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School Board meetings scheduled Tuesday, May 5
- 6:30 p.m. - Public Work Session (2009-2010 Budget Savings Plan)
- 7:30 p.m. - Regular scheduled meeting
364 S. Park Street (WWPS Board Room)
Both meetings open to the public
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District Health Services Director addresses Swine Flu concerns
As you are aware there have been confirmed cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) reported across the United States in the last few weeks. Our district works closely with local, state, and national health agencies to investigate any illnesses and/or infections.
H1N1 Flu in people is characterized by fever (100° or more), sore throat, cough, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. The illness may last up to seven days, but people are considered to be contagious as long as symptoms persist. If you or your child have mild flu-like symptoms, monitor and telephone your physician to consult if necessary.
We want to remind parents and staff of the importance of prevention and how to stay safe.
What You Can Do To Prevent the Spread of Swine Flu:
- Sneeze or cough into a tissue, elbow or sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread can be spread by exposure to these areas.
If you are sick, stay home.
Symptoms of Swine Flu:
- Fever (100° or more), cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue.
Please remember that students should stay home when they have any of the above symptoms.
For more information on the H1N1Flu please visit any of the following Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/swineflu/mitigation/htm
www.cdc.gov
www.doe.gov
www.doh.wa.gov
If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact me or the Health Clinician at your student’s school.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Douglas, BSN, RN
Director of Health Services
Cell: 509.520.4844
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Take time to thank a teacher on National Teacher Day: By Superintendent Rich Carter
Teachers in Walla Walla and in communities across the nation will be in the spotlight on National Teacher Day, Tuesday, May 5. Students, parents, school administrators and the public are encouraged to take notice of how teachers continue to make Walla Walla Public Schools a premiere school district for every student.
Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do. Teachers have a unique role in society and in the lives of children. They provide students skills they will rely on for life. In addition to instruction, teachers act as cheerleaders, brighten the day and provide the gentle push needed to help students realize their true potential.
Our teachers do the little things to make the school experience meaningful. They take time to get to know their students as people. They take an interest in their passions, hopes and dreams. Reflect back on your own childhood and I guarantee a teacher will come to mind as having had a positive impact on your life.
Public schools are at the heart of any community and teachers are at the heart of any school district. Please take time to reach out and thank a teacher for all they do for Walla Walla children.
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Pioneer Middle School Assistant Principal and Head Start Preschool Director hired
Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors, during a special board meeting today at noon, approved the hiring of Jack Mehn as Assistant Principal of Pioneer Middle School and Kerri Coffman as Director of Head Start/ECEAP of Blue Ridge Preschool. Mehn and Coffman will assume their new duties July 1, 2009.
Jack Mehn currently serves as Dean of Students at Wa-Hi. He will succeed Kim Doepker at Pioneer Middle School. Kerri Coffman currently serves as Title I Manager at Sharpstein. She will succeed Donna Painter at Blue Ridge Preschool.
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Cinco de Mayo Celebration Friday at Wa-Hi
- Cinco de Mayo Celebration
- Friday, May 1
- 6 to 9 p.m.
- Wa-Hi Commons
Latino Club is hosting the third annual Cinco de Mayo celebration this Friday, May 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the WA-HI Commons. Dinner will be provided free to the first 600 guests and there will be live entertainment from 7 to 9 p.m.
Pony rides, piñatas, music and fun for the whole family! Everyone is invited. The event is a cooperative effort of the WA-HI Latino Club, Gear-Up, Educational Talent Search, WA-HI ASB, and the WA-HI staff.
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Walla Walla High School Drama Department presents “Little Women”
“Little Women” Show highlights:
- Musical version of the classic book
- The duets are sweet, the solos are powerful and introspective.
- The big group number is a major show stopper.
Show dates and times:
May 7 - 7 p.m.
May 8 - 7 p.m.
May 9 - 2 p.m.
May 14 - 7 p.m.
May 15 - 7 p.m.
May 16 - 2 p.m.
Tickets
- Tickets are on sale now
- Ticket reservations, call the box office at 526-8613 between 4 and 6 p.m.
- Students: $6
- Adults: $10
“Please get tickets ahead to avoid disappointment,” Drama Director Brian Sentor said. “You won’t want to miss this show for the whole family.”
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Walla Walla Symphony continues to include area youth in future plans
Walla Walla Symphony Director Michael Wenberg provides the following update:
Walla Wallla Symphony Youth Orchestra
The Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra had its first concert recently before a standing room only audience. The group practices occasionally at Garrison and there are a number of Walla Walla Public Schools middle school and high school kids involved with the group. Tryouts for next year will be held in late summer.For more information, please call Lacey Perry at the Walla Walla Symphony office, 509-529-8020.
