Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - March 5, 2010

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District reorganizes administrative positions to reduce costs in light of state budget cuts
Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Rich Carter announced during the March 2 school board meeting the district is reorganizing its administrative team to cut costs in the wake of state funding cuts to public education.

Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal Josh Wolcott has been appointed to replace Edison Elementary Principal Nancy Withycombe next year as a result of her retirement plans at the end of the 2009-2010 school year.
The Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal position will be filled internally at a later date to reduce an additional district administrative position.

The district’s Technology Director’s duties will be reorganized with existing central office administrative staff taking on additional responsibilities. The reorganization will result in the elimination of one district office administrative position. District Technology Director Janis Barton will be reassigned next year to an open position in the district.
Facilities Support Director Dan Johnson will assume the duties of current Plant Facilities Director Lowell Schneider next school year.

Schneider announced earlier this school year his plans to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year. Johnson will assume Schneider’s responsibilities as well as his current duties as these two support divisions are reorganized into one department. In all, the administrative reorganization plan will eliminate three administrative positions netting a 7.5 percent administrative cut.

“These are tough economic times for our nation and our public schools are feeling the pinch,” Superintendent Rich Carter said. “We are taking the necessary steps to balance our budget with less revenue by keeping the reductions as far from the classroom as possible. Our administrative team consists of highly skilled professionals who are committed to doing the work with less people.”

Carter said this is just the first step of the district’s 2010-2011 budget savings plan. He said the district is planning for more reductions pending the outcome of the state legislative session.
Last year the district reduced $3.5 million from its basic education budget and is anticipating cutting another $1.5 million for 2010-2011.

“The house, senate and governor’s budgets all call for reductions to public education,” Carter said. “We must be fiscally responsible and adjust our general fund budget to be in alignment with state revenue funds. Our goal again this year will be to maintain current class size numbers, sustain students programs and protect the jobs of our permanent employees.”

Wolcott is in his third year as assistant principal at Garrison Middle School. He has previous experience as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Post Falls , ID School District. Wolcott also heads the district’s Interagency Truancy Committee. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Idaho .

Superintendent Carter said the district will continue to make technology a priority in the district. Technology planning and development will continue to move forward under the district’s reorganization plan.

“Staff and classroom support remains a top priority as we strive to find more ways to integrate technology into classroom instruction in support of learning,” Carter said. “Our technology standards will remain high and the access to this technology will be vast.”

Changes as a result of the district’s administrative reorganization plan will not take effect until the end of the 2009-2010 school year.


School Board meetings scheduled Tuesday to review superintendent candidates
- Tuesday, March 9, 2010
- Special Meeting – 5:00 p.m.
- Executive Session – 5:01 p.m.

The Walla Walla School Board has scheduled a special meeting at 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 9. The special meeting will immediately recess to an executive session for the board’s review of the qualifications of an applicant for public employment; discussion to identify semi-finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

Any decision or action regarding the discussion will be made in an open public meeting. The executive session is expected to conclude at approximately 7:30 p.m. The special board meeting will be reconvened at approximately 7:35 p.m. to discuss and select semi-finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

The special meeting will be in the District Board Room at 364 South Park Street and is open to the public; the executive session will be held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room at 364 S. Park and is not open to the public.


Personnel Report (from 3/2/10 school board meeting)
• Employment
(Classified) Olga Tkachev, Para-Educator (temporary), Pioneer
Sylvia Neil, Food Service Assistant, Lincoln Alternative HS
Jose Villalobos, Para-Educator (temporary), Berney

• Resignations/Retirements
(Certificated) Claudia Ford, Third Grade, Berney Elementary, 39 years
Kellie Humbert, ESL Teacher, Edison, 2 years
• Kellie was on a leave of absence for the 2009-10 school year
Genie Huntemann, Fifth Grade, Edison, 10 years
Becky Rausch, Learning Specialist, Prospect Point, 27 years
• Becky was on a leave of absence for the 2009-10 school year
(Classified) Heather Davidson, Bus Driver, Transportation, 1 year
Traci Munns, Transportation Coordinator, 14 years
Jon Carle, Bus Driver, Bus Driver, 2 years

• Leave of Absence
(Certificated) Richelle Palmer, Title I, Blue Ridge, 6 years (requesting a .5 FTE leave to serve as WWVEA President)
Anne Swant, Math Teacher, Wa-Hi, 18 years (requesting a leave to serve as a secondary math coach)

Staff Transfer
Magdalena Gutierrez is transferring from Blue Ridge Preschool as a family advocate to Green Park Elementary as their Assistant Secretary.


