Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - May 2, 2008

In this Issue:

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Superintendent Carter recognizes Teacher Appreciation Week
Teachers in Walla Walla and in communities across the nation will be in the spotlight next week to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. Few other professionals touch as many people as teachers do.

When parents in Walla Walla drop their children off for school they know they are in good hands. Our teachers care for our students as if they were their own children. Teachers work to open students’ minds to ideas, knowledge and dreams. Our teachers use research based teaching strategies to improve achievement and collaborate with their peers to understand each child’s specific needs.

But the relationship of teachers goes well beyond the curriculum. Teachers also serve as role models and mentors to Walla Walla youth. They take time to learn their students’ passions and interests. They listen and care.

Teachers continue to influence us long after our school days are only memories. This week especially take time to reach out and thank a teacher for all they do for Walla Walla children.


Seussical the musical opens next week
“Seussical” will open May 8 at Walla Walla High School’s Auditorium and run through May 17. That’s right Dr. Seuss — “the Musical.”

The main plot centers around the loveable elephant Horton as he attempts to save the people of Who-ville from certain death. There is a rhyme around every corner and extremely clever songs - just what you would expect from “the Seussical.” This is one for all ages to rejoice in and enjoy.

Performances schedule:
May 8 - 7 p.m.
May 9 - 7 p.m.
May 10 - (2 shows) 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
May 15- 7 p.m.
May 16 - 7 p.m.
May 17 - 2 p.m.

We are planning two Special Event Matinees on Saturday, May 10 and 17 with drawing for door prizes (children 12 and under, please) and a photo opportunity with the ‘Cat in the Hat’ and other characters after the show.

Ticket Box Office is located in the lobby of the Wa-Hi Auditorium at 800 Abbott Rd. Walla Walla, WA. The Box Office is open Monday-Friday through May 16 from 4-6 p.m. and one hour before curtain on Saturdays. Order your tickets by phone by calling 526-8602 during the Box Office hours.


Public invited to see area’s “Big Trucks” during Edison fund-raiser Saturday
Fire trucks, dump truck, boom truck? Sure! Hummer, ambulance, cement truck, more! Edison Elementary PTA is hosting a Big Truck Rally in the construction zone on the Edison campus, Saturday, May 3, 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is by donation, with $2 per person the suggested cost.

In celebration of groundbreaking and this week’s start of construction of the new Edison, the school will host Big Trucks, both public and private. Owners and operators will be on hand to describe, discuss and demonstrate the functions of their machines. The Edison PTA will also serve up gourmet hot dogs, fresh cotton candy, popcorn and fruit smoothies. This event will be fun for the whole family, featuring kids’ art on display, face painting and tattoos, and an iSpy game with a prize at the end.

Edison’s Big Truck Rally will also serve as a fundraiser for the PTA. Interested in participating? Got a massive machine you’d like to exhibit? Feel the need to help out? Contact Jennifer Northam, 526-5727 for more information.


Walla Walla Homelink Virtual School plans information meeting Tuesday
The Walla Walla Homelink Virtual School (WWVSP) is conducting an information night Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to share information about this new virtual program.

This online public school serves Southeast Washington students in grades K-8 with the K12 Inc. curriculum. The Walla Walla Homelink Virtual School is also tuition free.

Information Meeting
Blue Mountain Community Church
Tuesday, May 6
6:30 to 8 p.m.
928 Sturm Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362

For more information contact
Pam Clayton — (pclayton@wwps.org)
Valerie Gentzler — (vgentzler@wwps.org)
Call: 509.527.3010.

About K12 Inc.
K12 Inc., a technology-based education company, is a leading provider of proprietary curriculum and educational services created for online delivery to students in grades K-12. K12 provides individualized, one-to-one learning solutions to public and private online schools, traditional schools, and directly to families.

In the U.S., the K12 academic program is used by more than 40,000 students in 17 statewide online public schools, many of which are among the nation’s top-performing online schools. K12 operates the K12 International Academy, a private, diploma-granting online school serving students in grades K-12 in the U.S. and around the world.

K12 offers education solutions for students using an outstanding, highly effective curriculum that enables mastery of core concepts and skills for students of all abilities. The K12 program combines a cognitive research-based curriculum with individualized learning approaches designed to deliver results.

