| District Stories |
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School board Regular Business Meeting November 20
• Nov. 20 - School board regularly scheduled business meeting @ 5:30 p.m. (open to the public)
• Location: Walla Walla Public Schools District Office (364 S. Park St.)
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School Bus Safety - Tips for Motorists
Following a string of recent school bus tragedies in Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky, NHTSA is calling on everyone to reduce incidents of stop-arm violations. Please slow down near buses. Help us keep our children safe!
• Be alert and slow down when driving in neighborhoods with school zones.
• Watch for children walking, playing or assembling near bus stops. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Obey the school bus laws in your State, as well as the flashing light signal systems used on school buses.
• Flashing yellow lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.
• Flashing red lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.
See more: https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/nhtsa-urges-motorists-drive-safely-near-school-zones-and-bus-stops
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Annual parent survey now open
Parent Survey Link - https://www.research.net/r/wwps-parent
Walla Walla Public Schools is seeking parent feedback through the Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) as an extension of the Board of Director’s strategic planning process. The district will use the data to track progress towards its goals and initiatives. The deadline to complete the survey is Dec. 14.
How to take survey:
• Survey posted on district webpage - www.wwps.org
• Use your own electronic device - https://www.research.net/r/wwps-parent
• Hard copies available in schools and the district office
• Survey is completely anonymous
• Available in both English and Spanish
• Please take a separate survey for each child’s school
Survey Topics:
• School Leadership
• Teaching and Learning
• Communication
• Safety and Security
• School Culture and Climate
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Thanksgiving Break Holiday Schedule
- Early dismissal: Wednesday, November 21
- No school: Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23
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Grant funds scholarships to encourage careers in Bilingual Education
A $34,000 grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is funding a new scholarship program to help Walla Walla Public Schools’ classified staff and high school seniors pursue careers in Bilingual Education. The district is using the grant funds to offer five, $1500 non-renewable scholarships to current seniors attending Walla Walla Public Schools who plan on becoming teachers.
“We believe teachers have the power to inspire and affect our future,” said Dr. Victor Vergara, WWPS Director of Bilingual Education and Latino Outreach. “In order to stand behind this belief, our district is committed to assisting students who desire to become bilingual teachers and teach for Walla Walla Public Schools.”
The district is also using the grant funds to provide four, $1500 scholarships to current Walla Walla Public Schools para-professionals who plan on becoming teachers.
“There is a shortage of Bilingual Education teachers so it is important to invest in our own employees to help ensure we have high quality educators for our students,” said Vergara.
Applications for district staff are now available at the Walla Walla Public Schools Human Resources office and the Walla Walla Public Schools website and are due Dec. 5, 2018. Recipients will be notified by Dec. 15, 2018.
Applications for students are available at high school counseling offices and the Walla Walla Public Schools website. Application forms are available Jan. 7, 2019 and are due March 1, 2019. Recipients will be notified by March 15, 2019.
The remaining grant funds will support professional development opportunities for district bilingual educators and fund additional program offerings to further enhance the WWPS Bilingual Education program.
For additional information, contact Sergio Hernandez in the Bilingual/Latino Outreach Department at (509) 526-6748 or sahernandez@wwps.org.
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Better Together Series – Best Practices in Behavior Strategies
• WWPS families are invited to this FREE event
• Learn the Best Practices for Behavior Strategies
• Monday, Nov. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m.
• WWPS District Office
• FREE dinner and childcare
• RSVP at: www.wwvdn.org (click on News and Events tab)
• Presented by: WWPS Special Education and WW Valley Disability Network
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School board honored at state conference
This week the Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors was honored at the the Washington State School Directors’ Association annual conference in Spokane for receiving the Board of Distinction Award. The Board of Distinction award program recognizes school boards that show evidence of applying best practice standards endorsed by the Washington State School Directors’ Association. Recipients must document they meet rigorous accountability and leadership practices through evidence-based actions. Selection criteria also includes aligning and incorporating high quality governance attributes to improve district operations and student learning.
