Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - October 30, 2009

In this Issue:

(Click on article
to read more)

Day light savings ends this weekend
When you go to bed Saturday night, remember to set back your clocks one hour. At 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 1, daylight saving time (DST) ends for the year.
Key Club organizes family-friendly Halloween public event Saturday
The Walla Walla High School Key Club, advised by teacher Shelley Mann, is organizing Trunk-or-Treat Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Academic Parking Lot at Walla Walla High School. This free, family-friendly event offers Walla Walla children trick or treating opportunities in a safe environment.

High School students decorate their cars and put on costumes as they pass out treats. Guests are asked to bring a can of food for the area’s food bank. For more information, contact Shelley Mann at: smann@wwps.org.


School board meeting and executive session Tuesday, Nov. 3
- Executive work session: 6:30 to 7:25 p.m. (school board only)
- Regular meeting: 7:30 p.m.

Location: 364 S. Park St. (board room)
Regular board meeting open to the public


Walla Walla High School students receive Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Month awards
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School seniors Zachary Sumerlin and Emma Burgess for receiving Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Month Awards this month. These students will also be eligible to compete for the Exchange Club of Walla Walla Youth of the Year Award and a special $1,000 college scholarship.

This year’s Youth of the Month/Year Essay Theme: “Inspired by the power of community service”

“Exchange Club of Walla Walla recognizes that the young people of our nation represent America’s greatest treasure. Through our youth programs, America is reminded how outstanding and promising this treasure truly is. For every youth project our club participates, we touch more lives. Get ready for a great school year.”

Exchange Club Youth of the Month Students

Zachary Sumerlin - Walla Walla High School
Zachary Sumerlin’s parents are Davy and Tawnia Sumerlin. He plans to attend college and major in forensic science. Zachary has been involved in sports throughout his school years. He plays football, basketball and is involved in rodeo. He enjoys snowboarding.

He was first team (unanimous), All Conference Offensive Line and Defensive lineman for the Big 9 in football. He was first team all conference Offensive Lineman of the year. Zachary has been inducted into the National Honor Society.

Emma Burgess - Walla Walla High School
Emma Burgess is the daughter of Dana and Melinda Burgess. She has attended Walla Walla Public Schools from kindergarten through senior year. Currently a senior at Walla Walla High School, she is the co-captain of the Varsity Girls Cross Country team, a 3rd year Varsity Track and Field letterman and a Scholar Athlete. She was recently recognized as an Advanced Placement Scholar of Distinction and is the 1st chair clarinet and section leader in the Walla Walla High School Wind Ensemble. She hopes to attend Gonzaga University next fall and major in nursing.


Math consultant helps parents understand math concepts
Anita Chin, OrigoMath consultant, was in district yesterday to model lessons for teachers at Blue Ridge and Prospect Point. Staff across the district participated in this professional development. More than 45 parents attended a district math night at Prospect Point to learn more about changes in math curriculum and instruction. Parents learned how the games, visual models, and mental math strategies develop algebraic thinking. Anita is back in the district today to model lessons at Edison and Sharpstein.

Donuts for Dads draws hundreds
Friday morning several district elementary schools host Donuts for Dads. Hundreds of proud dads flocked to the schools to spend time with their child. The focus of the event is to promote the importance of male role models. Dads are also encouraged to read to their children in the evenings and stay involved in school activities.

Sharpstein students to help welcome new Walla Walla baseball team
A press conference has been scheduled Thursday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. at the Sharpstein Elementary gym for Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC to unveil the official team name, brand identity, website, and field manager for the new team set to begin play this summer in Walla Walla.

The new Walla Walla baseball team will consist of 25 college baseball players from throughout the United States competing in a Northwest - all wood bat - league from June through August. Home games will be played at Borleske Stadium.

“Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC is a group of civic-minded individuals with strong ties to the Walla Walla region and to the game of baseball,” said General Manager Zachary Fraser. “PBV will strive to provide their fans, sponsors, business partners, and investors with the very best in competitive baseball and entertainment, including atmosphere, comfort, food & beverage, safety, competition, fun and value.”

