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School board meeting Tuesday, March 17
Tuesday, March 17
7:30 p.m.
District Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
Meeting open to public
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High School WASL testing begins next week
• High School WASL Reading: March 16 and March 17
• High School WASL Writing: March 18 and March 19
The district will continue to utilize its Wednesday delayed start schedule at all secondary schools and the Wednesday early release schedule at all elementary schools during this spring’s WASL testing.
Please note: Wednesday, March 18 is a delayed start day for secondary schools. This is a change in the schedule that was published earlier this school year.
Walla Walla Public Schools will continue to have delayed starts and early releases throughout the spring 2009 WASL testing.
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District brings parents together to enhance networking opportunities
This week school board member and PTA liaison Cindy Meyer and Communications Director Mark Higgins held parent networking meetings with elementary and secondary PTA officers and parent leaders. The meetings were an attempt to help PTA leaders and parents network with their peers from other schools. PTA leaders talked about sharing materials, collaborating on parent education events, and working more closely with their school and district administration.
They stressed the need for improved communication, recruitment of parent volunteers and better coordination of school activities and parent involvement opportunities. Parents are encouraged to contact their PTA leaders, school principal or Mark Higgins for more information on how to get involved.
Parent Networking Meeting Participants
Cindy Meyer: School Board
Mark Higgins: District Office
Leah Crudup: District Office
Mike Lambert: Green Park
Mari Sanders: Green Park
Karene Gonzalez: Green Park
Steve Maxwell: Green Park
Chris Gardea: Prospect Point
Ted Cohan: Prospect Point
Cheryl Heller: Prospect Point
Connie Taylor-Randall: Blue Ridge
Lucy Ramirez: Blue Ridge
Veronica Esparza: Blue Ridge
Amy Haer: Blue Ridge
Tobi Powell: Blue Ridge
Nancy Withycombe: Edison
Jennifer Northam: Edison
Andrea Cortinas: Edison
David Talley: Berney
Jon Johnson: Berney
Cliff Steelman: Berney
Lorriane Steelman: Berney
Denise Slattery: Berney
Vicki Paulus: Homelink
Heidi Leinweber: Homelink
Josh Wolcott: Garrison
Jackie Scholl: Garrison
Jerri Doyle: Garrison (Gear Up)
Samantha Handcox: Garrison
Leslie Martindale : College Place (Gear Up)
Darcy Weisner: Wa-Hi
Mira Gobel: Wa-Hi
Karen Miller: Wa-Hi
Dan Calzaretta: Pioneer
Holly Carrera: Pioneer
Kelli Jo Smith: Pioneer
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Area superintendents learn more about possible High School Skills Center
Tuesday Superintendent Rich Carter met with area superintendents, school board members and other stakeholders about a possible high school skills center in the Walla Walla area. The Walla Walla based center would be a branch campus of the Tri-Tech Skills Center located in Kennewick, Washington.
Walla Walla Public Schools received state funding earlier this school year to complete a feasibility study to bring a skills center to Walla Walla. Feedback has been very positive from superintendents, business leaders, staff, parents and students according to Carter. He said the district is in the process of formally applying for state dollars to design, construct and outfit a skills center. To learn more about learning opportunities that might become available if approved and funded by the state, visit the Tri-Tech Skill Center website at www.ksd.org/tritech/.
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Garrison students work to make school safer
This week 55 Garrison Middle School students came together to talk about ways to make their school safer and more civil. District Safe Schools consultant Mark Thompson led the students through a two hour exercise focusing on effects of bullying and inappropriate behavior. Many of the activities helped the students get to know each and learn more about how their behavior has a direct impact on the school climate. Students talked openly about how it makes them feel if they or others are put down.
Eighth grade student Brenda Sotelo said after the training she feels more confident to intervene if someone is being picked on.
“I think I would step in and tell them to stop,” Sotelo said. “I want them to know it hurts people when they do that.”
