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First day of school - Tuesday, August 25
Walla Walla Public Schools Back-to-School Information is available on the district website: www.wwps.org. School hours, calendars, staff directories, registration procedures and much more information is located online. For more information, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins.
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Board approves 2009-2010 budget
School board members Tuesday, August 18 approved the district’s 2009-2010 Annual Budget -- which includes the $60,418,755 General Fund. Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston reviewed highlights of the budget prior to recommending to school board members they approve the document which has been discussed at several budget sessions and during a preliminary board work session prior to approval at Tuesday night’s meeting.
District administrators, with the input and assistance of staff, worked as a team this school year to develop a $3.5 million Budget Savings Plan to address state revenue cuts as a result of the economic recession.
Reduction strategies included numerous internal personnel shifts, service adjustments and cost cutting efforts in supplies, equipment purchases and contractual services. Johnston said the district will maintain a nearly 6 percent undesignated fund balance to use as a reserve to protect against future state revenue losses. Johnston said it makes sense to build in a cushion in these uncertain economic times. The school board mandates at 3 to 5 percent undesignated fund balance reserve.
2009-2010 Budget Basics
• General Fund: $60,418,755
• Budget Enrollment Projections: 5,800 FTE (up 100 students from last year)
• District Fiscal Year: September 1 to August 31
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District breaks ground on Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative
This week the district broke ground on the Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative. The facility is located at 1207 Entley Street near Koncrete Industries. It is scheduled to be completed by June 2010.
The Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative offers discounted school bus maintenance and repair service to cooperative members — Prescott, Dixie, ESD 123. The district has developed a forward thinking state match funding plan to provide the community an $8 million project without asking for additional local tax dollars.
Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors named T.W. Clark Construction to serve as general contractor and 11 Walla Walla construction firms have been hired to provide various construction services.
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Back-to-School Immunizations Clinic Friday, August 21
All students entering or attending preschool through 12th grade are required to have a complete Washington Certificate of Immunization status on record with their school.
All students must be immunized against disease or have a medical or religious exemption on file at school.
The Walla Walla County Health Department is having a back to school immunization clinic Friday, August 21 from 10 am to 6 pm. Please take advantage of this opportunity to ensure your child has the immunizations they need to attend school.
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Douglas BSN, RN
Director of Health Services
Walla Walla Public Schools
421 S. 4th Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.526.8507 * telephone
509-526-8508 * Fax
509-520-0361 Department cell
509-520-4844 * cell
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All Staff Back-to-School meeting Monday, August 24
Date: Monday, August 24
Time: 7:15-8:00 a.m. (Breakfast Refreshments)
8:00 a.m. (All Staff Meeting begins)
Location: Wa-Hi Main Gym
Agenda Highlights
- District update
- New staff introductions
- Class of 2009 Graduate Claudia Vargas
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Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers to present Capitol Building flag to fly at new Edison Elementary
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers is presenting Edison Elementary School with an American flag to fly at the new school during a ceremony Thursday, August 27 at 8:30 a.m. The flag was used at the United States Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Local Boy Scouts, directed by Bill Musick, will lead the flag raising ceremony. McMorris Rodgers represents the state’s 5th district.
Event Quick Facts
- Event: Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to present American flag that was used at U.S. Capitol Building to Edison Elementary
- Location: Edison Elementary (1315 E. Alder – 509.527.3072)
- Date: Thursday, August 27
- Time: 8:30 a.m.
- Event Coordinator: Principal Nancy Withycombe (Cell – 509.520.5345)
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Student work on display at Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days - September 2-6
Be sure to stop by the Education Building at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days September 2-6. District Education Building coordinator Amy Reed says visitors will see student artwork and class projects from schools throughout the Walla Walla Valley. Walla Walla Public Schools will feature technology projects and have a staffed information station for school materials and information.
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Public input sought on Safe and Drug Free Schools grant funds
Walla Walla Public Schools, in collaboration with ESD 123, is in the process of applying for Safe and Drug Free Schools funds for the 2009-2010 school year. We invite you to provide input into this application in order to help us provide safe and drug free schools. Please contact Walla Walla Public Schools Communications Director Mark Higgins at (509) 526-6716 or Diane Shepherd, Prevention Center Director at ESD 123, 509-544-5761 to share your thoughts on how these funds should be used.
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District launches new Berney and Edison Elementary school web sites
Berney and Edison Elementary Schools have new web sites to start the 2009-2010 school year. The sites have been completely rebuilt. School information, events calendars, staff directories and PTA pages are just a few of the features on the new sites. The district is in the process of developing new web sites for Lincoln Alternative High School, Sharpstein and Blue Ridge Elementary Schools. These new sites are expected to launch later this fall.
- Edison web site address: www.edisonshockers.org
- Berney web site address: www.berneyelementary.org
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Wa-Hi sports schedules available
Wa-Hi pocket sports schedules are now available at district schools, the district office (364 S. Park St.) and area business locations. Online sports schedules are also on the Wa-Hi website (www.wahibluedevils.org) and the district office website (www.www.org). Thanks to McDonald Zaring Insurance for sponsoring the pocket Sports Schedule.
