Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - August 22, 2008

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School starts Tuesday, August 26
Back to school information is available online at www.wwps.org or by calling the Communications Department at 526-6716. The first day of school is Tuesday, August 26.
Delayed start and early release Wednesday, August 27
Just a reminder, there is late start and early release on Wednesday, August 27. Check with your attendance area school for times or visit the district website at www.wwps.org (A to Z area -- school hours).
All Staff Back-to-School meeting Monday, August 25

Date: Monday, August 25

Time: 7:15-8:00 a.m. (Breakfast Refreshments)
8:00 a.m. (All Staff Meeting begins)

Location: Wa-Hi Main Gym

Agenda Highlights
- District update
- New staff introductions
- Safe and civil schools


Board approves 2008-2009 budget
School board members Tuesday night approved the district’s 2008-2009 Annual Budget -- which includes the $60,754,646 General Fund. Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston reviewed highlights of the budget prior to recommending to school board members they approve the document which has been discussed at several budget sessions and during a preliminary board work session prior to approval at Tuesday night’s meeting.

District administrators, with the input and assistance of staff and other stakeholders, worked as a team this school year to develop a budget which brings the district’s expenditures in line with revenue.

The district trimmed more than $1 million in expenditures to more closely align with revenue. Reduction strategies included internal personnel shifts, special education service adjustments and cost cutting efforts in supplies, equipment purchases and contractual services.

Through it all, no staff members lost their jobs through Reduction In Force maneuvers, as all staff adjustments were made through attrition from retirements or positions becoming vacant for other reasons.

Johnston said the district will continue to look at ways to re-prioritizing expenditures in light of rising costs.

2008-09 Budget Basics
• General Fund: $60,754,646
• Budget Enrollment Projections: 5,700 FTE (same budget number as last year)
• District Fiscal Year: September 1 to August 31


School-based Health Center discussions continue
This week school board members conducted a public work session to further study the concept of placing a school-based Health Center on or near Lincoln Alternative High School.

The Walla Walla County Health Department, under the guidance of Harvey Crowder and Holly Howard, recently completed a feasibiltity study to determine whether this type of service is needed and would be accepted in Walla Walla. The two-month study featuring surveys, vast research and numerous meetings revealed the need is great and that Walla Walla would embrace this type of adolence health service.

A 30-plus member local committee has also been formed this summer to further research and advocate for a school-based health center at Lincoln. There are several school-based health centers in operation in Washington state. These centers are not managed or funded by the local school districts. An outside agency is responsible for the daily operations, service and financing.

Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors are expected to be asked by the Walla Walla School-Based Health Center Committee to support the concept of having a school-based health center at Lincoln and to agree to the scope of services that would be offered.

Organizers are planning to come back to the school board Sept. 2 with a Memorandum of Agreement with hopes of furthering the process. Grant dollars are expected to be the primary funding sources for the school-based health center if it gets approval to move ahead.



PERSONNEL REPORT (From the School Board Meeting August 19, 2008)

EMPLOYMENT
Certificated:
Mary Burt, Science Teacher (.6 FTE), Walla Walla High School
Kristina Corbin, Resource Room Teacher, Walla Walla High School
Leah Crudup, Title I/LAP Coordinator (.5 FTE), Special Programs
Richele Locati, Homelink Kindergarten Teacher (.1 FTE), Berney Elementary
Sarah Maheras, Resource Room Teacher, Pioneer Middle School
John Moreno, Art Teacher, Pioneer Middle School
Erin Morgan, ESL Teacher, Walla Walla High School
Irene Randow, Behavior Program Teacher (.5 FTE), Prospect Point Elementary

Classified:
Gabrielle Arrowood, Para-Educator, Green Park Elementary
Dewann Bach, Para-Educator, Walla Walla High School
Janice Baker, Para-Educator, Special Programs Department
Mark Clark, Bus Mechanic, Transportation Department
Renee Gaytan, Para-Educator, Sharpstein Elementary
Emmanuel Juarez, Para-Educator, Green Park Elementary
Karen McDaniels, Para-Educator, Berney Elementary
Maria Meza, Assistant Secretary, Garrison Middle School
Christina Price-Huntington, Para-Educator, Pioneer Middle School
Vanessa Prull, Para-Educator, Green Park Elementary

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS
Certificated:
Lyn Lindell, Resource Room Teacher, Walla Walla High School, 10 years

Classified:
Jodi Hand, Para-Educator, Berney Elementary, 2 years
Leigh Parker, Health Clinician, Edison Elementary, 6 years
Janette Polley, Health Clinician, Green Park Elementary, 1 year

LEAVE OF ABSENCES
Certificated:
Deborah Lee Smith, Art Teacher, Pioneer Middle School, 12 years

Classified:
Mariela Lopez, Assistant Secretary, Prospect Point Elementary, 7 years


Chamber Singers retreat helps build unity
This week Walla Walla High School’s award winning singing group the Chamber Singers spent two days at the Westminster Woods Camp at Meacham, OR. The camp is located on Cabbage Hill near Dead Man’s Pass.