The Garrison Safe and Civil Schools agenda included:
- Review school’s core beliefs (focus on safe and civil schools)
- Learn everyone’s first name
- Acknowledge other’s bumper sticker game
- Snitching vs. Reporting
- Rumors vs. gossip
- Racial harassment
- Bullying
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual orientation harassment
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Walla Walla Kids Read brings nationally renowned authors to Walla Walla
Walla Walla Kids Read will host nationally known authors David Shannon and N.E. Bode March 19 and 20 as all district elementary students will trek to Cordiner Hall to meet and hear from these successful authors. This year’s line up is expected to entertain and educate thousands of local students. Green Park Library-Media Specialist Michelle Shaul said this is a rare opportunity.
“It’s not often you get to hear your heroes speak,” Shaul said. “Hearing an author speak is magic. You get to meet the person that created something you love. You get to hear the story behind the story.”
Walla Walla Kids Read is designed to inspire every K-5 child in the Walla Walla valley by bringing students to a world class facility to hear a well known author. All costs, including busing of students to and from the event, are paid for by Walla Walla Kids Read. Shaul says local author Patrick Carman is the engine behind Walla Walla Kids Read.
“Patrick Carman is the magical person behind all of this. He pays for the busing, author fees and tours. He organized the umbrella for the entire Walla Walla Kids Read program.”
Walla Walla Kids Read - Schedule of Events
THURSDAY MARCH 19
• Blue Session 1: David Shannon Grades: K-2
• Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Davis (College Place)
• Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 10:00 am, presentation begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome.
• Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 11 a.m.
THURSDAY MARCH 19
• Red Session 1: N.E. Bode Grades: 3-5
• Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Meadow Brook (College Place)
• Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1:00 p.m, presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome.
• Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2:00 pm.
FRIDAY MARCH 20
• Blue Session 2: David Shannon Grades: K-2
• Schools: Berney, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein
• Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 10:00 a.m., presentation begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome.
• Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 11 a.m.
FRIDAY MARCH 20
• Red Session 2: N.E. Bode Grades: 3-5
• Schools: Berney, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein
• Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1:00 p.m., presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2:00 p.m.
Community Events
• Friday, March 20
• Meet The Authors Public Event with David Shannon and N.E. Bode
• Location: Walla Walla Public Library
• Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
About this year’s authors
DAVID SHANNON – Kindergarten through 2nd grade
K – 2nd grade get ready for an engaging, educational hour with one of the nations most honored writers for young children! David Shannon is a writer and illustrator of highly praised books including Too Many Toys, Alice and the Fairy, Good Boy, Fergus and A Bad Case of Stripes, a selection of the Junior Library Guild. Mr. Shannon is probably best known for his Caldecott Honor Book No, David! and its sequels.
Born in Washington, D.C., Shannon grew up in Spokane, Washington. He graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, with a fine arts degree, and then moved to New York City where he continued his illustration work. His editorial illustrations have appeared in The New York Times, Time, and Rolling Stone, and his artwork has graced a number of book jackets.
No, David! is patterned after Shannon’s first work. At the age of five, Shannon drew pictures of a young boy doing all the things he wasn’t supposed to be doing. Each drawing was accompanied by the two words: No David! Shannon wanted to maintain the spirit of the original as much as possible. In fact, the end papers are even the same color as the paper that the original was drawn on! He feels that this was the most fun he has ever had working on a book. Shannon lives with his wife, Heidi, their daughter, Emma, and their dog, Fergus, in Los Angeles, California.
www.scholastic.com/titles/nodavid/davidshannon.htm NE BODE - 3rd grade through 5th grade
Our 3rd-5th grade students are in for real a treat! N.E. Bode (the pen name of adult fiction writer Julianna Baggott) is the popular author of The Anybodies Trilogy, The Slippery Map, the prequel to Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (2007), and a Red Sox novel The Prince of Fenway Park (March 2009). Bode is a recurring personality on XM Radio - XM Kids. She lives in Florida with her husband writer David G.W. Scott and their four kids, and teaches at Florida State University’s Creative Writing Program. Along with her husband, Baggott is a co-founder of the nonprofit organization “Kids in Need - Books in Deed.”
