Many topics were discussed, including:
- State budget funding shortfalls
- New Superintendent Randy Dorn’s plans to eliminate the WASL
- Support programs for struggling students
- Gang influence in schools/Safe Schools program
- Sexual education offerings in schools
- Boundary revisions
- Edison Elementary construction project
- Afterschool learning opportunities
- Professional development for teachers and curriculum offerings

Superintendent Rich Carter is also scheduled to participate in a Grandmother’s Roundtable panel discussion on education related issues March 23 at Walla Walla Community College. More details will be coming out soon.

“What a statement for our community,” Gobel said. “I would say 90 percent of the volunteers also participated last year. They really wanted to be a part of this experience again. It’s a real partnership.”

Parents, former teachers and relatives also come to share in the senior project experience. Students say they want their guests to know they made a difference in their lives. There will be two more opportunities for students to participate next month. Successful completion of the culminating project is a graduation requirement.

“It was a great first step and we plan to build on it,” Carter said. “We know parent involvement in our schools is key to our success. We want to help make this experience positive and productive.”

Next Steps:
Communications Director Mark Higgins will work with school board member Cindy Meyer to organize follow-up meetings for elementary and secondary PTA/parent leaders. These meeting are expected to be held in early March. Parents are encouraged to talk with their PTA leaders, school principal or Communications Director Mark Higgins (mhiggins@wwps.org) about attending.

Meeting topics could include:
- Fund raising projects
- Calendar coordination
- Recruiting new parent volunteers/leaders/members
- Sharing PTA materials (newsletters, flyers, etc.)
- Communications
- Parent involvement in schools

Parent Meeting attendees:
Kathy Utschinski
Julie Sievertsen
Laura Schueller
Holly Weisner
Chandra Hall
Ted Cohan
Veronica Esparza
Berónica Velásquez
Lucy Ramierez
Cliff Steelman
Lorriane Steelmen
Mari Sanders
Karene Gonzalez
Marquita Drabek
Dave Anderson
Renata Anderson
Susan Babilon
Cheryl Heller
Karen Miller
Jasmin Pedroza
Denise Slattery
Mark Higgins
Rich Carter
Cindy Meyer
Mary Jo Geidl
Linda Boggs
Jim Lehmann

For more information, contact Bilingual Coordinator Diana Erickson at 526-6771.

This recognition is based on their faithful service to students who are Latino Club members. As staff members, Mr. Locati and Mr. Peasley are making a significant impact on all students at Walla Walla High School.

Comments from Latino Club members included:
• Mr. Locati is really enthusiastic! He is a really great teacher who always helps students. He puts a smile on everyone’s face, even when they are having a bad day.

• Mr. Peasley is an outstanding teacher who gives his all to his students and provides help whenever needed. He is a teacher you can trust and admire.

“This is the largest contingent of students, I believe, that we have ever had participate in this event,” Director of Choral Activities Norb Rossi said.

Choir students participating:
Michael Bell, Mixed Choir - Bass 2
Natalie Ingersoll-Allen, Treble Choir - Alto 2
AnneMarie Jones, Mixed Choir - Soprano 2
Malila Kiliona, Treble Choir - Alto 2
Eva Reich, Treble Choir - Alto 1
Thomas Rowley, Mixed Choir - Tenor 2
Martin Sanks, Mixed Choir - Bass 2
Sierra Tinhof, Mixed Choir - Soprano 1

“Out of all the middle schools in the Columbia Basin Region, which includes all of the Tri-Cities, Othello, College Place, Burbank, and Kiona Benton, Garrison had the largest number of students participating,” District Music Coordinator Roger Garcia said. “Our students performed outstanding and represented Garrison and Walla Walla Public Schools in a manner which made Ronda Gabbard, Nichole Riggs and myself proud.”

Students perform and score anywhere from a 1 = Outstanding, II = Excellent, III = Good, IV = Fair & V = Poor.

