“We pick different facets of the community to focus on through the Leadership Walla Walla program,” Madsen said. “Education is such a priority for Walla Walla. It’s a very important issue for us, it seemed like a no brainer to spend at least one entire day on the issue.”

Leadership Walla Walla Agenda at a glance
- Welcome & Introductions: Dr. Linda Boggs, Walla Walla Public Schools Assistant Superintendent

- Higher Education in our Valley: Tony Cabasco, Dean of Admissions & Financial Aid - Whitman College; Dr. John McVay, President - Walla Walla University; Dr. Karin Hilgersom, Ex. Vice President of Instruction - Walla Walla Community College

- Education Alternatives in the Walla Walla Valley: Tim Payne, Superintendent College Place School District. John Deming, Principal - Walla Walla Valley Academy. Lynn Kuntz, Assistant Principal - Walla Walla Catholic Schools

- High School graduation requirements: Walla Walla High School Principal Darcy Weisner and Associate Principal Mira Gobel

- Virtual Schools/Virtual Learning: Walla Walla High School Principal Darcy Weisner and Berney Elementary Principal David Talley

- Walla Walla High School campus tour

- Walla Walla Public Schools Budget Review: WWPS Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston and Fiscal Manager Judy Gwinn

- Debriefing -- “What did you experience?” - Dr. Linda Boggs and Sandi Madsen, Leadership Walla Walla Director

“It’s critical that the legislators continue to support this type of program, so our new teachers have the help they need and our classrooms are as strong as they can be,” Peasley said. “It requires funding to support the manpower needed for this program. We not only provide resources and materials to our new teachers, but we also offer invaluable mentoring that comes with a real life person.”

CSTP is an independent, nonprofit organization that supports student achievement through its focus on improving the quality of teaching. CSTP commissions research and builds capacity for using data to inform policy discussions and decision making; provides teachers with opportunities to develop leadership skills and contribute to policy decisions; and engages the public in dialogue centered on powerful learning for all students. Visit CSTP online at: http://www.cstp-wa.org/

Information sheets, along with parent nomination forms, have been sent to schools. They are available in English and Spanish. Contact your child’s teacher for more information. He or she will be able to help you decide if your child is a good candidate for this rigorous education program.

The deadline for nominations is January 30, 2009. Testing will take place in a centralized location during the week of March 16-20, 2009.

Girls vs. Richland at Walla Walla — Friday, January 16
- Varsity @ 7:30 PM
- JV @ 5:45 PM
- Frosh A @ 7:30 PM
- “C” Team @ 5:45 PM

Boys vs. West Valley at Yakima Sun Dome — Monday, January 19
- Varsity @ 5:00 PM

Girls vs. West Valley at Yakima Sun Dome — Monday, January 19
- Varsity @ 3:30 PM

Clinic Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Clinic Cost: $15

Wa-Hi Girls Basketball coaching staff and players will create a fun and exciting atmosphere through hands on instruction of both individual and team skills.

Bring the following to be ready to play:
• Gym shoes
• Comfortable clothes
• Water bottle (optional)

For more information please contact Jack Mehn at 509-527-3020 or at jmehn@wwps.org

Whitman College and Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) are hosting “College Bowl Sunday” on Sunday, Jan. 25. This event will make computers and financial aid professionals available to local high school seniors and their parents to help complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the form that is required for all financial
assistance for higher education.

Financial aid officers and other academic professionals from all three local colleges will be on hand from 2 to 4 p.m. in Conference Room 185 at WWCC. Questions can be directed to Varga Fox, director of financial at Whitman, fox@whitman.edu; Marilyn Ponti, assistant director of financial aid at Whitman, pontimk@whitman.edu; and Terri Johnson, director of financial aid at WWCC, Terri.johnson@wwcc.edu.

Students and parents are encouraged to attend this event together, because household finance information is a key part of completing the form. In addition to financial records, (recent tax forms and/or paystubs, etc.) the student needs to bring his or her social security number and driver’s license (if the student has one). If families do not have all the paperwork together, they are encouraged to attend the event and get the process started.

This event is one of 20 that will be conducted around the state in January and February. For more information about the state-wide program, go to http://www.collegegoalsundaywa.org/

CONTACT: Lenel Parish, Whitman College News Service, (509) 527-5156 / parishlj@whitman.edu

A radio spot featuring Lawbaugh is now playing on regional stations.

Foreign exchange students from Walla Walla High School Adams Issaka, Irma Sefrinta and Sarah Badwy, along with Shandra Irillis from Prescott High School, will be attending. Retired Walla Walla Public Schools teacher Linnea Keatts is traveling with the students and will serve as their chaperone.

These students recently presented numerous presentations in the Walla Walla community during International Education Week in November. Nationally they placed third in the International Education Week Contest.

YES is an innovative high school exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. This public diplomacy initiative builds bridges of international understanding, especially between Americans and people in countries with significant Muslim populations.

McHie said the Ag Issues Team presentation is 15 minutes with 7 minutes built in for questions. McHie encourages service groups to take advantage of this excellent program. To schedule a presentation, contact McHie at: amchie@wwps.org.

These spirit shirts were made available at no cost to the school district thanks to generous sponsorships from Valley Vision, Pepsi of Walla Walla, McDonald Zaring Insurance, T Walla Walla by Original Design and Big Blue Boosters. The bright blue t-shirts display the school’s logo and state -- “The best things in life are Blue and White”

“In an effort to add to our student support at the home basketball games, we are excited about the opportunity to give away t-shirts to Wa-Hi students who attend our games,” said Wa-Hi Head Basketball Coach John Golden. “Our fan support is so important and we appreciate what they provide for us. We couldn’t have done it without the support of Pepsi, Valley Vision, McDonald-Zaring Insurance, and Big Blue Boosters.”