Pacific Baseball Ventures, LLC owners and team officials:
- John Stanton
- Terry Gillespie
- Jeff Cirillo
- Greg Shaw
- Mikal Thomsen
- Peter Van Oppen
- Zachary Fraser

For more information, please visit: www.wallawallabaseball.com


Big Nine Football playoffs begin Friday night at Borleske
Wa-Hi vs. Moses Lake
- Friday, October 30
- 7:30 p.m. kickoff
- Borleske Stadium
- Adults $5
- Students/Seniors $3 (All students must pay, both home and visitors)
- ASB cards and passes are not accepted
- Gates open: 6:30 p.m.
Let’s wear blue and “Blue Out” the stadium in support of the Blue Devils.
Go Big Blue!

Holiday Food Drive committee plans activity at local grocery stores
Thursday afternoon Holiday Food Drive committee chairs Michelle Carpenter (Green Park) and Lori Finn (Lincoln) held a meeting to further organize this year’s effort which will run from Monday, Nov. 30 to Friday, Dec. 18. Proceeds benefit the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank. This year’s theme: “Anyone can make a difference.” Collection bins will be located each school and also at holiday concerts.

A special event has been schedule Saturday, Dec. 5 at area grocery stores. Details are still being worked out, but the basic concept calls for school buses to be parked in front of stores for shoppers to fill with donated items. Lori Finn is organizing this activity and is looking for volunteers. Students at all grade levels are also expected to be involved. Look for more details in the coming weeks.


Cross Country teams send runners to regional event
The Walla Walla High School Boys’ Cross Country team and three runners from the Girls’ Cross Country team will compete in the Regional Cross Country meet today at Wandemere golf course in Spokane. Races start at 2:30 p.m.

Members of the Boys’ team are:
- JP Wolpert
- Aaron Nelson
- Austin Morgan
- Blake Gerling
- Sean Newcomb
- Greg Heller
- Dustin Taylor.

Members of the Girls’ team are:
- Emma Burgess
- Denali Molitor
- Rachel Nelson

Coach: Mike Locati


Blue Devil Volleyball team district competition continues
The Blue Devil Volleyball team has advanced to the District tournament. They play at Southridge Saturday for the finals. Contact the Athletic Department for more information: 527-3020.
Qwest payment plan gives money to schools
Statement from Qwest web site: Now the simple act of paying your Qwest bill can help kids and schools. When you sign up for Qwest 1% Back to Schools, Qwest will donate the equivalent of one percent of your monthly Qwest bill to the eligible school district of your choice - at no extra cost to you. All you have to do is log into MyAccount, sign up for Paperless Billing and AutoPay Electronic Funds Transfer, and then choose a district. If you don’t have MyAccount, it only takes a moment to sign up. Together, we can make a real difference for kids, schools and communities. http://www.qwest.com/onepercent/
Fake telemarketers try to scam local businesses
Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce statement:

Area businesses, as well as individuals, are being cautioned by law enforcement to watch out for fake telemarketers purporting to be raising money for local schools or other agencies.

One local business recently agreed to pay $300 to a person claiming to work for Scoreboard Productions, according to a Walla Walla Police Department news release. The caller contacted the business with the goal of raising money for Garrison Middle School, the release states.

In the scam, the business-owner believed the money would cover having the business’ logo placed on T-shirts and advertisement for Garrison’s basketball program.

Walla Walla Public Schools Chief Financial Officer, Pat Johnston, told police that no such fundraising effort exists.

City police are advising businesses or others who may receive such solicitations to request the contact information of the benefiting agency. The agency may be a school, police, or fire agency. A legitimate caller should be able to promptly provide that information, according to the release. People should then contact the agency for verification.

A solicitor who can’t provide such information, or increases pressure to “act now,” should be considered fraudulent, according to the release.


