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District superintendent semi-finalist candidate interviews Saturday
Tuesday night Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors named six semi-finalists to compete for the open superintendent position. The semi-finalist candidates have been invited to participate in one hour interviews, Saturday, March 13 at the district office board room (364 S. Park St.). These interviews are open to the public. Interviews are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Semi-finalist Candidate Interview Schedule
8:55 a.m. - School Board calls special meeting to order for the purpose of conducting semi-finalist interviews
9 - 10 a.m. - Bob Kuehl, Assistant Superintendent, Tumwater School District, Tumwater, WA
10:15 – 11:15 a.m. - Dan Winter, Superintendent, Pioneer School District, Shelton, WA
11:30 – 12:30 p.m. - Becky Imler, Superintendent, Wapato School District, Wapato, WA
12:45 – 1:25 p.m. - Lunch Break (Mill Creek Room – lunch provided for panel members & school board)
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. - Mick Miller, Superintendent, Deer Park School District, Deer Park, WA
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. - John Steach, Assistant Superintendent, Richland School District, Richland, WA
4 – 5 p.m. - Rom Castilleja, Superintendent, Kiona-Benton School District, Benton City, WA
5:15 p.m. - School Board recesses to executive session - Superintendent’s Conference Room
7:15 p.m. - School Board reconvenes special meeting to select three finalists – Board Room
Walla Walla School Board Meeting & Executive Session - Saturday, March 13, 2010
- Special Meeting - 8:55 a.m. (Board Room)
- Executive Session - 5:15 p.m. (Superintendent’s Conference Room)
The Walla Walla School Board has scheduled a special meeting at 8:55 a.m., Saturday, March 13, in the board room of the school district administration building. The purpose of the special meeting is to conduct interviews of semi-finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools.
At approximately 5:15 p.m. the special meeting will be recessed to an executive session for the board’s review of the semi-finalist interviews. Any decision or action regarding the discussion will be made in an open public meeting. The executive session is expected to conclude by 7:15 p.m. and the special board meeting will be immediately reconvened to discuss and select three 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.
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School board meeting Tuesday
- Tuesday, March 16
- 7:30 p.m.
- Board Room (364 S. Park Street)
- Meeting open to public
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Superintendent finalists interviews next week
- Walla Walla School Board Special Meeting & Executive Session
- Monday, March 15; Wednesday, March 17; and Thursday, March 18, 2010
The Walla Walla School Board has scheduled a special meeting at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 15, in the board room of the school district administration building. The special meeting will be immediately recessed to an executive session for the board’s review of the qualifications of an applicant for public employment.
The executive session will recess at approximately 8:30 p.m. and reconvene at the same location Wednesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m., recess at approximately 8:30 p.m. that evening and reconvene again in the Board Room on Thursday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. On each of those evenings, the school board will be interviewing one of the three finalists for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The final portion of the executive session is expected to conclude at 9:30 p.m., Thursday, March 18. Any decision or action regarding the discussion in the executive session will be made in an open public meeting. The special board meeting will be reconvened at 9:30 p.m. to discuss, select, and vote on the new 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.
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Superintendent finalists meet and greet public forums
Community members are encouraged to meet and greet the superintendent finalists March 15, 17 and 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the district office board room (364 S. Park St.). This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the candidates.
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Walla Walla High School assistant principal appointed to Garrison Middle School
Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Rich Carter announced he is appointing Walla Walla High School Assistant Principal Brett Cox to the Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal position for the 2010-2011 school year as part of the district’s administrative reorganization plan to trim costs in the wake of state funding cuts to public education.
Cox will replace current Garrison Middle School Assistant Principal Josh Wolcott, recently appointed to replace Edison Elementary Principal Nancy Withycombe who is retiring at the end of this school year.
“I look forward to bringing my eight years of administrative experience back to the middle school as this is where I started my administrative career,” Cox said. “I enjoy working with this age group of students and my Spanish speaking skills will be another asset I bring to the school.”
Cox has served as the assistant principal at Walla Walla High School for four years. Previous to his time in Walla Walla , Cox was assistant principal at Oakland Bay Junior High in Shelton , WA . He was also a classroom teacher in Bethel School District where he taught material science and residential construction. Cox is married to Julie, a Spanish teacher in the Touchet School District . They have two boys, Xavier (4) and Cedric (2). Cox enjoys fishing, spending time with his family and traveling.
