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Walla Walla High School athletic cancellations tonight and tomorrow
The following contests have been canceled tonight, Friday, January 8, 2010, because of forecasted poor road conditions:
- Wa-Hi Boys’ Basketball at Eisenhower tonight - 1/8/10 (away game)
- Wa-Hi Girls’ Basketball vs. Eisenhower at Walla Walla tonight - 1/8/10 (home game)
- Wa-Hi Wrestling at Naches - Saturday 1/9/10
The status of the basketball games with Hanford scheduled for tomorrow evening (1/9/10) have not been determined at this time. The decision on these games will be made Saturday morning, according to Athletic Director Don Wilkins.
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Walla Walla educators earn national teaching certificates
Congratulations to Walla Walla educators Brenda Kirk of Blue Ridge, Wes Sanders from Green Park and Kris Duncan, Scott Tibbling and Marc Yonts from Walla Walla High School for recently earning their National Board Teaching Certificates.The recipients will be recognized by the administration and school board Tuesday, January 19.
National Board Certification
• Strengthens practice. Research shows candidates demonstrate significant improvement in their teaching practice. Teachers who achieve certification have been assessed against the nation’s highest advanced teaching standards.
• Helps students succeed. Research documents that students taught by NBCTs make higher gains on achievement tests than students taught by non-NBCTs.
• Demonstrates leadership skills. In a 2007 study, 80 percent of NBCTs say other educators look to them for leadership, mentoring and coaching.
• Helps expand influence and expertise. Research reports that many NBCTs positively impact curricular decisions, chair departments and serve as faculty voices to policymakers and other stakeholders.
• Advances careers. Certification provides routes for NBCTs to advance as master teachers, school leaders and mentors without leaving the classroom.
• Provides portability. Many states recognize National Board Certification as sufficient proof for state licensure, allowing movement from state to state.
• Offers higher salary potential. Many states and hundreds of local districts offer salary incentives for teachers who certify.
• Enhances education. Certification contributes to Continuing Education Units. Many higher-education institutions give NBCTs graduate credits for completing National Board Certification.
• Meets most states’ definition of “highly qualified teacher” under NCLB.
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Holiday Food Drive brings in tons of food to support local BMAC Food Bank
The shelves at the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank received a much needed boost thanks to the Walla Walla Public Schools Holiday Food Drive.
The effort netted more than 13,000 pounds of food and approximately $1000. Collection bins were placed at each district school, the district office, Walla Walla General Hospital, Kid’s Place and at district holiday music concerts.
“I cannot believe how well the kids did. The teachers and staff need to be commended for their strategy in getting the kids to bring in that many pounds,” Gail McGhee, BMAC Food Bank.
This year’s big hit was the “Fill the School Bus” event at area grocery stores. School buses decorated with student-made signs were parked at Albertsons, both Safeway locations, Super 1 Foods and Loney’s Harvest Foods Saturday, December 5. Staff, students and parents volunteered their time collecting food items and promoting the event.
Students greeted shoppers at the store entrances and encouraged them to support the food drive. They made thank you stickers, passed out candy canes and helped load the food items on the school buses for delivery to the food bank. Volunteer school bus drivers then drove the school buses to the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank to unload the 5300 pounds of items.
Lincoln Alternative High School teacher Lori Finn and Green Park teacher Michelle Carpenter coordinated this year’s Holiday Food Drive.
District Food Drive Totals
Sharpstein Elementary: 1482 lbs
Berney Elementary: 1669 lbs
Edison Elementary: 633 lbs
Prospect Pt. Elementary: 570 lbs
W.W. General Hospital: 521 lbs
Blue Ridge Elementary: 489 lbs
Green Park Elementary: 551 lbs
Kid’s Place: 92 lbs
Pioneer Middle School: 246 lbs
Garrison Middle School: 621 lbs
Walla Walla High School: 1054 lbs
District Office: 89 lbs
Fill School Bus event: 5326 lbs
Cash approximately: $1,000
GRAND TOTAL: 13,343 POUNDS
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Volunteers needed to serve on Senior Project evaluation panels by Associate Principal Mira Gobel
The class of 2010 is preparing to present their Culminating Project (Senior Presentation) and I invite you to be a member of the evaluation panel. The senior students are creating PowerPoint presentations, professional binders, video productions, visual aids, and/or combinations of various modes of presentation.
Students will tell their inspirational stories by sharing their accomplishments in music, visual arts, academics, athletics, community involvements and/or challenges they had to overcome. We believe that this event is a celebration of our collective efforts and will provide each senior an opportunity to reflect on their past, present, and future.
