Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - October 29, 2010

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Turn clocks back Saturday night
Standard time ends this weekend. Be sure to turn your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.


District teams with city and county to enhance police patrols in school zones
Walla Walla Public Schools, the City of Walla Walla and Walla Walla County have teamed to form the Walla Walla Aggressive Drivers Response Team to increase police patrols in school zones. The program is designed to keep children, parents and staff safe in school zones by creating zero tolerance for traffic infractions in these areas. Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Mick Miller says forming an alliance between the three organizations will enhance the program’s effectiveness as it relates to enforcement, awareness and education.

“We value this partnership as we work cooperatively to keep kids safe in our school zones,” Miller said. “We’ve had several near misses this school year and believe it’s important to be proactive when it comes to the safety of our students.”

Motorists will see additional police officers on foot, in cars and on motorcycles while driving through school zones at all 10 district schools. The patrols will be a combination of officers working additional shifts during their off-duty hours and reorganizing existing police resources to focus on traffic enforcement in school zones. Walla Walla Public Schools is providing a portion of the funding for the additional patrols in school zones. Walla Walla City Manager Nabiel Shawa says enforcement is a strong deterrence to aggressive driving, especially in school zones where traffic fines are much higher.

“The City of Walla Walla is committed to safety in our parks, on our streets and certainly to our children’s daily walks to and from their neighborhood schools,” Shawa said. “The partnership with the Walla Walla School District to increase patrols in and around school zones supports that worthy goal.”
County Commissioner Gregg Loney says Walla Walla County officials are also committed to improving safety in school zones.

“Child safety is a vital concern and a high priority to all Walla Walla County residents, and the Board of County Commissioners, as the county legislative authority, supports efforts to create greater awareness of the need to make traveling to and from schools safer for students,” Loney said. ”This board, as well as county sheriff’s office deputies and other county personnel, will be working closely with school administration and safety task force members to help emphasize and spotlight the importance of and need for extra care and caution along and in school travel zones, and to work to improve safety infrastructure, to protect precious young lives.” 

A group of concerned parents has recently formed the “To & From: The Safe Travels Alliance” to advocate for improved traffic safety in school zones. They have organized a broad group of community leaders, parents, district staff and students 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 and community activists Kathryn Southwick-Hess and Katie Christianson are chairing the effort.

“The presence of law enforcement officers is a visual reminder to drivers, pedestrians & other non-motorized travelers that there are laws to be followed in school zones,” Southwick-Hess said. “Receiving a citation or witnessing others being pulled over is a powerful reminder that existing laws will be enforced.”

Walla Walla Aggressive Drivers Response Team posters, banners and flyers are being created to inform the public about the program. Parents, staff and students will also be briefed on the program as part of the communications effort.


Superintendent Miller’s bulldog visits the Berney Bulldogs
Superintendent Mick Miller brought his dog “Winston” the Bulldog to Berney Elementary Tuesday afternoon as part of an all-school assembly. Winston was the guest of honor at the “Best Dog-Gone Bulldogs” assembly. Students loved petting Winston and meeting Superintendent Miller.

The assembly honored students for good behavior and success in school. Students receiving Best Dog Gone Bulldogs awards were: Ava Kirtely (kindergarten), Billy Duncan (1st Grade), Ian Swanson (2nd Grade), Kyle Gray (3rd Grade), Raegan Figgins (4th Grade), Clayton Angotti (5th Grade), and Ryan Van Dyke (PE Teacher).



Green Park Mathathon puts an end to teacher’s full head of hair
Green Park Elementary students in coordination with the Parent Teachers Association, recently raised $13,500 during the annual October PTA Mathathon. The friendly competition between teachers and classrooms begins the minute the sponsorship packets are distributed so there’s always a buzz of excitement taking place for two weeks. This year teacher Wes Sanders challenged all Green Park classes to a friendly competition with a twist. He agreed to shave his head if any class beat his class. Sanders’ classes have won the competition each year since the program started. This year his class lost by $42 because students kept bringing in more and more money. As a result, Sanders shaved his head.

