Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - March 2, 2007

In this Issue:

(Click on article
to read more)

School Board Meeting Tuesday
Tuesday, March 6
7:30 p.m.
District Office Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
Open to Public

Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences next week (see schedule below)
NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS - Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9

Berney
Tuesday, March 6 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Blue Ridge Elementary
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to Noon; 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Blue Ridge Preschool will have no classes for the entire week. Conferences will be:
Monday & Tuesday, March 5 & 6 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday & Thursday, March 7 & 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Edison
Tuesday, March 6 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Green Park
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Prospect Point
Monday, March 5 - 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Sharpstein
Tuesday, March 6 - 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 2:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Garrison Middle School
Tuesday, March 6 - 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
* 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. /staff development activities

Pioneer Middle School
Tuesday, March 6 - 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – mini retreat - 12:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Paine Alternative School
Tuesday, March 6 - 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7 - 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Opportunity Center
Opportunity parents come in during their student’s appointments

Walla Walla High School
Monday, March 5 - 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (drop-in)
Wednesday, March 7 - 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (drop in)
Thursday, March 8 - 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (scheduled conferences)

Homelink Program @ Berney
Friday, March 2 - 8:00 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Monday, March 5 - 2:30 p.m. to 7:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 6 - 2:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.




Architect lays out schedule for Edison design planning
Thursday John Evans from Architects West met with district leaders to continue planning efforts for the Edison Elementary construction project. Evans said his firm plans to design a school to meet district needs well into the future. Architects West will help determine 21st Century Design standards for classrooms and other learning spaces.

Next week Evans will return to Walla Walla for two days of meetings with various district staff to gain their input in support of the design process. The district is also planning to develop an Edison Construction project web page, with support from Architects West, to keep staff, parents, students and community members informed. Public input opportunities will also be available as part of the school design process.


Sharpstein teachers named Staff Spotlight Employees of the Month
Dynamic Duo! Teachers and Instructional Coaches Kim Doepker and Kerri Coffman are the Staff Spotlight Employees of the Month for March.

This Dynamic Duo helps teachers develop strategies for improved instruction. They specialize in reading instruction and both love working with kids, families and peers.

Kerri Coffman
Place of work: Sharpstein Elementary
Job title: Title I teacher and Instructional Coach
Years in District: 12
Birth Place: Edmonds WA
High school and College: Wenatchee High School and Eastern Washington University
Favorite food: Chicken Caesar Salad and Diet Coke (diet coke counts as a food for me!!)
Favorite Movie: Sweet Home Alabama
Favorite Band or music: country and 80’s
Favorite Book: Outlander
What do I love most about my job: seeing the joy on children’s faces as they discover new things and experience how fun learning can be.
Hobbies: snowmobiling, camping, hunting, scrapbooking
Most memorable life experience: getting married and having my 3 girls
Something that nobody else would know: One time I was a guest in my sister’s house and in being a good guest, I cleaned her kitchen for her. I mistakenly put liquid dish soap in the dishwasher instead of her liquid dishwasher soap. Her whole kitchen looked like a Lawrence Welk nightmare!

Kim Doepker
Years in district: 5 (16 total as an educator)
High School: Cheney High School
College: University of Idaho
Birthplace: Salem, Oregon
Job Title: Instructional Coordinator Grades 3-5/4th Grade Teacher
Hobbies: Knitting although I don’t know how I would like to learn, snow shoeing, snowmobiling, boating, and reading
Favorite music: I listen to all kinds from country, to 80’s rock to oldies
Favorite book: The Outlander Series
Favorite movie: Sixteen Candles
Favorite food: My appetite is huge so it’s hard to narrow. Mexican
Most Memorable moment: My one and only blind date 13 years ago when my “date” now husband came to watch me coach volleyball at Prescott High School. This date has turned into a marriage full of bliss according to my husband tee hee and three wonderful daughters.
Something others may not know about me: I mud wrestled in front of a packed house for a fund raiser in high school. I believe I won. :)
What I love/like about my job: I have the opportunity to work with both adult learners and children. I am challenged everyday to look at situations from a coach, teacher and student’s point of view. I am fortunate that my job also teaches me to look through the glasses of humility and inquiry that definitely ground and teach me something new each day.


Edison staff volunteer at McDonalds to support reading program
This week Edison staff volunteered to cook and serve at the Isaacs Avenue McDonalds. The effort helped the school earn 15 percent of sales for the evening to support the school’s Accelerated Reader program.


Wa-Hi Jazz Band takes top honors at University of Idaho Competition
Congratulations to the Wa-Hi Jazz Band for taking first place in the 4A category at the annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.

Paxton Gehling—a member of last year’s combo—won the vibes solo division and played in the All-Star Concert at the Kibbie Dome with the other solo division winners. Congratulations Paxton!



