Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - October 8, 2010

In this Issue:

(Click on article
to read more)

Superintendent Miller plans Patron Tour Thursday, October 14
Superintendent Mick Miller is planning his second of four Superintendent’s Patron Tours Thursday, October 14 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. 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 or someone you know is 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.)
- Lunch with Superintendent Mick Miller
- Tour Lincoln High School and Sharpstein Elementary


Longtime broadcaster Jim Bock sits down for a conversation with Superintendent Mick Miller
Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Mick Miller recently sat down with longtime Walla Walla broadcaster Jim Bock for an in-depth video interview highlighting Miller’s personal and professional background, his philosophy on leadership and his goals for the district.

“A Conversation with Superintendent Mick Miller” is now showing on the Walla Walla Public Schools website at www.wwps.org and on Charter Cable Channel 3 at various times for the next three weeks. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Miller and his vision for Walla Walla Public Schools.

Charter Cable Channel 3 Airing Schedule
Monday, Oct. 11 – 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 12 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 13 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 14 – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 15 – 10 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 16 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 17 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 18 – 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 19 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 21 – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 22 – 10 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 23 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 24 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 25 – 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 26 – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 27 – 9 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 28 – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 29 – 10 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 30 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 31 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 2 – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 4 – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 6 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7 – 10 a.m.; 6 p.m.; 9 p.m.


Support makes Walla Walla High School’s Big Blue Weekend a success - By Co-Chair Carina Stillman
This weekend over 350 Walla Walla High School students, staff, parents and volunteers participated in Big Blue Weekend—wow, what a time it was! From watching Laure Quaresma ride the zip-line to celebrating Brian McQueen’s display in the non-talent talent show, the weekend was full of new and memorable experiences that have created connections we hope will make our school a warmer, more welcoming space for our 1800+ students. Kristina Duncan and I have received kudos, but the reality is that this weekend would not have been what it was without the help and support provided by so many others…

Our Big Blue Crew—Matt Shaw, Julie Laufenburg, Mary Schumacher, Pat Hanford, Sarah Stone, Lindsey Butcher, Bill Calhoun—This group began meeting last fall to prepare for this year, and each member took the lead on at least one piece of the puzzle, everything from grant-writing to activity coordination to spreadsheet management.

The Entertainment—Krissy Corbin and Chris Plucker—who knew Walla Walla had such talent?
Wa-Hi and District Staff and Friends—Jillian DeBritz (planting the seed that grew the tree), Susan Morasch, Cassie Sears, and Arch McHie (ASB and organizational support), Mark Higgins (publicity guidance), Mira Gobel, Mindy Meyer, and Kirk Jameson (administrative support), Shane Prudente (work crew organization), Amory Price (bus driver extraordinaire), Mark Thompson (keeping us legal), Vickie Rogers (organizing student medical needs), Michelle Higgins (funding follow up)
Donor—Joseph L. Stubblefield Trust ($5000!) and Mary Garner Esary Trust ($5000!)

Chaperones—Barbara Buttice, Bob Meyer, Brian Dohe, Carolee White, Cheryl Drumheller, Chris Plucker, Claircy Boggess, Clayton Hudiburg, Dan Calzaretta, Elaina Renius, Julie Laufenburg, Kerri Tucker, Kirk Jameson, Laura Bertinelli, Lindsey Butcher, Margaret Thomas, Mary Schumacher, Matt Shaw, Melito Ramirez, Mindy Meyer, Mira Gobel, Refugio Reyes, Robin Fonger, Sarah Stone, Shane Prudente, Stephanie Eastman, Susan Morasch, Terry Carlsen, Terry Willcuts, William Calhoun—late nights, early mornings, busy days!

Work Crew—Alyssa Moreno, Amy Warriner, Bob Piver, Don Holbrook, Frank Schumacher, Jody Stillman, Karen Bumgarner, Katrina Hill, Kim Morasch, Kyle Eggers, Laure Quaresma, Margo Piver, Marnie Johnson, Mel Gribnau, Michelle Higgins, Ruth Ladderud, Scott Morasch, Shane Prudente, Tad Willis (sorry about the ankle), Tyler Grisdale—even earlier mornings coupled with WORK!

