Avid students impress Rotary Club
Walla Walla High School students participating in the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program impressed members of the Walla Walla Rotary Club during their presentation Thursday afternoon. The students explained how AVID has improved their school experiences and academic performance.

Many of the students involved in AVID will be the first in their families to attend college. The AVID program helps students improve their study and communications skills. They often participate in college visitations, collaborate with people in the community and enhance their leadership opportunities. Members of the Rotary Club flocked to the students after the presentation to learn how they can better support this program which was expanded to Pioneer and Garrison Middle Schools this school year.

Special thanks to Gear Up’s Sue Weber for advising the students during their visit to Rotary.

AVID Student Presenters:

Ana Andrade – She is a college bound scholar currently attending Wa-Hi and will be a junior this year. Ana is involved in ASB, Latino Club, track and AVID. She has a 3.3 GPA, and is taking honors and AP classes. She plans to attend a 4-year university and major in communications.

Cynthia Ongers – She is a junior at Wa-Hi and involved in AVID. She is making her dream of going to college come true by taking classes which will prepare her for more challenging classes in college. Cynthia wants to go to college to become a nurse.

Marcos Medina – He is a junior Wa-Hi Student involved in ASB, varsity soccer, Math Lab and work. Marcos has a 3.84 GPA like math and is interested in pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering.

Erika Torres – She is a junior at Wa-Hi and involved in Math Lab tutoring, Link Crew and AVID. Erika’s GPA is 3.95 and she is enrolled in AP and honors classes this year. She plan’s to attend college to become a doctor.

Cristina Sosa – She is a college bound student who is currently attending Wa-Hi as an upper classman junior. She plans to attend a four year college and major in sociology – and become a successful woman who will change the world.

Caitlin Lun - She is a junior Wa-Hi student involved with Link Crew, AVID and volunteering at the public library. Caitlin maintains a 3.2 GPA and is enrolled in three honors classes this year. Caitlin plans to study Deaf Education in Portland and be an interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Meet new Superintendent Mick Miller at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days
New Superintendent Mick Miller will be at the school district information booth at the Walla Walla Fair and Frontiers Day Education Building Thursday, Sept 2 and Friday, Sept. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet the district’s new superintendent and let him hear your priorities for a quality school district. Mick Miller is excited to meet staff, parents, students and community members. Please join us in welcoming Mick Miller to Walla Walla. The Education Building will be open throughout the fair and will feature vast student work.

Student registrations now accepted for Walla Walla High School’s Big Blue Weekend
Adult volunteers, donations and sponsorships needed to support event

Big Blue Weekend Program Chairs: Walla Walla High School teachers Kris Duncan & Carina Stillman
Event dates: October 1-3
Location: Washington Family Ranch - Antelope, OR
Student participation: 300 students
Cost: $75 (transportation, room and board and sweat shirt – NOTE: no district funds used for this event)

What is Big Blue Weekend?
Big Blue Weekend is a school-wide retreat aimed at building positive relationships between students and with staff members. Intentionally designed activities allow students to step outside of their comfort zones, break down social barriers, and develop skills they can integrate into their lives.

Who can attend?
All Wa-Hi students are invited to attend Big Blue Weekend, with priority registration given to freshmen and sophomores.

What happens during the weekend?
- Large group activities meant to break down social barriers.
- General sessions with speakers on relational skills.
- Small group discussions and team-building activities led by student leaders and Wa-Hi staff.
- Free-time activities that allow students to take calculated risks and gain confidence by stepping out of their comfort zone, such as: Rock-Climbing, Gym with Basketball/Volleyball Courts, Weight Room, and Pool Tables, Indoor Skate Park, Three-Person Swing, Frisbee Golf, Soccer Field
- Dorm-style housing with adult chaperones in every room.
- High-quality, family style meals prepared by property staff and served by volunteers from the Walla Walla community.

How are the costs of Big Blue Weekend paid?
Big Blue Weekend is covered completely by student registrations ($75 each), ASB fund-raising, community donations, and grants. No part of the weekend is paid by building or district funds.

Where is it held?
Big Blue Weekend is held at Washington Family Ranch, a first class facility in central Oregon, where students have access to a wide variety of free-time activities not offered by any other retreat location in our region. The resort-like atmosphere and facility promote excellence in all activities, and property staff provide meals, house-keeping services, and program support. WFR has the capacity to serve several hundred people at a time, allowing more students and staff to participate.

How can I get involved?
You can attend the weekend as a chaperone who stays in a cabin and participates with a small group of students, or you can volunteer to join the work crew which prepares and serves meals all weekend. You can also donate money to cover a portion of one student’s registration fee, in order to provide scholarships to students who need financial help.

For more information about this event:
Carina Stillman
cstillman@wwps.org
509.527.3020

Kris Duncan
cduncan@wwps.org
509.527.3020

Pioneer 8th grade students plan car wash to fund east coast learning adventure
A group of Pioneer Middle School 8th grade students are planning a car wash Sunday, August 29 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge (351 E. Rose St.) to earn money for a once in a lifetime learning trip to Washington D.C. and Gettysburg. The car wash is free, but students hope to collect donations to help fund the trip.

