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School Board meeting Tuesday, May 18
Tuesday, May 18
7:30 p.m.
District Office School Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
Meeting open to the public
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District plans Partners in Learning recognition event
Walla Walla Public Schools has proclaimed May as Partners in Learning Month to raise awareness of the vital role businesses, agencies and individuals have in our school system. The district has organized a special Partners in Learning Month Recognition Tuesday, May 18 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the district board room.
The following district partners will be honored May 18 to acknowledge their significant contributions to Walla Walla Public Schools. Each year the district will feature additional partners.
- City of Walla Walla
- Mary Garner Esary Trust
- Blue Mountain Action Council
- Lincoln Health Center
- Walla Walla Kids Read
- Camp Fire USA - WW
- Providence St. Mary Medical Center
- Hepler’s Big Cheese Pizza
- Blue Mountain Dental Care
- Wa-Hi Latino Club
- Whitman College
- McDonald Zaring Insurance
- WWCC
- WSU GEAR UP
- School PTAs
- Walla Walla - Columbia School Retirees’ Association
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High school facility improvements at the top of needs list
Wednesday evening members of the Community Facilities Task Force, chaired by Dan Reid, met to review the draft 2009-2010 facilities report. The group thoroughly read and edited the report to accurately portray its recommendations. Improvements to Walla Walla High School and Lincoln High School are at the top of the priorities list. Reid is scheduled to present the completed report for consideration to school board members Tuesday, June 15. This report will be posted on the district’s website after it is presented to school board members.
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Pioneer Middle School student wins Girls Rock the House competition
Pioneer Middle School 8th grade student Elli Rassbauch was named the district winner of the Girls Rock the House initiative to get girls involved in politics. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers will host Rassbauch this summer in Washington DC.
Rassbauch will travel with her mother to Washington, DC in June. In addition to having one-on-one time with Representative McMorris Rodgers, she will meet all of the other women serving in congress. Rassbauch will attend a reception with the other district winners from around the country as part of the trip. Special thanks to parents Kathryn Southwick-Hess and Donna Wujek for organizing the local effort.
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Walla Walla High School student-athletes honored for academic achievement
Fifteen of the 18 Walla Walla High School spring sports teams were recognized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association for academic excellence. More than 400 athletes are participating on these teams.
“Our athletes are getting it done in the classroom as well as on the playing fields and courts,” District Athletic Director Don Wilkins said. “The success of these teams and athletes is a result of their hard work and dedication.”
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Police gang and drug officers warn district of increased activity
City of Walla Walla Police Detectives Saul Reyna and Chris Buttice reported to district administrators and members of the Safe and Civil Schools committee Tuesday they are seeing increased activity in our community. Reyna, who serves on the city’s gang unit, said gangs are recruiting members at earlier ages each year. He stressed the need to work collaboratively with the school district on these issues and said it is important for schools to consistently enforce discipline if they see gang activity. He said gang activity can be managed, but only if everyone works together and sends a message it will not be tolerated in Walla Walla.
Buttice said meth is on the decline in our area, but heroin and illegal use of prescription pills is on the rise. He said addiction to prescription opiate pills can trigger a heroin habit. He said gang involvement is directly linked to the sale of drugs in Walla Walla. Buttice also said a collaborative partnership with the school district is important to combating the use and sale of drugs in our community.
Safe and Civil Schools chair Mark Higgins also reported the district is one of the few in the state to meet all the requirements for emergency planning, drills and staff training. Committee members also heard from Laura Schilling on the Girls Council program to help at-risk girls receive support to make better choices. Mark Thompson reported on the district’s efforts to curb bullying, Liz Campeau reviewed the district’s Student Threat Program, Scott Brashear reviewed this year’s school drills report and Angie Gardea discussed the district’s plan to recover from a crisis. The group will resume meetings this fall.
Safe Schools Leadership Team
Mark Higgins, Chair
Scott Brashear and Matt Wood, Law Enforcement Specialists
Mark Thompson, Crisis Prevention Specialist
Kirk Jameson, Crisis Management Specialist
Matt Bona & Angie Gardea, Post-Crisis Recovery Specialist
Liz Campeau, Student Safety Assessment Team Chair
Safe Schools Committee members
Max Carrera, School Board
Gay Ernst & Abby Van Donge , WW County Emergency Management
Kevin Braman, WW City Police School Resource Officer
Harvey Crowder, Health Services Department
Angie Gardea – (GriefBusters/Health Services)
Michael Eggleston, WA State Patrol
Terry Heisey, WW City Police
Brad Morris, WW City Fire
Rocky Eastman, Fire District 4
Peggy Needham, Parent Involvement Specialist
Luke Waggoner, WW County Health Dept.
Norrie Gregoire, JJC
Laura Schilling, Girls Council
Rory Schilling, Child Protective Services
(*NOTE: All district administrators are also members of the Safe and Civil Schools Committee)
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Wa-Hi Softball team advances in district tournament
Thursday night the Walla Walla High School softball team defeated Pasco in district post-season competition and will advance to play Wenatchee tomorrow at 12 noon in Wenatchee. If they win, they play at 2 p.m. in the district title game. The team is undefeated on the season and ranked number one in the state. Regional play begins next week in Spokane. Visit the Athletics page on the Walla Walla High School website for more information.
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New Walla Walla High School football coach schedules “Meet the Coach” meeting
New Walla Walla High School Head Football Coach Matt Hamlin will be in the Wa-Hi gym at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15 to meet football players and their parents. He will provide information on spring football practices, summer camp and the plans for the future of Blue Devil Football. All high school athletes and incoming 9th graders for the 2010 season are encouraged to attend.