Sharpstein students learn about China through hand-on assembly
With magical dragons in hand and donned in colorful costumes, Sharpstein Elementary students took a virtual trip to China today during an all school assembly to promote cultural awareness. Students snaked their way through the gym as sounds from China filled the air.

Students also sang songs and danced to songs from China. They watched an informative slide show of China and ate food from this part of the world with chop sticks.


College Rodeo team visits Green Park
Today Garrison Middle School teacher and professional rodeo clown Jason “JJ” Harrison and members of the Walla Walla Community College Rodeo team entertained Green Park students during an all school assembly to promote positive behavior and lifestyles.

Harrison had the students in a frenzy as he danced, told jokes and clowned with Principal Mike Lambert. The school assembly was designed to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, good behavior and the importance of treating others well.

They also invited Green Park students to next weekend’s College Rodeo at the Walla Walla fairgrounds. Proceeds from the College Rodeo go to the Child Abuse Prevention Council to support local programs.


Graduates of Distinction nominations sought
Walla Walla Public Schools graduates who have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers will be formally recognized this spring through the Graduates of Distinction program.

Nominations for inductees to this special program are now being accepted. Application forms are available at the district office, 364 South Park Street, and under District A-Z on the district website.

They must be completed and returned by April 15, 2007. Inductees will be recognized during a public reception and at the Wa-Hi Academic Recognition evening.


Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Award nomination announcement
2006-2007 Nomination Announcement
Nominations for the annual Art Regier Outstanding Volunteer Award are now being accepted. Forms will be sent out to all staff this week.

This award was instituted in 1991 as a memorial to “Grandpa Art” Regier. Regier, a retiree who devoted years of service to elementary schools in Walla Walla, epitomized the spirit of volunteerism in education.

Send completed nomination forms to the Communications Department (364 South Park Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362) through Friday, March 30.

Each nomination may be accompanied by no more than three letters of recommendation.
Recipients will be recognized at the April 18 school board meeting.Contact Communications Director Mark Higgins for more information, 526-6716.


Applications are now being accepted for the AAUW Educational Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted for the AAUW Educational Scholarships. This scholarship program was established to provide assistance to women who have completed at minimum one year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) and have a desire to complete their undergraduate or post-graduate education. Please note that there must be a break of at least one year at some time during the college education process.

Applications will be accepted from women who meet the following requirements:
1) They must be able to provide transcripts from at least one year of college, followed by an interruption (time lapse) in education.
2) They must submit two letters of recommendation from someone familiar with their educational background and goals.
3) They must be residents of Walla Walla County, Columbia County, or the city of Milton-Freewater.

The scholarship committee is seeking women who demonstrate a desire to continue their education by completing or adding to their degree. While past academic performance will be considered, of equal importance is the person’s clearly demonstrated community involvement and enthusiasm for future community commitment. The individual financial need of the applicants will be considered in making the awards. The scholarship funds will be directed to the college of the recipient’s choice to be used as needed for educational expenses.

The application can be accessed at the AAUW website : http://www.aauw-wallawalla.org/
or call Alice at 509-522-5428 (amacd@charter.net) or Linda 541-938-2471 (moats@valint.net) for more information

Completed applications must be received by April 6, 2007. Send completed applications to Alice MacDonald, AAUW Scholarship Committee, 1429 Taumarson Rd., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Final candidates may be required to participate in a personal interview with the scholarship committee. The recipient of the award will be notified by the first week of May and introduced at the AAUW annual dinner meeting on May 8th. Please note that the scholarship is only awarded once per recipient.


Expect Success: Supporting Foster Youth In Schools by Sandy Bradley

A COLLABORATIVE SUMMIT SPONSORED BY
Children’s Administration and the Foster Care to College Partnership

You are invited to attend the Education Summit mini-conference, which is scheduled for Friday, March 23rd, from 9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. at the Walla Walla School District Board Conference Room, 364 S. Park Street, Walla Walla.

This is an opportunity for establishing new ground for educational success for children and youth who face the challenge of being placed out of their homes. Communities are significantly impacted by poor adult outcomes for children and youth who do not experience school success. The collaborations that are formed through events like this Summit make a great deal of difference in reversing those outcomes. This effort needs your expertise and ideas, as a representative of the best our community has to offer.

The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, local school districts, and Children’s Administration are forging partnerships, under the direction of state legislation (2003 SHB 1058) to promote educational achievement and better outcomes for children and youth in foster, relative, or kinship care. These partnerships have already resulted in the development of several exciting tools and resources that will be shared with you at the Summit.

Under this legislation, local offices of Children’s Administration and school districts are required to develop protocols for communication, coordination, and collaboration designed to maximize school stability and improve academic outcomes for children in foster care. Several agreements have already been developed in our area. One of the goals of this Summit is to set the stage for supporting existing agreements and for developing additional agreements.

