Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed by the start of the school year. Prospect Point Principal Chris Gardea said this project is a welcome addition to the school.

“This has been a safety concern for years,” Gardea said. “It will be much safer having the school buses in a separate area.”

The project is expected to cost $160,000. The funds for this capital improvement project were made available from the Edison Elementary bonds. The school district set aside funds to pay for arbitrage rebate on the Edison bond. Per law, the district must pay a rebate to the federal government if it earns more interest on bond proceeds than it spends in interest on the bonds.

“Since interest rates dropped on the invested proceeds, the district is no longer in danger of having to pay the rebate,” Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston said. “We feel this project was good use of these dollars.”

These funds must be designated for capital improvement projects and cannot be transferred to the general fund to offset 2009-2010 budget reductions.

Staff Achievement Grant recipients receive a $1,500 stipend and five days of paid release time for professional growth activities. These outstanding educators are recognized by their peers as the best of the best. Congratulations!

• Sue Parrish (Science Teacher - Garrison Middle School)

• Mell Gribnau (Kindergarten Teacher - Green Park Elementary)

• Tanya Hoffman (Para-Educator - Walla Walla High School)

• Meg Cochran (Special Education Teacher - Blue Ridge Elementary)

• Rob Ahrens (Science Teacher - Walla Walla High School)

The School Board approved the following curricula and materials:

1) Elementary Handwriting: Handwriting Without Tears, Handwriting Without Tears, Publisher; copyright 2008. The change of curriculum is based on the district goal to standardize handwriting instruction with a research-based and developmentally appropriate program. This program builds automaticity in handwriting and; thus, positively impacts the writing process. The last adoption was finalized in1991.

2) Middle School Math: Math Connects: Concepts, Skills & Problem Solving, Glencoe/McGraw Hill Companies Inc. Publisher; copyright 2009. The recommendation will replace materials that do not align to the new math standards. A 6-12 review of current math materials revealed middle school as most in need of new curriculum. However, the need for high school materials still exists. The last adoption was in 2002.

3) High School Health & Fitness: Glencoe Health, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Publisher; copyright 2009. This adoption will be implemented at Lincoln Alternative High School and Walla Walla High School. The state standards for health were changed in December 2008. This mandate required the district to update its curriculum.

“The curriculum and materials for each adoption proposal were reviewed and approved by the district Curriculum Advisory Committee and the Instructional Materials Committee,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Linda Boggs. “I would like to thank the committee chairs, Nancy Withycombe, Elementary Handwriting; Anne Swant, Middle School Math; and Jim Smith, High School Health & Fitness for their leadership during the adoption process as well their committee members.”

Classified:
- Gabrielle Arrowood, Para-Educator, Green Park Elementary
- Janice Long, Para-Educator, Lincoln Alternative High School
- Tobi Powell, Para-Educator, Blue Ridge Elementary
- Amy Trejo, Para-Educator, Blue Ridge Elementary
- Timothy Wauchek, Para-Educator, Lincoln Alternative High School

RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENTS
Classified:
- Susan Stroe, Head Secretary, Green Park Elementary, 23 years
- William Van Dyke, Para-Educator, Sharpstein Elementary, 5 months

NOTE: STAFF TRANSFERS FOR 2009-2010:
- Diane Cherry will transfer from her cook position at Prospect Point to take a para-educator position at Wa-Hi.
- Yolanda White will transfer from Prospect Point to Edison Elementary to serve as Intervention Specialist.

The District Office is located at 364 S. Park Street.
(509) 527-3000
www.wwps.org

An Intensive Weaving seminar, for children aged 9-12, draws on the expertise of Kirkman House Museum Textile Center member Susan Swayne and provides a thorough exploration of the process of weaving. Children will use individual pipe looms, allowing for an extended project outline taking the children from loom preparation to completed tapestry piece. This seminar runs July 8, 9, 15 and 16 from 9 am - 1 pm.

Younger children, aged 6-9, have three shorter classes from which to choose. A preliminary weaving tutorial in the Intro to Weaving course, they will design and create a “mug rug” and an individual sit-upon. The Handmade Ice Cream Social demonstrates to youngsters how, using the most basic ingredients, to make their own delicious summer snack. For the Beatrix Potter day, the children will explore and investigate all the outdoor elements that so intrigued the famous author and naturalist.

To register your child for any of the Hands on History classes, please visit www.ci.walla-walla.us <http://www.ci.walla-walla.us/> or call 509-527-5427. Space is limited, for a guaranteed spot please pre-register. On-site registration is possible, space permitting. Contact Greer G. Buchanan with any questions at 529-4373 or gbuchanan@kirkmanhousemuseum.org.

Daily Schedule
Session 1: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
• Incoming 9th-12th grade students

Session 2: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
• Incoming 6th-8th grade students

Session 3: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
• Incoming 9th-12th grade students

Instructors: Eric Hisaw, Amy Hisaw, Ryan Carter

Location: Wa-Hi Weight Room
Cost: $30 pre-registered and $35 at the door

Note: Students will need a medical release and a parent permission form. Both forms are available at the Wa-Hi Athletic Office, or at the gym during the program. (PHYSICALS ARE NOT REQUIRED)

Payment:
Make checks payable to Wa-Hi Athletics
Mail to: Wa-Hi Athletics, c/o Eric Hisaw - 800 Abbott Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362