Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - April 29, 2011

In this Issue:

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School Board Executive Session and Regular Meeting - Tuesday, May 3
- Meeting date: Tuesday, May 3
- Executive Session: 5 p.m. (Performance of a public employee and acquisition of real estate discussion - school board only)
- Regular Meeting: 6:30 p.m. (open to the public)
- Location: District Office board meeting (364 S. Park St.)
- (509) 527-3000

Balloon Stampede School Launches
- Friday, May 13
- 6:30 a.m.

School Locations:
Pioneer Middle School
Garrison Middle School
Prospect Point Elementary
Lincoln High School
Blue Ridge Elementary
Sharpstein Elementary
Edison Elementary
Walla Walla High School
Berney Elementary


Full-Day kindergarten program helping close achievement gap for impoverished students
Walla Walla Public Schools recently published a five year report on the district’s Full-Day Kindergarten program. The report features messages from Superintendent Mick Miller and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Linda Boggs. It provides a timeline on how the program was adopted in Walla Walla and testimonials from teachers and parents.

The Full-Day Kindergarten five-year report reflects the program is helping to close the achievement gap for students from impoverished backgrounds based on the percentage of students meeting reading benchmarks.

The Full-Day Kindergarten program five year report is posted on the district website at www.wwps.org -- A to Z: F = Full Day Kindergarten Five-Year Report.


Wa-Hi Drama Department presents Fiddler on the Roof
The tradition of marvelous High School Musicals continues with Fiddler on the Roof. The Walla Walla High School’s Performing Arts Auditorium has been transformed into a small village in Russia, and students are busily preparing the final touches on this family favorite. Immerse yourself in the family life of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor dairyman, as he tries to instill in his five daughters the traditions of his tight-knit Jewish community in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.

Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. It’s universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Performances:
May 5, 6, 7, 12, and 13 at 7 p.m. along with two matinees at 2 p.m. on May 7 & 14.
Get your tickets at the box office in the lobby of the auditorium April 25-29, May 2-6 and May 9 - 13 between 3:30 and 6 p.m. The box office is also open one hour before performances on Saturdays. Stop by to purchase tickets or reserve over the phone at (509) 526-8613.

For more information, contact Denise Marr at denise.marr@wwcc.edu.


Pioneer Middle School student wins career showcase competition
Congratulations to Pioneer Middle School 8th grade student Brelynn Hess for placing 1st in the GEAR UP Career Showcase for her career of choice presentation on being an architect. Hess competed against 16 outstanding students from GEAR UP schools throughout Eastern Washington. The top four winners won trips to the GEAR UP National Conference in San Francisco. Brelynn’s parents and Mark and Kathryn Hess.

Walla Walla High School FFA plant sale in May 2-5
The FFA Plant Sale is scheduled to take place Monday, May 2 to Thursday, May 5 at the Career and Technical Education Building at Walla Walla High School.
- Plenty of parking
- Patio planters (limited supply, come early)
- Cedar planter boxes that will be filled with a variety of great flowers
- Three cedar potting tables will be available
- Various metal art figures

Walla Walla High School Dance team plans try-outs
Attention 8th grade girls and high school girls interested in participating on the Walla Walla High School Dance Team. Try-outs are Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. There will be an open practice held at Wa-Hi: Wednesday, May 4. This session will not count as a try-out. Contact Coach Abby Muro for more information: abby_muro@hotmail.com.

Relay for Hope ‘Walk Away Child Abuse’
Take your first step in making a difference in a child’s life!
- May 6 - May 7, 2011
- Borleske Stadium
- Walla Walla
- Kick off starts at 5 p.m. Friday and ends 5 p.m. Saturday.

Friday May 6th is Family Night
6 to 9:30 p.m.
Includes a children’s walk, story time ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper’, an Aesop’s Fable, and a movie ‘A Bug’s Life’.
Bring a teddy bear, blanket, and come in your pajamas!

Individual $10 or Family $20
Registered walkers will receive a T-shirt & water bottle!

