In this Issue:

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• School Board Regular Business Meeting 
• District celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• Lincoln High School Ribbon Cutting ceremony success
• October 2022 Pulse Video  
• District emergency preparedness team meets with area first responders
• Former Pioneer Middle School principal to join Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame
• District supports Walla Walla Realtors Association Annual “Care and Share” Food Drive

School Stories

• Wa-Hi Trunk or Treat – Safe Halloween fun for the entire community
• Sharpstein Elementary Blue Zones Project Celebration planned for Oct. 27
• Wa-Hi Band shines at University of Idaho Homecoming Parade

Community Stories

• US Air Force Band coming to Wa-Hi next week
• Teen Nights every First Friday at Walla Walla Public Library – By Walla Walla library staff
• Going to College With the WASFA: My Story – By Liz George, Walla Walla Library
• Festival de Cultura Viva - Sunday, October 16
• Parks and Recreation Update

Tuesday, Oct. 18
Walla Walla Public Schools District Office (364 S. Park St.)
5:30 p.m. – Regular Business Meeting (open to the public)
Board Meeting Agendas, Minutes & Remote Viewing Access:
• https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/997

On Monday Walla Walla Public Schools joined the world in celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October, on October 10 this year, to honor the cultures and histories of the Native American people. The celebrating of an Indigenous Peoples Day took root in 1977 at an international conference on discrimination sponsored by the United Nations.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates, recognizes, and honors the beautiful traditions and cultures of the Indigenous People, not just in America, but around the world. Their way of life and culture carries wisdom and valuable insights into how we can live life more sustainably.

President Biden Proclamation on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, 2022

Hundreds of former students, staff and community supporters visited Lincoln High School Wednesday, Oct. 5 to celebrate with the school district during the official Ribbon Cutting ceremony marking the final steps of the historic bond-funded project. Guests marveled at improvements of the 95-year-old school as they toured the campus to see the updated classrooms and renovated facilities made possible thanks to the successful November 2018 bond measure overwhelmingly approved by voters with a 73 percent yes vote.

Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith served as Master of Ceremonies during the event. He shared the history of the school which opened in 1927. Superintendent Smith summarized the improvements made on campus, thanked everyone involved in getting the project approved and completed, and acknowledged the nearly 50 local contractors and vendors who worked on various bond-funded projects. Improvements at Lincoln High School include a new entry and black box theater addition, renovated classrooms, modern heating and cooling system and elevator for ADA accessibility. The project also includes parking lot improvements, enhanced safety and security features and energy efficiency improvements.

Superintendent Smith also introduced former Principal Jim Sporleder to the podium to share stories about his tenure as principal of Lincoln High School from 2007 to 2014 as part of his 32 year career in education. Mr. Sporleder was featured in the documentary Paper Tigers released by KPJR Films in 2015. Paper Tigers helped shed light on how Adverse Childhood Experiences impact academic achievement and the need for more social and emotional support systems in schools. Sporleder said he is proud of his time at Lincoln High School and is thrilled to see the improvements to the school.

The formal program ended with the ribbon cutting, marking the official opening of the newly renovated and expanded facility. More than 200 people attended the ceremony and toured the school. Thanks to everyone for your support in making this amazing project come true.

October 2022 Pulse Video

Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith discusses inclusionary practices with district Special Education Director Barb Casey during the October 2022 Pulse video. Superintendent Smith also shares information about the recent Ribbon Cutting Celebrations for the successful bond program and the new Dick Neher Legacy Scholarship.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to watch this month’s Pulse video.

This week district emergency preparedness leaders Mark Higgins (Director of Communications) and Mike Kay (Director of Facilities Support) met with Bob Yancey (WW City Fire), Rocky Eastman (District 4 Fire), John Golden (District 4 Fire), Joe Klundt (WW Sheriff’s Dept) and Kevin Bayne (WW Police Dept) to review school emergency procedures. This group will meet three times during the school year to support school readiness for crisis prevention, management and recovery. Area first responders will also visit schools to observe state required emergency drills and help lead table top training exercises. School safety remains the district’s top priority and the district appreciates all the support it receives from local first responders.

Former Pioneer Middle School Principal Lyla (Voth) Reibel is being inducted into the Oregon State University Sports Hall of Fame in November as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of Title IX. Education Amendments of 1972, Title IX, prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Lyla had a 31-year-career in education with Walla Walla Public Schools, including 18 years as an administrator.

Lyla and her twin brother Tim were both star athletes in high school in Ashland, Oregon. Tim went through college on an athletic scholarship, and because no athletic scholarships existed for women at that time, Lyla went through on an academic scholarship. Even through the adversity, Lyla persevered and was an incredible collegiate athlete. Athletic opportunities for girls and women exploded after Title IX. Lyla went on to have a long academic career, finishing her career as the Principal at Pioneer Middle School in Walla Walla. She has participated, coached and supported athletics throughout her entire life. Lyla and her Pickleball partner Darlene took Gold last year at the National Pickleball Tournament in Indian Wells, California. She will be there again in November to defend her title.

Oregon State Athletics announced its 2022 Hall of Fame Class in September, which will be recognized on Saturday November 5. Most of the teams that will be represented were organized under the Association for Women (AIAW) which was founded in 1971 until the NCAA brought women's sports in the organization in 1982. Lyla will be recognized and inducted as a multi-sport student-athlete who competed in gymnastics, track and field, basketball, bowling, softball, volleyball, field hockey, and tennis. Lyla was a member of the first Oregon State gymnastics team to win a Pac-8 Championship. She was also a member of six conference championship teams.