The K12 curriculum includes thousands of lessons and assessments in the core subjects of math, English/language arts, science, history, art and music, along with a suite of elective, foreign language and AP® courses for high school students. The curriculum brings lessons to life with a rich mixture of on- and off-line teaching tools, including interactive animations, award-winning printed books with beautiful illustrations and narrative, original CDs and videos, and materials for hands-on experiments.

K12 Inc. is accredited through the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA) and is the largest national K-12 virtual school provider to be recognized by CITA.

More information can be found at HYPERLINK “http://www.k12.com/”www.K12.com.


Wa-Hi Journal editor selected to attend journalism camp
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School student Amelia Mickelson, the Wa-Hi Journal’s editor-in-chief, for being selected to attend a journalism camp at Seattle University this summer. Seattle University’s process of choosing just 15 students was highly competitive according to Journal advisor Gay Buissink.

“This is a significant opportunity for Amelia and our journalism program,” Buissink said. “She is an extremely dedicated and hard-working student. As editor in chief, a major portion of her time is monopolized by the newspaper, but somehow she also manages to freelance for the Union Bulletin. Her staff members are very proud of her.”



Next week is School Nurse Day
Wednesday is National School Nurse Day. This is an excellent opportunity to thank district health clinicians for all they do to support Walla Walla children and their learning.
“We are very fortunate that Walla Walla Public Schools support having a nurse in every school,” Health Services Director Jennifer Douglas said. “Our school nurses advance the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students.”

Learn more about School Nurse Day online: www.nasn.org:

Nurse Day Facts
• 2008 theme: “School Nurses in Action: Transforming School Communities”
• National School Nurse day is Wednesday May 7, 2008
• National Nurse Week is always May 6th through May 12th
• Background: Since 1972 National School Nurse day has been set aside to recognize school nurses.

The following is an excerpt from www.nea.com


“If you think school nursing is all about flu shots, Band-Aids, and record-keeping, you haven’t been inside a school lately. School health professionals juggle a complex array of medical and social issues, seeing thousands of students, and often moving from school to school throughout the district.

“A typical schedule can encompass immunizations, health care screenings, hearing and vision testing; dealing with home accidents, diseases such as diabetes and asthma, student obesity, special needs like tube-feeding, preventing the spread of disease through blood exposure; and the fallout from mental, emotional, and social problems, including arranging for disadvantaged students to receive breakfast and clothing, and even helping students cope who are homeless or whose parents are incarcerated.

“For some students, the school nurse is the only health care professional they ever see. Nor is their work confined to the nurse’s office—they must also interact with other professionals such as teachers, doctors, child study teams, administrators, school counselors, coaches, parents, police officers, drug and substance abuse professionals, social workers, and other Education Support Professionals.”


Green Park Carnival promises to be fun
Bring your family for a fun night at Green Park School’s Outdoor PTA Carnival!
• Thursday, May 22
• 4 pm - 8 pm.
• Activities include: Food, carnival games, jumping castle, silent auction and more

Former NFL player Peter Sirmon to appear at Inaugural Central Washington Football Golf Tournament
Former Walla Walla High School student and stand-out football player Blaine Bennett is organizing the Inaugural Central Washington Football Golf Tournament.

Thursday, May 15
1:30 p.m.
WW Country Club.

Bennett recently received the head football coaching position at Central Washington University. He plans to recruit heavily in the Walla Walla Valley and is interested in building relationships in our area. Bennett recently signed Class of 2008 students David Weisner and Michael Najera to play at Central.

Bennett hired former Wa-Hi grad and NFL player Peter Sirmon to serve as linebacker coach and Eastern Washington area recruiter.

Many Walla Walla Public Schools staff and influential community members are actively supporting this tournament. For information on the tournament, contact Marc Yonts at 509.540.9553 or by e-mail: myonts@wwps.org.


Latino Club members name Wa-Hi Staff of the Month
The Walla Walla High School Latino Club is pleased to announce that Spanish teacher Daniel Ojcius, science teacher Pamela McBride, English Teacher Karen Peddicord, and math teacher Dawn Jepson are the Wa-Hi Latino Club Staff Members of the Month for April. This recognition is based on their faithful service to students that are Latino Club members. As staff members these teachers are making a significant impact on all students at Walla Walla High School according to club advisor Diana Erickson.

Comments from Latino Club members when voting included:

“Mr. Ojcius is a great Spanish teacher...he is kind, nice and helpful. He always tells us about his travels in Latin America.”