Once the students receive their sponsorship packets, they begin getting sponsors. The sponsors can do flat donations or per question donations, meaning if the person chooses to sponsor them for 50 cents per correct answer, they would earn $50 if they were a 100 percent correct. Most sponsors typically do flat donations.

The students take a grade appropriate math test. The tests are turned in and volunteers grade them over the weekend and return the tests and test scores to the teacher. The students receive their scores and then go back to any sponsor who sponsored them per question. The sponsor is shown the score and they pay accordingly. Special thanks to Gayle Harwood, Michelle Carpenter, Wes Sanders, Lucy Gregoire, Tressa Baker and the entire staff, Sarah Sisk and Principal Mike Lambert.

Keys to this year’s Green Park Mathathon Success:
- Great prizes: This year $200 in cash was awarded for the top prize. Other prizes were Inland Octopus Gift Certificates. Some students also received Brights Candy gift certificates.

- Students who raised $150 or more earned lunch with the principal. This year 27 students get to take a bus to Lorenzo’s and have lunch with Principal Mike Lambert and play games.

- Students participating in the Mathathon received an ice cream treat at lunch.

- The class who raised the most money will received a special party, plus this year the students had the opportunity to personally shave Wes Sander’s head.

- All the students get a “pawsitive” celebration party outside that includes music, dancing and playing

- Last year the mathathon fundraising effort paid for 11 sets of amazing Marimbas.



Pioneer and Garrison “Food Bowl” brings in 3000 lbs of food for Realtors Annual Food Drive
Garrison Middle School Principal Gina Yonts and Pioneer Middle School Principal Dana Jones reported to school board members during Tuesday’s school board meetingntheir schools collected more than 3000 pounds of food during the “Food Bowl” campaign in conjunction with the annual Garrison and Pioneer 8th grade football game.

All the food was donated to the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank in support of the Walla Walla Realtors Annual Food Drive which netted more than 20,000 pounds of food this year.

Students began collecting food one month before the big game and had collection bins at Borleske Stadium during the contest. Special thanks to Realtor Peter Swant for working with the schools to coordinate this successful effort to help the community.


Walla Walla High School singers accepted to American Choral Director’s National Honor Choir
Walla Walla High School senior vocalists Natalie Ingersoll-Allen and Kolton Kolbaba have been accepted to perform with the American Choral Director’s National Honor Choirs in Chicago March 9-12, 2011. They will be participating in the Women’s Honor Choir and Men’s Honor Choir, respectively.

In order to apply, singers had to be at least a junior in High School. It was open to college and adult singers of any age. Only eight singers were selected from the State of Washington. There were over 700 applicants for the Men’s Choir and over 1,200 for the Women’s Choir. The choirs each have about 200 singers.

Singers from across the country will converge on Chicago to rehearse with each choir under an internationally recognized conductor. Lynne Gackle will conduct the Women’s Choir and Peter Bagley will conduct the Men’s Choir.

“This is a great honor for these young singers,” said Norbert Rossi, Choral Director. “Both of them are very dedicated to singing and to our choral program at WWHS. We are very pleased for them to have this opportunity.”

Trunk-or-Treat event brings in 1000 pounds of food for Christian Aid Center
Hundreds of area children attended last week’s Trunk-or-Treat event at Walla Walla High School sponsored by the Key Club. More than 1000 pounds of food was collected for donation to the Christian Aid Center. Special thanks to Key Club Advisor and teacher Shelley Mann for helping organize the event. The Kiwanis Club also supported the event with volunteers and by purchasing pizza for the students working the event.

First place in the decorating contest went to the National Honor Society for the “Pirates of the Caribbean” display. The interactive event for the children complete with a “walk the plank” to the treasure chest to get their treat feature.


McDonalds Night helps support Blue Ridge playground fund
Blue Ridge Elementary staff and parents volunteered at the 9th Street McDonalds Tuesday evening and raised $700 for the school’s playground fund.

“The managers commented on how enthusiastic our staff was and said that the first hour from 5 to 6 p.m. was the best hour a school has done in a long time,” Principal Kim Doepker said. “The families and community members came out to support our efforts.”