About Walla Walla Kids Read
WWKR is dedicated to nurturing and encouraging young readers and supporting our local educators in creating life long readers. Our primary goal is to provide a nationally known author presentation to every K-5th grade student in the Walla Walla valley every year. Our author selections are designed to inspire, educate, and encourage students to pursue reading and writing. Our events are developed for local elementary schools and open to the public. Every elementary school child in Walla Walla, regardless of income, benefits from Walla Walla Kids Read. All costs associated with our events are funded by WWKR including school busing, author fees, and facility use.
Contact the Walla Walla Kids Read Team
Chair - Patrick Carman
patrick@patrickcarman.com
School Liaison, Educational Resources - Michelle Shaul, Green Park Elementary Library-Media Specialist
Mshaul@wwps.org
Events coordinator / community Liaison - Elizabeth George, Walla Walla Public Library
EGeorge@ci.walla-walla.wa.us
School Principal Liaison - Mike Lambert Principal, Green Park Elementary
mlambert@wwps.org
Author Liaison - Squire Broel, Local Artist
broelsa@my180.net
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Blue Ridge teacher’s daughter named to Walla Walla Fair Court
Congratulations to Blue Ridge 5th grade teacher Amy Hartford on the recent selection of her daughter Katie to the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Day Court. Katie is a junior at DeSales and was recently crowned as princess royalty. Katie’s grandfather is the late Bill Grant, longtime 16th District Representative.
“I’m very proud of her,” Hartford said.
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Walla Walla High School to induct National Honor Society members
Saturday night 70 new students will be inducted into National Honor Society. All are juniors or seniors, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have ample evidence of scholarship, leadership, character and service, and were selected by a Faculty Council of four teachers.
N.H.S. Inductees 2009
Abernathy, Cassandra
Adkins, Rachael
Alazar, Samuel
Anderson, Bridget
Baker, Alicia
Barlow, Janice
Bautista, Krystal
Beckstrand, Aislynn
Bell, Emily
Bergstrom, Will
Boggs, Kylar
Boone, John
Burgess, Emma
Burmood, Erica
Cobian, Yuridia
Crawford, Jacob
Demianew, Jessica
Erickson, Ann Marie
Faist, Christine (exchange student - honorary membership)
Falcon, Quinn
Farrow, Clayton
Flood, Amanda
Fuller, Sarah
Garcia, Osbaldo
Garcia, Tara
Gerling, Garrett
Hair, Madlyn
Hamilton, Amanda
Hampson, Seth
Hedine, Haley
Hill, Shaylee
Hui, Jenifer
Humphreys, Juli
Jaimez, Luis
Jausoro, Mariah
Krivoshein, Katie
Larreau, Emily
Lopez, Chantell
Marquis, Danika
Mathews, Justin
McClure, Colin
McDaniels, Jillian
McEuen, Tim
Molitor, Denali
Moreno, Alyssa
Mountain, Haley
Murphy, Doug
Nass, Blake
Nelson, Bailey
Noble, Katie
Olivos, Alejandra
Osborn, Shelby
Pinza, Kayla
Reardon, Michelle
Reardon, Victoria
Reese, Alina
Rieke, Kirsten
Ruiz, Karen
Sefrinta, Irma (exchange student - honorary membership)
Slack, Nichole
Smith, Audrey
Somers, Philip
Sumerlin, Zachary
Trotter, Jeremy
Trujillo, Rita
Tupper-Bridges, Anna
Wagner, Lindsie
Welker, Bennet
Zheng, Vincent
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Walla Walla High School student’s volunteer efforts support emergency drill
The Walla Walla County Emergency Management Department extends its thanks to Walla Walla High School student Nancy Lopez for volunteering to play a “victim” during the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training in February.
“Nancy, along with 16 other volunteers, gave four hours of their time and did an outstanding job,” said Nick Plucker, CERT Coordinator for the Walla Walla County Emergency Management Division.
