In accordance with their duties to review the 2018 Bond program, a meeting of the WWPS Bond Oversight Committee will be held on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. via Online/Virtual Zoom Meeting.
Members of the public who wish to listen to the meeting via telephone may do so. The call in number is 1-253-215-8782. An access code is required and can be obtained ahead of time by contacting Susie Golden at 509-526-6715 or sgolden@wwps.org.
Details are available via the following link: http://www.wwps.org/bond/bond-oversight-committee
Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997
WALLA WALLA – This fall Walla Walla Public Schools will provide all elementary and middle school students fall start-up school supplies in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and fallout from the economic downturn which continues to impact district families. Historical classroom supplies such as crayons, Kleenex, glue sticks and other traditional materials will no longer be required from parents.
“We want to do our part to curb the spread of COVID-19 by supporting stay-at-home practices as we strive to resume in-person instruction during this unprecedented pandemic,” said Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith. “We don’t want our families, many of whom have lost jobs and are struggling financially, to feel the additional pressure of going to crowded stores to purchase necessary school supplies.”
The district will also provide school supplies’ containers for each preschool and elementary student to keep them from sharing items from student-to-student, in addition to hand sanitizer and other materials to support classroom safety. Students/families will still need to provide their own backpacks.
Baker Boyer reached out to the school district seeking ways to help during this global crisis, and immediately stepped up with a $5000 donation to help support this effort. Baker Boyer president and CEO, Mark Kajita, explained “For more than 150 years, Baker Boyer has been supporting and investing in our communities. In these unprecedented times, we hope this donation helps to relieve some of the pressure on the finances of Walla Walla Public Schools and the children and families they serve.”
And through the “All in WA” campaign (www.allinwa.org), Baker Boyer’s donation will be doubled, bringing the total contribution for school supplies to $10,000. This matching fund, locally administered by United Way of the Blue Mountains, is part of the “All in WA” recovery efforts which is raising funds to help Washington communities recover from the fiscal impacts of COVID-19.
“Baker Boyer is a valued partner and longstanding supporter of Walla Walla Public Schools,” said Superintendent Smith. “We appreciate this generous donation that will help ensure all students have the school supplies they need to be successful in school.”
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June 29, 2020: WALLA WALLA – Recently released State of Washington social distancing mandates for safely reopening schools this fall for face-to-face instruction will require Walla Walla Public Schools to make modifications to the traditional school day. The state requirement of maintaining six foot social distancing between students when seated in a classroom will push the district to reduce classroom capacity by about half, according to Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith.
“We are currently exploring two options which satisfy the state mandates for safely reopening our schools for face-to-face instruction,” said Superintendent Smith. “One option is an AM/PM approach where students would attend either in the morning or afternoon, and the other is an every-other-day option. When students are not on campus, they will receive instruction remotely.”
OPTION ONE: AM/PM Approach (Monday – Thursday)
In this scenario, students would be assigned either a morning or afternoon session Monday-Thursday for face-to-face instruction. Students would distance learn the remaining half of their day. Transportation would be provided to students outside of the walk boundaries as usual and meal services would also be provided.
OPTION TWO: Every-Other-Day Approach (Monday – Thursday)
In this scenario, students would be assigned either a Mon/Wed or Tue/Thur session with half their peers. On-campus, face-to-face instruction would occur two full days a week, while distance learning would occur on their non-school days. Transportation would be provided to students outside of the walk boundaries as usual and meal services would also be provided.
FRIDAY: In both scenarios, Friday would likely consist of distance learning from home with the opportunity to make contact with teachers and other staff for learning support.
Today Walla Walla Public Schools launched its second parent survey to get input on these two options. The district also recently surveyed staff and met with student leadership on reopening options for fall 2020. The district asks parents to complete one survey per child and complete the survey by midnight July 5, 2020. Survey links below.
English Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDJ89V8
Spanish Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5ZTVSZ6
“This new survey feedback, in addition to previous surveys and input from dozens of faculty and community partners participating in 10 different planning/input teams, will help the district formalize a recommendation to take to the school board in July,” said Superintendent Smith. “We appreciate everyone’s input as we make a final decision on safely reopening our schools this fall.”
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WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla Public Schools will be participating in the USDA Summer Meal Program due to local COVID-19 hardships to continue offering free meals to all children age 1-18, Monday-Friday at 17 school and community sites through August 28. The daily meals include a USDA approved sack lunch and breakfast for each child. Pick up meals at whichever site is most convenient. Parents may also pick up meals for their students without students being present. The City of Walla Walla Parks & Rec program is assisting with the program by providing training and non-school delivery service.
Summer Meal Service Pick Up Locations & Times
School Locations, beginning June 22
- Sharpstein Elementary (Howard St side) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Blue Ridge Elementary (South side entrance – back of school) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Garrison Middle School (front of school) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Edison Elementary (front of school) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Green Park Elementary (near gym entrance) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Lincoln HS (4th St side) – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Prospect Point Elementary( ) -11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Berney Elementary ( ) -11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Community Locations beginning June 22
- Vista Terrace Park – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Washington Park – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Veteran's Memorial Park – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Villa Lindo – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Kiwanis Park – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Beginning July 1
- YMCA – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Pioneer Park - 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Jefferson Park – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Walla Walla Library – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Meal Service and Delivery Questions:
Pamela Milleson, Nutrition Services Director
(509) 526-1870 / pmilleson@wwps.org
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WALLA WALLA – On June 11, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal informed all districts that he expects most schools will be providing in-person instruction in the fall. Included in his guidance were significant measures to ensure students and staff would be kept safe if allowed back on campus. Additionally, he also asked districts to develop backup plans if local conditions do not permit full school attendance come September.
“We currently have dozens of faculty and community partners analyzing parent feedback and developing preliminary plans around this fall guidance,” said Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith. “In addition, accommodations for students and staff who may need to continue distance learning in the fall due to individual health or safety concerns are being developed.”
Walla Walla Public Schools created a 2020-21 Safe Return to Schools webpage to help families track its fall planning progress. Superintendent Smith says he anticipates finalizing and communicating district fall plans by mid-July.
In addition, Walla Walla Public Schools announces its Summer 2020 learning portal opportunity for families. This webpage will provide optional, online educational experiences for students for continued learning over the summer that can be accessed on its district webpage. The district has made available a limited supply of technology devices, by request, for families lacking access at home by contacting us at 509-527-3010.
Additionally, the district will continue its free meal program over the summer.
“We are also pleased to announce that WWPS will continue its grab and go food service program over the summer months at 17 different sites for all children ages 1-18,” said Smith.
To learn more about the summer food program please contact 509-526-1870 or visit the WWPS website.
WWPS website:
• https://www.wwps.org
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