Outstanding Local High School Student Selected to Perform at Carnegie Hall
Anna Okada Burgess, a student at Walla Walla High School, has been selected for the 2011 American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She will be a part of the Honors Orchestra as a Violinist. Participation in the Honors Orchestra is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across North America.

Anna auditioned this fall for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Selection Board committee. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in her application and audition recording. Anna will join other performers from the United States and Canada for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

Anna studies music with Maya Takemoto and is a member of Whitman College’s Divertimento Orchestra and High Strung Quartet. Additionally, Anna is an accomplished Celtic fiddler. This month marks the release of her first CD entitled “Spring in Brassica”, which she recorded in Portland, Oregon this August, with her father, Jesse Burgess. Jesse is a guitarist, songwriter, and composer. Release of the CD is scheduled for the end of November.

Honors Performance Series Finalists will come together for five days in February 2011 in New York City to have the opportunity to learn from Maestro Charles Peltz, work with other Finalists, and get a taste of New York City. The Saturday, February 19 performance is available to the public and specially-invited representatives from collegiate music programs. The Honors Performance Series was created to showcase accomplished individual high school performers by allowing them to study under master conductors and perform in the celebrated venue, Carnegie Hall. Learn more by visiting www.honorsperformance.org.


Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball program begins fundraising effort for new Garrison Middle School backstop
The Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball program, under the direction of fundraising chair Peggy Needham, is taking donations to replace the aging baseball backstop at Garrison Middle School. The backstop was originally installed by the Rotary Club of Walla Walla in 1958 for use as a Pony League field. Needham says the current condition of the backstop, including the rusty poles, wires and holes, pose a safety hazard.
 
“This backstop is in desperate need of replacement,” Needham said. “Not only is the Garrison field utilized by the middle school, it is utilized by summer ball as well. It would be wonderful to have an additional field to use for summer and fall baseball programs.”

The Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball program is seeking $8500 to pay for the materials for the project. Walla Walla Public Schools has agreed to pay for the cost of the installation. The new backstop will also be moved forward to enhance competitive play, allow for additional fan seating, and improve safety by increasing the overhang to lessen the chance of cars and spectators being hit by foul balls. Needham said in addition to the backstop, her group would like to raise money to install shelters over the dugouts to keep the players protected.  She said a sign will be provided by Key Technology and installed on the backstop recognizing financial contributions of $500 or more. 

Needham says an account has been set up at Banner Bank titled “Garrison Backstop Project” and donations will be accepted at any branch. Donations are tax deductible. Funds may also be mailed to:

Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball
129 East Alder Suite 201
Walla Walla, WA 99362
FED ID # 27-0387105

About Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball
- Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball was originally started in 1998 as the Cub’s traveling baseball team (which was actually part of the Babe Ruth program).
- Then they added the Blues (originally called the Royals who were coached by Ryan Carter) a younger team coached by JC Biagi and Luke Hamada to cover a younger age group (13-14).
- Both teams have been active based on the number of kids wanting to play year-to-year.
- This year they held a fall baseball program for youth ages 13-16 at Murr FIeld.  We had 23 kids participate and would have had more, but lack of time to advertise hurt the program.  We had kids coming into the complex halfway thru the season wanting to play.
 
The mission for Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball is:
 
WWVSB is to provide opportunities for the youth in our community to participate in a progressively competitive and increased skill level of baseball competition.  WWVSB is designed to provide those players of competent skill level and attitude the opportunity to develop and compete at a higher level of play.  We will strive to instill in each player; discipline, hard work, accountability, sportsmanship and fair play.
 