Scholarships—over 75 students received $50 (or more) scholarships thanks to Jeanne Lothspeich, Lori Dohe, Shelly Mann, Alicia Quackenbush, Michelle Higgins, Karen Peddicord, Walla Walla Electric, Kim Kelsay, Cummins Athletic Supply, Walla Walla Farmers Co-op, Eastgate Lions Club, Chris Blackman, Susan Morasch, Stephanie Eastman, Peder Fretheim, Julia Woods, Kerri Tucker, Sherry McConn,  Cheryl Drumheller, Linda Schaub, Julie Johnson, Dawn Jepson, Linda Woodard, Julie Cox, Keith Michels, Jerri Grant, Vivian Glaeser, Dina Anderson, Donna Painter, Mindy Meyer, Cheri Ruzicka, Kristina Duncan, Karen Scott, Trudy Morris, Casey Monahan, Cassie Sears, Jim Briggs, Gay Buissink, Kirk Jameson, Curt Schafer, Ted Cummings, Karan Jamieson, Karen Dazell, Kathy Pritcher, Debra Wright, John Butenhoff, Pat Johnston, Teresa Floyd, Damien and Rachna Sinnot, Christine Sharon, Latino Club, and Post 311

Finally, a special thanks to the Wa-Hi Adminstration team, Superintendent Mick Miller, Walla Walla School District Adminstration, and Members of the Board—we received nothing but the support we needed throughout the process.
Our speaker, Stu Cabe, and the on call doctor, Steve Olsen, both commented that they have never seen anything like this. They were impressed by the diversity, by the fact that we take anybody who wants to go. Walla Walla School District is spoken of even outside of this state because of opportunities such as these—thank you Walla Walla!


District employees’ contributions to United Way up this year
The 2010-2011 United Way Campaign recently ended and the The United Way is reporting Walla Walla Public Schools employees’ contributions are up $3,000 from last year. Thanks to all the generous support from district employees to help fund the vast programs under the United Way umbrella of support.


Enrollment counts remain above budget projections
Tuesday night Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston reported to school board members the district’s Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) student enrollment count remains up based on October’s preliminary enrollment numbers. Johnston said enrollment figures remain above beginning year budget targets.

Currently the district has 6124 FTE students which represents 224 students above the 5900 FTE count the 2010-2011 general fund budget was based on. However, 119 of the district’s 6124 FTE students are enrolled in the Alternative Education Program (AEP) at Walla Walla Community College. State funding for AEP students is passed on to WWCC to fund this program. This leaves the district 105 FTE above the 5900 budget target, which according to Johnston should hold for the year.

“We typically lose some students over the course of the year, but we should remain well above our budget number,” Johnston said.

State apportionment is based on the average of the nine monthly enrollment reports the district submits to the state annually. Superintendent Mick Miller noted the district is witnessing growth in grades kindergarten through three. He said this is a positive sign for the district’s future as these student will continue to roll up over the years.


Sheriff’s Office encourages parents to review Offender Watch to avoid dangerous homes on Halloween - By Detective Cristal Harris
In addition to monitoring your child’s candy consumption on Halloween night, be sure to know which houses are safe to approach for trick-or-treating. Citizens like to think that every home is like their own, unfortunately that is not reality. In Walla Walla County, there is approximately 32 registered Level 2 and 3 sex offenders, and Halloween provides a perfect opportunity for one of them to become acquainted with you and or your children.

We do the best we can in making sure sex offenders live where they tell us, so it is crucial that our citizens visit our website http://www.co.walla-walla.wa.us/Departments/SHE/SexOffenders.shtml, to see who and where an offender might be living within their neighborhood” says Detective Cristal Harris. Citizens are encouraged to look up important addresses and review the list of registered sex offenders living within a 0.25-2 mile radius of that specific address. The mapping and address feature found on the website pinpoints exactly where an offender lives, therefore, educating citizens on which houses to avoid while trick-or-treating.

Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the address monitoring feature is that once your important addresses and e-mail address have been registered the system will automatically alert you via e-mail when an offender moves within 0.25-2 mile radius of the registered address. If you aren’t planning on trick-or-treating in your neighborhood but will be in a family or friends neighborhood, register their address beforehand so you know which houses to avoid. You can register any and all of the addresses where your children spend a lot of time, for example friends, grandparents, or babysitters addresses. The alerts are in real-time and sent out via e-mail as soon as a new offender has registered with the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office.

The benefit of registering for this confidential e-mail alert service allows us to monitor your important addresses for you, thereby keeping you up to date of newly registered offenders and making it unnecessary for you to have to check your important addresses daily or even weekly.