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Walla Walla High School student earns regional art award
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School student Bryson Mooso for being recognized for his artwork by Education Service District 123. Mooso will receive his award at an Education Service District 123 ceremony Wednesday, March 17
Honorable Mention Award winners are:
- Bryson Mooso: “The Chess Set” Media Technology and Animation “3D Space”
- Bryson Mooso “Bugatti Veyron” Media Technology and Animation “3D Space”
“Bryson has been an exceptional student and plans to make 3D animation and modeling his career direction,” said teacher Dennis DeBroeck, Media Technology and Animation.
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Walla Walla High School to host regional vocal contest
Walla Walla High School is hosting the Columbia Basin Music Educators Vocal Solo-Ensemble Contest on Saturday, March 20. Hundreds of singers from Walla Walla to Othello will be participating, according to Norb Rossi, Director of Choral Program.
“Each entry will be adjudicated by a clinician and given valuable feedback,” Rossi said. “Some entries will be selected to perform at the State Music Solo-Ensemble Contest in April. There are over 60 entries from WWHS who have been coached by me and several area private vocal instructors.”
The contest is being held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is free to the public.
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Homelink student to participate in state geography bee
Jacob Leinweber, an 8th grade Homelink student, will compete in the state level Geography Bee at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma April 9. Leinweber won Homelink’s oral geography contest in January and went on to take the written qualifying test of 75 multiple choice questions to earn his spot in the state competition. One winner from each state will advance to the national competition May 25-26 at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington D.C. Jacob is the son of Chad and Heidi Leinweber.
Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geography Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge. Learn more about the competition online at: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/
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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 their 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.
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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
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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.
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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!”
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Homelink students design props for Walla Walla Kids Read
Homelink students in Vicki Shafer’s middle school art class recently designed and created props for the Walla Walla Kids Read program scheduled for next week at Cordiner Hall. Berney Librarian Michelle Shaul, who is also the event’s coordinator and community liaison for Walla Walla Kids Read, helped get the project launched. Shaul approached Shafer to see if her students were interested in helping out. Shafer agreed and the project came to life.
Homelink students looked through the book about students who solve art theft mysteries to get ideas for making the life-size props. Students made card board cut-outs of characters and designed clues to help bring the books to life for the elementary students who will learn more about the stories from the authors next week.
“The students did a great job and really showed off their skills,” Shafer said. “They are a talented group of students and I’m proud of their efforts.”
Homelink student Shelby Gordon said it makes her feel good to do a project to help younger children.
“The props will help the students be more a part of the story,” Gordon said. “It will be neat to see our work on the stage for everyone else to see.”
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District students to showcase talents in Walla Walla Dance Company’s: The Windy Wizard of Walla Walla
Written and produced by dance instructor Nancy Wells, The Windy Wizard of Walla Walla is a futuristic fantasy full of whimsy, charm and talented children. In a new world of technology and industry, there are no longer seasons.
The show features more than 150 students, including several from Walla Walla Public Schools. The art department at Walla Walla High School, under the leadership of teacher Julie Laufenburg, is creating some of the sets for the production according to Karen Binder, who is serving as the show’s marketing director. Binder is the mother of Prospect Point student Rachelle Binder. Wells is the former Walla Walla High School Dance Team coach who has led the school to multiple state championships in recent years.
Show Highlights
Farms are a thing of the past and the only sign of nature is on a computer screen. A small group of curious children Techtown follow a little light that leads them to the Wizard. An outcast for his nonconformity, he lives in his own Walla Walla world surrounded by windmills and the only surviving flowers. He has the capabilities to create his own energy and gusts of wind are protection from his long lost evil brother “Headtech” the Mayor of Techtown.
The children want to find Mother Nature and the Wizard is just the one they need to take them on their quest. They will travel through ice, snow, wind and rain to the magical forests until they find her. The sun will finally shine and the kids will grow gardens to bring Mother Nature back to stay. The children invited everyone to the garden where peace, harmony, and happiness prevail.
“There will be three-year-olds as sprouts, little flowers, farm crops, and a parade of birds, bugs, and animals,” Binder said.
Show Information:
The Windy Wizard of Walla Walla
Presented at Cordiner Hall (Whitman College)
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 7:30
Karen Binder: klbinder2001@yahoo.com
Tickets will be available March 3 at Earthlight books.
Reserved Seating - $15
General Admission - $12
Seniors/Students - $10
Some of the 150 students involved, according to Binder are:
Marisa McBride from Sharpstein
Rachelle Binder - Prospect Point
Aanika Swant - Prospect Point
Taylor Kontos - Prospect Point
Allison Shrouf -Walla Walla High School
Sophie Jenes - Prospect Point
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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
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