Focus areas included ensuring there were non-negotiable goals in place for student achievement. Recipients also had to demonstrate how they were providing for learning essentials, including rigorous curriculum, technology and actions to attain high-quality facilities. Award merit was also based on evaluating the superintendent on clear and focused expectations, including evidence of making gains on the opportunity gap based on student achievement data.
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Winter weather school delay or closure procedures
As winter weather forecasts begin to appear, Walla Walla Public Schools reminds everyone safety is the primary factor for delaying or canceling school due to inclement weather. Driving of local roads, studying weather forecasts, and communicating with surrounding school districts are components included in this thoughtful process. Decisions to delay or close school usually are made by 5:30 a.m. or earlier. This triggers the district’s comprehensive school closure/delay announcement plan. The district makes every effort to begin announcements by 6 a.m.
Announcements include:
- Media release (radio, tv, newspaper)
- SchoolMessenger automated messages to staff and parents (telephone, email, text)
- Web posting (www.wwps.org)
- Staff e-mail (Google staff e-mail)
- Enews message (sign up on the district web site)
- District Facebook page (facebook.com/wwschools)
- Twitter message (twitter.com/wwschools)
- Orange signs posted in front of schools
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| School Stories |
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Fall MCC All-Conference Awards
Girls Soccer
Lorena Ramirez, Second Team, Midfielder
Eliana Coburn, Second Team, Defender
Katelyn Hassler, Honorable Mention, Forward
Volleyball
Noelani Helm, Player of the Year
Hannah Hair, First Team, Middle Hitter
Noelani Helm, First Team, Setter
Slowpitch Softball
Annie Carpenter, First Team, Outfield
Cristina Mchie, First Team, Infield
Emily Larson, Honorable Mention, Outfield
Kerigan O’connor, Honorable Mention, Infield
Cross Country
Ella Nelson, Runner of the Year
Ella Nelson, First Team
Sariah Hepworth, Honorable Mention
Cannon Angotti, First Team
Cooper Cortinas, Second Team
Girls Swim
Ciera Griggs, Honorable Mention, 400 Freestyle Relay
Collette Barnor, Honorable Mention, 200 Freestyle Relay
Hallee Yaw, Honorable Mention, 200 Freestyle Relay
Hallee Yaw, Honorable Mention, 400 Freestyle Relay
Kyra Hartley, First Team, 100 Backstroke
Kyra Hartley, Honorable Mention, 200 Freestyle Relay
Kyra Hartley, Second Team, 200 IM
Kyra Hartley, Honorable Mention, 400 Freestyle Relay
Laurel Skorina, Second Team, 200 Freestyle
Laurel Skorina, Honorable Mention, 200 Freestyle Relay
Laurel Skorina, Honorable Mention, 400 Freestyle Relay
Football
Jahmal Mangarero, First Team, Linebacker
Patrick Utschinski, First Team, Offensive Line
Jared McAlvey, First Team, Wide Receiver
Jared McAlvey, Second Team, Defensive Back
Seamus Hall, Second Team, Kicker
Tyler Neissl, Honorable Mention, Linebacker
Josiah Wik, Honorable Mention, Special Teams
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Books for Babes bulb sale in full bloom
Looking for a great holiday gift that does some good at the same time? The Books for Babes program is continuing its flower bulb sale. Each gift box now includes a vintage-style jar and decorative rocks so you can watch your fragrant hyacinth bulb grow right in your window sill.
At just $5 each, this makes a nice gift for just about anyone....teacher, co-worker, party host, neighbor, friend or you! Edison Elementary students help assemble the gifts and proceeds provide bags of books for newborns in Walla Walla.
Order deadline is Sunday, December 2
Email bargabk@charter.net or call 529-3527 with the number of bulb boxes in your order and your contact information for delivery. Bulbs will be delivered by Monday, December 10.
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Band students named to All-Northwest Honor groups
Congratulations to the following Wa-Hi band students for being selected to the 2019 All-Northwest Honor groups. These students will perform Presidents Day Weekend in Portland.