The orchestra, band & choir scores are as follows:

Orchestra Member Scores
Brynn Chacon - I
Amy Infante & Abby Chacon - II
Perpetuo Trio - II
The Entertaining Duo -II
Garrison Quintet - I

Band Member Scores
Shelby Mountain - I
Joseph McMahon - I
Rachel Schuller - I
Maya Rapp & Shelby Mountain Flute Duet - I
Drew Bateman & Erik Dohe - I
Konor Clark - II
Tim Caudill - II
Danny Quackenbush - I
Iris Salazar & Melissa Castillo -II
Robert Miller - II
Joey Norby - II
Sydney Randall & Caitlyn Lasseigne - I
Tim Caudill, Robert Miller & Connor Stone Trio - I

Garrison Middle School Mixed Quartet
Logan Reardon and Michelle Ruzicka - I
Tim Caudill & Danny Quackenbush - II
Tyler Morgan & Teresa Olivos Snare Duet - I
Robert Miller & Connor Stone, Duet - I
Seth Hall & Logan Reardon, Snare Duet - II
Tim Caudill & Robert Miller, Duet - I
Tim Caudill & Konor Clark - II
Connor Stone - I
Iris Salazar & Dominick Dunaway - II
Garrett French - I
Tim Caudill & Connor Stone - I
Catherine Feistner - I
Michelle Ruzicka & Maya Rapp, Duet - I
Rachel Schuller - I
Angel Saldana - I

Choir Results
Kendra Sutherland - II
Angel Saldana - III
Julia Cosma -II
Avey - II
Elena Janis - I
Bloomquist - II
Christina Swanson - I
Liya Senter - II
CAP - II
Casey Coffee - II
Mary Beth Jones - N/S
Mary Beth Jones - N/S
Cosmarrientos - I
Julina Dobson - II
Marissa Angulo - II
Piper Titus - II
The Lillyettes - I
Lea Davidson - II
Moeller-Wilson - III
Helmicks - I
Jamie Quaresma - II
Sierra Ybarra - II
Ashley Cornia - I
Addily Dyer - I
Drue Erwin - II
Kiana Molitor - I
Madison Tucker - II
Elizabeth Donaldson - II
Teagan Coleman - I
Bailey Snider - II
Jamie Quaresma - I
Marissa Angulo - I

FFA Agriculture Issue team members who were interviewed:
- Emily Larreau
- Natalie Norby
- Natalie Crum
- McKenzie Sirmon
- Audrey Smith
- Levi Swenson

District Basketball Tournament Information
Saturday, Feb 14: Wa-Hi Girls Basketball vs. Kennewick - @ Walla Walla High School main gym - 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14: Wa-Hi Boys Basketball vs. Davis - @ Walla Walla High School main gym - 8 p.m.

Cost: No passes will be allowed. $7.00 adult and $5.00 senior/student (for doubleheader)
Doors will open at 5 p.m.

District Wrestling Tournament Information
Saturday, February 14: Regional Wrestling, Spokane - 9 a.m.
- Trey Haines, David Marquez, Eric Eastman, Ryan Harmon, Joe Butenhoff
Saturday, Feb. 14: Regional Girls Wrestling, Connell- 11 a.m.
- Alexandria Watts

Haines named conference Wrestler of the Year
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School senior wrestler Trey Haines who was selected as the Big Nine Athletic Conference “Wrestler of the Year” by the conference coaches. Haines finished the regular season with a perfect 22-0 record.

Trey will be competing in the Regional Tournament this Saturday in Spokane. Good luck to Trey and his teammates as they compete for an opportunity to be part of the WIAA State Tournament!

DATE: Saturday, March 21
TIME: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
PLACE: Whitman College Campus, Boyer and Park Streets
FEE: $5 per person; scholarships available. Contact Carol at 525-3531 or pcmorgan@charter.net.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Registration forms have been distributed to schools during the past week. Additional forms can be downloaded and printed at www.aauw-wallawalla.org or picked up in person at the YWCA. Completed registration forms must be returned by Monday, March 21 to allow time for workshop scheduling.

• Twenty-one diverse, hands-on, fun-filled WORKSHOPS are presented by area women who work in math, science and technology-related fields. Girls indicate preferences on their registration form; three workshops are assigned on a first registered, first served basis.