Featured Movie: ‘A Bug’s Life’
Animated Feature Film, Rated G
A misfit ant named Flik tries to save his colony from a greedy gang of grasshoppers in this computer-animated comedy. Faced with impending doom, he leads an oddball assortment of creepy crawlers from a flea circus against the menacing grasshoppers. The result is hilarious fun!
A Bug’s Life illustrates the idea of many “small” individuals coming together to overcome a much larger obstacle.
Don’t be afraid to ask others for help when you need it. Stand up for what you believe is right. Don’t Forget the walk continues on Saturday May 7th including Free Kid Olympics, Food and Family Education Booths!


Edison teacher Kit Chryst Retirement Celebration
Edison is hosting a retirement reception for teacher Kit Chryst
- Tuesday, May 10
- 3:15-4:30 p.m.
- Edison Cafeteria

Holocaust survivor to speak at Whitman College
- Monday, May 2
- 7 p.m.
- Maxey Auditorium (Whitman College Campus)
- Free and open to the public

Discover the story of Mr. Holczer’s survival in Hungary during the Holocaust, and his subsequent journey to the United States. Robert Holczer was just a teenager when German soldiers stormed his native Budapest, Hungary, forcing him and his family to leave their home to live in a building assigned for Jews.

While half of his extended family was killed in Auschwitz during the war, Holczer was extremely lucky. In 1944 a famous psychiatrist living in his building allied with George Ara Jeretzian, an officer of the occupying Hungarian Arrow Cross Party, and together they concocted a scheme to turn the building into the official auxiliary hospital unit of the Hungarian Ministry of Interior and the joint Arrow Cross Party. The plan worked, ultimately saving the lives of Holczer, his immediate family and 400 other Jews who worked — and hid — in the clinic until their 1945 liberation.


Sharpstein Elementary wins Battle of the Books competition
Congratulations to Sharpstein Elementary for recently winning the Battle of the Books championship. Since 1982, Washington state students have annually selected a book to win the Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA). Teams from fourth and fifth grade classes throughout Walla Walla schools read the 20 WCCPBA nominees. After reading the books, the students took notes on the author and literary elements such as setting, characters and plot.

“A special hooray to the 4th grade team from Sharpstein who came in first place,” said Sharpstein Library Media Specialist Linda Seibold. “Thank you to everyone who supported our efforts and we are already looking forward to next year’s Battle!” Sharpstein team members: Justin Goss, Jacob Pribilsky, Katie Harvey, Alexis Sanders and Yuridia Albarran


Filan wins state art show award
Walla Walla High School senior Madison Filan won the state award for the 38th Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show. Madison has won with his piece titled “Grass Land” that was created in 3D space. His piece was selected as the “SBE Choice.”

The State Board of Education (SBE) and the Professional Educator’s Standards Board (PESB) pieces will go to their offices once they have been on display in the OSPI foyer for one year following the awards presentation. Madison’s piece will be purchased for $200. Madison plans to attend the Seattle Art Institute next year.

“This is a great honor for Walla Walla High School and Walla Walla Public Schools,” said Dennis DeBroeck, Walla Walla High School Media Technology & Animation teacher. “Madison has represented himself and his school well. This is another example of great students doing great things.”


Strategic plan survey to close Monday, May 2
The district continues its work with Susan Newton of Strategic Development Plus to create a new strategic plan for Walla Walla Public Schools. Please visit the district web site and take the survey to help the district with its strategic planning process. The survey will close Monday, May 2.

This input will help define the district’s priorities and set a vision for the coming years. Please talk to other parents, students and community members and encourage them provide the district feedback as well. The survey only takes a minute. This is a great opportunity to have a voice in the district’s future. Thanks again for all your support and help in making Walla Walla Public Schools one of the state’s premiere school districts. Strategic Plan Web Page: http://www.wwps.org/leadership/strategic_plan.htm


AVID Club announces staff versus students charity soccer match and student kicking fundraising competition
Spring has arrived and soccer is in the air. Walla Walla High School’s AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Club is eagerly planning two major soccer events in May: Soccer Week’s Kick Like a Pro competition foreshadowing AVID Club’s highlight event the student versus staff Blue Devil College Cup soccer match.

