CVHS’s Hittle awarded principal honors

Central Valley High School Principal Mike Hittle has been named Distinguished League Principal of the Year by his colleagues in the Greater Spokane League.

His leadership as GSL president was cited, as was his skill in organizing the GSL and CVHS well enough that everything still ran smoothly last year when he took time off to be with his wife, who was diagnosed with cancer.

He has been principal at CVHS for eight years, with a total of 20 years in education. He is also a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army.

Hittle is now one of 35 candidates for 2010 Washington State High School Principal of the Year. The winner will be selected by the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals.

Blanket party

The Central Valley High School Key Club held a party Tuesday, but it wasn’t to dance. Students were focused on creating blankets for children at local homeless shelters. The club collected donations of fleece material and spent the evening putting together blankets, wrapping them up with bows and putting together gift bags of hot chocolate.

The 117 blankets and 250 gift bags will be given to children at Alexandria’s House, Crosswalk and Hope House.

CV’s Key Club is sponsored by the Spokane Valley Kiwanis. Science teacher Krista Larsen is the adviser.

EV input needed

The East Valley School District is asking parents of high school athletes to give input on whether the district should “opt up” to 3A classification and stay in the GSL or drop down to 2A and be a part of the Great Northern League.

Where districts fall in the rankings is determined by student enrollment, and the district has lost so many students that the high school will automatically drop to a 2A classification unless the school board votes otherwise.

The number of students will probably not grow significantly for several years, said Superintendent John Glenewinkel at this week’s school board meeting. “It makes an awful lot of sense to move down to 2A,” he said.

However, Glenewinkel wants input from parents before the board holds a special meeting Tuesday to vote on whether to remain in the 3A classification. Parents are encouraged to contact Joe Kostecka at kosteckaj@evsd.org or (509) 927-3200, or call the district office at (509) 924-1830.

NCAA workshop

Athletes and parents from Central Valley High School and University High School are invited to an informational workshop on the NCAA from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday at CVHS, 821 S. Sullivan Road.

There will be information on high school course requirements to meet NCAA academic admission requirements, scholarships, recruiting regulations and steps to eligibility. There will be time for questions. Call (509) 228-5100 for more information.

Author visit

Local author Kenn Nesbitt visited East Farms Elementary on Friday.

Known for his funny poems for kids, Nesbitt has published “My Hippo Has the Hiccups,” “Revenge of the Lunch Ladies” and “The Aliens Have Landed.”