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Walla Walla High School Culinary team excels at state competition
The Walla Walla High School Culinary team placed 3rd in the state out of 27 schools at the ProStart Completion held at South Sound Community College in Olympia this last Sunday. There are 56 culinary programs in Washington state. The competition was sponsored by the Washington Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that operates ProStart, a restaurant school-to-career program.
The curriculum, produced by the National Restaurant Association, is designed for high school juniors and seniors. The program prepares students for careers in the food service industry through academic and workplace experiences. Walla Walla High School has just completed its third year of the program under the supervision of Barbara Buttice. This program is in its 8th year of existence at the National level. Students will earn 17 college credits through a Tech Prep agreement with Walla Walla Community College. Students receive classroom training and can enter into paid apprenticeships with local industry professionals.
Competitions allow students to earn scholarships to further their education. Each student that competed this past weekend received a minimum of $3000 and the third place cooking team was given additional scholarships.
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Walla Walla High School teacher earns Educator Excellence Award
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School Career and Technical Education teacher Barbara Buttice for receiving a state of Washington Educator Excellence Award for 2009 by the National Restaurant Association. During the recent ProStart awards ceremony, Buttice was presented with the award.
In mid May, Buttice will travel to Chicago for recognition at the National level, as well as have an opportunity to apply for the $5,000 James H. Maynard Excellence in Education Award sponsored by Golden Corral. The Chicago trip includes attendance at the National Restaurant Associations Convention and a luncheon with the winners from other states. Two of the teachers will be presented with a Golden Corral award to be used for further education in Culinary Arts.
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Exchange Club Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 11
The Walla Walla Exchange Club is holding its 50th Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11 at 9 a.m. in Pioneer Park. This year’s Easter Egg hunt features 21 prizes, including three bicycles, which will be awarded in categories, 1-3 years old, 4-6 years old, 7-10 years old and special-needs.
Special thanks to sponsor Alexandra Communications and volunteer Master of Ceremonies Jim Bock. For more information call Chris Drake at (509) 301-1777.
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Art Regier Outstanding Volunteers of the Years Award nominations accepted
Nominations are being accepted through Friday, March 27 for the Art Regier Outstanding Volunteers of the Year Award. Recipients will be recognized at the April 21 school board meeting. Nomination forms are available at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the district office.
Criteria for Selection:
Criteria for selection may include the following:
1. Exceptional service or contributions to the children of Walla Walla Public Schools
2. Unusual dedication
3. Demonstration of care, compassion and empathy
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS IS - FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009
Recipients of the Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Award will be honored with a plaque to display at their home or place of business, and their name will be permanently affixed to a memorial plaque in the school district’s board room at 364 South Park Street.
For more information, please call Communications Director Mark Higgins 526-6716
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Graduates of Distinction nominations now accepted
Nominations are open for the 2009 Graduates of Distinction Program. All nominations and recommendation forms must be received in the district Curriculum Department by April 15, 2009.
The purpose of the Walla Walla Public Schools’ Graduates of Distinction program is to provide an avenue for recognizing high school graduates of Walla Walla Public Schools who have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers; and to honor the Walla Walla Public Schools’ staff members who were the most inspirational in the lives of those individuals.
In order to be eligible for nomination, an individual must have graduated from high school in the Walla Walla Public Schools at least 10 years prior to nomination.
The recognition is intended to honor Walla Walla High School graduates for outstanding achievement. The honor will be given to mature adults who are exemplary citizens and have distinguished themselves in their communities, their professions, or their careers. Nominations will be held for five years, and will automatically be included in the selection process during that time.
Nomination forms are available at the district office, 364 South Park Street, or on the district website: http://www.wwps.org/news/grad_distinction.htm . Please call Kay Schisler, 526-6735, for more information.