• A PARENT/EDUCATOR PANEL DISCUSSION on The Economics of Education will run concurrently with the girls’ workshops. Interested parents and educators must also submit a registration form to attend.

• KEYNOTE SPEAKER, Erika Marin-Spiotta, an environmental scientist, will speak on “People, Cows, and Climate.” She has traveled the world to study tropical forests and the soils below them. Hear about some of her adventures feeding ants and dodging seed-throwing monkeys. She will also talk about the doors opened in her career by math, science and technology courses that she took in school.

• Healthy SNACKS are provided mid-morning, between the second and third workshops.

• CO-SPONSORS include the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Walla Walla Public Schools, Whitman College, and the YWCA.

• QUESTIONS? Contact Jeanne Beirne at 525-7401, jbeirne@my180.net or Carol at 525-3531, pcmorgan@charter.net.

What: SweetHearts for Kids Benefit Luncheon
When: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Where: Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center, Walla Walla
Time: Noon – 1:00 p.m.
11:00 a.m. Silent auction begins
11:30 a.m. Banquet doors open
Cost: $40 per person

Purchase your tickets today by calling Candi Walmsley at (509) 529-2130.

SweetHearts for Kids features a keynote address by Darcy Weisner, the principal at Walla Walla High School. Darcy has 20 years experience as a high school teacher and high school basketball coach. The event emcee Dave Mastin, is a financial consultant with D.A. Davidson Co. He previously served in the Washington State House of Representatives where he held various leadership positions including House Majority Leader.

Children’s Home Society is dedicated to fulfilling the promise of every child. Last year, our Southeast Region provided services to over 800 children and families. Services provided include: Early Learning, Child and Family Counseling, Family Support, Spark Marriage Groups, HomeTeam Parent Aid, Farm Labor Recreation, Boost Mentoring, and Volunteer Services.

For more information on the programs and services offered by Children’s Home Society of Washington, visit www.childrenshomesociety.org.

Open Enrollment and New Student Registration Hours:
Monday, March 16
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 17 — March 27
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parents/guardians who wish to open enroll their child to a school outside of their attendance area may pick up an open enrollment application form at their attendance area school during normal business hours beginning March 9; however, the form will not be accepted in the receiving school until Monday, March 16.

If there is space available to accommodate open enrollment requests, then the priorities outlined in School Board Policy No. 3130 will be used to determine movement of a student. School Board Policy manuals are available for public viewing at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the Administration Office. School Board policies are also online at http://www.wwps.org/leadership/board.htm#11

Please contact your attendance area school for more information. District boundary maps are available at all
schools, the Administration Office at 364 South Park Street, and online at www.wwps.org . Click on the District A to Z link and then click on Boundary Map (Revised).

Applications will be accepted from women who meet the following requirements:
1) They must be able to provide transcripts from at least one year of college, followed by an interruption (time lapse) in education.
2) They must submit two letters of recommendation from someone familiar with their educational background and goals.
3) They must be residents of Walla Walla , Columbia, or Umatilla Counties.

The scholarship committee is seeking women who demonstrate a desire to continue their education by completing or adding to their degree. While past academic performance will be considered, of equal importance is the person’s clearly demonstrated community involvement and enthusiasm for future community commitment. The individual financial need of the applicants will be considered in making the awards. The scholarship funds will be directed to the college of the recipient’s choice to be used as needed for educational expenses.

The application can be accessed at the AAUW website : http://www.aauw-wallawalla.org/or call Alice at 509-522-5428 (amacd@charter.net) or Linda 541-938-2471 (bmoats@q.com) for more information

Completed applications must be received by April 16, 2009.
Send completed applications to:
Alice MacDonald, AAUW Scholarship Committee
1429 Taumarson Rd.
Walla Walla, WA 99362.

Final candidates may be required to participate in a personal interview with the scholarship committee. The recipient of the award will be notified by the first week of May and introduced at the AAUW annual dinner meeting on May 13th. Please note that the scholarship is only awarded once per recipient.

A radio spot featuring Doug Venneri is now playing on regional stations.