Chamber Singers participated in singing, getting-to-know-you activities, a nature hike, group-building exercises, and more. Each section of the choir was also responsible for planning, shopping and preparing a meal for the other members.

“That is always fun,” Wallla Walla High School Choral Director Norb Rossi said. “The tenors traditionally prepare ‘the last supper’ and it always really a riot. Last year was a Mexican Feast complete with a piñata!”

Rossi said he likes the getaway because it allows the students to become a group.

“We set goals and we learn about each other,” Rossi said. “We set parameters and the groundwork for achieving and excelling. Most of all, we learn to have FUN together. We play some games like volleyball and ultimate Frisbee. It is priceless.”


District staffing transfers
• Para-Educator Timothy Wauchek is at Lincoln Alternative High School
• Para-Educator Alfredo Avalos is transferring from Lincoln Alternative High School to Pioneer Middle School
• Food Service Assistant Joyce Larson is transferring from Pioneer Middle School to Blue Ridge Elementary
• Food Service Assistant Diane Cherry is transferring from Green Park to Prospect Point as cook
• Food Service Assistant Evelyn Wallace is transferring from Blue Ridge Elementary to Green Park Elementary
• Food Service Assistant Debbie Dohrmann is transferring from Berney Elementary to Pioneer Middle School
• Math teacherAnthony Barba is transferring from Pioneer Middle School to Lincoln Alternative High School
• Former Library Tech Cindy Cutlip is transferring to Facilities Support in October to serve as Secretary to the Director of Facilities Support.
• Kim Locken is transferring from Berney Assistant Secretary to Special Programs Head Secretary
• Ginger Calvario has transferred from Bilingual Assistant Secretary at Garrison Middle School to Music Department Secretary -- now located at Garrison Middle School.
• Secretary Laura Angulo is transferring from the Head Start/ECEAP program to be the assistant secretary at Prospect Point
Fort Walla Walla Museum offers free school tours
Fort Walla Walla Museum is offering free school tours through October 31. A hands-on tour for students is educationally rewarding and turns classroom lessons into an experience that makes history come alive.

Tours led by docents help illuminate the visit on many levels. Stories of the people who made the history children can see and touch helps connect them to the past in a vivid, unforgettable way.

“A field trip to Fort Walla Walla Museum to support your teaching of regional history can be a memorable experience for students,” said Bill Lake, Tour Coordinator. “It is critically important for children to be connected to the area’s heritage.”

Teacher’s Guides are available on the museum website to assist the process and provides essential background information to help reinforce lessons you emphasize in the classroom. Website address: fortwallawallamuseum.org/education.htm.

To reserve your admission-free, 90-minute docent-led tour of Fort Walla Walla Museum, contact Bill Lake at (509)525-7703 or info@fortwallawallamuseum.org.


Interactive kid’s activities new addition at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days
Be sure to stop by the Education Building at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days August 27-31. District Education Building coordinator Amy Reed says visitors will see student artwork, technology projects, and have access to a lot of district information. This year interactive children’s activities will also be available at the Education Building.

“Mike Dedman from Whitman Mission is going to come down and lead an activity corner,” Reed said. “We’re having it twice daily and we’ll be having daily raffles. We want to invite you and your families down for more activities this year and to see what the kids have done.”


New school bus routes posted on district website
New school bus routes are now posted on the district webpage (A to Z, Parent Resources and Transportation page). The new routes are designed to save fuel and cut student riding and waiting times. Special Education bus routes are not being posted. Contact Vicky Cornelius in the Special Education Department at 526-6726 for special education bus route information. College Place Public Schools bus routes to Wa-Hi have not changed. Contact the district’s Transportation Department at 527-3019 for all your other questions.
Wa-Hi Sports Schedules available
Wa-Hi pocket sports schedules are now available at district schools, the district office (364 S. Park St.) and area business locations. Online sports schedules are also on the Wa-Hi website (www.wahibluedevils.org) and the district office website (www.www.org). Thanks to McDonald Zaring Insurance for sponsoring the pocket Sports Schedule.
Blue Devil Football on KTEL 1490 AM
Don’t miss an exciting down of Blue Devil football this season on KTEL 1490 AM. The first game of the season is Friday, September 5 in Hermiston at 7 p.m. This year Wa-Hi teacher Scott Reardon will be calling all the play-by-play action. Tune to 1490 AM for all your Blue Devil football action.