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Explorers Program open house showcases student projects
Thursday evening the district’s Elementary Explorer program hosted an Open House at the Sharpstein cafeteria. The third grade students completed a U.S. mapping project, fourth grade students presented geology projects and 5th grade students presented projects about the world’s biomes.
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Walla Walla High School student receives Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Year award
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School senior Emma Burgess for receiving Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Year Award this month. Youth of the Year Theme: “Inspired by the Power of Community Service.”
Emma Burgess is the daughter of Dana and Melinda Burgess. She has attended Walla Walla Public Schools from kindergarten through senior year. Currently a senior at Walla Walla High School, she is the co-captain of the Varsity Girls Cross Country team, a 3rd year Varsity Track and Field letterman and a Scholar Athlete. She was recently recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar of Distinction and is the 1st chair clarinet and section leader in the Walla Walla High School Wind Ensemble. She hopes to attend Gonzaga University next fall and major in nursing.
Walla Walla Valley Academy senior Andrew Scott also received the local Youth of the Year award. These students received a $1,000 college scholarship from the Exchange Club of Walla Walla and personalized plaques as special keepsakes. Burgess also was named the Northwest District Youth of the Year scholarship recipient and will receive an additional $1000. Burgess’ nomination packet will now go on to the national level for consideration of the organization’s highest Youth of the Year award to be named July 22 in Palm Springs, CA.
Exchange Club Reviewing Committee: Mark Higgins; chair. Reviewing committee members: Jim Bock, Becky Wilson, Brian Dohe, James Ruff, Tina Vlachos, and Stephanie Biegel.
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Walla Walla High School blood drive supports American Red Cross
The Walla Walla High School Crest Club organized a blood drive this week netting more than 100 units for the American Red Cross. Approximately 120 staff and students participated in the annual event at the Walla Walla High School small gym. Nearly 20 Crest Club senior girls volunteered to support the American Red Cross Blood Drive. Social Studies teacher Michelle Higgins is the Crest Club advisor. The Crest Club is an honors club for high school senior girls.
American Red Cross representative Levi Martin said high school blood drives are the key to the organization’s success.
“High school is the first opportunity to connect with a donor and get them into our system,” Martin said. “We find donors who have a successful experience in high school tend to be lifelong donors. We are very appreciative of Walla Walla High School for organizing this vital effort.”
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“BDAD” - Blue Devil Athletic Development summer program
The BDAD summer program is designed to help boys and girls in grades 6-12 improve their overall athletic ability for all sports!
Dates: June 29 to August 5 (Monday - Thursday)
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
Location: Wa-Hi Weight Rm & Gym
Cost: $30 pre-registered / $35 at door
Note: Students will need a medical release and a parent permission form, which they can get at the Wa-Hi Athletic Office any time or at the door. (PHYSICALS ARE NOT REQUIRED)
Information: Contact Eric Hisaw at 527-3020 or by e-mail at: ehisaw@wwps.org
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Get Smart About Credit parents and students meeting
A special evening for students and their parents...
A one-evening discussion about credit –what it is, what it is used for, how it works, what to look out for – specially designed for families. Parents must bring at least one teenager. A teenager must bring at least one parent. Entire families welcome!
Thursday, May 20
Dinner provided beginning at 6:15
Presentation and discussion 6:30 – 7:30
Location: First Congregational Church of Walla Walla (child care will be available)
Because of limited seating preregistration is REQUIRED!
Please contact Noah Leavitt at nsleavitt@hotmail.com or 529.4080 to preregister.
This session will be presented by bankers from Community Bank and is made possible by the Walla Walla Asset Building Coalition and Walla Walla Public Schools.
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Tickets still available for “Wizard of Oz” musical
There are still tickets for this weekend’s Wizard of Oz performances. Don’t miss Glinda’s bubble, the Wicked Witch of the West and those scary flying monkeys! Reservations are recommended. The box office is open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Friday. Call 526-8613 for reservations
Wizard of Oz schedule:
May 14 - 7 p.m.
May 15 - 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Location: Wa-Hi Performing Arts Auditorium
Ticket Prices: $6 for students and $12 for adults
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Classroom Close-Up features Edison Elementary teacher
This week Edison Elementary Teacher Mary Klein 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 Klein is now playing on regional stations.
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Retirement Celebrations 2009-2010
Berney Elementary
Claudia Ford
Wednesday, May 19
3:30 p.m.
Berney Library
District Office
Rich Carter
Date: Tuesday, June 1
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Transportation Co-Op Building
Bill Jordan
Date: June 3,
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: District Office Board Room
Edison Elementary
Nancy Withycombe
Date: Tuesday, May 25
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Edison
Plant Facilities
Lowell Schneider
Date: June 8
Time: 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: District Office Board Room
Walla Walla High School
Sue Bloom, Pat Hanford, Bonnie Hanson, Don McCoy, Jerry Taylor, Lynn Waldron and Harvey Wellington
Date: Thursday, May 27
Time: 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Location: Wa-Hi Commons
Theme: “Happy Trails”
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District End-of-Year Celebrations
Lincoln Alternative High School Graduation
Thursday, June 3: 6 p.m. - WW Fairgrounds
Walla Walla High School Commencement
Friday, June 4: 7 p.m. - Wa-Hi Commons area (gym if raining)
Pioneer Middle School 8th Grade Recognition
Tuesday, June 8: 7 p.m. - Wa-Hi Gym
Garrison Middle School 8th Grade Recognition
Wednesday, June 9: 7 p.m. - Cordiner Hall, Whitman College
* Last day of school - Thursday, June 10 (early dismissal)
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