Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - February 1, 2008

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Support staff help keep schools running during storm
Winter weather impacted school operations this week. Two-hour delays were announced Monday and Wednesday. Thanks to district support staff for shoveling walks and plowing parking lots to help keep schools open during the storm.

Staff worked extra hours, one instance well into the early morning, and they came in early to get schools ready for students. Also thanks to school bus drivers for keeping students safe despite challenging driving conditions on icy roads.


Replacement levy ballots mail out this weekend
Ballots for the district’s replacement levy are being mailed to homes this weekend. The replacement levy provides funding for 30 teachers, 50 support staff, all extra-curricular activities and other essential school programs. This is a replacement levy. Rates to taxpayers are similar to those approved in 2004.

• Replaces levy funding nearly 68 percent of voters approved in 2004
• Provides 14 percent of district’s operating budget
• Helps maintain existing programs and activities
• Pays for 30 teachers and 50 support staff members
• Funds all extra-curricular activities
• Ballots mail to homes February 1
• Ballots must be postmarked by midnight February 19

Additional information is available on the district’s website. Please remember to vote.


Local businesses support Citizens for Schools calling efforts
This week volunteers for Citizens for Schools called Walla Walla voters to remind them ballots are being mailed out this weekend. Local businesses Worldwide Travel, Coldwell Banker and Minnick-Hayner allowed volunteers to use their offices for the calling.
School Board meeting Tuesday
Tuesday, February 5
7:30 p.m. (regularly scheduled meeting)
364 S. Park St. (District Office)

Meeting open to public


Garrison students get free school t-shirts
The Garrison Middle School PTA recently partnered with the school to provide all students free Garrison Trooper t-shirts. This project was designed to help build school pride and positive school connections.


Green Park teacher earns regional recognition
Congratulations to Green Park 4th grade teacher Missy Johnson. Next week she will be featured as a TOP NOTCH TEACHER by KVEW TV.
District works bugs out of new telephone notification system
Feedback on the district’s new telephone notification service for parents and staff has generally been very positive. However, during this week’s two-hour delay messages technical problems from service provider US NetCom have caused concern.

Many staff and parents have reported a long delay before a message was played or no message at all. Another problem discovered was staff who also have children in the school district were receiving two calls. This problem was solved by merging the two lists. The district has been working with US NetCom to troubleshoot the problems and improve service. Parents who are having problems with the system are asked to contact their school secretary.

Below are some tips users can do to maximize the system’s effectiveness.

Suggestions to improve service
- Look for US NetCom Caller ID Telephone Number: 417-782-1996 (some ID systems read - Missouri)

- Always say hello (This system is VOICE activated)

- Give the system a few seconds to play message

- If possible, set answering machine to pick up on the 5th ring (It won’t leave a message if set to 6th ring or more — also clear message box to ensure there is enough space)

- If you miss a message — call 417-782-1996 to retrieve it

- Contact school secretary if you are having any problems


Wa-Hi Principal Master of Ceremonies at ‘Sweethearts for Kids’ benefit luncheon
Walla Walla High School Principal Darcy Weisner will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the Sweethearts for Kids benefit luncheon sponsored by the Children’s Home Society of Washington. Weisner is in his second year as principal at Wa-Hi. Weisner spent 20 years as a high school classroom teacher in four school districts throughout the state of Washington. He has extensive educational training in clinical supervision, Understanding by Design, Mentor Matters, and developing small learning communities within large comprehensive high school settings.

He earned his Administrative Certification from Washington State University, Master of Arts in Education Degree from Lesley University, and completed his undergraduate studies at Western Washington University with a major in history and minor in Social Studies. He also has been a successful high school basketball coach.

‘Sweethearts for Kids’ Event Fact Sheet
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 20
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Marcus Whitman Conference Center (6 W. Rose St.)
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Doug Barram
Master of Ceremonies: Darcy Weisner
Information: 529-2130
Proceeds: All proceeds benefit Walla Walla Children’s Home Society programs


Wa-Hi students join Little Theatre production
Walla Walla High School students Ryan Campeau (mother Liz -- Assistant Personnel Director) and David Marr (mother Denise Marr -- Wa-Hi Para-Educator) have significant roles in the play “Arms & The Man” playing this month at the Little Theatre in Walla Walla.

The “dual-themed” play is described as a satirical commentary on love and war. Check out these talented students in action.

Performance Dates:
February 1,2,8,9,15,16 at 8 p.m. and February 10 at 2 p.m.

Box Office: 529-3683


Host families needed to support students from Germany
Walla Walla High School will welcome 21 students from its partner school in Reutlingen, Germany from May 8 to June 5. Applications are being accepted for host families. Families with a student at Wa-Hi are preferred, but others will also be considered. Contact Curt Schafer, Wa-Hi German teacher, for an information packet and application form. Cschafer@wwps.org, 527-3020 x 4703.
District seeks Graduates of Distinction nominations
Walla Walla Public Schools graduates who have distinguished themselves in their communities, professions, or careers will be formally recognized this spring through the Graduates of Distinction program. Nominations for inductees to this special program are now being accepted.

ELIGIBILITY FOR NOMINATION
• Must have graduated from high school in the Walla Walla Public Schools at least 10 years prior to nomination.
• Need not be a current resident of Walla Walla.
• Need not be present to accept the award, but will make a concerted effort to be present or send a representative to accept the award.

HOW TO NOMINATE
Complete an application form (available at the district office, 364 South Park Street and online at www.wwps.org), and return it by April 15, 2008. Inductees will be recognized during a public reception and at the Wa-Hi Academic Recognition evening.

For more information, please contact Kay Schisler at 526-6735.


Classroom Close-Up features Garrison Library-Media Specialist
This week Garrison Middle School Library-Media Specialist Stacy McPherson is featured via the district’s Classroom Close-Up series.

A 60 second radio spot highlighting McPherson is playing on several stations. A fun, photo-filled newsletter and the radio spot will be posted on the district website (www.wwps.org -- A to Z section) next week.