Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - March 25, 2011

In this Issue:

(Click on article
to read more)

WW Kids Read featured author praises Walla Walla
Thousands of local students flocked to Cordiner Hall on the Whitman College campus this week for Walla Walla Kids Read 2011. This year’s event featured renowned children’s authors Jon Scieszka and David Shannon. Walla Walla Kids Read is designed to inspire every K-5 child in the Walla Walla valley by bringing students to a world class facility to hear a well known author. All costs, including busing of students to and from the event, were paid for by Walla Walla Kids Read. Local author Patrick Carman is the founder of Walla Walla Kids Read.

Scieszka said Walla Walla is a special place.
“There is a community excitement here where everyone is connected,” Scieszka said. “Walla Walla is such a great place to discover.”

For Patrick Carman, creating an opportunity for students to unite around books was the inspiration behind his creation of Walla Walla Kids Read.

“What excited me the most was knowing all K-5 students in the Walla Walla valley were going to read the same book, turn the same pages and learn about the same author,” Carman said. “We live in a diverse community and to have something in common like a children’s book to bring everyone together is powerful. This venue on Whitman College is also important because many of the children in our valley don’t have opportunities to visit a college campus. This allows them to see what their lives can be and gives them something to dream about.”

Learn more about WW Kids Read at www.wallawallakidsread.com


Spring Break 2011 schedule
- No School: April 4-8
- Classes resume Monday, April 11
American Association of University Women scholarship opportunity
The American Association of University Women is accepting applications for AAUW scholarships. The program provides assistance to women who have completed at least one year of college and want to finish their undergraduate or post graduate education. To qualify, there must be a break of at least one year at some time during the college education process.

Past academic performance, demonstrated community commitment and financial need of the applicant will be considered in making the awards. Applicants must be residents of Walla Walla, Columbia or Umatilla counties. Applications are available online at www.aauw-wallawalla.org or from Alicia Quackenbush at 509 240-4116 or rquackenbush@charter.net. The applications are due April 22, 2011 and should be sent to Alicia Quackenbush, AAUW Scholarship Chair; 649 Hill Rd; Walla Walla, WA 99362. Scholarship recipients will be honored at AAUW’s annual banquet in mid May.
Saturday’s Great Explorations adventure features NASA astronaut
American Association of University Women are putting the final plans in place for Saturday’s Great Explorations adventure in science, technology, engineering and math for girls in grades 5 through 8.

The highlight of the Saturday, March 26 event, which is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Whitman Collage, is the appearance of NASA astronaut Dorothy “Dottie” Metcalf-Lindenburger. She is this year’s keynote speaker. Her talk is titled “Dream BIG, Work Hard”. Metcalf-Lindenburger will also meet with Lincoln and Walla Walla High School students Monday, March 28 at their schools. For more information on registration, scholarships or questions on any of the events, please contact Carol Morgan, pcmorgan@charter.net, 525-3531, or visit the AAUW website at www.aauw-wallawalla.org.

District partners with Whitman College for Community Violence Prevention Conference
Whitman College hosts the 2011 Community Violence Prevention Conference, March 29 and 30, including a lecture by Dorothy Edwards of Green Dot. etc. and educational workshops. All events are free and open to the public.

Edwards will be meeting with staff from Pioneer and Garrison Middle Schools and Walla Walla and Lincoln High Schools Wednesday, March 30 to introduce the program to the district. Communications Director Mark Higgins and Risk Management Specialist Mark Thompson will be presenting during a work session on the district’s Safe and Civil schools program and the district’s efforts to curb bullying. Superintendent Mick Miller will be participating throughout the events and will be having lunch with Whitman College leaders to conclude the conference.

Green Dot, etc. is an organization built on the premise that we can measurably and systematically reduce violence within any given community. For more, visit: http://www.livethegreendot.com/

The goals of the conference are “To bring together members of the Walla Walla Valley target audience to understand the scope of violence in our region, to share our local expertise more broadly and enable cross-training, to network and form connections across agencies and institutions and to initiate an ongoing valley-wide effort to reduce violence in our communities,” according to the Walla Walla Violence Prevention Web site.

Community Violence Prevention Conference events include:
Tuesday, March 29 - Dorothy Edwards, Green Dot, etc.
Dorothy Edwards, executive director of Green Dot, etc., presents a lecture titled “What Works? Effective Ways to Reduce Violence in Our Community.” Edwards will address how individuals in the Walla Walla community can become active agents for change by understanding why violence occurs and how they can help prevent it. 7 p.m., Cordiner Hall.

Wednesday, March 30: Free workshops
Free presentations and workshops featuring topics on “Violence prevention in our schools” and “Green Dot Program.” Visit wwviolenceprevention.com for details and to register. 8:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Whitman campus, see Web site for details.

