WALLA WALLA - 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.
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Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicHome.aspx?ak=1001835
Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicHome.aspx?ak=1001835
In accordance with their duties to review the 2018 Bond program, a meeting of the WWPS Bond Oversight Committee will be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. in the WWPS Administration Building Anne Golden Boardroom.
Details are available via the following link: http://www.wwps.org/bond/bond-oversight-committee
November 6, 2018 - WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools’ $65.6 million Replacement Bond is passing on election night with a 70.95% yes vote. More votes are expected to trickle in over the next few days. The remaining ballots are not expected to change the final outcome. The election will be certified by the Walla Walla County Elections Office Nov. 27 The approval requirement for this bond was a supermajority, 60 percent yes vote.
Statement from Superintendent Wade Smith:
Tonight will be remembered as one of the more significant moments in our district’s glorious 161-year history. On this historic day voters overwhelmingly supported a $65.6M bond to renovate Walla Walla High School, Pioneer Middle School, Lincoln High School, and fund other district-wide safety and infrastructure improvements. Eligible for nearly $53M in state match, this $118M investment will impact the lives of thousands of students and hundreds of staff for decades to come.
This vote of confidence further inspires our team of passionate educators and support staff in their collective endeavor to educate, inspire, and engage all of Walla Walla’s youth. I want to thank our dedicated Board of Directors who developed the inclusive and informed process. They empowered a community-led Facilities Task Force who spent exhaustive time and attention prioritizing facility preservation needs. In the end, our Board unanimously endorsed the conservative plan recommended that balanced building preservation needs, all while maintaining one of the region’s lowest school bond rates.
Understanding our work has just began, and the awesome responsibility and trust voters have provided, an 11-member independent Bond Oversight Committee has been formed to add an unprecedented layer of transparency and accountability. We will keep our promise; to deliver on the facility renovation and safety improvements, to invest state match funds only on the voter-approved projects, and to return any excess funds remaining upon completion.
Thank you again for investing in Walla Walla’s children as we work collectively to provide the facilities necessary to support our vision of “Developing Washington’s Most Sought-After Graduates.”
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Supporting documents are available via the following link: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicHome.aspx?ak=1001835
WALLA WALLA – Sharpstein Elementary and Garrison School Psychologist Robert Graham was named the Washington State School Psychologist of the Year during the association’s annual conference Oct. 19 in Seattle.
“I am extremely humbled by this entire experience and more importantly by my colleagues and administrators' words of admiration,” said Graham. “I am proud to bring this accolade back to Walla Walla Public Schools and look forward to continuing to grow professionally while striving to be the best educator, father, son and husband that I can be.”
Graham started his career in the Cheney School District as an emergency certified school psychologist where he worked from January - June 2013. He was hired by Walla Walla Public Schools in August of 2013. Graham attended Eastern Washington University where he received his Bachelor in Science Degree in Applied Developmental Psychology and his Master of Science in School Psychology Educational Specialist.
According to Director of Special Education Libby Thompson, Graham was selected for this award because of his ability to see the whole child and his belief that all students are capable of high learning no matter their circumstances. She says he goes above and beyond to make sure students get what they need in all areas. He works with parents to ensure they know they are an important part of the team.
An example of his work is the Lunch Bunch group he runs at Sharpstein Elementary. Students receive extra attention and practice with social skills, have lunch with him and are able to "practice" with Graham as a mentor.
“Rob is one of the best school psychologists I have worked with in my entire career in education,” said Thompson. “His integrity, compassion and knowledge combine to make him extremely successful in working with students, parents, and staff. He is always willing to take on any task, and he is usually the first person I bring in to help solve issues that may arise.”
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