Walla Walla Public Schools is teaming with Realtors Association on its 43rd Annual “Care and Share” Food Drive. All food donations go to the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank to support those in need. Below is a summary of the district’s involvement this year.

Collection Barrels at Schools – Month of October
• Collection barrels will be placed at all schools and the district office throughout the month of October. Community members may bring food donations to the district office (364 S. Park St) during regular business hours.

Bag distribution & pick up to area residents
• Distribution: Thursday, Oct. 13 & Friday, Oct. 14 or by noon Saturday, Oct. 15
• Pick up on Sunday, Oct. 16
• District volunteers will help distribute food collection bags in Walla Walla neighborhoods and bring them back to designated collection sites.

• Wa-Hi Trunk or Treat – Monday, Oct. 31
• 4 to 6 p.m.
• Wa-Hi parking lot off Abbott Road near FFA Barn
• Fun, games and candy
• Please bring a canned food donation
• Sponsored by Wa-Hi ASB and Wa-Hi Clubs

The Sharpstein Elementary Blue Zones Project Approval Celebration is planned for October 27. Fun activities are planned throughout the day to celebrate Sharpstein’s Blue Zones Project approval which enhances the school environment to make it easier for students and adults to make healthy choices.

The day will start with a Walking School Bus at 7:35 a.m. at the Rose Garden in Pioneer Park on Division and Whitman. School buses will be dropping students off at that location so they can join the walk. Sharpstein will also be having a veggie sample program at lunch organized by Walla Walla Valley Farm-to-School. Principal Maria Garcia and Angela Hudiberg from Communities in Schools are planning some additional experiences throughout the day encouraging students to connect with each other.

The Walla Walla High School Band had a terrific day earlier this month as they traveled to Moscow, Idaho and participated in the University of Idaho’s annual Homecoming Parade and Mass Band Pregame show. Band members also were also able to say hi to former Wa-Hi Band students and current Vandal Band members McKenna Hart (‘22) and Tyler Smith-Price (‘19).

The US Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants from Washington, D.C. will present a concert at the Walla Walla High School main gym Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets required. This will be a great performance from one of our nation's best bands.
• Tuesday, October 18 at 7 p.m.
• Walla Walla High School Large Gym (800 Abbott Road - Walla Walla, WA 99362)

To get your free tickets visit this website
- (you must have a ticket for the event)

Every first Friday of the month, join us for games, activities, snacks, and community from 4pm-8:30pm at Walla Walla Public Library, 238 E. Alder Street.

October 8: Celebrate fREADom! Join us for banned books-themed snacks, read-outs of books you love, a collaborative art project, and more!

November 4: Zine Scene! Materials and inspiration to create your own zine and get it added to the Washington State Library.

December 2: Maker Space open house & Teen Volunteer recognition! Come use our 3D printer, Cricut, sewing machines, and more; and celebrate teen volunteers or get signed up to volunteer.

All events are open to all teen students, so come connect at the library.

Walla Walla Public Library invites all middle and high school students and their families to hear the story of one undocumented student’s college journey on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the Walla Walla Public Library, 238 E. Alder Street in Walla Walla.

Tri-Cities resident and recent college graduate Maria Celeste Herrera will share her experience as an undocumented student applying for college, obtaining financial aid via the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) and completing a bachelor’s degree at WSU in Pullman. Her powerful story will inspire families across our community to see that a path to college is possible for all students, regardless of documentation status. Families with children are encouraged to attend; children’s activities will be available in the children’s area during the talk.

In-person simultaneous translation into Spanish will be provided; no photography or video recording will be permitted during the event. Please follow the library access and local access signs to find the library parking. Visit HERE 

Please do not attend this event if you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of illness.

For more event information, please visit the library’s calendar or call 509-527-4550.

Questions? Contact Liz George, Young People’s Librarian, at egeorge@wallawallawa.gov, or 509-524-4431.

The Festival de Cultura Viva aims to celebrate the diversity of the Hispanic Arts and Culture in the Walla Walla Valley. This family friendly event will begin with a Parade on the corner of Colville and Rose Street at 10:15 a.m. The parade will march to the Festival at the Gesa Power House Theatre where the celebration will take place from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Festival will feature performances of Mariachi, Latin Band Los Flacos (Seattle), Ballet El Color de México, and Las Estrellas de México, as well as Flamenco, Cha Cha Cha, Merengue, Bachata, Hip Hop, and juggling workshops. There will also be cultural presentations, art exhibitions, local food trucks and arts activities for all ages. Better yet, it is free and open to the public.

• Indoor Soccer registration opens on Monday, October 17. Grades K-8. This league is co-ed. Cost is $50 (early registration ends November 18).
• Spooktacular Decorating Contest - Decorate your porch, yard, car, pickup, tractor, or other vehicle. FREE!
• Pumpkin Carving Contest - Ages 3-12 years. October 20. FREE!
• Fencing - 8 years and over. Cost is $20-$75.

Do you have the Parks and Recreation App? Easy access to game schedules, program registration and more! Download it from your App Store/Google Play Store - Walla Walla Parks and Rec

For more information or to register, please visit our website at www.wwpr.us. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Parks & Recreation Office at 509-527-4527, recreation@wallawallawa.gov