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Blue Devil football on KTEL 1490 AM
Don’t miss an exciting down of Blue Devil football this season on KTEL 1490 AM. The first game of the season is Friday, September 4 at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla at 7:30 p.m. as the Blue Devils take on Hermiston. Wa-Hi teacher Scott Reardon will be calling all the play-by-play action. Tune to 1490 AM for all the Blue Devil football games.
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Chamber Singers retreat helps build unity
This week Walla Walla High School’s award winning singing group the Chamber Singers spent two days at the Westminster Woods Camp at Meacham, OR. The camp is located on Cabbage Hill near Dead Man’s Pass.
Chamber Singers spent two days working on team-building exercises and activities, singing, and having fun together, according to Choral Director Norb Rossi. Each section of the choir had to plan a meal, shop and cook for the rest of the group.
“We also have the “Unmusical Talent Show” in the evening,” Rossi said. “Each member must display a talent or skill that they possess for the group. It is a very funny experience. It is amazing to see what our members are involved in!”
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Class of 2010 Graduation Toolkit available online
A new resource to help educators and families understand state graduation requirements is now available online. The toolkit will be periodically updated with new materials.
Graduation toolkit: http://www.k12.wa.us/graduationrequirements/GraduationToolkit.aspx
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District staff receive TL21 Grants - Teaching & Learning in the 21st Century
Of the 11 Walla Walla Public Schools applicants for the Teaching & Learning in the 21st Century grant, six have been awarded the competitive TL21 grant - Teaching & Learning in the 21st Century. The field of winning applicants represent 70 districts and 152 schools across all nine Educational Service Districts. This is the first cadre of TL21 trainees. This new grant program is made possible in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
Grant recipients:
Kristen Harvey, Garrison
Jean Tobin, Green Park
Paula Michelle Carpenter, Green Park
Erica Wauchek, Lincoln Alternative High School
Kami Kuhlmann, Prospect Point Elementary
Anne Swant, Walla Walla High School
Each $7,600 award funds 62 hours of professional development during the 2009-2010 school year, travel, substitute teachers, and hardware and software for participating classrooms. Grant recipients will receive $3,500 in the 2010-2011 school year for more training and classroom equipment.
This grant focuses on instructional tools that promote:
1. Teacher facilitation of large group learning activities using electronic boards with projectors, document cameras, classroom performance systems, electronic slates, and more.
2. Student use of technology to increase productivity and enhance learning.
3. Integration with: desktops, laptops, PDAs, as well as sound field systems that improve students’ ability to hear instruction.
4. A 21st Century learning environment to support:
Curriculum objectives:
- Collaboration between and among students and teachers
- Flexibility of instruction
- Feedback from students
- Integrated online resources
- Extension of curriculum content
- Engaging students in active learning
When the grant funds are made available and teachers participate in training to support their use of the new technologies in the classrooms, installations will take place throughout the 2009-2010 school year.
“As the Technology Director for Walla Walla Public Schools, I look forward to this opportunity for the additional
enhanced technology and associated staff development which are part of the TL21 grant.” said Janis M. Barton, Walla Walla Public Schools Director Technology, Telecommunications & A-V Services.
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Kindergarten Start Up Schedule for Fall 2009
August 25 and 26 - Individual Conferences (parents will be notified by schools regarding individual appointments)
August 27 - Half of the class (Group A) meets for ½ day
August 28 - Other half of the class (Group B) meets for ½ day
August 31 - Group A attends the full day
September 1 - Group B attends the full day
September 2 - All students attend the full day (Note: Early Release)
* Bus service for eligible kindergarten students is scheduled to begin on August 31.
For more information, contact your child’s school beginning the week of August 17.
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2009-2010 No School Days
Kids Day at Fair - Sept. 4
Labor Day - Sept. 7
Learning Improvement Day - Sept. 18
Veterans Day - Nov. 11
Fall Conferences - Nov. 23 & 24
Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 25-27
Winter Break - Dec. 21- Jan. 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Jan. 18
Presidents Day - Feb. 15
Spring Conferences - March 4 & 5
Spring Vacation - March 29 - Apr. 2
No School Day - May 7
Memorial Day - May 31
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School bus routes posted online
Visit the district’s Transportation Department to review district school bus routes. Online Bus Routes: http://www.wwps.org/support/transportation/busroutes.htm
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Walla Walla High Class Fees for 2009-2010
- Art Classes: $20.00 per Semester
- Pottery Classes: $25.00 per Semester
- Floriculture: $20.00 Year
- Photography: $40.00 per Semester
- Band: $15.00 – Uniform, Drum Sticks,etc, $10.00 – T-Shirt
- Choral Groups: $15.00 – Robe Fee
- Woods: $12.00
- Metal Fabrication: $10.00
- Auto Tech: $6.00
Other Wa-Hi fees:
- ASB Membership: $25.00 (Required for participation in sports, choral/band groups, student government, and clubs, AND admission to home games (regular season) football/volleyball/wrestling, girls & boys basketball
- Parking Permit: $5.00
- Sports Fees: $30.00 per sport
- Yearbook 2010: $55.00 to Oct. 31, 2009 / $60.00 One week January (The school is not ordering many extras this year. Yearbooks purchased at the end of the year will be more expensive) Order Yearbooks online: jostensyearbooks.com
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