Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - October 24, 2008

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School board approves Transportation Cooperative
School board members Tuesday night approved a resolution authorizing Walla Walla Public Schools to establish and serve as the host of the Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative. The move is a legal requirement for the district to continue efforts to submit a proposal to the state for potential funding of the facility to operate a regional transportation cooperative.

The Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative helps partner districts save money on school bus maintenance and repair service, improves school bus safety, extends school bus life, and reduces risk liability.

Currently Dixie and ESD 123 have committed to joining the cooperative. Prescott officials will be asked to make a decision during the district’s school board meeting next week. Seven area districts, including College Place, have been invited to join.

“With many of our small districts losing students and revenue, it’s hard to believe more are not interested in joining,” Superintendent Rich Carter said. “We’ll work with those we have and find ways to cut costs and save our taxpayers money.”

State law requires only one district partner to make up a cooperative. Carter is working on a November deadline to submit a proposal to the state. If approved, the state will pay for 90 percent of the facility and the equipment necessary to operate it.
Prospect Point students to spend Make a Difference Day at Humane Society
Prospect Point 5th grade students in David Parodi’s class will once again be caring for animals at the Blue Mountain Humane Society as part of their volunteer work for tomorrow’s Make a Difference Day. Students will work from 9 a.m. to noon. They will tour the facility, complete various work assignments and then play with the animals.
Cholesterol Blood Draw Monday through Thursday
Walla Walla General Hospital is offering a discount Cholesterol Blood Draw for district staff during the week of October 27th. The hospital is open for the draws from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7 a.m. to approximately noon on Friday. Staff and their families can choose from a variety of tests: Total cholesterol, Coronary Risk Panel, PSA and Thyroid. Results will be made available to share with personal physicians.

We thank Walla Walla General Hospital, and especially Sharryl Toews, for working out this great Wellness program for us. It’s another example of community partnerships in action.


Public School Employees Union honors McCauley with award
This week district Public School Employee President Larry McCauley received the PSE President’s Leadership Award. PSE Zone One President Duane Adams of Tri-Cities visited Walla Walla to present McCauley with the award at Tuesday’s school board meeting. Adams said McCauley earned the award through his dedication and strong leadership representing more than 300 PSE members in Walla Walla.

Walla Walla High School introduces AVID program to help students develop skills for college entrance

College entrance could become more than just a dream for more Walla Walla High School students thanks to a new program now available. The AVID program, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is now serving 60, 9th and 10th grade students who come from families who do not have a history of attending college.

Sherry McConn serves as the program’s teacher. Students reported to school board members Tuesday night the program is helping them develop skills, gain confidence and organize a pathway to college. The students also visited Whitman College this fall to get an upclose look at the college experience.

AVID Mission
To ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students in the middle capable of completing a college preparatory path will:
• succeed in rigorous curriculum,

• enter mainstream activities in school,

• increase their enrollment in four-year colleges, and

• become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.




Retirement celebration set for longtime Pioneer Middle School secretary
Pioneer Middle School Secretary Janey McKern is retiring at the end of October. A special celebration to honor her service to Pioneer Middle School and the entire Walla Walla School District has been scheduled for Monday, November 3 from 4-5:30 p.m. at Pioneer. Come wish her well as she looks ahead to relaxation, travel, golf, grandkids and fun!
Two Walla Walla High School students named WSU Regents Scholars
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School seniors Paul Froese and Jeffrey Ladderud for recently being named WSU Distinguished Regents Scholars. This scholarship represents four years tuition, room and board, and fees for four years of college. There are only 25 Regents Scholars awarded each year in the state.

“This is a value of more than $60,000 for each student,” Counselor Jeanne Ruecker said. “These outstanding students have had a tremendous career at Walla Walla High School and we expect them to continue to do great things at WSU.”
To learn more about this scholarship program, visit: www.regents-scholarship.wsu.edu.


Personnel Report (from 10/21 school board meeting)
• New Hires
(Classified) Heraclio Torres, Para-Educator, Blue Ridge
Amy Trejo, Para-Educator, Blue Ridge
Susan Weber, Para-Educator, Wa-Hi

• Resignations/retirements
(Certificated) Irene Randow, Behavior Room Teacher, Prospect Point, one year
• Irene was also a para-educator for nine years

(Classified) Paul Wostenberg, Food Service Assistant, Lincoln Alternative, six months


Trunk or Treat offers families safe and fun trick or treating experience
Date: Thursday, Oct. 30

Location: Walla Walla High School main office parking lot (Abbott Road)

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Entry fee: Two cans of food and/or any old cell phones.

Sponsor: Wa-Hi Key Club


Head Start program supports at-risk children
Tuesday night Head Start/ECEAP Preschool Director Donna Painter presented her annual report to school board members. She stressed this program is committed to helping children from low income families have success in school.

Painter said a key element of the program is working closely with families and helping them become advocates for their child’s learning. There is also a strong focus on health and nutrition, community partnerships, and social and emotional development. Painter thanked the school board for their support of the program.

