Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - December 5, 2008

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Walla Walla Public Schools Holiday Food Drive continues
This week the district launched its Holiday Food Drive. Collection bins are at district schools and the central office. Last month, nearly 800 Walla Walla families used the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank. In these tough economic times, more than half of the students attending Walla Walla Public Schools live in poverty. Join us in helping make a difference for families in our community, so nobody goes hungry during this holiday season. “Spread the Joy” this holiday season!

Holiday Food Drive Fact Sheet

Who: Food donations support the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank (cash donations also accepted)

What: Holiday Food Drive — Project Goal: 40,000 lbs.

When: December 1st - 19th

Where: Collection sites at Walla Walla Public Schools (Types of food: Non-perishable items — tuna, macaroni & cheese, peanut butter, canned fruits & vegetables, pasta, granola bars, etc.)

For more information:
Mark Higgins, Communications Director
Walla Walla Public Schools
364 S. Park St.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.526.6716
mhiggins@wwps.org


District Holiday Concert Series schedule
Dec 4 - Pioneer 6th Grade Holiday Concert, Pioneer Gym, 7 p.m.
Dec 8 - Garrison 7th & 8th Grade Holiday Concert, Garrison Gym, 7 p.m.
Dec 8 - Prospect Point Holiday Concerts, Grades K-2—12:30 p.m. - Grades 3-5—1:30 p.m.
Dec 9 - Wa-Hi Gift Concert, Wa-Hi Auditorium - 7 p.m.
Dec 9 - Prospect Point Holiday Concerts, Grades K-2—9:15 a.m. - Grades 3-5—10:15 a.m.
Dec 11 - Sharpstein Holiday Concerts, Grades 1-3—10 a.m. - Grades K, 4-5—1:00 p.m.
Dec 11 - Pioneer 7-8th Grade Holiday Concert, Wa-Hi Auditorium - 7 p.m.
Dec 12 - Green Park Holiday Concert, Preschool – 2nd Grade - 1:30 p.m.
Dec 12 - Edison Holiday Concert, Grades K-1 - 9:15 a.m.
Dec 15 - Wa-Hi Bands Holiday Concert, Wa-Hi Auditorium - 7 p.m.
Suggested admission donation: $2 adults, $1 students, $5 family
Dec 16 - Garrison 6th Grade Holiday Concert, Garrison Gym - 7 p.m.
Dec 16 - Green Park Holiday Concert, Grades 3-5 & Choir - 1:30 p.m.
Dec 17 - Wa-Hi Orchestra Holiday Concert, Wa-Hi Auditorium - 7 p.m.
Suggested admission donation: $2 adults, $1 students, $5 family
Dec 18 - Wa-Hi Vocal Holiday Concert, Wa-Hi Auditorium - 7 p.m.
Suggested admission donation: $2 adults, $1 students, $5 family
Dec 18 - Pioneer All-School Holiday Concert, Pioneer - 2 p.m.
Dec 18 - Berney Holiday Concert, Grades K-2—12:30 p.m. - Grades 3-5—1:45 p.m.
Dec 19 - Blue Ridge Holiday Concert, Grades K-2—9 a.m.~Grades 3-5—10 a.m.

Music Department supports Holiday Food Drive
The Music Program is supporting the Walla Walla Public Schools Holiday Food Drive. We encourage concert patrons to bring non-perishable food items for donation the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank. Thanks for your support.


Wa-Hi FFA begins Holiday Wreath sale
The Walla Walla High School FFA Chapter will be selling 16" Holiday Wreaths again this holiday season. Wreaths will be made and delivered on a first ordered, first served basis.

Wreath Information:
- 16" ring means the wreath will be 22"-26" wide when it is finished.
- Each wreath comes with 3 large pine cones and your choice of bow color
- Bow Color options: Red, White or Blue
- Cost: $20 payable upon delivery or pickup

If you would like to place an order for a wreath, please email FFA Advisor Arch McHie at: amchie@wwps.org. Please include the following information:
Name:
School:
Room #/Delivery Point:
Business Location:
Phone # (in case we get lost):
# of Wreaths:
Bow Color:
Special Instructions/Needs:


German Christmas carol sing-a-longs planned
What: German Christmas Carol Sing-a-longs
When: Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m. and Saturday, December 13, 10 a.m.
Where: Walla Walla University, Fine Arts Center Room 208 (204 S College Ave, College Place)
Who: Anyone interested in German, Music and/or Christmas; you are welcome regardless of your level of German
Why: To celebrate the Messiah’s birth
What else: Music, treats, and a brief description of how Christmas is celebrated in Germany


Contact: For more information, contact Wa-Hi German Language teacher Curtis Schafer at: cshafer@wwps.org.


Wa-Hi students named to All Northwest Choir
Eight Walla Walla High School Choir students were chosen to participate in the National Association for Music Education Northwest Division (MENC-NW) 41st Bienniel Conference to be held February 12-15, 2009 at the Spokane Convention Center.

The following Wa-Hi students were selected:
Michael Bell, Bass
Natalie Ingersoll-Allen, Alto
AnneMarie Jones, Soprano
Malila Kiliona, Alto
Eva Reich, Alto
Thomas Rowley, Tenor
Martin Sanks, Bass
Sierra Tinhof, Soprano

“MENC-NW serves band, choir, orchestra and jazz students in grades 9-12 through biennial All-Northwest honor groups.  Students audition for the opportunity to perform with the best high school musicians in the six Northwest Division states under the baton of nationally-renowned conductors,” said District Music Coordinator Roger Garcia. “Congratulations to these Wa-Hi Choir Students!”