Classified Employee Week - March 8-12
Tuesday night School Board President Cindy Meyer honored the district’s support staff as part of Classified Employees Week - March 8 to 12. Meyer read a proclamation from Governor Gregoire officially recognizing this week across the state.

She said each one of the district’s classified employees play a key role in supporting teaching and learning. She thanked PSE employees for their dedication and professionalism.
A decade of energy savings adds up
District Energy Manager John Butenhoff reported Tuesday night during his annual presentation to the school board the district saved more than $300,000 in energy costs in 2008-09. This brings the district’s total savings since the program began 10 years ago to nearly $3 million dollars. Buttenhoff said he is proud to be part of a program which helps the district save precious district dollars for use in educational programs. Learn more about the district’s Energy Management program online at: http://www.wwps.org/support/energy_management.htm
Picture Lady supports school art program
Picture Lady Coordinator Augusta Farnum reported to school board members Tuesday night on this volunteer led program which offers art opportunities to district second grade students. Now in it’s 34th year, Picture Lady boasts 32 volunteers supporting all six district elementary schools. She encouraged the school board to support the Picture Lady program and make art a priority in district schools.

New brochure highlights Walla Walla High School Advanced Placement courses
Walla Walla High School teachers in the school’s advanced placement program have created a brochure detailing the Advanced Placement courses available to students next school year. Wa-Hi features the following Advanced Placement Courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP English Language and Composition , AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Studio Art/2-D Design,. AP United States Government and Politics, AP United States History. Copies of the brochures are available at Wa-Hi and will soon be posted on the Walla Walla High School website.
Wa-Hi Boys and Girls Golf Teams Fundraiser Scramble
- Help raise money for the Walla Walla High School golf program
- Come play with a Wa-Hi golf team member or a golf team alumni
- Prizes, longest drive competition and more!

Date: Friday, March 26
Location: Walla Walla Country Club
Time: 12 noon
Cost: $50 entry fee per player (additional $40 greens fee for non-WWCC members)
Information: Contact Terri Hanson at 509.520.3063 or the WWCC Pro Shop at 509.525.1562.


American Association of University Women State Convention comes to Walla Walla Community College
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) State Convention is April 16-18 on the Walla Walla Community College campus. The theme is Washington Women: From Suffrage to Success. A full description of the convention, including registration materials can be found at www.aauw-wa.org. Pre-registration is required, however, the STEM panel on Sunday morning is open to the public.
For local inquiries, please contact Alice MacDonald amacd@charter.net or Darcy Henry at jchenryinc@charter.net

American Association of University Women is accepting applications for AAUW Scholarships
The program provides assistance to women who have completed at least one year of college and want to finish their undergraduate or post-graduate education. To qualify, there must be a break of at least one year at some time during the college education process.

Past academic performance, demonstrated community commitment and financial need of the applicants will be considered in making the awards. Applicants must be residents of Walla Walla, Columbia, or Umatilla Counties. The application is available on the AAUW Website at www.aauw-wallawalla.org or by calling Alicia Quackenbush at 529-7807. Applications are due April 16.

Kindergarten and Open Enrollment Registration period is Monday, March 15 to Friday, March 26
Kindergarten registration will be conducted at the students attendance area elementary school. Parents wishing to pick up the kindergarten registration information may do so at your child’s school beginning March 8. However, the completed registration forms will not be accepted until March 15.

New Student Registration Hours:
Monday, March 15, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 16 - March 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Parents/guardians who wish to open enroll their child to a school outside of their attendance area may pick up open enrollment application forms at their attendance area school during normal business hours beginning March 8; however, forms will not be accepted in the receiving school until Monday, March 15.

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

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.