WWVSB - Manager Mike Needham
Coaches Kevin McNeil
Zach Armijo
Thayne Stone
 
2010  WWVSB Board Members
President - George Flippo
VP - Wes Hibner
Accounting - Thayne Stone
Secretary - Carla Haen
Fundraising - Peggy Needham

Walla Walla High School Cross Country team earns athlete and coach of the year awards
4A Boys Runner of the Year: Aaron Nelson - 12
4A Coach of the Year: Mike Locati

Big 9 4A Boys Cross Country First Team
Aaron Nelson - 12
JP Wolpert - 11
Austin Morgan - 12

Big 9 4A Boys Cross Country Second Team
Sean Newcomb - 10

Big 9 4A Boys Cross Country Honorable Mention
Greggory Heller - 11
Sean Hollenbeck - 11

4A 2010 All Big Nine Volleyball Awards
Honorable Mention Volleyball
Sydney Christensen, Hitter - Junior
Tianna Cummings, Libero - Junior



Learning Tools Assistance Committee seeking school supplies donations
The Learning Tools Assistance Committee, under the direction of Secondary Math Coach Anne Swant, is seeking basic school supplies for secondary students in need.

“Due to the current economy, the number of students on the Walla Walla High School campus who need basic supplies has drastically increased this year,” Swant said. “This has caused the usual funding sources to provide for this need to be depleted.”

Recently the Walla High School Latino Club President Roger Contreras presented a donation of $400 to Assistant Principal Mindy Meyers and Swant in support of the Learning Tools Assistance Committee. The donation comes from funds raised by Exploring Post 311 which supports the Walla Walla High School Latino Club through a partnership with Boy Scouting. Special thanks to Bill and Diana Erickson for helping raise the funds.


Pioneer Middle School student named to All-State Orchestra
Pioneer Middle School student, Will Liening, has been accepted into the Washington Music Educator’s Junior All-State Orchestra. He will join over 375 other seventh-eighth grade musicians in Bellevue on February 19, 2011 in this gala event as part of the WMEA’s All-State Music Conference. Will is in eighth grade and plays violin in the Pioneer Orchestra under the direction of Julie Woods. His parents are Nathan & Dixie Liening.

These outstanding musicians will rehearse together under the direction of outstanding music educators and present a final concert that afternoon. These musicians were selected through auditions to participate in this prestigious event, which is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association.

Many professional musicians credit their All-State experience as crucial in their decision to choose music as a career. Thousands of others whose career paths took them in other directions have great memories of participating in this inspiring and motivating musical experience and claim that it was a life-changing experience for them.


Walla Walla High School JROTC Cadets to host November 10 Veterans Day ceremony
Walla Walla High School JROTC Cadets are organizing a Veterans Day assembly to honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 9:30 a.m at the school gymnasium. Any person honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, retired from any of the same, and who served in any component of those (Active, Reserve, Guard) during any era, from World War II to present are invited. If the veteran has passed on, a family member may attend and participate in their stead. Veterans are asked to arrive at 9 a.m.

This event is free and open to the public. Special reserved designated parking for attending veterans and family members is available. Two cadets from the Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps “Blue Devil” Cadet Battalion are organizing the event.
- Cadet Lt. Col. Robyn Paul — 2010/11 Wa-Hi Blue Devil JROTC Cadet Battalion Commander
- Cadet Captain Kaylee Bialozor — Blue Devil Battalion Public Affairs Officer

Questions may be addressed to Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Bill Bialozor — Wa-Hi Senior Army Instructor at the Wa-Hi JROTC program office by calling 509-527-3035, or email to wwhs_rotc@wwps.org.

Lincoln Alternative High School to host November 10 Veterans Day ceremony
Lincoln Alternative High School students are organizing a Veterans Day assembly to honor veterans Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 1:30 a.m at the school gymnasium. Any person honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, retired from any of the same, and who served in any component of those (Active, Reserve, Guard) during any era, from World War II to present are invited. If the veteran has passed on, a family member may attend and participate in their stead. Veterans are asked to arrive at 1:15 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Lincoln at 527-3083.


Area students invited to Moon-stravaganza at Whitman College Planetarium
Calling all elementary and middle school students! Come to Whitman’s Hall of Science Friday November 5 at 7 p.m. to learn all about Earth’s favorite satellite, the Moon, and the rest of our beautiful universe. Why does the Moon have the curious habit of turning blood red on occasion? Why is surfing impossible without the Moon? And, most importantly, is it really made of cheese? Answer these questions and more!

