Walla Walla Public Schools
Week in Review - April 15, 2011

In this Issue:

(Click on article
to read more)

School board meeting Tuesday, April 19
- Regularly scheduled meeting: Tuesday, April 19
- 6:30 p.m.
- District Office Board Room: 364 S. Park Street
- Meeting open to public
- I-728 Public Forum (approximately at 7:15 p.m.)

Strategic plan survey available online
The district continues its work with Susan Newton of Strategic Development Plus to create a new strategic plan for Walla Walla Public Schools. Please visit the district web site and take the survey to help the district with its strategic planning process. This input will help define the district’s priorities and set a vision for the coming years.

Please talk to other parents, students and community members and encourage them provide the district feedback as well. The survey only takes a minute. This is a great opportunity to have a voice in the district’s future. Thanks again for all your support and help in making Walla Walla Public Schools one of the state’s premiere school districts.

Strategic Plan Web Page: http://www.wwps.org/leadership/strategic_plan.htm


Applications now accepted for Whitman Institute for Summer Enrichment (WISE)
Whitman College is recruiting students who are currently in 7th or 8th grade to apply to the WISE program. The dates for the 2011 program are August 7-9. Applications are due May 20.

WISE is an all-expenses paid program that aims to introduce local middle school students to college life in order to generate excitement for pursuing a college education. Studies show that pre-college counseling and intervention have a proportionally higher impact on students who are low-income or whose families are not college educated, and students from those groups will be given priority in selection for the WISE program.

The students participating in the program are on campus for three days and stay in a college dorm for two nights. They attend classes taught by Whitman professors and college prep workshops. In addition there are many opportunities to interact with current Whitman students who act as Resident Assistants and mentors and lead various activities such as art projects and college panels. There will be recreational activities and social time as well. The program also includes a workshop for parents, providing guidance for financial aid, academic choices at the high school level and addressing other concerns about preparing for college.

If you know students who would benefit from this opportunity, please encourage them to apply. One of the required forms is a recommendation from a teacher or a counselor. Applications may be picked up from the student’s middle school counselor or by contacting Sonja Aikens.

WISE Program Contact:
Sonja Aikens, Whitman College
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA 99362
aikenssl@whitman.edu
509.527.5596


High school students take state science proficiency exam
Tuesday Walla Walla Public Schools high school students took the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) in science. The science HSPE will be, for the first time, required for students in the classes of 2013 and beyond to pass.

Garrison Middle School students re-enact the Battle of Gettysburg
Garrison Middle School 8th grade students in Beth Clearman’s class re-enacted the Battle of Gettysburg this week as part of their Civil War unit. This week marked the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sumter, the first battle of the Civil War.

“Hands on activities like these reinforce what we are learning in the classroom,” Clearman said. “I want them to understand the history of the civil war and the impact it had on our country.



Pioneer Middle School students organize “Save the Aviary Tour” Saturday
Chris Plucker’s 7th Grade Advisory Class from Pioneer Middle School and the Friends of Pioneer Park Aviary are organizing a public tour of the Aviary at Pioneer Park for donations.

This advisory class from Pioneer is organizing a self-guided tour of the Aviary where participants will go to five different stations and students will educate the public on various aspects of the Aviary: History, Endangered Birds, Why it should be saved, Other Birds, and Adopt-A-Bird Program. Participants will get a “Passport” which will be stamped at each station; they will then be given a certificate when they have completed the tour. Tickets will be pre-sold for suggested donations of $5/Student, $8/Adult, or $15/Family. Suggested donations will be $5/Student, $10/Adult, or $20/Family on the day of the event.

This event will occur at:
Pioneer Park Aviary, on Whitman St.

Saturday April 16th, 2011
from 11am-5pm.

Why are we putting this on? Most of us have been to the Aviary and have seen little kids with their parents there. We’ve watched their faces light up and smile from ear to ear when visiting the cute birds.

The public may or may not know that some of the birds at the Aviary are endangered and if it is taken away, ALL the birds will be shipped off and sold to unknown people. Right now they are safe, cared for, and appreciated by a lot of people. We need to keep it this way. These birds grew up here, just like us, and they deserve better than just practically being thrown away.

Why should we take this resource away from the younger kids of Walla Walla when we, as a community, can pull together to keep it open? We love the birds and want the rest of the community to love them too. We don’t want people to like the Aviary; we want them to love it! Only by falling in love and reconnecting with this wonderful place can we truly save it. That’s why we are holding this event, and that’s why you should come!

The public can support this event by coming and making a generous donation to the Friends of Pioneer Park Aviary. They will have representatives at the event to talk more about support. We also hope a lot of the families who attend will consider participating in the Adopt-A-Bird program.


