Kate Van Cleve Honored

Pioneer Middle School teacher receives Building Belonging Award

School board members honored Pioneer Middle School English Language Arts teacher Kate Van Cleve with a Building Belonging Award. The Building Belonging Award is a student/staff recognition program aligned to the district’s "We All Belong Here" unity message promoting a civil, safe and compassionate learning environment. The "Building Belonging" Recognition Award recognizes students/staff who promote activities that create and sustain a sense of belonging, fairness, and justice for all students. Equity and Dual Programs Department Director Dr. Julie Perron coordinates the Building Belonging Award program.

Pioneer Advanced Writing students participated in NPR's Student Podcast Challenge. Students Laney Hand, Liliana Garcia and Ella Abbey chose the topic of Neurodivergent Acceptance in an effort to raise awareness of how other students can cultivate a culture of belonging for all. They interviewed a parent, a neurodivergent student, and the director of Special Education to hear their perspectives. Their overall theme/take-away is to act with kindness. They also touch on the invisibility of neurodivergence to raise awareness.

This podcast has been submitted to NPR, is available on the Walla Walla Public Schools' and Walla Walla Public Library's websites, and has been shared with the Walla Walla Valley Disability Network.