The presentations dates are February 22 & 23, and March 22 & 23, from 3:30 - 7:30 each day. Some of you have volunteered in the past and found this event to be an amazing experience. If you are interested in being a panel member, please contact, Mira Gobel at mkgobel@wwps.org to receive further information.
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KEPR TV to feature Blue Ridge anti-bullying program
Today KEPR TV visited Walla Walla to do a story on the district’s Bullying Prevention program facilitated by Mark Thompson. Thompson worked with 4th and 5th grade students from Blue Ridge Elementary on definitions related to bullying and harassment and why it’s important to be respectful and model civility.
Students participated in fun table activities during the program which challenges them to learn more about their classmates and themselves. This is the second year Thompson has organized student activities to address bullying and harassment as a part of the Safe and Civil Schools program. The story is expected to air on KEPR TV tonight at 5 and 6 p.m.
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Walla Walla County Health Department to offer H1N1 vaccinations at district schools
All students who wish to receive a free H1N1 vaccination at district schools must have a completed Walla Walla County Health Department parent consent form. These vaccinations are strictly voluntary. There will be activated nasal and inactive injections available based on the individual’s needs. Parent consent forms and vaccine information statements (VIS) are being sent home in English and Spanish before the scheduled school clinic dates (see schedule below). Vaccination forms and information on the vaccine are also available on the district website -- Health Services page at: http://www.wwps.org/support/healthservices/default.htm.
The Walla Walla County Health Department will also vaccinate staff for free during the school clinics for those who wish to receive them. Staff will also need completed consent and VIS forms. All former restrictions for receiving the H1N1 vaccinations have been lifted due to additional availability of the vaccine. For more information, contact Health Services Director Jennifer Douglas at 526.8507.
School Vaccination Schedule
Berney Elementary (includes Homelink students)
January 15
Blue Ridge Elementary (includes Head Start/ECEAP students)
January 13
Edison Elementary
January 22
Green Park Elementary
January 14
Prospect Point Elementary
January 21
Sharpstein Elementary
January 20
Garrison Middle School
January 28
Pioneer Middle School
January 25
Lincoln Alternative High School
TBD (per Lincoln Health Center Schedule)
Walla Walla High School
January 29
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Winston named WIAA male athlete of the week
Walla Walla High School senior basketball player Gary Winston was chosen as the WIAA/Seattle Times state 4A male athlete of the week for his performance in the three day North Idaho Invitational Basketball Tournament last week in Coeur d’Alene. Winston scored 40 points in the first game, 19 in the second and 43 in the third as the Blue Devils recorded two wins in the three games. Winston has accepted a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Idaho.
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The Moms’ Network establishes Family Resource Center
On February 1, The Moms’ Network will be providing Walla Walla with a Resource Center. The Center will provide all the essential material, flyers and brochures for resources available to families in our Valley.
The Resource Center will be located inside Book & Game located at the corner of 1st & Main in downtown Walla Walla. The Resource Center will be available 7 days a week. TMN will be responsible for stocking the material and upkeep of the Center. The Moms’ Network website provides an online resource center at www.themomsnetworkww.com. The website is currently averaging 10,000 hits per month.
If you would like your organization’s information at the Center and the website, please contact Beth Swanson at beth@themomsnetworkww.com. All organizations will need to fill out an information sheet. Brochures can then be dropped off at Book & Game by January 29. If you provide a service to families but do not have the means to provide a brochure, please contact Beth Swanson.
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Walla Walla High School Varsity Sports Highlights
Girls Basketball vs. Eisenhower (CANCELED!)
Friday, Jan. 8th
7:30 p.m.
Wa-Hi Gym
Boys Basketball vs. Eisenhower (CANCELED!)
Friday, Jan. 8th
7:30 p.m.
Location: Eisenhower HS
Boys Swimming
Kentridge Invite
January 8th & 9th
Location: Federal Way Aquatic Center
Boys Basketball vs. Hanford
Saturday, Jan.9th
7:30 p.m.
Wa-Hi Gym
Girls Basketball vs. Hanford
Saturday, Jan. 9th
7:30 p.m.
Location: Hanford HS
Wrestling (CANCELED!)
Naches Invite
Saturday, Jan. 9th
10:00 a.m.
Location: Naches HS
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Classroom Close-Up features Blue Ridge teacher
This week Blue Ridge Elementary Physical Education teacher Sue Hansen 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 public service announcement radio spot featuring Hansen is now playing on regional stations.
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