Keeli McKern - Clarinet All-Northwest Orchestra
Tommy Kaminsky - Flute All-Northwest Orchestra
Nate Miller - Trumpet All-Northwest Jazz Band
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Wa-Hi Drama Presents - Hamlet (final weekend!)
• Show Dates Nov 16-17 @ 7 p.m. and Nov 17 @ 2 p.m.
• Tickets are available at the Wa-Hi ASB office, online at intouch.wwps.org and one hour prior to curtain.
• Tickets are $12 adults/ $6 students
The Wa-Hi Drama program has put a modern, punk rock spin on the classic tale of Shakespeare’s Hamlet complete with an original music score played by Wa-Hi students. The production is approximately two hours including intermission.
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K-5 Teacher Professional Development – School Gardens and Crosscutting Concepts
Area K-5 teachers are invited to join a professional development series about using School Gardens. Each session will focus on a Crosscutting Concept of NGSS.
**Walla Walla Public School STEM clock hours available **
(Everyone welcome. $2/clock hour earned charged for out of district teachers)
Walla Walla Valley Farm to School is providing a series of 5, two hour sessions 3:30 - 5:30pm
· November 29 2018 – Crosscutting Concept - Patterns
· January 15, 2019 – Crosscutting Concept – Cause and Effect
· February 19, 2019 – Crosscutting Concept – Systems and System Models
· March 19, 2019 – Crosscutting Concept – Energy and Matter:
· April 23 2019 - Crosscutting Concept – Structures and Function
Participation in all 5 workshops is not required, but participation in at least 2 is required to receive the minimum 3 clock hours.
Sign up here - registration required - limited to 15 spaces.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545A4AC22A1F58-teacher1
School gardens and outdoor spaces can provide place-based and engaging venues to inspire students’ curiosity. This series of workshops will demonstrate meaningful school garden lessons that hook student attention and inspire curiosity and critical thinking in a living classroom. Meeting the 3 dimensions of Next Generation Science Standards can feel complicated. By participating in the lessons teachers will demonstrate Crosscutting Concepts in Next Generation Science Standards and through evaluation and reflection of the lesson, will gain practice in identifying science and engineering practices.
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| Community Stories |
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Sustainable Living Center to Host Fourth Annual Alternative Gift Fair
• The Sustainable Living Center once again teams with local non-profits to offer a unique alternative to traditional holiday gifting
• Saturday, December 1
• 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Whitman College Reid Center Young Ballroom
• For questions, contact Erendira Cruz at director@slcww.org or call (509) 524-5228
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Tamale making class
Have you ever wanted to learn how to make your very own tamales? Here’s your chance! Several Washington Park leaders are holding a fundraiser for their annual Christmas party—a class on making tamales, taught by experts. Bonus: you will also be taught how to make fabulous salsa! Your class fee includes some tamales for you to take home. And you’ll also get to engage with several of the leaders of the Washington Park neighborhood.
The class will be held at The Salvation Army, and make excellent use of their large, beautiful demonstration kitchen. We very much appreciate Captains Demetrio and Magda Villarreal for making the kitchen available for the class. Details are as follows:
Date: Saturday, November 17
Time: 9:30 a.m. (class starts promptly)
Place: The Salvation Army, 825 W. Alder St. (the new building, with the red awning)
Class fee/donation: $20 (please bring cash)
Class size: limited to 40 people
Registration is required. Please contact C2C Organizer Delia Gutierrez to register by email or phone:
Email: deliag@bmacww.org
Phone: 509-851-4195 (text or voice)
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City Parks and Recreation Update
• Indoor Soccer - Grades K- 8 - Cost is $50
• We are hiring Indoor Soccer Referees! Paid position or volunteer. Contact WW Parks & Recreation, Clay Lindsey clindsey@wallawallawa.gov or 509-526-4527.
• Veterans Memorial Pool Pass sales start on Black Friday - November 23
For more information on these programs or to register, please go to http://www.wwpr.us
Like us on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/wallawallapr
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