Walla Walla High School FFA plant sale in May
The FFA Plant Sale is scheduled to take place Monday, May 2 to Thursday, May 5 at the Career and Technical Education Building at Walla Walla High School.
- Plenty of parking
- Patio planters (limited supply, come early)
- Cedar planter boxes that will be filled with a variety of great flowers
- Three cedar potting tables that will be available
- Various metal art figures
For more information, contact FFA Advisor Arch McHie at: amchie@wwps.org

Walla Walla High School Chamber Singers perform at Mariners baseball game
This week the Walla Walla High School Chamber Signers performed the National Anthem at Safeco Field for the Seattle Mariners versus Toronto Blue Jays game. The Chamber Singers sang both the Canadian and United States National Anthems. Special thanks to Director of Choral Activities Norbert Rossi for providing students with this amazing learning opportunity.

The Moms’ Network celebrates with Mom Prom
Pull out those old prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses or gowns and come to the 1st Annual Mom Prom to support The Moms’ Network. All women are invited to get dressed up in their “royal wedding” best on Friday April 29th from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Elks Club.

The evening will include dancing, dessert and a no-host bar. Since you will be dressed in your finest, you can get a photo with the British Royal couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton. There is a $10 donation at the door for entrance into the event.

April 29 is National Mom Prom Day and we could not pass up on an opportunity to celebrate this event. It is a wonderful excuse for all women to put on a gown, dance and raise money for The Moms’ Network” says Beth Swanson, President of The Moms’ Network. Along with music, dessert and photos there will also be a raffle for wonderful prizes including Walla Walla Sweets tickets, Va Piano wine, gift certificates to the Beehive Cut & Color Bar, Sweet Basil Pizza, Walla Walla Bread Co. and wine from Mannina Cellars.

So grab your girlfriends and join The Moms’ Network at the Mom Prom. For more detailed information visit www.themomsnetworkww.com


Fort Walla Walla Museum offers free admission Sunday
The Fort Walla Walla Museum is featuring its free Spring Open House Sunday, April 17. The Open House features a Living History Performance at 2 p.m.

Living History Performance: Town Meeting
- Walla Walla 150 years ago in 1861, full company
- Sunday, April 17 at 2:00 pm in Fort Walla Walla Museum’s pioneer settlement (indoors in the Grand Hall in the event of inclement weather)
- Enjoy 19th Century popular music with the Oregon Trail Band at 1:30 p.m.

“An admission-free day dedicated to the community that so generously supports the museum, said Communications Manager Paul Franzmann.

Museum information:
- (509) 525-7703
- info@fortwallawallamuseum.org
- www.fortwallawallamuseum.org.
- Facebook: Fortwalla Wallamuseum


Walla Walla students serve in House of Representatives
Students Kaitlin Mastin and Christina Swanson recently served as pages in the House of Representatives April 4-8. They were sponsored by 16th District Rep. Maureen Walsh. Kaitlin,14, is an 8th-grader at Garrison Middle School and the daughter of Lorie and former State Representative Dave Mastin of Walla Walla. Christina, 16, attends Walla Walla High School where she is a sophomore. She is the daughter of Clarice and Keith Swanson of Touchet.
Both girls attended page school each day to learn about the legislative process. As part of their duties, they distributed documents and notes to legislators and staff on the House floor, as well as around the Capitol campus.


“I was glad to have these young ladies here at the Capitol,” said Walsh, R-Walla Walla. “Kaitlin is actually my goddaughter and it was fun to have her around. This was a very active week for them to see their government in action – from passing budgets to seeing protestors, it was a very real showing of state government in action for the next generation.”


Young men and women have come to Olympia to serve as pages for the Washington State Legislature since 1891. Pages must obtain permission from their parents and schools, and most live with volunteer host families.


District bilingual coordinator wins Boy Scouts of America community service award
The Blue Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America has recently announced that Walla Walla resident and Scouting volunteer, Diana Erickson, has been selected to receive the Silver Beaver Award for her service to scouting. The Silver Beaver Award is presented by the Boy Scouts of America to council, district or unit volunteers for distinguished service to youth. It is the highest award that a local council may present to a volunteer.

As a registered leader in Scouting over the past 10 years, she has served Cub Scout Pack 311 and Exploring Post 311 which are sponsored by the College Place First Presbyterian Men’s group in College Place. As an active leader of Exploring Post 311, she has been active in providing support to the Walla Walla High School Latino Club through the Post.

In 2007, she served on the International Staff of the 21st World Jamboree in central England and spent 17 days as an interpreter and receptionist at the Jamboree Headquarters. The Jamboree, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of Scouting, had 50,000 people from over 160 countries in attendance. One of the highlights of her service at the Jamboree is that she met Michael Baden-Powell from Australia who is the grandson of Scouting’s founder, Robert Baden Powell.

