But most importantly, students are coming in the Library and they are checking out books.
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Prospect Point Country Fair and Carnival tonight
• Bring your family and friends and c’mon out for a mighty good time.
• Festivities will be on Friday May 16, 2008 and run from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Activities include games, contests, food, and live entertainment.
• Hope you can make it out!
For more information, contact Kara Schulke at: jkschulke@charter.net
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District names Graduates of Distinction Honorees
Walla Walla Public Schools names this year’s honorees for the Graduates of Distinction program. Honorees are: Claro E. Bergevin, Class of 1941, Gretchen Miller Kafoury, Class of 1959, and John E. (Jack) Pelo, Class of 1974.
These individuals have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers and continue to bring honor to the district. Celebrate alongside these distinguished alumni at a reception in their honor on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 (details listed below). Listen to their stories and hear who helped shape their lives during their school years.
RECEPTION DETAILS
Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Time: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Place: Walla Walla School District Board Room
HONOREES
Claro E. Bergevin is a 1941 graduate of Walla Walla High School. Retired since 2002, Bergevin was a respected leader in the local farming community. He was a breeder of registered Horned Hereford cattle for more than 30 years and he farmed in both Walla Walla and Franklin Counties, raising a variety of crops. For 22 years, he also managed fertilizer and chemical plants in Touchet and Pendleton. During World War II, he served in the Marines and saw action at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. He has kept contact with his Marine comrades for more than 60 years and will be hosting a gathering for them later this year.
On the community front, Bergevin has been a Walla Walla School District Board member, a county Planning Commissioner, member of the Frenchtown Recreation Club Board of Directors for 18 years, and active supporter for Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days. In 1995, he was the fair Parade Marshal. In retirement, at the age of 85, he still serves the community with his work on the Frenchtown preservation and restoration project.
Bergevin and Betty, his wife of 61 years, are parents of five children. In one of his nomination letters, his granddaughter Tera Zohner wrote: “Claro has instilled in his children, grandchildren and now great-grandchildren an overwhelming love for family and community that spreads beyond the bounds of Walla Walla. His devotion to our family’s history and future knows no limits and he is truly a hero to each of his family and friends.”
Bergevin was nominated by his children: Terry Bergevin, Karen Bergevin-Zohner, Mike Bergevin, Debbie Bergevin-Beal and David Bergevin.
Gretchen Miller Kafoury is a 1959 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 1963 graduate of Whitman College. After college, she and her husband volunteered as one of the Peace Corps workers in Iran. In 1977, she was elected to the Oregon State House of Representatives and began a public service career that spanned two decades. Following her three two-year terms in the Oregon House, Kafoury went on to serve as Multnomah County Commissioner, then Portland City Councilwoman. She currently serves on the Portland Housing Authority Board of Commissions, while teaching at Portland State University’s College of Urban and Public Affairs.
Throughout her career and in her personal life, Kafoury has advocated for affordable housing, community development, criminal justice, civil rights and health care. Several of her nominators agreed that she “has been a champion for fairness and justice.” Among her many honors are a Whitman College Alumna of Merit award, Outstanding Alumna and Urban Pioneer awards from Portland State University, and the dedication of the $10 million Gretchen Kafoury Commons by the Portland Housing Authority in 2000.
Kafoury has two grown children. Deborah is a 1989 Whitman College graduate who has followed in her mother’s footsteps, serving in the Oregon State Legislature and now running for county commissioner. Katharine is a graduate of Evergreen State College in Washington. She is a personal trainer and regular participant in running events in the Portland/Vancouver area.
Kafoury was nominated by Donna Cook Gardner of Walla Walla.
John E. (Jack) Pelo is a 1974 graduate of Walla Walla High School and 1978 graduate of Washington State University. He worked as an accountant with Price-Waterhouse in Seattle prior to returning to Walla Walla in 1983 to work for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company, serving as Manager of the Northwest Division. In 1996, he was offered the opportunity to move to Salt Lake City, where he became President and CEO of Swire Pacific USA, a Coca-Cola bottler for 11 western states that employs nearly 2,000 people. In addition to his role with Swire, Pelo also is chairman of the board of directors of the American Beverage Association.
