| District Stories |
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District launches new website to support social emotional learning
This week Walla Walla Public Schools Teaching and Learning Department released its new Social Emotional Learning at Home website to provide resources to families. The site includes informative videos in Spanish and English, school staff contacts, an activities calendar for each month and links to national resources. Mental Health Specialist Kristen Duede and members of the district’s Social Emotional Learning team Kevin De Santiago, Heather Usko-Lane and Jennifer Matson designed and developed the site after getting parent and staff requests for more resources.
“I’m proud of the initiative our team took to quickly respond to a need elevated by distance learning,” said Teaching and Learning Executive Director Christy Krutulis. “The impact of COVID spurred the district to create the website, but we plan to keep it up and maintain it after we get back to in-person learning because we know these needs will not go away.”
Krutulis says the project supports Goal Three of the district’s Strategic Plan as the district strives to reduce barriers to learning.
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WWPS Special School Board meeting
Special Meeting - 5:30 p.m.
September 29, 2020
Online/Virtual Zoom Meeting
The Board of Directors has scheduled a special meeting on September 29 at 5:30 p.m. for discussion and approval of reopening schools transition to yellow stage.
IMPORTANT MEETING NOTICE: Pursuant to the Governor’s Proclamation No. 20-28, school board meetings during the COVID-19 disease outbreak must not take place in-person, but occur remotely. Members of the public are invited to attend by utilizing the following methods:
Watch: https://zoom.us/j/95197879603
Listen: Dial 1-253-215-8782 and enter the Webinar ID: 951 9787 9603.
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Federal government extends free meal program
Recently the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the free meal program through December to help ensure all children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, all meals will be free for all children ages 1-18. This includes children not enrolled in school. Parents and guardians may pick up meals for their children.
During distance learning, Walla Walla Public Schools is handing out meals Monday through Friday at several school and community locations from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The district will deploy two school buses daily from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at several bus stop route locations across the community. All meals are “Grab & Go” and include lunch and the next day’s breakfast. Please wear face masks or face coverings when picking up meals.
“Grab & Go” Meal Pick Up locations:
• Berney Elementary (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Edison Elementary (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Garrison Middle School (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Green Park Elementary (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Prospect Point Elementary (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Sharpstein Elementary (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Washington Park (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Lincoln High School (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
• Bus Route One: (please arrive five minutes early)
- 12 noon: Corner of N. Touchet and E. Cherry St.
- 12:10 p.m.: Corner of J. St. and N. Roosevelt St.
- 12:20 p.m.: Vista Terrace Park
- 12:30 p.m.: 2815 Melrose Trailer Park
- 12:40 p.m.: Middle of block between Tausick Way and Garden St.
• Bus Route Two: (please arrive five minutes early)
- 12 noon: The corner of Lodge and Sunset Dr.
- 12:10 p.m.: The corner of Chase and Eagan
- 12:20 p.m.: 11th Ave. Middle of block between Main and Alder
- 12:25 p.m.: 11th Ave. Middle of block between Birch and Willow
- 12:35 p.m.: 11 Ave. and Edith Ave.
- 12:45 p.m.: Corner of W. Moore St. and 8th Ave.
Nutrition Services Director Pamela Milleson reminds parents it is important to be ready for the time when the district is back to its regular meal program by continuing to submit Free & Reduced price meal applications which are located on the district’s website at: https://www.wwps.org/departments/nutrition-services
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| School Stories |
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The Health Center offering flu shots
The Health Center of Walla Walla is making plans for student flu vaccinations this fall, targeting October 2020. Local clinics are administering flu vaccines as well. Families who wish their students to receive the flu vaccine through THC need to complete a THC permission form as well as a vaccine administration form.
For the upcoming flu season, flu vaccination will be very important to reduce flu because it can help reduce the overall impact of respiratory illnesses on the population and thus lessen the resulting burden on the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic (CDC, 2020).
Further dates and details will be available soon. Please contact The Health Center with any questions at help@thehealthcenterww.org or leave a message at 509 525 0704. The Health Center is Walla Walla’s school-based health center offering sports physicals to students during Covid-19. Inquiries for other health care needs will be assessed for in-person or virtual visits by contacting the clinic
Information about The Health Center is available at www.thehealthcenterww.org
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| Community Stories |
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Walla Walla Valley Baseball Club offers free skill development program
Fresh air and baseball will be the focus of a free six-week program this fall aimed at helping young players in the Valley improve their game, learn fundamentals and have some fun. And this will all be done safely while strictly adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The Walla Walla Valley Baseball Club program, for ages 9 to 18, will begin on Saturday Oct. 3 and run through Nov. 15 (weather permitting). Players may register at http://bit.ly/wwvbc.