In 2010, Diana was a National Staff member at the 2010 Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree as a member of the Special Catering group. The 2010 National Jamboree celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Scouting in America.

The Silver Beaver Award also recognizes noteworthy service to youth within the jurisdiction of the council. Currently serving as the Bilingual Coordinator of the Walla Walla School District, she has over 34 years experience as a Spanish, English, and English as a Second Language teacher. Over those years, she has helped immigrant students learn English and then made the extra effort to advocate and assist students in becoming assets to their community. She taught several generations of immigrant students English in the Walla Walla Valley while developing teaching methods and strategies that have served her students over those years.

From the beginning, she determined that the success of her immigrant students was not just dependent on classroom instruction, but also on a steady level of advocacy for her students and the creation of activities that will engage students and their families in the educational process. Over the years, she has had to overcome barriers to provide educational and culturally appropriate extracurricular activities for her students. One of those activities, Exploring Post 311, has become a significant support program for Latino students on the Walla Walla High School campus.

Diana will receive the Silver Beaver Award at a reception in Kennewick, Washington, on Saturday, April 16.


City donates tree to Prospect Point for Arbor Day celebration
Prospect Point Elementary students and the City of Walla Walla Mayor Barbara Clark planted a tree at Prospect Point this week as part of an Arbor Day Celebration. Thanks to the City of Walla Walla and the Parks, Recreation & Urban Forestry Advisory Board for organizing this learning opportunity for Prospect Point students. Students also were able to take potted oak trees home to plant. Prospect Point students, under the direction of Music Teacher Denise Hurst, performed a vocal performance.
Walla Walla Exchange Club plans annual Easter Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 23
The Walla Walla Exchange Club is hosting its 52nd Annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23, at 9 a.m. in Pioneer Park. In addition to enormous amounts of candy, the Easter egg hunt prizes (21 in all) include three bicycles. Children will hunt for eggs in separate areas designated for 1-3 years old, 4-6 years, 7-10 years and special-needs. The Exchange Club thanks sponsor Alexandria Communications and volunteer Master of Ceremonies Jim Bock. For more information call Tina Vlachos at (509) 876-2777.

Altrusa and Chamber of Commerce plan for elementary Spelling Bee
Altrusa and the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce are taking registrations for the upcoming Elementary Spelling Bee on May 14, at the Balloon Stampede. Registration forms are available on the district web site. The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 27. Registration for the Spelling Bee will be limited to the first 100 entry applications received.

The Bee is for 3rd, 4th & 5th graders whose principal residence is in the Walla Walla Valley.

Spelling Bee Information:
Linda Thorson, Altrusa of Walla Walla
- 527-4300 (w)
- 522-0812 (h)
- 540-0203 (cell)



Call for WWCC Kids College class proposals
Before you know it, the school year will be over and Walla Walla Community College Kids College will kick off summer break. And Kids College is the perfect opportunity for you to share one of your skills as an instructor for 9-12 year old students. Kids College is dedicated to providing positive and fun challenges for the young learners.

A proposal form is available on the Kids College website at www.wwcc.edu/kidscollege
Proposal deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, April 18.

Kids College, June 13 through 17, runs each day, Monday through Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Walla Walla Community College. Five afternoons of enrichment are provided to 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders.

For more information about WWCC Kids College, call the Kids College Coordinator, Gretchen Hormel-Tomkins, in the afternoons at 509.527.4329.


YMCA plans Healthy Kids Day Saturday
- Saturday, April 16
- 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Walla Walla YMCA (340 S. Park St.)

Activities include:
- Triathlon
- WW Sweets baseball clinic
- Dancing and hula hoops
- Toddler/Diaper Dash
- Nutrition and fitness information

509.525.8863
www.wwymca.org


Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant focuses on leadership and character
- Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant
- April 21
- 7 p.m.
- $5 (open to the public and tickets sold at the door)
- Walla Walla High School Auditorium (800 Abbott Road)

The Mr. Wa-Hi Pageant is a senior male student competition showcasing the contestants talents, involvement in school and character. This is a senior class fund-raiser to help buy the senior gift for the high school.


National Honor Society students preview preliminary designs for improved Walla Walla High School
Thursday evening Communications Director Mark Higgins met with Walla Walla High School students in the National Honor Society program to discuss future facilities improvement plans at their school. Higgins showed the students preliminary designs prepared by BLRB/USKH Architects. A master planning committee has been working with the architects this spring to develop the preliminary plans.

Earlier this spring Superintendent Mick Miller announced the district would not be pursuing a bond this spring. Miller said he wants to do more planning and community outreach to further develop a plan for improving Walla Walla High School. No date has been set for a bond to improve Walla Walla High School.