Pelo has been an active community leader and volunteer in both Walla Walla and the Salt Lake City area. He has been both member and officer of the Exchange Club of Walla Walla; he served on boards for Walla Walla Community College Foundation, the Walla Walla YMCA, Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Salt Lake City, Washington State University Foundation, and Key Technology, Inc.; and he has coached youth teams for Junior Jazz basketball, YMCA basketball and Walla Walla Pacific Little League baseball. In 1995, with co-chair Tom Madsen, he headed up a successful $3.5 million renovation campaign for the Walla Walla YMCA.
Pelo and his wife Melinda (a 1975 Wa-Hi graduate) have three children: Ryan, Kevin and Katie. Pelo’s parents, Dick and Kay, still live in Walla Walla, so he maintains close ties with the local community.
He was nominated by Pete Reid.
For more information, please contact Kay Schisler, 526-6735, kschisler@wwps.org
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Two Seussical performances remain this weekend
“Seussical” continues tonight and tomorrow at the Walla Walla High School’s Auditorium. That’s right, Dr. Seuss — “the Musical.”
The main plot centers around the loveable elephant Horton as he attempts to save the people of Who-ville from certain death. There is a rhyme around every corner and extremely clever songs - just what you would expect from “the Seussical.” This is one for all ages to rejoice in and enjoy.
Performances schedule:
May 16 - 7 p.m.
May 17 - 2 p.m.
Ticket Box Office is located in the lobby of the Wa-Hi Auditorium at 800 Abbott Rd. Walla Walla, WA. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday through May 16 from 4-6 p.m. and one hour before curtain on Saturday. Order your tickets by phone by calling 526-8602 during the Box Office hours.
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Walla Walla girls basketball players organize car wash
The Walla Walla Storm AAU girls basketball team featuring a mixture of Pioneer, Garrison and Wa-Hi girls basketball players is organizing a car wash to raise funds for its summer program.
Summer Team Car Wash & BBQ
Saturday, May 17
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NAPA (Isaacs store)
“Come out and support our summer team, get your car washed and eat a great BBQ beef sandwich with ranch-house beans, salad and a roll,” Parent Organizer Britt Adkins said. “Price for both is just $10, but please feel free to donate more.”
Funds will help pay for the team to go to Gonzaga for basketball camp and other expenses over the summer.
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Green Park Carnival promises to be fun
Bring your family for a fun night at Green Park School’s Outdoor PTA Carnival!
• Thursday, May 22
• 4 pm - 8 pm.
• Activities include: carnival games, jumping castle, food, silent auction and more
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The 35th Annual District Orchestra Festival Wednesday
Concert date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Wa-Hi Small Gym
Some highlights:
• Travis Sipher, Orchestra Director of the Pendleton School District will join us as a guest clinician for the Wa-Hi Orchestras. He will present a clinic with students on Tuesday, May 20 and then conduct the group in the concert on the 21st.
• Kara Hunnicut, Orchestra Director of the Ellensburg School District will join us as a guest clinician for the Pioneer & Garrison 7-8 Grade Combined Orchestra. She will also present a clinic with students on Tuesday, May 20 and then conduct the group in the concert on the 21st.
• The concert will also feature a performance by the cello choir which includes Mr. Sipher, Ms. Hunnicut, the High School cellists, former Wa-Hi student Andrew Hall, and former WWPS Orchestra director and current cello coach, Tim Brown.
• The cost for admission to the concert is $1 or $5 for families. All the proceeds go to support the Roberta Abraham Music Scholarship.
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Classroom Close-Up features Garrison teacher
This week Garrison Teacher Audra Cummings is featured on the district’s Classroom Close-Up weekly series.
A 60 second radio spot highlighting Cummings is playing on several stations. A fun, photo-filled newsletter and the radio spot will be posted on the district website (www.wwps.org — A to Z section) next week.
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