The students plan to take the trip during Spring Break 2011 and will be chaperoned by Dan Calzaretta and Kathryn Southwick-Hess. Special thanks to students Brelynn Hess and Kurt Funk for helping organize this car wash fundraiser.

YMCA starts new afterschool program
YYAC – YOUNG ACTIVE CITIZENS - WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT THE Y IS IN

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3:00 – 5:15
Wednesday from 2:30 – 5:00
Registration Fee: $20
Cost: $8.00 per day

10 spots are available in the Y van for transportation from Prospect Point and Blue Ridge for a total of 20 kids. There is no additional charge for transportation.

Participants will have an opportunity to enjoy the following activities in a fun and safe environment:
- multiplayer Dance Dance Revolution along with a 16 player Wii cube
- use of the climbing wall
- after school tutoring and mentoring
- music appreciation – children will be exposed to various types of music, and learn the many cultures that inspired the creation
- children will have the opportunity to learn and enjoy outdoor recreation activities and possibly enjoy a day trip
- computer literacy and training will be available
- art appreciation will be available to children from passionate community members
- open gym and organized activities such as: 3 on 3 basketball, pickle ball, volleyball, dodge ball, racquetball, indoor soccer, and more
- outdoor recreation activities will be offered to children as well
- children will be able to sign up for swim lessons on Wednesday
- snacks will be provided

The goal of this after school program is to give all children an opportunity to enrich their lives. The YMCA believes the community is talented and diverse in their talents.

“We have an opportunity to draw from those talents and share them with the community’s youth,” Youth Development Director Alyssa Latham said. “We would like to provide a variety of enrichment activities, in which there is something for everyone.”

Information:
Alyssa Latham
Youth Development Director
Walla Walla YMCA
340 S. Park St.
509.525.8863
alatham@wwymca.org

Walla Walla Public Schools special guests for WSU Cougars vs. USC Trojans football game
Take advantage of significantly discounted tickets for the WSU Cougars vs. USC Trojans football game Saturday, Sept. 25 at 12 p.m. (noon) at Martin Stadium in Pullman by participating in the Walla Walla Public Schools football group outing.

Through this special group offer, staff members, family, friends, parents and students can purchase sideline seats for $25 (regular price $50) or end zone seats for $15 (regular price $35). One person will be randomly selected to win two field passes for the game through the Walla Walla Public Schools group offer.

Here is how to get your tickets:
1. Click on www.wsucougars.com
2. Click on the tickets tab (select group ticket window)
3. Go to login screen
4. Sign-in ID: WWPS
5. Password: COUGS
6. Purchase your tickets!

The group ticket window expires Sunday, Sept. 12 at midnight. For more information:
Adam Ganders
Assistant Ticket Office Manager
Washington State University
aganders@wsu.edu
509.335.0215 (Phone)
509.335.8585 (Fax)
wsucougars.com

Blue Devil football kicks off Friday, Sept. 3 at Hermiston - Radio coverage: KTEL 1490 AM
Walla Walla High School football kicks off Friday, September 3 at 7 p.m. with a non-conference match-up at Hermiston.

Don’t miss an exciting down of Blue Devil football this season on KTEL 1490 AM. 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.

The Picture Lady Program is soliciting art materials for Creative Reuse
The Picture Lady Program is looking for “art-worthy” material for creative re-use in hands-on art lessons. The program services 3,050 kids in the Walla Walla and College Place elementary school community. The program is funded by the Carnegie Art Center. Community support helps achieve their goal: Every child, Every class.

“Art-Worthy” Material List:
Art Books - Art Educational games - Brushes - Buttons - Cameras - Canvas - Ceramic Tiles - CD cases - Chalk - Colored Paper - Coloring Books - Corks - Craft Supplies - Crayons - Egg Cartons - Fabric samples - Fabric yardage - Feathers - File Folders - Film canisters - Fimo - Foam Core - Frames - Glitter - Glue - Hobby Supplies - hole punchers - Instruments - Jewelry making supplies - Knitting/crochet Needles - labels - Lace - Leather - Mailing Tubes - Magazines (limited) - Magnets - Maps - Marbles - Matt board - Notebooks - Paints (watercolor, acrylic, poster, gouache, or tempera) with labels - Paper of all types - -Pens/Pencils - Pins/Needles - Photographs - Plexiglas - Popsicle sticks - Printing Supplies (blocks, brayers, water soluble ink, ect) - Scissors - Posters - Ribbon - Rubber bands - Rubber stamps - Rulers -Screen-printing supplies - Sewing Notions - Stamps - Stamp Pads - Staplers - String - Stuffing - Tape - Teaching materials - Test Tubes and Lab Gear - Trimmings - Yarn - Wallpaper - Wire - Wood rounds & dowels - Zippers

Where to bring your donations:
1. A Picture Lady Program Drop Box will be available at the Education Pavilion -- Walla Walla County Fair & Frontier Days, Sept 1-5, 2010

2. Main Drop Off Box: The Picture Lady is located in the upstairs offices at the Walla Walla Post Office (Main & Sumach). A drop box will be located on the upstairs landing at Walla Walla Post Office. In order to maintain quality and integrity of mission, please consider the list of needed materials. If you have questions or alternative items, please contact.

Questions?
Denise Slattery
Materials Coordinator
Picture Lady Program
509-240-2316
slatterysf@yahoo.com