About Dorothy J. Edwards:
Dorothy J. Edwards, author of the Green Dot Violence Prevention Strategy, holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Woman’s University. Prior to her current position, serving as the Executive Director of Green Dot, etc., a center dedicated to effective intervention and prevention of power-based personal violence, Edwards served for five years as the founding Director of the University of Kentucky Violence Intervention and Prevention Center. She has worked in both counseling and teaching capacities in higher education at Appalachian State University and Texas Women’s University as well as founding the Community Education Program at Denton County Friends of the Family, addressing sexual assault and relationship violence. With a specialty in primary prevention, she provides training and consultation in the areas of power-based personal violence, organizational capacity building, program implementation, strategic planning and community mobilization. Edwards is currently working with government entities, state coalitions, military, non-profits, community organizations, high schools and colleges from around the globe.

For more information, contact:
Barbara Maxwell, associate dean of students
maxwelba@whitman.edu / 509-527-5208



Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant focuses on leadership and character
- Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant
- April 21
- 7:00 p.m.
- $5 (open to the public and tickets sold at the door)
- Walla Walla High School Auditorium (800 Abbott Road)

The Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant is a senior male student competition showcasing the contestants talents, involvement in school and character. This is a senior class fund-raiser to help buy the senior gift for the high school.


Walla Walla High School choir students qualify for state competition
Several Walla Walla High School students qualified for the state competition following strong performances at the Columbia Basin Music Educators Association (CBMEA) Solo/Ensemble held at Walla Walla High School last weekend.

This week the Concert Choir and Combined Women’s Choir both received “Superior” ratings for their performances at the CBMEA Large Choir Contest at Chiawana High School.

The Combined Women’s Choir included members of Treble Ensemble, Chansons Choir and Cantabile Choir. They performed “Dark Brown is the River,” “Da Pacem Domine,” and “Give Us Hope.” The Concert Choir performed “Locus Iste,” “Carpenters of God,’ and “Go Down Moses.” the last song featured soloist John Gossett. Both Choir were accompanied by

CBMEA 2011 VOCAL SOLO-ENSEMBLE STATE QUALIFIERS

Women’s Vocal-Small
The Dynamic Duo-1st Alternate WWHS
AMW Trio-2nd Alternate WWHS

MEZZO-SOPRANO
Hirut Senter - Winner WWHS
Kayla Leinweber - 1st Alt. A WWHS
Katelyn Hensley - 1st Alt. B WWHS
Kara Goodwin - 2nd Alt. A WWHS

ALTO
Mallory Livingston-Winner WWHS

SOPRANO
Allison Henckel - 1st Alt. A WWHS

Mixed Vocal - Small
Herbert/Pummel Duet-Winner WWHS

TENOR
Kolton Kolbaba-Winner WWHS
Cougar Henderson-1st Alt Tenor WWHS
Gabe Anderson-2nd Alt Tenor WWHS

BARITONE
Madison Filan - Winner WWHS
John Gossett-1st Alt Baritone WWHS
Seth Thomas-2nd Alt Baritone WWHS


Principal Pete Peterson named Walla Walla High School Latino Club Staff Member of the Month
The Walla Walla High School Latino Club is pleased to announce that Principal Pete Peterson has been selected as the “Walla Walla High School Latino Club Staff Members of the Month” for February 2011. This recognition is based on his support to students who are Latino Club members. The Walla Walla Latino Club wants to recognize Mr. Peterson for his help funding the Mariachi Huenachi concert and tour and for his work in helping provide Tapatío Sauce in the Walla Walla High School Commons during lunch.
Classroom Close-Up features Berney 4th grade teacher
This week Berney Elementary 4th grade teacher Ilana James 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 James is now playing on regional stations.

Walla Walla High School cadets win big at March 12 Lebanon, OR Drill & Marksmanship Meet
Cadets from the Walla Walla High School JROTC “Blue Devil” Cadet Battalion traveled to Lebanon, OR to compete at the Lebanon High School Marksmanship and Drill Regional Meet and brought home the hardware for their efforts.

Cadets from the Walla Walla High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps took several top honors in individual and team categories. More than 350 cadets on drill and marksmanship teams from a dozen regional schools competed.

“Our cadets worked hard and competed well and earned trophies, medals and ribbons for their efforts,” said retired Army Lt. Col. Bill Bialozor, who coaches the Walla Walla drill teams and serves as Senior Army Instructor for the Wa-Hi JROTC program.

Cadet Lt. Col. Robyn Paul, a senior, who serves as the Blue Devil Battalion Commander, listed the honors her fellow cadets earned at the event: “Cadet Maj. Amairani Juárez won 4th place in the Unarmed Drill Down and Cadet Capt. Delacey Heater won 2nd in the Unarmed Drill Down. Cadet Capt. Skyler Carpenter won 2nd in Individual Saber Exhibition Drill. The Unarmed Drill Team (Sponsors) won 3rd place and the Unarmed Drill Team (Sponsors) Commander won 2nd place. Cadet Cpl. Sara Beko and Cadet Pvt. 1st Class Kristen Chavre won 3rd for Dual Unarmed Exhibition Drill.”

The Blue Devil Marksmanship Team fired outstanding individual and team scores, too, according to their coach.