Rock and Roll Camp
The Walla Walla Symphony will soon be announcing a free “Rock and Roll Camp” August 3 at Lincoln Alternative High School. Attendance is limited to 100 with first opportuntiy being given to Lincoln students. The program is modeled after the success camp they’ve been doing for the past three years in Pendleton. This program is made available thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Hot Topic Foundation. Other sponsors include Hot Poop, Blazing Guitars, Walla Walla Blues Society and Mike
Hammond/Melody Muffler. For more information, please call Lacey Perry at the Walla Walla Symphony office, 509-529-8020, or Anthony Barba at Lincoln High School.
2009 Holiday Concert
The second half of the Walla Walla Symphony’s December 15, 2009 Holiday concert will feature a youth choir made up of area grade school and middle school students performing with the symphony. There have been several meetings with area music teachers from the grade/middle schools and they are very excited.
Free concerts for elementary students
Once again there will be two free concerts for elementary school students next season at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus. The concert date is November 20. This is something the symphony’s been doing for decades. Approximately 100,000 area youth have had an introduction to symphonic music through this program.
Special thanks to the Walla Walla Symphony’s major partners for 2008-2009:
The Kinsman Foundation, Sherwood Trust, Baker Boyer Bank, Banner Bank, Key Technology, Community Bank, U.S. Bank, Tallman’s, Whitman College, Bank of America, Walla Walla Community College, Union Bulletin, and Marcus Whitman Hotel and Conference Center
For more information on the Walla Walla Symphony, contact:
Michael Wenberg
CEO, Walla Walla Symphony
509-529-8020
www.wwsymphony.org
Celebrating great music since 1907
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Walla Walla High School students receive superior ratings at state music competition
Walla Walla High School’s choir program had seven ensembles and soloists participate in the State Music Competition at Central Washington University in Ellensburg April 24 and 25. Wa-Hi Orchestra student Dan Brown participated in the cello division and received an Excellent rating.
Below are the Choir results:
ENSEMBLES
Mixed Vocal Quartet - Superior
(Kristin Glaeser, Eva Reich, Thomas Rowley, Martin Sanks)
Men’s Vocal Quartet - Excellent
(Dan Lockart, Preston Loomer, Tony Nichols, Michael Bell)
Percussion Duet - Superior (Alec Jones and Brad Nelson)
SOLOISTS
Rebeccah Bagley - Superior, Soprano
Sarah Hemenway - Superior, Soprano
Anne Marie Jones - Superior, Mezzo Soprano
Martin Sanks - Superior - Third Place in the State for Baritone Soloists
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New basketball hoop at Berney in honor of Vincent Gwinn
Thursday afternoon Berney staff, parents and students dedicated a new basketball hoop in honor of Vincent Gwinn. Vincent was a kindergarten student at Berney who was killed this winter in a tragic auto accident. Vincent was in Lori Thomas’ class.
Kindergarten and first graders helped with the dedication. The new hoop is installed on the K-1 playground. Vincent’s mother, Michelle, and other family members were in attendance.
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Walla Walla High School FFA program featured on national television program
The Walla Walla High School FFA chapter will be featured on This Week in Agribusiness with Max Armstrong and Orion Samuelson, May 2 to 4. RFDtv is viewed via satellite on either Dish Network Channel 231 or DirecTV Channel 379. Learn more about RFD-TV at: www.rfdtv.com.
Local air times:
- 5 a.m., Saturday, May 2
- 3 a.m. and 6 p.m., Sunday May 3
- 5 a.m., Monday May 4
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Construction forces Edison student schedule change
Edison Early Release Schedule: Superintendent Rich Carter announced the last day of school for Edison kindergarten students will be Friday, June 5. Students of grades 1-5 will attend half-days the last week of school, June 8-12.
Staff and teachers will conduct classes in the morning and use the afternoon to pack and move materials to the new building. The adjusted calendar is needed to vacate the old Edison building scheduled for demolition immediately following the last day of school. The kindergarten portable building must be moved off the site before demolition of the main building begins.
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Classes help parents provide positive guidance
The following parenting classes and programs were offered this school year by Walla Walla Public Schools:
Head Start/ECEAP Preschool Program
Head Start/ECEAP Preschool Parent Involvement Coordinator, Nora Carillo, along with Maggie Miranda, the Disabilities Coordinator, offered “Becoming a Love and Logic Parent” classes in both English and Spanish. In the fall, the six classes were in the evenings with childcare provided.
Sharpstein Parenting Classes
During the winter, the two hour classes were offered during the school day with no childcare provided. This program offers parents ideas and strategies for positive child guidance with less stress and more confidence. Luciana Herrera will be offering the same series at Sharpstein Elementary School this spring.