There is no charge to attend; a catered breakfast and lunch will be provided. To register, or to receive more information, please contact Sandy Bradley at (509) 737-2810, or 1-866-451-5160. You may also e-mail Sandy at bsan300@dshs.wa.gov.

We look forward to meeting you at the Summit, and to creating new partnerships that will lead to greater educational success and more positive adult outcomes for children who are placed in foster, relative, or kinship care.

Sandy Bradley



“Fitness Fever” Health Fair coming to Walla Walla Community College
Date: March 10
Time: 1-5 p.m.
Location: Walla Walla Community College’s Dietrich Dome
Theme: Fitness Fever. The concept is that each booth and participating agency/business will link themselves to fitness in Walla Walla and provide an idea for one minute change that visitors can make to improve their individual fitness level.

Event Contact: Christa Guerrero, Program Coordinator, Walla Walla Rural Health Community Partnership
Walla Walla Community College
500 Tausick Way
Walla Walla, WA 99362
E-mail: christina.guerrero@wwcc.edu
(509) 529-1113
(541) 861-9868


Open enrollment & kindergarten registration dates set
Walla Walla Public Schools Open Enrollment and Kindergarten Registration period is Monday, March 19 to Friday March 30, 2007.

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 12, however forms will not be accepted in the receiving school until Monday, March 19. Kindergarten registration will be conducted at the student’s attendance area elementary school.

If there’s space available to accommodate some but not all 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 at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the Administration Office. Board policies are also online at: www.wwps.org.

Open Enrollment/Kindergarten Registration Hours
Monday, March 19 - 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 20 – March 30 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please contact your attendance area school for more information. District boundary maps are available at all Walla Walla Public Schools and the Administration Office at 364 South Park Street. For additional information, call Linda Boggs in the Curriculum Department: 526-6734.


Walla Walla Kids Read features national best selling authors
The Spring of 2007 will bring the first annual Walla Walla Kids Read program to local area schools. Created by local author Patrick Carman and organized under the umbrella of the district PTA, the program is designed to provide a chance for all Walla Walla area children grades one through six to hear a nationally known author presentation, participate in activities, and focus our young readers on the same award winning material.

This year the visiting authors are Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick. All area students grade one through six are invited to this FREE program located at Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College Campus. Learn more at: www.wallawallakidsread.com

SCHOOL EVENTS
THURSDAY MARCH 22
Blue Session 1: Walter Wick Grades: 1-3
Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Davis (College Place)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 9 a.m, presentation begins promptly at 9:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 10 a.m.

THURSDAY MARCH 22
Red Session 1: Rodman Philbrick Grades: 4-6
Schools: Green Park, Edison, Prospect Point, Meadow Brook (College Place), Pioneer (6th grade only)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1 p.m., presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2 p.m.

FRIDAY MARCH 23
Blue Session 2: Walter Wick Grades: 1-3
Schools: Berney, Edison, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 9 a.m., presentation begins promptly at 9:15 a.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 10 a.m.

FRIDAY MARCH 23
Red Session 2: Rodman Philbrick Grades: 4-6
Schools: Berney, Edison, Blue Ridge, Sharpstein, Garrison (6th grade only)
Time: Arrive at Cordiner Hall at 1:00 p.m., presentation begins promptly at 1:15 p.m. Students and teachers welcome. Presentation will last approximately 45 minutes, ending at 2:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY EVENT
THURSDAY, MARCH 22
7 to 9 p.m.
Sharpstein Elementary School (410 Howard St. - 527-3098)

Schedule of Events:
7 to 8 p.m.
- Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick will autograph books. Come early - first come, first serve - the authors will only sign for one hour.
- View student essays and I Spy entries on display.

8 to 8:45 p.m.
- A moderated discussion with Walter Wick and Rodman Philbrick! Bring your questions for a lively and engaging conversation with two great authors.


Penguin expert named keynote speaker for Great Explorations in Science and Math
Local volunteers are planning for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) “Great Explorations in Science and Math” event Saturday, March 24 at Whitman College for girls in grades 5 to 8.

Longtime event coordinator and former school board member Jeanne Beirne has again volunteereed to help organize the event.

Beirne said this year’s event will feature Elizabeth Skewgar as the keynote speaker. Skewgar -- a doctoral candidate in biology at the University of Washington -- is an expert on penguins. More than 250 girls and 50 volunteers are expected to participate.

Event highlights
• 20 hands-on workshops
• Panel discussion (getting girls excited about math and science)
• Use of Whitman College classrooms and labs
• Keynote Speaker - Elizabeth Skewgar (penguin expert)
• 250 participants and 50 local volunteers

Event Facts
Date: Saturday, March 24
Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Whitman College
Registration: Forms will be sent home with girls (grades 5-8) and available at district schools.