Head Start Program Demographics
• 213 children
• Serves 16 homeless families
• 110 single parent households
• 98 two parent households
• Six children have disabled parent
• Eight children in foster care
• 41% Spanish speaking
• 14 children on Special Ed. IEP
• 99% of families living in poverty


Walla Walla High School Drama Department presents “The Taming of the Shrew”

Performance Schedule
November 13, 14, 15 (2 shows on the 15th)
November 20, 21, and 22
(Evening performances at 7:00 p.m. & matinees at 2:00 p.m.)

NOTE: Opening night ticket special - Thursday, Nov. 13th - ‘2 for the price of 1’

Tickets: The ticket box office will be open beginning November 3 from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before curtain on Saturdays. Please stop by or call (509) 526-8613 to reserve your seats.

The Taming of the Shrew” at a glance:
The battle of the sexes is on! This timeless struggle for power and dignity, penned by William Shakespeare over four hundred years ago, still stands as an enigma. Is it sexist? Does it go big and reach beyond the constraints of it’s time or is it only a testament to Elizabethan relations and male dominance?

Man wants a wife. Man gets a wife. Kate seems to not be the gentle mouse that ‘everyman’ wants. Instead she is an “Intolerable curst and Shrewd.” Against her wishes Petruchio weds her saying, “Will you nil you, I will marry you!” Take in the spectacle of “Mad Wooing” as it never was.


Wa-Hi Drama Department receives local grants
The Walla Walla High Drama Department recently received two local grants to support the school’s drama efforts. The Drama Department received $5000 from the Mary Garner Esary Trust. This money will be used to pay copyright fees to produce the spring musical, ‘Little Women.” It will also fund costuming expenses for “The Taming of the Shrew” which opens November 13 in the Performing Arts Auditorium.

The second grant is from the Welch Community Grant in the amount of $2,837. This grant will be used to purchase three wireless microphones.

“Every school year the students of the Walla Walla High School Drama Department embark on a journey,” Senter said. “We take great pride in our work and are especially appreciative of the support that we have garnered from our audiences as well as many local trust funds and institutions. Without this kind of support we would not be able to do what we do.”


Garrison Night School for adults begins November 3
The Garrison Night School for adult education begins November 3 at Garrison Middle School. This program features a beginning level Spanish class Mondays and Wednesdays and an Advanced Beginning Spanish class Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both classes are from 6-8 p.m. in the Garrison Library.

The classes are taught by native speakers Carlos Jacques and Esteban Florian. This class is offered through the Walla Walla School District for $150. Those interested may register at the school district business office during regular business hours or at Garrison Middle School from 5 to 8 p.m., October 27-30.


Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees present mini-grants to district educators
Three Walla Walla Public Schools educators were recipients of $100 mini-grants from the Walla Walla-Columbia School Retirees Association
Grant recipients are:

• Michelle Carpenter- 5th grade teacher at Green Park Elementary. Carpenter plans to use the grant to purchase books and supplies to support the three units using GLAD techniques.

• Terri Gilbert- 4th Grade teacher at Sharpstein Elementary School. Gilbert plans to use the money to defray the cost of supplies for her after school knitting club.

• Linda Seibold- Library Media Specialist at Sharpstein Elementary School. Seibold will purchase some Play-aways (books on tape) for older students to check-out from the library.

Other winners this Fall were Teri Lesmeister from Touchet and Laura Berg from Dixie.

“Teachers who are Active members of the Walla Walla/Columbia School Retirees Association are invited to apply for the Mini-Grant of $100 in the Spring,” Mini-Grant Chair Linnea Keatts said. “Letters will be sent to all members to apply for the grant. Five Mini-Grants are awarded in the Fall and Spring . Members come from Walla Walla, Touchet, Dayton, Prescott, Waitsburg and Dixie.”


Orchestra concert features Halloween theme
The Spooctacularly-Great Fall Orchestra Concert is next Thursday, October 30 at the Wa-Hi Auditorium at 7 p.m. The concert features the Pioneer 7th-8th Grade Orchestra, the Wa-Hi String Orchestra, and the Wa-Hi Symphony Orchestra.

Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. All proceeds go to support the Orchestra Program.
* Costumed musicians!
* Slideshows of recent orchestra activities
* Great music!



Classroom Close-Up features Prospect Point teacher
This week Prospect Point Bilingual First Grade Teacher Luz Phillips is featured as part of the district’s Classroom Close-Up series. A fun, information filled newsletter will be posted on the district website next week -- (www.wwps.org). A radio spot featuring Phillips is now playing on regional stations.
Retired school employees association scholarships available
Available: Two $1000 scholarships

Requirements:
1. Graduate of high school in Walla Walla or Columbia County
2. Student teaches between September 2009 and June 2010

Contact: Mardel Bierwagen - 525-6117

Applications available: November 1

Applications due: April 1, 2009