School board meetings February 3
Executive Session - 6:45 p.m.
General Meeting - 7:30 p.m.

District Office Board Room -- 364 S. Park St.
General meeting open to public

The program will be aired on KAPP/KVEW later this spring. Walla Walla Public Schools will also post the School Scene Magazine program on its website and use it for staff recruiting, parent information meetings and community presentations.

Safeway’s 10% Back to Schools program allowed schools to earn 10% of the total of items purchased by school supporters from participating manufacturers this past summer. Top Safeway manufacturers contributing to Sharpstein Elementary School through the program included Kraft Foods, Clorox, Kellogg’s, General Mills, Sara Lee and Unilever.

The 10% Back to Schools Program is part of the eScrip program which delivers marketing programs that bring retailers, manufacturers and service providers forward in support of education of youth. To date, the eScrip program has generated more than $200 million in merchant contributions to schools and organizations across the country. In 2008, through this program alone, the Safeway family of stores has donated over $2.5 million to non-profit groups across the nation.

The St. Mary Cancer Special Needs Fund helps cancer patients in the Walla Walla area by facilitating random acts of kindness and alleviating financial barriers to treatment. Special thanks to ASB Coordinator Jillian DeBritz for organizing the concerts.

“This year’s Conspiracy of Hope was an incredible display of the wide variety of talent in our student body,” DeDritz said. “Almost 500 people attended the two shows that had acts ranging from singing to interpretive dance—more than 30 students participated in acts, as emcees, and on stage crew. Students produced the entire show, from choosing which charities would receive money to holding auditions and running rehearsals. This show was a unique opportunity for students to share their talents for a great cause—it unified the participants, as well as the students that came, around something really positive.”

Approximately 300 to 400 trees will be available for planting beginning in mid-March thanks to the partnership. The trees will be used for science lessons featuring students planting trees at school or at home. The project will serve as a way for students to learn more about trees in the Walla Walla Valley. School parent nights will also be held to offer give away activities for families to plant trees at their homes near sidewalk “right of ways.” Some of the trees will also be used to improve school campuses.

Special thanks to City of Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Director Jim Dumont and Rotary Club of Walla Walla member Ned Shafer for bringing this project to the school district.

Students participated in table activities, discussions and worksheet reviews. They also watched the video “Get Real,” which features school-aged children talking openly about the negative impact bullying has on their schools. Students reported out to the rest of the group and asked questions during the 90 minute session. They also defined what is appropriate and not appropriate behavior and what kind of a school they want.

Boys Swimming vs. West Valley at Walla Walla — Saturday, January 31
- Varsity @ 11:00 AM -- Whitman College Harvey Pool

Wrestling Sub-Districts at Pasco — Saturday, January 31
- Varsity @ 9:00 AM

“We have not made a final decision if or how we would use the waiver, but we want as many options as possible to help us weigh in on this issue,” Superintendent Rich Carter said. “By using the waiver, we would not have to change the Walla Walla High School graduation date, compromise summer employment opportunities for students and alter professional development trainings currently scheduled for teachers.”

The district will release information regarding snow make-up dates as soon as a decision is made.

A radio spot featuring Weinman-Pogue is now playing on regional stations.

In addition to the maps, they each were asked to create a poster about “Why Geography is Important.”

Staff and parents were invited to view these projects in the Main Foyer at Sharpstein today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Registration forms will be available at the camp. For more information, contact Coach Abby Muro at amuro@wwps.org or call the Wa-Hi Athletic Department at 527-3020.