Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - July 20, 2006

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Pioneer students visit Odd Fellows Home residents
Pioneer Middle School students participating in the Rising Stars summer learning program visited Odd Fellows Home residents Wednesday to read stories, talk and perform skits. The five-week Rising Stars program is designed to help students improve their reading and writing skills.

Earlier this summer, Pioneer students wrote letters to numerous residents as part of a partnership program to build relationships between the students and senior citizens. Improving writing skills was also at the core of this assignment.

During their visit Wednesday, students spent time talking with their new friends, playing games and even acting out skits. All the activities were modeled after best practices to improve learning. Some of the students plan to continue writing letters to residents and staying in touch.

Special thanks to John Carter, Lynn Junke, David Blocklinger, Jo Anne Savage, Kathy Lamb, Vidalia Trejo and Jason Barber for staffing the program and helping students prepare for the visit.


District recognized by United Way
WallaWalla Public Schools was presented the Spirit of Giving award by the United Way Tuesday in recognition of outstanding growth in campaign contributions.

Congratulations to district staff for helping the district increase its 2005-2006 United Way contribution 12 percent over last year’s giving. The total contribution this year was $25,870.

“This extremely generous gift will go a long way in supporting efforts to address critical local needs,” United Way Executive Director Liz McDevitt said in a thank you letter to the school district. “Thank you for demonstrating once again what a wonderful community partner the school district is in making Walla Walla a great place to live.”


District to add Parent Resource button to web site
This summer the Communications Department is enhancing the district’s web site by adding a Parent Resource section. Expanded information on curriculum offerings, assessment and professional development are also in the works.

The improvements are designed to help centralize information for parents to better serve their needs, according to Communications Director Mark Higgins. Look for improvements to be online by the start of the school year.

Parent Resource Features include:
· Directions to schools
· Boundary map
· School supplies
· Kindergarten information
· School hours
· Test results
· PTA
· Citizens for Schools
· Staff contacts
· School Improvement Plans
· Curriculum
· Volunteering
· School menus
· Busing
· School calendar



Wa-Hi FBLA student finishes in top 10 in the nation
Congratulations to Wa-Hi Future Business Leaders Association student Thomas Suckow for placing 9th in the nation in “C++ Programming” at the FBLA National Conference earlier this summer. Nick Ferraro also competed, but his results will not be known until late August.

2006-2007 Calendar and Parent Guide available
2006-2007 school year calendars are now available in the district’s central office (364 S. Park St.). All students and staff will receive a copy of the calendar at the beginning of the school year.

Calendar features:
- School hours
- School board meeting dates
- Meal prices
- No School Days
- School closure/delays procedures
- Much more!


School Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 25
7:30 p.m.
District Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
Open to Public
August WASL retakes scheduled
The August WASL will be administered August 7-10, 2006, at Wa-Hi (reading, math and writing only). Registration: Toll-free phone 1-866-400-WASL (9275). The August WASL is open to any current tenth or eleventh grader who wishes to retake the assessment and registers in advance.

Participation in the Summer Institute is not a prerequisite for taking the August WASL. Students must be able to give their Secure Student Identifier (SSID) 10 digit ID number when they register.

Contact District Assessment Director Ron Higgins at 526-6707 for more information.


District Office Summer Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 (Noon)
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

364 S. Park Street
527-3000