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Registrations for Great Explorations math, science and technology event due soon
“Great Explorations”...a math/science/technology conference for girls in grades 5-8 Registration for Great Explorations, the math and science adventure for girls in grades 5-8, must be mailed by this coming Monday, March 16 or submitted in person at the YWCA, 213 South, First Street, by Thursday, March 19.
Great Explorations will take place Saturday, March 21 at Cordiner Hall, Park and Boyer Streets, on the Whitman College campus, from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Pre-registration is required to schedule student workshops. Parents and educators may also register for a concurrent panel discussion on The Economics of Education.
The registration fee is $5/person with scholarships available.
Contact Carol Morgan at 509-525-3531 or email pcmorgan@charter.net. Additional information and registration forms are available at www.aauw-wallawalla.org.
Buses will pick up students at Garrison and Pioneer Middle School and deliver the girls to Cordiner Hall on March 21; they will be returned by bus to the middle schools at 1:15 p.m. Bus riders must have a permission slip signed by a parent. Slips are available at the school office. Return signed parent permission slips to the school office by Friday, March 20.
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2009 Kindergarten and Open Enrollment registration begins Monday
Walla Walla Public Schools Kindergarten and Open Enrollment period is Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27, 2009. Kindergarten registration will be conducted at the student’s attendance area elementary school. New elementary and middle school boundaries take affect in the fall of 2009.
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
Open Enrollment and Kindergarten Registration Hours:
Monday, March 16
7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 17 — March 27
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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).
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BUNKO Benefit & Silent Auction planned for ailing Prospect Point dad
All proceeds from this event go to help pay for Adam Piercy’s medical expenses. Adam is a single dad of two Prospect Point Elementary School boys. He is currently waiting for a heart transplant.
Date: Sunday April 19, 2009
Place: Marcus Whitman Hotel, Explorer Ballroom -- Corner of 2nd & Rose, Walla Walla, WA
Time: 2 p.m.
Tickets: May be purchased in advance.
Ticket Cost: $25 each or - 2 or $40
Ticket Information:
- Contact Jodi Ferguson: 301-2042
- Penny Dimino: 522-7055 - diminomk@msn.com
- Kim Corcoran: 529-5333 - kimcorcoran@bmi.net
Get Your Tickets Today!
Can’t come? Donations also accepted.
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes!
Gather your friends & buy tickets for all, come and enjoy an afternoon of fun for a great cause! There will also be a silent auction on-site.
Make Checks Payable to: Adam Piercy Donation
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Classroom Close-Up features Pioneer math teacher
This week Pioneer Middle School math teacher Kim Gradwohl is featured as part of the district’s Classroom Close-Up series. A fun, information filled newsletter will be posted on the district website next week — (www.wwps.org).
A radio spot featuring Gradwohl is now playing on regional stations.
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GEAR UP event educates parents about high school and college opportunities
Thursday night the GEAR UP program sponsored a High School Invitational and College Bound Night at the Wa-Hi Commons. Parents were treated to a free dinner from El Sombrero as they learned about high school and college planning. They were also briefed on high school and college requirements and expectations.
Artist, Patrick Dunning, from the Signature Project, incorporated art, music, technology, and science into a very entertaining performance.
Special thanks to GEAR UP site director Jerri Doyle for helping organize the event.
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Orchestra news briefs
• Wednesday, March 11 the Walla Walla High School Symphony Orchestra traveled to Ellensburg to participate in Central Washington University’s high school orchestra festival. Their performance was well received by audience and clinicians alike, according to teacher Julia Woods.
• The Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra presents its first concert Sunday, March 15 at 7 p.m. at the Walla Walla Community College Performing Arts Auditorium.
The concert is free. District students participating in this orchestra include Aislynn Beckstrand, Jeff Ladderud, Chantell Lopez, Simon Quackenbush, Morgan Lenihan, Miyuki Ikuyo, Jacob Dyer and Olivia Welker (Wa-Hi), and Melissa Nelsen, Quinn Anderson, Kelsey Gabel, Nathanial Lynn, Groover Snell, & Sam Gentlzer (Pioneer).
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