“Our Precision Team won 1st place and swept the top four individual spots. Cadet Kyle Jameson won 1st place, Cadet Sara Jameson won 2nd place, Cadet Capt. Katie Chavre (Rifle Team Captain) won 3rd, and Cadet 1st Lieutenant Karri Mickelson won 4th,” said shooting team coach, retired Army Master Sgt. Gerry Taylor. Sporter Team 1 won 2nd place. The Sporter Team won honors at several levels, also,” “At the Expert level, Cadet Christa Juergensen won 1st place and Cadet Staff Sgt. Hailee Fenton won 3rd place. At the Masters level, Cadet 2nd Lieutenant Rishi Patel won 1st place.”

JROTC cadets learn military history, precision drill and ceremonies, marksmanship and leadership skills. The Wa-Hi “Blue Devil” Cadet Battalion competes in drill and ceremony and marksmanship events around the region.


Walla Walla siblings help Representative Nealey in the House of Representatives
Conner and Alicia Boucher, siblings from Walla Walla, recently served together as pages in the Washington House of Representatives. They were sponsored by Rep. Terry Nealey, R-Dayton. Paging presents students with a unique educational opportunity to participate in the legislative process. Their duties vary from ceremonial tasks, such as presenting the flags, to operational chores like distributing amendments during legislative sessions.

Both Conner and Alicia attended page school during their week in Olympia, where they learned how a bill becomes a law and watched firsthand the actions of the Legislature. To become a page, a student must have a grade-point average of C+ or better and obtain permission from their parents and school. Applicants must also have a legislative sponsor.

Conner, 15, is a sophomore at Walla Walla High School. His 14-year-old sister, Alicia, is in eighth grade at Garrison Middle School. Their parents are Harold and Elizabeth Boucher from Walla Walla. Additional information about the House page program can be found at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/House/Pages/HousePageProgram.aspx


Walla Walla High School journalism students named to national honor roll
National Scholastic Press Association (NSPA) released the National Journalism Honor Roll for 2011, which includes five Walla Walla High School students. Senior Camille Kammer, print editor in chief; senior Olivia Welker, features editor; senior Kristine Leier, opinions editor; junior Maddy Nelson, online editor in chief; and sophomore Miranda Ruff, head photographer will be honored in The Best of High School Press 2011.

NSPA Honor Roll recognizes student journalists who have served on the Journal staff for at least one year and have a minimum grade point average of 3.75.


Lincoln High School drama students present Hip Hop Anansi
Lincoln Alternative High School’s Play Production Company will be performing Hip Hop Anansi at the Walla Walla Community College’s China Pavilion on April 2nd at 7 p.m. and April 3rd at 2 p.m. Donations are accepted. KIDS 10 AND UNDER FREE. Hip Hop Anansi is directed by Jessica Barkl (director of the last few summer musicals) and Riki Wauchek (drama teacher) with choreography by Gabriela Salazar (TRIO).

The Lincoln Play Production Company is also performing productions of Hip Hop Anansi at Walla Walla elementary schools. Email Riki Wauchek at ewauchek@wwps.org to book a performance.

Hip Hop Anansi is the story of Anansi and his trickster family put into a sleek, urban hip hop context in this modern adaptation of an Ashanti folktale. Anansi wants the Golden Fly Pie Award for Tricksterism and is not above outwitting his own children to win it. But his rhyming, break dancing, graffiti-ing children are ready to claim the prize in their own right. Who’s fly? Who deserves the pie?


Elementary schools gear up for City Battle of the Books program
Since 1982, Washington state students have annually selected a book to win the Washington Childrens Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA). All K-3 students can vote on this award through their district Library Media Specialist. Students may also learn more at http://www.wlma.org/wccpba .

Battle of the Books Information: Event - Wednesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sharpstein Elementary School Gym.

Teams from fourth and fifth grade classes throughout Walla Walla schools have been reading the 20 WCCPBA nominees. After reading the books, the students take notes on the author and literary elements such as setting, characters and plot. They also identify the genre and make notes on any unique features of the story. The classes have a mini-battle to determine who will represent their class through a quiz-show like competition. The winning team takes on all of the other fourth and fifth graders in the school to establish a School Champion!

Each School Champion from the five schools will compete in the SECOND CITY Battle of the Books! Come and celebrate the love of learning with your children, their families and friends as they pit their wits against the champions from Berney, Blue Ridge, Edison, Green Park, and Sharpstein. For more information, contact Sharpstein Library Media Specialist Linda Seibold at: lseibold@wwps.org or at 527-3098.


YMCA offers kitchen cooking class during Spring Break
“SOMEONE’S IN THE KITCHEN COOKING CLASS”
When: April 4-7
Where: Someone’s in the Kitchen Restaurant
Time: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Cost for Members: $60
Cost for Non-Members: $80
Age: 6-12
Instructor: Chef Gene Soto

YMCA Spring Break day camp helps keep youth active when school is out
Day Camp over Spring Break is the perfect way to keep kids occupied and active during their week off from school.
- Dates: April 4 to 8
- Time: 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Instructor: Ruby Mitchell
- Age Groups: Elementary grades
- Cost: $140 (Cost for members: $120)

Each day the Day Camp staff will lead campers in:
- group games (arts and crafts)
- sports activities
- field trips to local educational landmarks

All of the resources and activities at the Y will be incorporated as well, including:
- swimming
- archery
- basketball