Kick Like a Pro Competition
- May 2-4
- Soccer ball kicking student competition
- Walla Walla High School
During Soccer Week, May 2nd-4th, Kick Like a Pro competition will allow students to demonstrate their true soccer abilities. Students pay $1 per kick to see how fast they can kick a soccer ball; the speed being monitored by the Walla Walla County Sheriff Department’s radar unit. Fastest kicking times will be posted daily, with the top five fastest kickers as finalists. The five finalists will compete at half time of the Blue Devil College Cup game for first place. AVID Club is pleased to partner with the Walla Walla Sheriff’s Department for the fun halftime competition.

Blue Devil College Cup (Staff vs. Students Soccer Match)
- Friday, May 20
- 6 p.m.
- Free
- Walla Walla High School Soccer Field (800 Abbott Road)

Proceeds for the Blue Devil College Cup will go toward a new Walla Walla High School Scholarship. Donations will be accepted at the match. Pitting Wa-Hi staff against Wa-Hi students in a soccer match for the first time in Wa-Hi history, the College Cup, not only provides a new annual scholarship for future Wa-Hi students, but also provides a unique and fun opportunity for Wa-Hi staff and students to partner together in an entertaining experience that everyone will enjoy.

AVID CLUB
AVID Club promotes a college-going culture at Wa-Hi so that every student is ready for college or a career. As part of that goal, AVID Club sees the community as a tremendous resource to partner with. The first week in April, the club is planning a donation drive to garner community support from local businesses. AVID Club’s goal to promote college awareness throughout Wa-Hi and the greater Walla Walla community could not be achieved without partnership with local businesses and community members to provide support for our Wa-Hi students. This is why AVID Club chose to create an annual scholarship available to any Wa-Hi student!

For more information about Blue Devil College Cup or Kick Like a Pro contact Sue Weber at 526-8353 or email sweber@wwps.org.


FFA plans Farm Day Saturday, April 30
Date: Saturday April 30
- 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Come see the farm animals at Walla Walla High School Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Donations to the Blue Mountain Humane Society are welcome. Items needed at the shelter include: Bleach and laundry detergent, cat and dog food, kitty litter, blankets, dog leashes, 33 gallon garbage bags, dog and cat toys.



Classroom Close-Up features Garrison writing teacher
This week Garrison Middle School writing teacher Susan Bauer 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 Bauer is now playing on regional stations.

Edison volunteers make Talent Show one for the ages
It’s elementary talent show season across the district. Thursday night Edison Elementary held its annual talent show. Special thanks to parent volunteers David and Lucia Mumm for coordinating the show and making it a lifetime memory for all involved. David Mumm used his years of experience in theater, music and media to create a stage worthy of Hollywood.

With colorful lights, a booming sound system and beautiful decorations, the Edison Elementary gym was magically transformed into the perfect setting for an elementary talent show. Thanks to all those involved for making this a night to remember.

“I believe dramatic talents are as important as sports or any other extracurricular activity,” David Mumm said. “Kids need an opportunity to shine, so that is why I’m here.”

Check with your elementary school secretary for upcoming talent show dates at other district schools.


Walla Walla High School choral groups perform strong at Columbia Basin festival
Last week choirs from Walla Walla High School performed at the Columbia Basin Choir Festival. This event attracted choirs from all over the state. The Walla Walla High School Treble Ensemble and Chamber Singers participated.

“Each group did a very challenging program and an outstanding performance,” said Norb Rossi, Walla Walla High School choral director. “Treble Ensemble received the highest score in the Non-Mixed Division and the Chamber Singers scored very high also while performing in the Mixed Division which featured both male and female singers.”


City Crime Prevention program plans graffiti clean up day
- Saturday, April 30
- 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
- Volunteers should meet in the alley behind the Walla Walla Police Department
- Bring paint rollers and brushes if possible

To get involved, please RSVP with Vicki Ruley, Crime Prevention Coordinator
- 524-4409, or 520-3735
- vruley@ci.walla-walla.wa.us