The website for the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office is http://www.co.walla-walla.wa.us/Departments/SHE/SexOffenders.shtml. Citizens should click on the link “locate registered sex offenders” and follow the instructions to check their neighborhood and sign up to receive free e-mail alerts.

We encourage everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween. Knowledge is power and knowing where the registered sex offenders reside in your area can help you make the best choices for safe and enjoyable Halloween activities. Organizations, schools, clubs, churches and parents can utilize the free Community Awareness Fliers that you can print off the web site.

For further information, please call Detective Cristal Harris at the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office at 509-524-5407.


Pedestrian traffic safety task force seeks input on study areas
Wednesday evening members of “To and From: The Safe Travels Alliance” met for the first time to begin planning efforts to promote the health and safety of travelers in the Walla Walla area. Parents and community activists Kathryn Southwick-Hess and Katie Christianson have agreed to chair the effort.

The group wants to focus on finding immediate, mid-range and long-range solutions for the education, enforcement and safety infrastructure as it relates to traveling to and from school. Parents, school staff, law enforcement officers, an insurance agent and a Walla Walla County Planning official were in attendance. The group plans to meet in two weeks to discuss ideas and proposals related to the focus areas.

To & From’s Mission is to work with the community to create and maintain a safe environment for children and their families traveling to and from school. They plan to focus on solutions in three areas of interest: education, enforcement, and safety infrastructure.

To get involved, share ideas or make suggestions, contact Christianson at: 509.526.5469 or by email: ktchris@charter.net


Children’s author and entertainer to perform for elementary students
Jose-Luis Orozco children’s author, songwriter, performer and recording artist will perform for Sharpstein, Blue Ridge, Green Park, and Edison Elementary students Monday October 18 at the Walla Walla YMCA large gym.

There will be two programs:
- K-2 grades (9 to 10 a.m.)
- 3-5 grades (10:30 to 11:30 p.m.)

Jose-Luis Orozco Presentation Description:
Music is an exceptional learning tool! Music promotes every important aspect of a child’s development. It sparks and enhances language, listening and cognitive skills, as well as motor and coordination skills. Music allows children the ability to learn faster and more effectively, especially when games, rhymes and movement are combined. Unlike formal teaching modalities, musical games are a non-threatening mode of learning, and skill retention is very high.

In his presentation, José-Luis Orozco uses field tested traditional Latin American songs as well as original compositions, in English and Spanish, to show how the teaching of core elementary subjects, such as basic concepts, language development, listening skills and movement expression can be a positive and fulfilling experience for children and the adults who care for them.



Walla Walla High School choir students plan car wash Saturday
- WWHS Choir will sponsor a car wash
- Saturday, October 9
- 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- NAPA on East Isaacs
- Free


School bus state funding count days next week
The official state funding count period for school bus transportation is October 11-15. Please ensure students ride the morning routes to be counted for this vital state funding source. Local school bus transportation funding is contingent on ridership numbers collected during this designated period. For more information, contact Transporation Director Steve Olson at 527-3019 or by email: solson@wwps.org


Community forum to focus on sustaining Walla Walla agricultural community
The Walla Walla Valley Farmworker Housing Trust Advisory Council is planning a community forum Thursday, October 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Walla Walla Community College Conference Center to have a discussion on what can be done locally to sustain Walla Walla’s agricultural community.

The Walla Walla Valley Farmworker Housing Forum is a community meeting, open to the public, to discuss regional data from a statewide survey of farmworkers and the farmworker housing needed to sustain Walla Walla Valley’s thriving agricultural economy. Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a safe, decent, affordable home. From their hands to our tables, farmworkers help conserve Walla Walla’s bounty and open space, and contribute over $340 million annually to the county’s economy.

At the Forum, you will hear from local leaders, advocates, growers, and businesses. Participate in an engaging discussion on farmworker housing, the significance of the new regional survey data and how we can address this important issue for our Valley. Please join us!


Motion picture and television industry expert offers Cinema literacy for educators workshop
October 15 and 16
5:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Friday evening (dinner included)
9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Saturday (bring a sack lunch)
REGISTER ONLINE NOW! www.cinemaliteracy.com
Offered through Club Ed at Walla Walla Community College (Take it for hours, for credit... or just for fun)

Enjoy this fast-paced and entertaining workshop designed to equip you to handle the YouTube generation with confidence!
Learn how to decode the mysterious grammar and syntax of film simply and authoritatively, from an Emmy-Award-winning 20-year veteran of the motion picture and television industry. Help your students get ready to tackle classroom assignments on video, and then authoritatively critique them with specific, helpful and revealing notes.