The sessions will be broken into two age groups, 9-13 and 14-18, at the Mill Creek SportsPlex, 111 S. Tausick Way. The coaching will be overseen by Jason Parsons, head coach of the Walla Walla Bruins, three-time American Legion AA state champions. The sessions will take place after school at 4 p.m. on weekdays and during the day Saturdays, running no longer than 90 minutes. The exact time and days for sessions will depend on the number of players registered and their ages.
The priority is on practicing the fundamentals of baseball as well as conditioning to improve play and avoid injury. Live drills will take place as well as controlled scrimmages that simulate games. The goal of these sessions will be player development, having fun and spending time outdoors this fall.
The Walla Walla Valley Baseball Club has developed a safety plan that can be viewed at: http://bit.ly/WWVBC-SafetyPlan calling for social distancing, proper hygiene and following the state-approved protocols. There will be no charge for these sessions. For more information email walla2baseball@gmail.com. If questions can’t be answered through email, contact WWVBC President Andy Coleman at 509-520-1937.
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Community Prevention and Wellness Initiative Survey
Walla Walla County’s Reach Out Walla Walla Coordinator Peggy Needham recently released the Community Prevention and Wellness survey to get community input. The survey asks parents and community members how they think Walla Walla youth are doing.
“We want to know what your thoughts are on this important issue facing our community,” said Needham. “By taking this anonymous survey, we will be able to gauge your impressions on youth alcohol, marijuana vaping and tobacco use.”
The survey also addresses mental health concerns for youth, including depression and suicide.
“Reach Out Walla Walla cares about what you think, and we want to do the best that we can with our funding to address your concerns,” said Needham. “This survey should take no more than five minutes to complete and we will share the results in the spring of 2021.”
If you have any questions, contact Reach Out Walla Walla coordinator, Peggy Needham pneedham@co.walla-walla.wa.us or 509.524.2684.
ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
https://www.research.net/r/WAWAWAWAEN2020
ONLINE SURVEY SPANISH
https://es.research.net/r/WAWAWAWASP2020
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Students eligible for FREE resources from Walla Walla Public Library
Walla Walla Public Library announces all Walla Walla Public Schools students are eligible for full digital access to the Walla Public Library.
How it works:
• Register online for your digital library card: www.wallawallapubliclibrary.org/services
Services:
• Free online classes
• Free ebooks
• Research support
• Audiobooks
Additional information: 509-527-4550
Email us at wwpl@wallawallawa.gov
Visit us online at www.wallawallapubliclibrary.org
Follow Library events on Facebook/Twitter
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AAUW announces “Virtual” Kitchen Tour
AAUW-Walla Walla announces its 2020 “Virtual” Kitchen Tour. All funds raised through this event go directly to scholarships for young women in the community.
• Virtual Kitchen Tour available online: www.aauwwkitchentour.com
• Sunday, Oct. 4 thru Thursday, Dec. 31
• Interactive Tour website
• 8 kitchens, 3-D video and photos of each kitchen
• No ticket required – donate online
• For more information: wallawalla-wa.aauw.net or www/facebook.com/aauww2
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EF Tours: Stories of Scotland-Summer Adventure 2022! – Kathryn Southwick Hess
Spend nine days visiting Glasgow, West Highlands, Inverness, Edinburgh, and an extension to London. Around every loch, moor, and castle a Scottish story is waiting to be told. Whether it’s from the mouth of a skilled storyteller, from the calloused hands of a hardworking Glaswegian, or from the well-worn cobbles of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile you can expect a vibrant story bursting with life. Go beyond seeing Scottish landmarks and experience the kingdom of the north through the stories of the Scots. Interested in more Information? Join the Virtual “Zoom” Information meeting on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at 7 p.m. from the comfort of your favorite chair & device.
• Please RSVP to the link below after which you will then receive a link to join the September 29 Zoom
• Zoom meeting: https://bit.ly/2DNlcHz
• NOTE: EF Tours are not sponsored by Walla Walla Public Schools
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City Parks & Rec Weekly Update
• Chalk-Tastic chalk art contest open to kids 5-16. Categories are things you would see in a park or anything recreation related. Submit pictures to parks@wallawallawa.gov. Deadline has been extended to September 27.
• Walla Walla Soccer Alliance Skills Clinic – Ages 5-17. Cost $25-$30. This soccer clinic will adhere to all local health guidelines set forth by the WA Dept. of Health.
Please visit our website at www.wwpr.us for updated information regarding recreation programs as it becomes available. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Parks & Recreation Office at 509-527-4527, recreation@wallawallawa.gov or parks@wallawallawa.gov.
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