Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - December 7, 2007

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Prospect Point kindergarten students to get new playground
Prospect Point kindergarten students are getting a new playground this spring thanks to a successful fundraising effort by parent and local business woman Staci Wanichek. This week Prospect Point Principal Rick Nebeker and his family donated $10,000 to the cause to replace the 40-year-old playground equipment. Several local businesses and individuals also contributed to this worthwhile project.

Nebeker said they gave the money because it was “something they believed in and wanted to support.” Nebeker has been principal at Prospect Point Elementary for over 16 years and currently serves as President of the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington.

Phase 2 of the Prospect Point Playground Project replaces the existing 40-year old playground equipment in the Kindergarten area of the school and will be installed in April 2008.

Completion of this project was also supported by the generous contributions from:
• Welch Grant
• Mary Garner Esary Trust
• Banner Bank
• Ford of Walla Walla
• Evergreen Labs
• Walla Walla Wine Club
• Natural Reclamation Service
• Thompson Kreitzberg
• Clarette’s Restaurant
• The Home Depot
• UPS
• Personalized Brick Sales
• Bill and Joan Lewis
• Roger and Cheryl Corn


Berney teacher and author to discuss new book
Berney fourth grade teacher Joe Gribnau will talk about his recently published book “Rocky Mountain Night Before Christmas” during an evening with the author Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office (364 S. Park St.). Guests will learn more about the creative writing process, publishing and how to work with an illustrator.

Event highlights:
• Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
• Event is from 6:45-7:45 p.m.
• Open to any students, teachers and parents in the district
• All school libraries have a copy of the book on display


Classroom Close-Up features Blue Ridge teacher
This week Blue Ridge 5th Grade Teacher Amy Hartford is featured via the district’s Classroom Close-Up series. Next week we’ll travel to Prospect Point to visit Behavior Program teacher Steve Droke.

A 60 second radio spot highlighting Hartford begins playing today on several stations. A fun, photo-filled newsletter and the radio spot will be posted on the district website (www.wwps.org -- A to Z section) next week.


Wa-Hi Latino Club honors staff
The Walla Walla High School Latino Club is pleased to recognize Refugio Reyes, Abby Muro, and Melito Ramírez as Latino Club Staff Members of the Month. This recognition by Latino Club students is based on the staff members faithful service to Latino Club members. All of these staff members are new to WA-Hi this year and have already made a significant impact on our program. Melito Ramírez is the drop-out intervention specialist for WA-HI. Abby Muro works in the career center as a staff member of Education Talent Search. Refugio Reyes teaches Spanish and is the new Latino Club advisor.

Comments from Latino Club members when voting for them included:

“Mr. Reyes is enthusiastic and dedicated to work with the Latino Club, and he does his best to make Latino Club the place to be.”

“Abby Muro is a tremendous help inside and outside the club. With all of her updates and memos, I always know when and where there will be an opportunity to discover more about college.”

Mr. Ramírez – “Since he got here, he has shown us that we can count on him if we have any questions about college or anything else. He also got Dr. Chacón to come talk to us about college and why our education is important for us in our future. He has shown us how to be proud of where we came from.”


Another Wa-Hi student named to All-Northwest Choir
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School student Rebeccah Bagley for being selected to sing in the All-NW Choir in Vancouver, B. C., in February. She joins six other singers from Wa-Hi. Choir Director Norb Rossi says this is the most the school has ever had in this prestigious group.

Holiday Concert schedule Online
Visit the district website homepage (www.wwps.org) for a complete listing of Walla Walla Public Schools holiday concerts.