Superintendent’s Patron Tour a success
Thursday 15 community members participated in the Superintendent’s Patron Tour program. Patron Tour guests had breakfast with Superintendent Mick Miller, toured Walla Walla High School and Edison Elementary and then had lunch and a debriefing with Miller.

Miller initiated the Superintendent’s Patron Tour program to reach out to community members. His goal with the program is to build relationships, learn about each other and listen.

If you are interested in participating in the Thursday, October 14 Superintendent’s Patron Tour, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins: 509.526.6716 or by email: mhiggins@wwps.org

Thursday, October 14
- Time: 8 a.m. to 12 noon
- Location: District Office (364 S. Park St.)
- Breakfast and lunch with Superintendent Mick Miller
- Tour Lincoln High School and Sharpstein Elementary

State SAT Scores Lead the Nation Again
Washington students continue trend of earning top scores among states where more than 50 percent of eligible students participate
OLYMPIA — September 13, 2010 — For the eighth consecutive year, Washington state SAT averages are the highest in the nation in reading, writing and math among states in which more than half of the eligible students took the tests, according to figures released by the College Board today.

The ranking is based on students taking the SAT who were 12th graders in the Class of 2010. More than 37,000 Washington students took the SAT last school year, including nearly 29,000 public school students. Washington students scored higher in critical reading, math and writing than all states in which at least 25 percent of its students tested. The percentage of students tested is significant because generally the more students who test, the lower their scores. However, Washington has bucked that trend through most of the past decade.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: When students stay with us through the 12th grade, they have a much greater chance for success,” said State Superintendent Randy Dorn. “Our results on our state and national testing show that to be true. Students who work toward the goal of college are at the top of the nation. That should be gratifying to our state’s families and educators.”

Washington’s SAT participation rate of 54 percent remained the highest among Western states (43 percent) and the nation (47 percent). Among states with at least half of the eligible students taking the SAT, Washington ranked first in critical reading and math, and fourth in writing. Washington’s 28,660 public school students who took the SAT increased their reading and math scores by 3 points and writing by 4 points when compared to 2009. Black, Asian and white students in Washington increased scores in all three areas as 34 percent of SAT test takers identified themselves as non-white.

“College-entrance exams provide valuable information to us about all of our students,” Dorn said. “Finding more ways students can access these exams is a benefit to us all.”

The College Boardannounced today that 1,547,900 students in the class of 2010 across the nation took the SAT, representing 47 percent of high school graduates, a 1 percent increase from 2009. The SAT is one of two primary college readiness exams evaluated by colleges and universities in their admissions process. Students can take the SAT at any time during high school, but results are only counted once in the national report. Students’ most recently earned scores are included in today’s announcement.

The SAT is a legislatively approved alternative to Washington’s high school state exams in reading, math and writing. After students take the state’s high school exam once, they can use qualifying scores from the ACT or SAT to meet the graduation requirements. Students who transfer into Washington public schools in the 11th or 12th grade from out of state or an in-state non-public school setting can use one of the alternatives without taking a state exam. The preliminary results for Advanced Placement performance and participation by state students was also impressive, Dorn said. Early AP results released by the College Board show state student participation increased by 6.7 percent from 2009 and their college-mastery level (scores of 3, 4 or 5) by 6.1 percent.
For national 2010 SAT results, visit http://www.collegeboard.com.

Sheep to Shawl: A free, family-friendly fall festival at Kirkman House Museum
- Event date: Sunday, September 26

Do your children know where their cozy winter hats and gloves and other warm clothing come from? Kids (and their parents) can follow the journey of wool from the back of a sheep to its transformation into a warm and colorful shawl at the annual Sheep to Shawl festival on Sunday, September 26.

The Kirkman House Museum will host the free festival at 214 N. Colville from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and local artists and craftsmen will demonstrate various wool-working techniques, ranging from live sheep shearing to spinning, weaving and felting, using the wool shorn live at the festival. On display will be the unique shawl created from last year's wool that was spun, dyed and woven by local textile artist Susan Swayne.The shawl , valued at more than $200, will be awarded to the winner of a drawing to be held at the festival. A donation of $1 for one chance and $5 for six chances is suggested.

In addition, local vendors will display beautiful hand-made wool items for sale, including hats and hand-spun yarns. Free activities for children include miniature horse and carriage rides and pie eating contests.

A lamb barbecue by Graze Catering will be available for purchase from noon to 2 p.m. For more information, contact the museum at www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org.

Information: Lenel Parish, (509) 529-6228/509 200-2511 / lenelparish@gmail.com

Pioneer and Garrison plan “Food Bowl” to support Realtors Association Food Drive
Staff and students at Pioneer and Garrison Middle School are teaming with the Realtors Association to collect food for area food banks during “Food Bowl” 2010. Pioneer and Garrison are reinstituting the Food Bowl in conjunction with the annual 8th grade football game Tuesday, October 12 at 4 p.m. at Borleske Stadium.

