Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - April 13, 2007

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School board meeting moved to Wednesday
Wednesday, April 18 (Please note date change)
7:30 p.m.
District Office Board Room (364 S. Park St.)
Open to public

Initiative 728 Public Forum scheduled
Wednesday, April 18
6:30 p.m.
District Office Board Room (364 S. Park St.)

Walla Walla Public Schools seeks public input in the development of an operational plan for year six of funding made available through the passage of Initiative 728. Community members are invited to attend an I-728 Public Forum, Wednesday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the district office (364 S. Park St.). Those attending are asked to have their input and ideas in writing so the district may contact them for future reference. Those unable to attend are encouraged to write their input and ideas and send them to the district office by Tuesday, April 17.

Ron Higgins, Director of Assessment & Program Evaluation, and Janis Barton, Director of Technology, will provide an overview of the parameters of the initiative, review this year’s spending plan and lead a discussion for next year’s spending plan.

Initiative 728 was approved by Washington State voters in November 2000 to provide school districts local control of additional funding to support efforts to achieve mastery of the essential learnings for all students. For more information, please call Linda Boggs at (509) 526-6734.


School board members seek to learn from peers at National Conference
This weekend Superintendent Rich Carter will accompany Walla Walla School Board members to San Francisco to attend the National School Board Association’s Annual Conference. The goal of the conference is to empower local school districts with the latest tools and strategies for raising student achievement.

“This is a great opportunity to learn from your peers, share your own successes, and get energized,” Superintendent Rich Carter said. “The conference features practical, applicable sessions and workshops. It is also an excellent opportunity to network and share solutions with colleagues from school districts across the nation.”

This year’s speakers include: Former South African President F.W. de Klerk; former U.S. President Bill Clinton; inspirational educators and former students Erin Gruwell & Maria Reyes; and actress, author, and mother Jamie Lee Curtis.


Prospect Point’s Vicki Johnson named April’s Staff Spotlight Employee of the Month
Slow down around Prospect Point Para-Educator Vicki Johnson and you might just get run over. With incredible passion and energy, Vicki pours her heart and soul into helping kids. Whether it’s teaching children to read, coaching high school softball, or tutoring a boy with special needs at his home, Vicki is commited to making the world better. Now in her 11th year in the district, this Shelton native loves fishing and being a mother of three.

Let’s meet Vicki Johnson...
Place of work - Prospect Point Elementary School

Job Title - L.A.P. Paraeducator

Years in District - 11

Birth place - Bremerton, WA.

High School - Shelton High School

Favorite food - My husband’s BBQ Ribs

Favorite movie - “Return to Me”

Favorite band (or music) - Christian Music

Favorite book - Any books by Jeanette Oke

What do you love most about your job - The opportunity to make a difference in my students’ lives and also the support of my wonderful team in L.A.P.

Hobbies - Reading and fishing

Most memorable life experience - The births of my daughter and two sons.

Tell us something about yourself that nobody else would know - I sang a solo in my 1st grade Christmas Program. A highlight during my day is being able to tutor a 15-year-old disabled young man.This is my 3rd year working with him in all subject areas. He is very smart, but is unable to attend public schools because of health issues.We work hard and have fun too. I also coach softball at Wa-Hi as the assistant of the varsity team.


Wa-Hi Drama Department presents “The Crucible”

Show Dates:
• May 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11 (7:00 p.m. curtain time)
• May 12 (2:00 p.m. curtain time)

Location: Walla Walla High School Auditorium

Cost: $6 - Students & senior citizens / $8 adults

Tickets: WWHS Auditorium Box Office open April 23-May 11 / Monday-Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and one hour before curtain time.

About the play...
The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller in 1953, is a haunting illustration of what happens when personal responsibility for evil is denied. Set in 1692 during the Salem Witch Trials, it was meant to reflect upon the McCarthy witch hunts of the 1950s and is a sobering look at the problem of guilt by association. It opens with a Puritan town’s conservative minister witnessing a group of young girls participating in forbidden revelry. The minister summons a clergyman who specializes in witchcraft to the town, and he is able to draw out a confession from a young maid who says she has made a pact with the devil. Soon the other girls confess and begin accusing those who cross or disbelieve them, and the town is torn apart by hatred and paranoia. The lengths to which the characters will go to eradicate perceived wickedness from the community will send shivers down your spine. This will be a performance you will not want to miss!