Nearly 50 National Honor Society students were in attendance Thursday evening under the direction of advisor Karen Peddicord. The students were asked to provide their thoughts on the preliminary plans. Superintendent Miller and Higgins plan to meet with National Honor Society students again during a future meeting to get more feedback. Soon the district will post its preliminary plans on the district website and announce community meetings to gather additional input. To review the preliminary plans and provide input, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins: 509.526.6716 / mhiggins@wwps.org.

Walla Walla High School Master Planning Committee
Alex Demambro, USKH
Craig Sievertsen, Community member
Dan Johnson, Facilities Support Director
Dennis Debroeck, Teacher
Ed Nakonieczny, Electrician
Gary Peasley, Teacher
Greg McCracken, USKH
John Butenhoff, Teacher
Ruth Ladderud, Community member
Lee Fenton, BLRB
Linda Newcom, Community member
Melito Ramirez, Intervention Specialist
Mick Miller, Superintendent
Mark Higgins, Communications Director
Mindy Meyer, Assistant Principal
Pat Johnston, Chief Financial Officer
Peggy Payne, Teacher
Pete Peterson, Principal
Ron Higgins, Technology Director
Tom Bates, BLRB
Jerry Zahl, Community member
Kayla Leinweber, Student
Hannah Melling, Student


Social Services Clearinghouse added to district web page
A Social Services Clearinghouse form designed to inform people about where to go for help in our region has been added to the district website: www.wwps.org. A Spanish version is coming soon.

Web Locations:
- A to Z = S: Social Services Clearinghouse
- Parent Resources area
- Staff Resources area
- Links area


Garrison Middle School dedicates new baseball backstop
Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball program fundraiser pays for project

Thursday Garrison Middle School Principal Gina Yonts led a dedication ceremony of the school’s new backstop. The Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball program, under the direction of fundraising chair Peggy Needham, led a successful fund-raising campaign which generated more than $9000 for the materials to replace the aging baseball backstop.

“The new back stop improves our facility and program,” said Garrison Head Baseball Coach Luke Hamada. “We are so thankful to everyone who made donations to help us develop this project.”

The backstop was originally installed by the Rotary Club of Walla Walla in 1958 for use as a Pony League field. The new backstop was installed by Eagle Construction of Walla Walla. Walla Walla Public Schools paid for the cost of the installation. The new backstop was moved forward to enhance competitive play and allow for additional fan seating, and improve safety by increasing the overhang to lessen the chance of cars and spectators being hit by foul balls. A sign donated by Key Technology with names of those who contributed $500 or more to the project will be placed on the backstop at the Garrison baseball field.

$500 or more donor list:
- Mike and Peggy Needham
- Tom and Sydnee Watson
- Stubblefield Trust
- Eric Kimball
- Walla Walla Babe Ruth
- Walla Walla Valley Select Baseball
- Rotary Club of Walla Walla
- Gary Carlson


American Association of University Women scholarship opportunity
The American Association of University Women is accepting applications for AAUW scholarships. The program provides assistance to women who have completed at least one year of college and want to finish their undergraduate or post graduate education. To qualify, there must be a break of at least one year at some time during the college education process.

Past academic performance, demonstrated community commitment and financial need of the applicant will be considered in making the awards. Applicants must be residents of Walla Walla, Columbia or Umatilla counties. Applications are available online at www.aauw-wallawalla.org or from Alicia Quackenbush at 509 240-4116 or rquackenbush@charter.net. The applications are due April 22, 2011 and should be sent to Alicia Quackenbush, AAUW Scholarship Chair; 649 Hill Rd; Walla Walla, WA 99362. Scholarship recipients will be honored at AAUW’s annual banquet in mid-May.
Classroom Close-Up features High School behavioral program teacher
This week district high school behavioral program teacher Marci Knauft 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 public service announcement radio spot featuring Knauft is now playing on regional stations.

Relay of Hope Walk-a-thon supports the prevention of child abuse
Children’s Home Society of Walla Walla and the WalMart Associate Volunteer Program are planning Relay for Hope: Walk Away Child Abuse on May 6-7 at Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla. The event kicks off Friday, May 6 at 5 p.m. and concludes Saturday, May 7 at 5 p.m.

The event features a walk-a-thon, Family Fun Night, and children’s Olympics. There will also be family education booths and information on family services. Cost: is $10 for individuals and $20 for the entire family. All participants receive a t-shirt and water bottle. All proceeds support the Walla Walla HomeTeam Parent Aide Program which mentors parents to build healthy families.

“We encourage you to join us in supporting the prevention of child abuse by participating in the Relay for Hope event this year,” said HomeTeam Coordinator Stephanie Biegel. “We are excited to offer this fun and educational event to our community for a second year”.

To become a corporate sponsor, form a team, receive a walk-a-thon pledge form or need additional information, contact Biegel at (509) 529-2130 or by email: stephanieb@chs-wa.org