“The NED Show” comes to Blue Ridge to promote respectful schools
Thursday Blue Ridge Elementary students and staff were treated to “The NED Show” as part of the school’s efforts to promote civil and respectful schools. “The NED Show” is part of “All for KIDZ” -- promoting academic achievement through character development.

The NED Show promotes academic achievement and character development by teaching three critical skills that will benefit kids for a lifetime:
- N: Never Give Up
- E: Encourage Others
- D: Do Your Best

The program’s mission is to encourage and inspire students to believe there is a champion in every kid. NED show performer Tim Shaffer used balloons and yo-yo’s to reinforce the message of making positive choices and helping others.



Berney community comes through to help Mary Ellen Farr
This week Berney Elementary Principal David Talley reported the Berney Elementary community raised more than $1600 from last week’s bake sale and donations campaign. Longtime Berney Elementary Para-Educator Mary Ellen Farr is battling a possible life-threatening illness.

Unfortunately, her insurance provider is refusing payment for her medical treatment which is causing her family extreme financial hardship. A fund has been established to support her medical treatments. Donations to the Mary Ellen Farr Fund may be made at Baker Boyer Bank — Eastgate Branch, 1931 Isaacs. Donations can also be dropped off at Berney Elementary and they will be deposited in the fund.

“We are looking to do a pancake feed sometime in January,” Talley said. “The support has been amazing.”



Wa-Hi Freshman records perfect score in national WordMasters Challenge

Congratulations to Walla Walla High School Freshman James Carson for recording a perfect score in this year’s WordMasters Challenge, a national competition for high school students requiring close reading and analysis of many different kinds of prose and poetry. Carson was one of only four ninth grade students in the nation to log a perfect score for his grade level.

Sophmore Frances Ungerecht, Junior Kallyn Rapp, and Senior Krista Mayberry, made only one mistake and placed in the top 50 in the nation.

Others participating and recording impressive scores included:
- Andrew Hoffman, Freshman
- Talbot Callister, Freshman
- Devyn Humphreys, Freshman
- Jocelyn Thompson, Sophomore
- Brett Christina, Sophomore
- Ryan Campeau, Senior
- Lori Goodwin, Senior

More than 54,000 students representing 556 school teams participated this fall. Walla Walla High School was the only school in the nation to place among the top 15 schools at all four grade levels. The Wa-Hi teams were supervised by English teacher Lori Dohe.

Walla Walla High School’s team rankings:
- 9th grade team tied for 15th in the nation
- 10th grade team tied for 13th in the nation
- 11th grade team tied for 10th in the nation
- 12th grade team tied for 15th in the nation


Community Bank staff teach Wa-Hi students about credit
Community Bank recently completed its Second Annual visit to Walla Walla High School to present information on credit. This year Community Bank representatives met with students in 12 classes to present curriculum as provided by the American Bankers Association.

“Each session was presented by two Community Bank staff members and a total of nine staf were involved over three days of presentations,” said Branch Manager Rose Worth. “We enjoyed getting a chance to share important information with the students and hope that it will help them understand and handle their credit responsibly now and in the future.”


Wa-Hi Big Blue Weekend a success
For the second year in a row, more than 300 students and staff from Walla Walla High School attended the Big Blue Weekend, November 21-23. Participants spent the weekend in student-led teams, giving them a chance to connect with other students and staff members that they wouldn’t normally spend time with. Students and staff also heard from motivational speaker and MTV celebrity, Jeff Yalden, who challenged them to “take time to think” about the life they want to live.

“There were large group activities, a guest musician, and lots of surprises that gave students the chance to build relationships that they could bring back to their school,” ASB Advisor Jillian DeBritz said. “The purpose of the weekend is to positively impact the climate of Wa-Hi by building relationships between students and staff, breaking down social barriers, and giving students relational skills and experience that they can integrate into their lives.”

The Big Blue Weekend is planned and facilitated by the ASB Leadership class, which is made up of elected and appointed student body officers.

By the end of the Big Blue Weekend, students who attend walk away with:
- Lifelong skills in relationship building
- A group of peers who know and support them
- At least one staff person who cares about them personally
- A sense of their value and impact on others
- New perspective on the kind of person they want to become
- Greater vision for their life
- Confidence to step outside of their comfort zone
- Empowerment to make a positive difference in their school and community

Fund-raising by the student body leaders and donations from local businesses helps keep the weekend affordable for all students. A special thanks to the following organizations for their generous contributions:
- Mary Garner Esary Trust - $10,000 donation
- Banner Bank - $5,000 donation
- Providence St. Mary Medical Center - $500 donation
- Mark Thompson - $250 donation
- Baker Boyer Bank - $100 donation
- The McGregor Company - $100 donation

If you or your business would like to partner with Wa-Hi to continue making the Big Blue Weekend possible in coming years, donations are now being accepted. Wa-Hi is grateful for the community partners who believe in this weekend and invest in students through their financial support.

For questions or more information about the Big Blue Weekend, please contact Jillian DeBritz at Walla Walla High School (526-8659).


Classroom Close-Up features Walla Walla High School teacher
This week Walla Walla High School Career and Technical Education Teacher Gretchen Baker 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 radio spot featuring Baker is now playing on regional stations.