“Mrs. McBride is a dedicated science teacher ... she always makes sure her students understand the material. She always encourages you to do your best and makes learning fun and easy.”

“Mrs. Peddicord is “Awesome!” She helps you understand the material ...that we will need for the future. She might be hard but she is really patient with students and influences us to try our best. Latino students appreciate having a teacher who understands and respects their culture.”

“Mrs. Jepson is “Cool!” She is a nice and kind teacher and helps students that have trouble in math. She teaches us how to do math problems that are difficult and ... makes sure we do them well.”


Wa-Hi track team takes third straight league title
Congratulations to the Walla Walla High School Boys Track team for taking the league title for three years in a row and six out of the last nine years. In that nine year period, the Wa-Hi Boys Track team has a dual meet record of 91-3.

“Coach Harvey Wellington and the other track coaches are doing a great job with our athletes,” Athletic Director Don Wilkins said.


Green Park students learn more about college life during Whitman visit
Special thanks to Whitman College professors Deberah Simon, Allison Calhoon and Andrea Dobson for treating 56 fifth grade students from Green Park to an exciting day on campus during the “I’m Going to College” Program. Students participated in chemistry, astronomy classes, dined on campus and even received a guided tour from President George Bridges.

The students participated in a chemistry class taught by Deberah Simon, assisted by Allison Calhoon and an astronomy class taught by Andrea Dobson. Students dined on corndogs, maccaroni and cheese, and the other wonderful fare at Jewett Hall; heard about our sports teams and athletic opportunities from Coach Tom Olson and saw a slide show of Brien Sheedy’s ascent of Mt. Everest. They also had a tour of campus and heard from President Bridges and Tony Cabasco about the importance of a college
education.

The students received T-shirts and backpacks donated by Northwest Education Loan Association (NELA) and notebooks created by professors Dobson, Simon and Calhoon. The students’ backpacks had a dictionary and thesaurus donated by the Admission and Financial Aid Offices, as well as calculators, pens, keychains, rulers and various other items which were donated by Key Bank, US Bank and Bank of America.


Community agencies to share information during Wa-Hi Health Fair

Walla Walla High School Health Fair
Wednesday, May 7
9:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.(periods 3 – 6)
Wa-Hi Small Gym

Health Fair participants include:
• Birthright of Walla Walla
• Blue Mt. Heart to Heart, HIV/AIDS
• BMX track, Jennifer Eng
• Children’s Home Society, Teen Programs
• College Place Chiropractic
• ESD #123, Tobacco/Health Education Information
• Northwest Counseling Solutions, Alcohol/Drug Information
• Planned Parenthood of Washington
• Serenity Point Counseling, Alcohol/Drug Information
• St. Mary’s Hospital, Cancer Center
• Valley Physical Therapy, Dave Tupper
• Walla Walla Alliance for the Mentally Ill
• Walla Walla Community College, Nursing Program
• Walla Walla County Dept. Human Services, Parent to Parent
• Walla Walla County Dept. of Human Services, DUI Task Force
• Walla Walla General Hospital, Prevention Program
• Walla Walla High School Sports Medicine, Chris Eastep
• Walla Walla School District Food Service
• Walla Walla School District Health Services
• Walla Walla University, Health and P.E. Department
• YMCA
• YWCA: Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Services


Hobson street closes near Edison Elementary
With construction on the new Edison Elementary School ramping up, Hobson Street near the school is now closed. Project contractor Chervenell Construction of the Tri-Cities will first begin site preparation where houses have been removed at the east side of the campus. The cul-de-sac at the Hobson Street entrance of the new school is the next step in this project.

There is also no foot traffic or bicycles on Hobson Street near the school. School buses will load and unload at the front of the school on Alder, east of Bridge Street. There will be no parking in the school bus loading zone.

Student loading and unloading will occur on Alder Street from Bridge Street to McCabe Street in front of the school and on the east side of McCabe street. Withycombe is asking parents to turn north on McCabe from Alder, to pick up or drop off your children and then turn left on Hobson to proceed to Roosevelt.


Classroom Close-Up features Wa-Hi math teacher
This week Walla Walla High School Teacher Chris Ferenz is featured on the district’s Classroom Close-Up weekly series.

A 60 second radio spot highlighting Ferenz 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.