- When: November 5, 7 p.m.
- Where: Whitman College Hall of Science (signs will direct you once in the building)
- Who: 3-8 graders and their parents
- What: Learn about the Moon and play in the Planetarium

*This event is part of a senior Astronomy major’s thesis in Astronomy education. We ask that parents/guardians please accompany their children to this event and expect to be asked to fill out a consent form allowing the use of a short, anonymous quiz taken by the students in the study.

Questions: Contact Faith Tucker at fcmtucker@gmail.com or (650) 279-9179


Prospect Point students collect pet food and supplies for area animals
Friday Prospect Point Elementary students donated more than 1000 pounds of pet food and basic pet supplies to the Blue Mountain Humane Society. The Pet Food Drive was coordinated by the school’s 5th grade Peer And Leadership Support or PALS program under the direction of teacher Kate Van Cleve. Students Alice Gibson and Campbell Schulke were key student leaders during the two week campaign.


2010 Walla Walla “Toys for Tots” campaign underway
The annual Walla Walla “Toys for Tots” Campaign is underway. This is the 63rd year for Toys for Tots and the 4th year of the Walla Walla Campaign. Nationally, last year the Marines Corps Reserve and volunteers distributed over 16.7 million toys to 7.5 million needy children. Last year in Walla Walla, new unwrapped toys were distributed to 706 local children. All toys collected will be distributed to local families and children from Walla Walla to Dayton. This year “Toys for Tots” is working with St. Vincent de Paul to ensure every child in the Walla Walla Valley receives a little Christmas.

To request toys, pick up applications at St. Vincent de Paul (308 West Main Street) November 22 to December 3 or St. Paul’s Church (323 Catherine Street) December 5 to 10. Toys will be distributed December 18 and 19 from St. Paul’s Church.

“Toys for Tots” Drop-off locations include:
- Book & Game -38 E. Main Street
- Community Bank – 28 E. Alder Street
- Providence St. Mary Medical Center – 401 w. Poplar
- Inland Cellular, 1605 SE Meadowbrook , College Place
- Kirkman House Museum 214 N. Colville Street
- AAA Washington, 1361 Dalles-Military Road
- WW Motor Supply – 1830 E. Isaacs Ave
- Applebee’s – located behind Safeway on Plaza Way
- Tumac Outdoor Equipment – 902 W. Rose Street
- Tumac Machinery – 3037 E Melrose Street

“Toys for Tots” events:
- City Slickers Cut-a-thon on Sunday November 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Get a free hair cut in exchange for a new toy or cash donation. City Slickers is located at 14 West Main Street, downtown Walla Walla.

- Downtown Toy Drive – Saturday, November 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the corner of 1st & Main Street. Meet our local Marines, learn more about Toys for Tots and make a donation.

- Book & Game: From November 1 to December 15 Book & Game (1st & Main Street) will be giving a 20% discount for anything at the store purchased for Toys for Tots.

For more information please visit the local website www.walla-walla-wa.toysfortots.org or contact Beth Swanson at 509-301-7471 or bethswanson@charter.net


Walla Walla High School Drama department presents Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
The Walla Walla High School Drama Department fall production, Pride & Prejudice, opens next Thursday, November 11. This classic Jane Austen romantic comedy first published in 1813 is adapted for the stage by playwright Jon Jory, whose fresh spin adds a new dimension to the timeless tale of the Bennett sisters and their romantic travails.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on November 11, 12, 13, 18 & 19 and 2 p.m. on November 20 in the Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Auditorium. Tickets can be purchased at the auditorium, or by calling the box office at 526-8613, from 4:00 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 1 hour prior to show times beginning November 8th and continuing through the 20th. Tickets are $6 for students and $12 for adults.

If you would like information on supporting the program as a sponsor, or advertising your business in the production programs, contact Kirsten Schober at kirstenschober@gmail.com.

- Show dates and times: November 11,12,13,18,19 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, November 20 at 2 p.m.
- Cost: Adults: $12 and Students: $6
- Location: Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Auditorium
- Ticket box office: (509) 526-8613


Classroom Close-Up features Lincoln Alternative High School teacher
This week Lincoln Alternative High School Math Teacher Anthony Barba 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 Barba is now playing on regional stations.