Crucible Cast
Betty Parris - Desiree Helm
Reverend Samuel Parris - Peter Anderson
Tituba - Preethi Thomas
Abigail Williams - Ryan Campeau
Susanna Wallcott - Jennifer Wickham
Mrs. Ann Putnam - Elizabeth Hicks
Thomas Putnam - Challan Robertson
Mercy Lewis - Sydney Boyd
Mary Warren - Kristin Glaeser
John Proctor - David Ross
Rebecca Nurse - Lindsie Wagner
Giles Corey - Jacob Hafen
Reverend John Hale - Thomas Rowley
Elizabeth Proctor - Anne Marie Jones
Francis Nurse - Stephen Trego
Ezekiel Cheever - Preston Loomer
John Willard Herrick - Andrew Benzel
Judge Hawthorne - Ethan Spence
Deputy-Governor Danforth - Daniel Rose
Sarah Good - Joanne Coleman
Hopkins - Michael Bell
Ann Ward - Lori Goodwin
Ruth Putnam - Taylor Spence
Martha Corey - Kaylee Stack

Crucible Leadership
Director: Brian Senter
Assistant Director: Vivian Glaeser
Producers: Mindy Meyer and Carina Stillman
Costumer: Maribeth Bergstrom
Set Construction: Kevin Loomer
Art Work: Wendi McCloy


District students receive state “Reflections” awards
Wa-Hi entry advances to nationals
Congratulations to four students from Walla Walla Public Schools for receiving awards from the State PTA Reflections Council, including an entry from Wa-Hi’s Austin Tucker which took first place and will advance to the National Competition.

“These students are just a few in the whole state selected to receive these honors,” WW Council PTSA Reflections Chair Theresa Hampson said.

The award recipients are:
• Austin Tucker, Wa-Hi - Literature, Senior Division: His entry received the Outstanding Interpretation Award (i.e. First Place in the State) and will go on to National Competition.

• Ashlee Wall, Wa-Hi - Literature, Senior Division: Her entry received an Award of Excellence.

• Matt Skorina, Garrison Middle School - Film/Video, Junior Division. His entry received an Award of Excellence.

• Hannah Hampson, Sharpstein Elementary - Visual Arts, Intermediate Division. Her entry received an Award of Excellence.

All Winners are listed at:
http://wastatepta.org/programs/Reflections/winners1.html

Special thanks to Chair Theresa Hampson for all her hardwork volunteering to organize this program.


FFA Floral team advances to nationals
Last month the Walla Walla FFA Floral Team won the Washington State FFA Floral Contest and will now represent Washington at the National Contest in Indianapolis, IN.

Individual Honors
Danielle Weber 2nd
Abby Reid 3rd
Kelsie Davisson 4th
Haley Schneidmiller 8th
Andra Ely 9th

Team Honors
Practicum 1st
Plant ID 1st
Test 1st
Problem Solving 1st
Team Activity 3rd

“Thank you to everyone for your support, guidance and help in preparing our students to excel in and out of the classroom,” said advisors Mike Martin and Arch McHie.


Wa-Hi FBLA members perform strong at state competition
Recently Wa-Hi’s Future Business Leaders Association (FBLA) chapter of 16 members competed in the Washington State FBLA Leadership Conference in Spokane. There were 108 chapters with approximately 2,500 competitors across the state. The following students were selected in the top 5 of their events:

Kehnin Dyer, C++ Programmming (3rd place)
Andy Bell, E-Business (2nd place)
Thomas Suckow, Java Programming (3rd place), Networking Concepts (4th place), Visual Basic Programming (3rd place)
Sarah Bridges and Jared Slawson, Management Decision Making (2nd place)
Jared Slawson, Marketing (3rd place)
Kristina Smith, Public Speaking II (4th place)

Other students who competed: Laura Barnes, Nathan Christen, Renee Eggart, Brianne Javaux, Marina Marin, Stella Miranda, Phuong Pham, Michelle Reardon, Kelsey Trejo, and Claudia Vargas

“I am really proud of all of these students and what they have accomplished,” Advisor Scott Reardon said. “Please take the time to congratulate them for their efforts.”


Superintendent Coffee Hour next Friday at Sharpstein
Superintendent Coffee Hour
Friday, April 20
8 a.m.
Sharpstein Elementary

This is an excellent opportunity to meet with Superintendent Rich Carter and discuss education issues in an informal setting. Please stop by for coffee, juice and refreshments.


City donates tree to Blue Ridge in celebration of Arbor Day
Blue Ridge students have a new red maple tree on campus thanks to a donation from the City of Walla Walla Wednesday in celebration of Arbor Day. This annual tradition helps educate students about the importance of planting and caring for trees.

“The City of Walla Walla promotes Arbor Day because of the great heritage trees have given to this community over many years,” Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Dan Johnson said. “Our students need to share in the understanding that trees service us with clean air, beauty, and protection for wildlife and that we as citizen need to maintain and increase our urban forest in this community for generations to come. Plant a tree, it’s the right thing to do!”