Haunted House: Thrillers!
Location: 16 ½ W. Main
Date: October 30, 31
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $5
Presented by: ArtWalla and Kirkman House Museum

Haunted House Highlights: Tip-toe your way through a spooky maze of rooms featuring vignettes of scary movie favorites—careful not to disturb the monsters! Haunted House: Thrillers! is designed for community members of all ages. The family-friendly section, suitable for those easily spooked, includes a “Wizard of Oz” room and a tour of the Catacombs of Paris.

The fight-for-your-life section will test the courage of those who think they are thick-skinned—enter at your own risk! Admission is $5.00 per person, per visit. This fundraiser supports ArtWalla’s Windows on the Past community art project and Kirkman House Museum’s expanded Hands on History summer 2010 children’s programming.

For more information on Haunted House: Thrillers! please visit www.artwalla.com or www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org.


Report Ties Health Risks to Grades
Study shows risky health behaviors hurt student achievement at all grades

OLYMPIA - Smoking. Drinking more than two cans of soda a day. Not eating enough fruits and vegetables. While all pose health risks, a new report links those risks to lower grades for students. “Research Review: School-based Health Interventions and Academic Achievement,” (http://www.healthyschoolswa.org/) released this month, is a joint report by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Washington State Department of Health and the Washington State Board of Health.

“This report contains both bad and good news,” said Randy Dorn, state superintendent of public instruction. “It’s discouraging that so many kids live unhealthy lives. But it gives us a link to student success. It means if we can help them live healthier lives, they will be more successful students.”

The report is based on data from the 2006 Healthy Youth Survey. Students who participated in the survey were asked to give their average grades, which were compared with the number of risk factors students admitted to.

Results from the research were stark: the more health risks a student has, the more likely he or she will be at “academic risk” (reporting an average grade of C, D or F). Specifically, about 10 percent of those with a single risk factor were at academic risk. But about 50 percent of students with six health risk factors were at academic risk, and more than 67 percent of students with at least nine risk factors were at academic risk.

“We’re learning that health and education are closely connected. This new report shows that,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “When kids get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, and have limited stress, they’re healthier and do better in school.”

Researchers also found that a few single risk factors dramatically affected student success. More than 50 percent of students who reported using either cigarettes or marijuana also reported academic risk, while about 40 percent who reported either alcohol use or consuming two or more cans of soda per day also reported academic risk.

Research into academic achievement has shown that students often do not have equal chances at success. Poverty, racial and ethnic discrimination, and varied access to information and services all affect student success. The report shows that the same factors affect student health. The report also concludes that health interventions may be one strategy to close the disparities. It examines a number of research-based interventions that have shown positive results in affecting both health and learning outcomes.

“This report reveals a similar pattern between health disparities and the achievement gap based on race and poverty,” said Frankie Manning, member of the Washington State Board of Health. “Addressing the needs of the whole child is key in narrowing that gap.”

The report analyzed 13 risk factors:
- Cigarette smoking
- Alcohol use
- Marijuana use
- Obesity
- Severe asthma
- Not eating breakfast
- Insufficient fruits and vegetables
- Two or more soda pops a day
- Insufficient exercise
- Three or more hours of TV per day
- Feeling unsafe at school
- Depression
- Less than eight hours of sleep per night

The Healthy Youth Survey is given in even years to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 in public schools. In 2006, about 200,000 students participated.


Walla Walla High School Drama Department Presents: O Lovely Glowworm
Show dates: November 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21
Show times: 7 p.m., except for one matinee on November 21, when the show will be at 2 p.m. - as well as at 7 p.m.
Show location: Performances occur in the Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Center.
Show director: Brian Senter
Play by: Glen Berger.

O Lovely Glowworm brief description:
Our narrator, a blind, deaf, formerly dead, stuffed goat, finds himself alive again and in terrible pain. Out of desperation, he conjures up “scenes of great beauty” to distract himself from the pain and to figure out just how he wound up in this conundrum.

A heroic story of love and heroism evolves into the heroic story of how the Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer was invented. Inspired by scraps from a Dublin rubbish heap, circa 1918, that blew in front of the tethered goat before blowing away again.


Classroom Close-Up features Lincoln teacher
This week Lincoln Alternative High School teacher Erik Gordon 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 Gordon is now playing on regional stations.