For more information, contact Jeffrey Townsend at 509.301.9005 or by email: info@nowwhatcreative.com


Personnel Report (from 10/5/10 school board meeting)
Employment
(Classified)
- Pamela Jacobson, Special Ed. Dept. Secretary, Wa-Hi
- Jaenemy Perez de Luengas, Para-Educator, Blue Ridge Preschool

Staff Transfer
- Rayni Lambert transferred from Walla Walla High School to Pioneer Middle School to serve as the new assistant secretary.


The Moms’ Network partners with the YMCA for a Parent Workshop Healthy Children – Healthy Families

The Moms’ Network is excited to announce a free community event for families on Monday, October 18th at the YMCA. Learn about starting healthy habits for your family, get new ideas to get your children active and some easy practical nutrition tips for the entire family.

The parent workshop, Healthy Children-Healthy Families, begins at 5:30 p.m. with dinner. There is also active child care available to those attending the event.

Program speakers include Mark Michaud, Whitman and Walla Walla Sweets Baseball Coach, Christy Druffel, Activate America Director, Becky Hermsen, Walla Walla County Health Department Dietician and local dentist Dr. Rachel Deininger.

“We have an amazing line up of speakers for this workshop. Our goal is to provide practical tips to educate families about the importance of good family health. The workshop will also have an open dialogue so we can learn from each other.” Says Beth Swanson, President of The Moms’ Network. “We all have busy lives but we hope that after this evening families can take home some new ideas that can get them thinking about the over all health of their family. Plus the kids who attend are going to have a great time.”

This event is open to all families in the community and is free thanks to the local businesses that support healthy families. The Moms’ Network Parent Workshop is sponsored by the YMCA, Walla Walla Sweets, Whitman College Athletics, Sweet Basil, Book & Game, Northwestern Mutual and Basic Dental Care of Walla Walla.

Space is limited. To register for this event contact the YMCA at 525-8863 or at 340 S. Park Street. For more information contact Beth Swanson at 301-7471 or beth@themomsnetworkww.com.


Walla Walla High School Latino Club members name Staff Members of the Month
The Walla Walla High School Latino Club is pleased to announce that Spanish teacher Daniel Ojcius and Psychology teacher Julie Johnson have been selected as the Walla Walla High School Latino Club Staff Members of the Month for September 2010.

This recognition is based on their faithful service to students who are Latino Club members. As staff members, Mr. Ojcius and Mrs. Johnson are making a significant impact on all students at Walla Walla High School.

Comments from Latino Club members included:
- Mr. Ojcius is an enthusiastic teacher who makes learning Spanish fun.
- He is thoughtful to students and has a great sense of humor. The best AP Spanish teacher ever!”
- Mrs. Johnson is wise and gives a lot of advice.
- She is the best teacher I ever had and has taught me a lot.

Walla Walla High School National Honor Society organizes youth track meet in support of Cystic Fibrosis research
Walla Walla High School National Honor Society is organizing the “Breath for Life” youth track meet Sunday, Oct. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Martin Field in Walla Walla. All proceeds from this event will support Cystic Fibrosis research and Walla Walla High School’s National Honor Society Program. Adult and student volunteers are needed in support of the track meet. Donations are also being accepted.

“The National Honor Society students feel strongly this is a worthy cause that fulfills our mission of community service,” said Walla Walla High School English teacher Karen Peddicord who is the school’s National Honor Society advisor. “We are offering another positive and healthy activity for youth in the Walla Walla valley. Youth can have fun while we raise money for a very worthy cause.”

Event Fact Sheet
- Event name: “Breath for Life”
- National Honor Society Youth Track and Field Meet to support Cystic Fibrosis research
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m.
- Location: Martin Field (near Borleske Stadium)
- Ages: K-5
- Cost: $3

Running Events:
50 meter, 1 mile, 50 meter hurdles, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters
Field Events:
Softball Throw, Javelin, Long Jump

- Students may participate in as many events as they want.
- Participation ribbons will be awarded as well as ones for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places.

For more information, contact Karen Peddicord at 527-3020 ext 4622 or by e-mail at: kpeddicord@wwps.org


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.