Blue Ridge 5th grade students under the direction of teachers Jennie Dyerly, Amy Hartford and Margaret Yount provided musical entertainment during the Arbor Day Celebration following Principal Connie Taylor-Randall’s reading of an inspirational poem about how people can learn from trees. Members of the City of Walla Walla Urban Forestry Advisory Commission were also in attendance and helped students plant red maple seedlings to take home and grow.


FFA to showcase baby animals during Sunday’s Annual Farm Day and Community Open House
Thursday and Friday first grade students from throughout the district are touring the Walla Walla High School FFA school farm as part of the annual “Farm Day” event. Students will see baby lambs, mini horses, baby chicks, baby goats, reindeer, ducks and more.

The Wa-Hi FFA is also planning a Community Open House Sunday (April 15) from noon to 4 p.m. to showcase this year’s baby animals. FFA members will also be on site to discuss the program and the educational programs they are involved in through the FFA.



Wa-Hi senior accepts scholarship to play softball
This week Wa-Hi senior Jordan Paden signed to play softball for the University of Ohio. Congratulations to Jordan and her family and good luck at the University of Ohio.
Blue Ridge and Sharpstein students learn Native American wisdom
This week Blue Ridge and Sharpstein students were treated to an assembly “Walking in Wisdom” featuring “The TallTrees”... Chief Robert TallTree and his wife Terri Lynn. Chief TallTree is a published author, speaker, and winner of a Native American music award for his accomplishments as a flautist. His wife Terri Lynn is also a recording artist, speaker and song writer. The TallTrees have been featured on PBS, Animal Planet and The Discovery channel.

Q & A with Sharpstein Intervention Specialist Luciana Pooler regarding the assembly...

What did they do to educate the nearly 400 students in attendance? Wearing their traditional Native American regalia, the TallTrees presented a powerful interactive, multi-cultural program that was both transporting and educational for both students and staff. Through the use of Native American story telling, song, flute, drum, and sign language, they were able to capture the attention of all of our students by giving a Native American perspective of the choices that we make and how those choices have an impact on everyone and the environment. Both students and staff left the assembly walking a little taller and a bit more respectful towards life, and with the knowledge that our voices and our actions have the power to motivate and influence. But mostly, the TallTrees were able to reaffirm basic communication and social skills, using their culture and historical facts to remind us that we are all unique individuals with a purpose. Even our most needy and challenging of students left the assembly feeling as if they were truly “a gift to the world.”

What was the goal of the visit? Exposing and giving first hand knowledge to our students to an entirely different culture and their historical values and beliefs, with an emphasis on bullying, respect, resiliency, and character development.

What’s next? Each staff member left the assembly with an inner commitment to view and remind each student that they were indeed special and true gifts to the world. Also, the combination of Blue Ridge and Sharpstein’s resources made it possible to bring such a special event to our students. Hopefully we will be able to partner in such projects in the future to include staff and/or families.


Pioneer Middle School Health Fair promotes wellness
Thursday night Pioneer Middle School hosted the “Hands on Health” Health Fair. There was plenty of free food, games, prizes and educational booths from the community to promote healthy living. Special thanks to Allegro Cyclery, Bicycle Barn, Loney’s Harvest Foods, Millenium, Scotty Cummins Athletic Supply, Wa-Hi baseball, and the YMCA for providing event prizes.

Educational booths presented by the Public Health Dental, Saint Mary Medical Center, Family Medical Center, TATU (Teens Against Tobacco Use), Coordinated School Health, Drug Awareness, martial arts academies, WW City Police and Fire, and the Walla Walla Elks kept participants busy throughout the evening.

Health Screenings for cholesterol, blood sugar, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and more were also available at no cost for those in attendance.

Special thanks to Pioneer Health Clinician Sara McMasters and Millennials Site Coordinator John Carter for organizing the event.


Wa-Hi to host Regional all-service JROTC competition
More than 1,200 uniformed cadets from dozens of Pacific Northwest schools expected to be on campus Saturday, April 21; event is open to the public at no cost.

The Walla Walla High School JROTC cadet battalion will host the annual regional championships on Saturday, April 21 at the campus here.

More than 1,200 cadets from Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps units will be on hand to compete in the prestigious Northwest Drill & Rifle Championships. Teams from more than 30 schools will go head-to-head in drill and ceremonies, inspections, physical fitness, and marksmanship.

JROTC cadets from all the military services learn military history, precision drill and ceremonial marching, marksmanship and leadership skills. The Wa-Hi “Blue Devil” cadet battalion invites the community to come out and observe this all-day event at the gymnasium.. The competition is open to the public and there is no charge to attend.