Green Park Parent classes
Green Park Elementary offered Parent Effectiveness Leadership Training (PELT) by Berta Herrera-Trejo, bilingual kindergarten teacher. This 11 class series stressed the importance of parental involvement, how to be an effective leader, and how to help your child succeed in school. The 2.5 hour classes were offered in the evenings with an extended learning opportunity available for the participants’ children.
“Walla Walla School District recognizes the importance of parental involvement and the need to provide parents the tools necessary to help their children succeed in school and life,” said the district’s Bilingual Coordinator Diana Erickson.
If you are interested in this type of parent opportunity, please contact the district’s Bilingual Coordinator, Diana Erickson, at 526-6771, or Leah Crudup, Title I/LAP Coordinator, at 526-6732.
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Youth Health Fair features low cost sports physicals
Walla Walla General Hospital teams with Walla Walla Public Schools to sponsor event
Walla Walla General Hospital and Walla Walla Public Schools have teamed to host a Youth Health Fair Sunday, May 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Walla Walla General Hospital.
The event features low cost sports physicals for students in grades 6-12. Sports physicals are $10 each. All proceeds will be donated from Walla Walla General Hospital to the Walla Walla Public Schools Athletic Department to pay for sports fees and equipment for students in need.
The Health Fair also features health screenings, information and educational activities for the entire family.
Event Fact Sheet:
What: Walla Walla General Hospital and Walla Walla Public Schools partner to provide a Youth Health Fair featuring low cost sports physicals - $10 each.
* (All proceeds will be donated from Walla Walla General Hospital to the Walla Walla Public Schools Athletic Department to pay for sports fees and equipment for students in need.)
When: Sunday, May 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Walla Walla General Hospital
Why: Event provides low cost sports physicals and health information to all families. The Health Fair also features health screenings, immunizations, health information and educational activities for the entire family
How: Pre-register for sports physicals; walk-ins also welcomed
For more information contact:
Sharryl Towes, Walla Walla General Hospital
E-mail: ToewsSL@ah.org
Dan Calzaretta, Walla Walla Public Schools event coordinator
E-mail: dcalzaretta@wwps.org
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Homelink Information meetings planned
• May 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m. - Berney Library
• May 20, 10 a.m. to 12 noon - District Office Blue Mountain Room (364 S. Park St.)
“These meetings are for parents looking for information about Homelink and K12,” said Homelink Advisor Teacher Pam Clayton. “We will have registration packets available to pick up or fill out during the meeting.”
For more information about the Homelink Program, contact Clayton at (509) 527-3010 or by e-mail: pclayton@wwps.org.
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Balloons to launch from district schools Friday, May 8
Get an up-close look at hot air balloons featured in this year’s Balloon Stampede during early morning launches from district schools Friday, May 8 at 6:30 a.m. They will not launch from Edison this year due to construction. They will launch at Pioneer Park instead of Edison this year.
Balloons will also be launched from Garrison Middle School Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10. (weather permitting).
For more information about this year’s Balloon Stampede, contact the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce, 509.525.0850. Event Coordinator Susan Hall is also available at 509.629.1141.
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District featured May 9 on KAPP/KVEW (ABC) television show School Scene Magazine
KAPP/KVEW (ABC) will continue airing School Scene Magazine featuring Walla Walla Public Schools the next few months. This 30 minute program features student and staff interviews showcasing district programs and activities. Prosser School District Superintendent Dr. Ray Tolcacher is the show’s host.
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.
School Scene Magazine schedule to air on KAPP/KVEW (ABC)
Saturday, May 9 - 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 - 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 31 - 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 7 - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9 - 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 14 - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 16 - 9 p.m.
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Bledsoe to appear at 2nd Annual Central Washington Football Golf Tournament at WW Country Club
Former Walla Walla High School student and stand-out football player Blaine Bennett brings the Central Washington Football Golf Tournament back to Walla Walla Thursday, May 14 at the Walla Walla Country Club.
Thursday, May 14
1:30 p.m.
WW Country Club
Event Highlights:
- 18 holes of golf (sign up today)
- Cart rental
- Lunch and dinner
- Former NFL Quarterback Drew Bledsoe guest appearance
- KP and Long Drive Award
- Silent Auction
- Sports Memorabilia
- Central Washington gear
- Meet the CWU coaching staff
Bennett is in his second year as head football coach at Central Washington University. He continues to recruit heavily in the Walla Walla Valley and is interested in building relationships in our area. Last year Bennett signed Class of 2008 student-athletes David Weisner and Michael Najera to play at Central.
Many Walla Walla Public Schools staff and influential community members are actively supporting this tournament. For information on the tournament, contact Marc Yonts at 509.540.9553 or by e-mail: myonts@wwps.org.
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Classroom Close-Up features Pioneer teacher
This week Pioneer Middle School teacher Chris Plucker 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 Plucker is now playing on regional stations.
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