Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - August 17, 2007

In this Issue:

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School starts Wednesday, August 29!
- Schools re-open for business Monday, August 20
- Visit district website (www.wwps.org) for back-to-school information (school hours, registration information, calendars)

School board meeting and work session Tuesday
Tuesday, August 21
- 6:30 p.m.: Work Session (Public discussion on proposed Telecommunication/Electronic Devices Policy 3243)

- 7:30 p.m.:Regularly scheduled meeting

Location: District Office (364 S. Park St.)
Meetings open to public


Volunteers install new playground equipment at Prospect Point
Last week volunteers turned out in scores to install new playground equipment at Prospect Point Elementary School culminating a successful fund-raising campaign led by a school parent group. The Prospect Point Playground Project Committee, chaired by parent and local businesswoman Staci Wanichek, raised nearly $70,000 to meet the Phase One fund-raising goal to replace the school’s aging playground equipment.

Phase One new equipment includes the Evos play system featuring arches, climbing bars, balance equipment, glider, nets, hanging ring climbers, pod stompers, swiggle sticks, and a gyro twister. Wanichek said the playground system is designed for fun exercise and helps children build upper body and core strength. The new playground area also features six swings, a curved rock wall, shade trees, trash receptacles and benches.

“Due to the overwhelming community volunteer support, the installation was done in record time,” Committee member Cassie Rothstrom said. “This normally would take 8 to 10 hours and we completed everything in only four hours.”

The group is now focusing on Phase Two of the fund drive to replace the school’s kindergarten equipment. They hope to raise $27,000 and install new kindergarten equipment next spring.

A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled Wednesday, August 29 at 10 a.m. at Prospect Point.

Special thanks to the following volunteers and businesses for their support in the successful installation efforts:
(• Note: Several parent and teacher volunteers joined in too)
- American Lawn and Landscape (Ted Sams)
- Brown’s Construction
- Coca Cola
- Evergreen Labs
- Frito-Lay
- Heplers Big Cheese Pizza
- Image Smart
- Koncrete Industries
- Landscape Structures
- Loney’s Harvest Foods
- Narum Concrete
- Pizza Hut
- Safeway
- Starbucks
- St. Mary Medical Center
- Subway
- Team Home Depot
- Total Office Concepts
- Walla Walla Builders Supply
- Walla Walla Environmental


Transportation scores perfect on State Patrol bus inspection
Congratulations to the Transportation Department for recently receiving a perfect, 100 percent score on its Washington State Patrol bus inspection. Inspectors test lights, brakes, tires, safety equipment and more during this comprehensive inspection. No unsatisfactory marks were noted on the district’s entire bus fleet.

“In three years as a bus inspector, this was the best inspection I have been involved in,” Washington State Patrol Inspector Michael McKnight said in his recap report to the district.

Special recognition to Transportation Mechanic Colter Mohney for his dedication, experience and attention to detail to help the department meet this outstanding standard. Superintendent Rich Carter will present the department with a certificate of recognition at Tuesday’s school board meeting.


District welcomes new staff during orientation
This week new staff members participated in a week-long orientation to prepare for the 2007-08 school year. This school year more than 40 new teachers will be working in district schools and nearly 20 new classified support staff have been hired to start the new year.

District Mentor Teacher Coordinator Judy Peasley coordinated efforts designed to help new staff prepare for their positions and learn more about district operations.


Student work on display at Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days
Fair goers are encouraged to visit the Educational Building during the Walla Walla Fair and Fronter Days event Wednesday, August 29 to Sunday, September 2. The building is open during fair hours.

Education Building Highlights:
- District Information Station (calendars, handbooks, sports schedules and more)
- Student artwork
- Technology projects
- FFA displays
- Homelink Virtual Learning program
- Career and Technical Education projects and information


All Staff school year kick-off scheduled
- Tuesday, August 28
- Program: 8 a.m. (Treats: 7:15 a.m.)
- Wa-Hi Main Gym


Walla Walla High School student attends state migrant leadership conference
Walla Walla High School sophomore Aron Castro is attending the 21st Annual Washington State Migrant Education Student Leadership Conference at Central Washington University this weekend. The four-day conference is sponsored by the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Migrant Education Program. More than 80 students were selected based on outstanding leadership skills and their potential for future development.

This year’s theme is “The Opportunity to Succeed!” Small groups, led by corps of volunteer professionals from both education and non-educational fields, will serve as the vehicle to promote student leadership, problem solving, self-esteem, trust building, communication skills, and values and goal setting. Included will be recreational activities designed to promote cooperation, trust and bonding.

“This is the fifth leadership conference Aron has attended this year in an effort to develop his skills and enhance his potential,” District Bilingual Education Coordinator Diana Erickson said. “He is very eager to succeed in life and to make a positive contribution to his community.”