Walla Walla High School Drama Department Presents “The Wizard of Oz” musical version

This show is the musical version with all of your favorite songs!
Show dates: May 6, 7, 8, 13,14 and 15
Shows times: 7 p.m. (special 2 p.m. matinees are on Saturday March 8 and 15
Location: Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Auditorium
Ticket Prices: $6 dollars for students and $12 for adults.
Tickets sales: Tickets go on sale in April and can be reserved by calling (509) 526-8613, the Wa-Hi Box office

Comments from Director Brian Senter: “This is a great show, and with an added twist of excitement this will mark the first time that Wa-Hi actors will fly on stage! Flying by Foy, out of Las Vegas will be in town to rig and fly the actors. Don’t miss Glinda’s bubble and those scary flying monkeys, not to mention the Wicked Witch of the West. This is a classic with a wonderful story and beautiful singing! Fun for the whole family!”

Classroom Close-Up features Prospect Point music teacher
This week Prospect Point music teacher Denise Hurst 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 Hurst is now playing on regional stations.


Walla Walla Kids Read to host nationally known authors Judy Schachner and Blue Balliet
Walla Walla Kids Read will host two nationally known authors for its 2010 program. This year’s line up is expected to entertain and educate thousands of local students at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus. Dates for the event, designed for schools and open to the public, are March 15 and 16, 2010.

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 for the six Walla Walla elementary schools. Districts outside of Walla Walla are invited to participate at no cost, but will be required to cover the cost of transportation.
Details about times, events, books, authors, and classroom activities are available at www.wallawallakidsread.com.

About this years authors
JUDY SCHACHNER - Kindergarten through 2nd grade
Judy Schachner is the writer and illustrator of the perennially popular Skippy Jon Jones series, along with many other award winning books for young children. Schachner is a wonderfully humorous and educational speaker. Expect lots of laughs, lots of fun things to look at, and an inspiring time for all.
Find activities, videos, and a lot more about Judy Schachner at www.skippyjonjones.com

BLUE BALLIET - 3rd grade through 5th grade
Blue Balliett is the popular author of three award winning mysteries for middle grade readers: Chasing Vermeer, The Calder Game, and The Wright 3. Chasing Vermeer, a New York Times Notable Book, earned the Edgar Award, the Agatha Award, the American Booksellers Associations Book Sense Book of the Year Award, The Great Lakes Book Award, and the Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult Fiction. The Wright 3, a USA Today bestseller, received a Childs Magazine Best Children’s Book Award and the Chicago Public Library Foundations 21st Century Award, the first time the award was given to a children’s book writer. The Calder Game won the Juvenile Literary Prize from the Friends of American Writers. Warner Brothers has acquired the film rights to Chasing Vermeer. Find activities, videos, and a lot more about Blue Balliett at www.scholastic.com/blueballiett

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, including school busing, author fees, and facility use, are funded by WWKR.
Contact the Walla Walla Kids Read Team
Chair - Patrick Carman
patrick@patrickcarman.com
School Liaison, Educational Resources - Michelle Shaul, Green Park Elementary Librarian
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 School
mlambert@wwps.org
Author Liaison - Squire Broel, Artist
broelsa@my180.net


Graduates of Distinction nominations now accepted
Nominations are open for the 2010 Graduates of Distinction Program. All nominations and recommendation forms must be received in the district Curriculum Department by April 15, 2010.

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.

2009 Graduates of Distinction
Dr. Philip Phillips - Class of 1975
Greg Ralston Pepin - Class of 1968
Daniel DeSiga - Class of 1967
R. F. Dick Monahan - Class of 1958

Nomination forms are available at the district office, 364 South Park Street, or on the district website: www.wwps.org/news/grad_distinction.htm. Please call Kay Schisler, 526-6735, for more information.


Singer Songwriter Monte Selby featured attraction at Prospect Point ice cream social
- Prospect Point PTA “Scoop It Up” Ice Cream social
- Free for all students and their families
- Wednesday, March 10
- 6 to 8 p.m.

- Entertainment: Singer Songwriter Monte Selby will be performing during the evening from approximately 6:45 -7:45 p.m. Monte is a critically acclaimed songwriter and recording artist with over one hundred published songs. His songs for children, parents, and educators are comical and insightful, and draw from his experiences as a teacher, principal, and professor. Monte is scheduled to work with Prospect Point 3-5 grade students during the morning of March 10 to write a chorus and two verses of a song which will be performed in an afternoon assembly for the K-2 students.