Staff and students will be collecting food two weeks prior to the big rivalry game. Game spectators will be asked to donate a can of food to the school of their choice for entrance into the big game. Students from each school will man the donation stations during the event. There will be a final weigh-in to determine the winning school. In addition, students will participate in the weekend food pick up campaign with the Realtors Association.

“In this spirit we will compete to raise donations as we work together as Walla Walla middle schools to give back to our community,” said Pioneer Middle School Principal Dana Jones. “In this annual football game, the athletes begin the game as two middle school teams and end the game as one team helping the community.”

Walla Walla County Health Department plans annual Flu Shot Round-Up
6th annual community-wide influenza immunization extravaganza at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds!
Dates & Times:
- Tuesday, October 19 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
- Wednesday, October 20 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
- Thursday, October 21 (7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Cost:
- $30 Adult flu shot
- $65 Adult pneumonia shot
- $15 each for children’s flu / pneumonia shot (Flu Mist is available upon request).

Payment: Aetna, Medicare and Washington or Oregon Medicaid will be accepted. All others will pay at time of service. Cash, check, VISA and MasterCard are also accepted.

“Tabitha’s Closet” offers teens free formal wear for special events through Friday, September 24
The youth committee at Christ Lutheran Church (1420 S. 2nd. Ave.) is beginning a program called Tabitha’s Closet, which will allow teens access to rent free formal wear for “special” events like homecoming and prom. In exchange for the use of the clothes, participants are being asked to have them dry cleaned after use. Financial aid is available. This service is open to all teens in the Walla Walla Valley, and students are not required to demonstrate financial need. The church will be open for Homecoming shopping through Friday, Sept. 24 from 3 to 8 p.m. every weekday. Daytime and weekend appointments can be made by calling 525-2243.

Donations Needed: Tabitha’s Closet is still accepting donations of clean, modern, and gently-used formal dresses, as well as shoes, jewelry and tuxedos. Please contact Anne Van Kley, Director of Youth Ministry at Christ Lutheran Church, or program director, Kim Morasch at 522-0130.

YWCA Walla Walla provides opportunity for community to commemorate International Day of Peace
- International Day of Peace Event
- Tuesday, September 21
- Location: YWCA Walla Walla (213 S. First Ave.)
- Time: 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (This special day will conclude with an Invocation for Peace at 5:45 p.m.)
- Activities: Fold origami Peace Doves

YWCA Executive Director Anne-Marie Zell-Schwerin explains that the “International Day of Peace” helps remind all of us that the actions made by each and every one of us has an impact.

“When you visit the YWCA on September 21 and fold origami peace doves, you will also have the opportunity to sign a Pledge to Stop the Violence,” Zell-Schwerin said. “We will have this pledge available for the public to pick up throughout October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In fact, YWCA International continues the United Nation’s initiative with ‘Week Without Violence’ the third week of October.” Walla Walla YWCA provides shelter for victims of violence.

“We must stop violence one step, one person at a time,” explains Zell-Schwerin. “World peace begins one step, one person at a time.”

YWCA Shelter has been at capacity for several years now, according to Zell-Schwerin.

Last year alone, the YWCA helped:
- 641 domestic violence clients
- 244 people with legal advocacy assistance
- 398 clients at the Protection Order Clinic
- 102 sexual assault clients
- 175 people who attended domestic violence and sexual assault support groups

The International Day of Peace was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 for “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace within and among all nations and people.” Twenty years later, the General Assembly decided that 21 September would be observed annually as a “day of global ceasefire and non-violence” and invited all Member States, organizations and individuals to commemorate the day, including through education and public awareness, and to cooperate with the United Nations in the establishment of a global ceasefire. (Source: United Nations website)

Contact: Anne-Marie Zell-Schwerin, Executive Director, YWCA Walla Walla
Phone Number: 509-525-2570

Walla Walla High School Homecoming Week - September 20-25
Monday, Sept. 20
- Class Color Day
- JV Football - 4 p.m.
- Royalty Assembly - 9:30 a.m.
- Buff Puff - 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 21
- Stoplight Day
- Pack the Pitch - JV & Varsity Soccer at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 22
- Western Day
- Powder Puff - 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 23
- Pajama Day
- Fill the Pool - Varsity Swimming at 6:30 p.m.
- Jam the Gym - C Team & JV Volleyball at 5:30 p.m. & Frosh & Varsity Volleyball at 7 p.m.
- Frosh football - 5 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 24
- Blue and White Day
- Homecoming Game at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 25
- Homecoming Dance at 8 p.m. (Wa-Hi Gym)

Child Car seat safety clinic planned
Date: Friday, Sept. 24
Time: 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Providence St. Mary Medical Center (7th Street side of the hospital at the covered patient drop off area)

This Child Car Seat Safety Clinic is sponsored by Safe Kids Blue Mountain and the WW County Traffic Safety Task Force
Questions? Contact Nancy at 524-2920

Classroom Close-Up features Pioneer Middle School Language Arts teacher
This week Pioneer Middle School Language Arts Teacher David Blocklinger 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 Blocklinger is now playing on regional stations.