Welcome to Vashon’s Award-Winning Public Schools!

Many of our parents and graduates describe the Vashon Island public school system as having the attributes of a private school education.  We offer high quality academic programs and a wide range of opportunities in the arts, sports, music, and travel both in the classroom and through co-curricular clubs and activities. Our schools reflect the commitment of our faculty and staff, the participation and dedication of our parents and families, and the contributions of our vibrant community partner organizations.

Our mission, “to equip every student to engage, thrive, and contribute within an ever-changing world,” guides our commitment to the success of every student. Our joy is to know every student as an individual and to provide each student with the tools and learning opportunities they need to prepare for college or a career, and ultimately to lead productive lives as citizens.

The culture within each of our three public schools is built upon a deep compassion and caring for one another. Our teachers and staff are renowned for their experience, qualifications and commitment. They work together both within departments and across grade levels to ensure continuity of curriculum and support for students.

Our public schools thrive because of our community of support. Our curriculum is greatly enhanced by contributions of funding from Vashon Partners in Education, Vashon PTSA, and Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation, among others. Thanks to partnerships with Vashon Youth and Family Services and Vashon Alliance to Reduce Substance Abuse, our learning community has access to education and resources directed towards mental and physical health.

I invite you to visit our campus and see our award-winning schools first hand. We look forward to extending you a warm welcome.

Warm Regards,

Michael Soltman, Superintendent

In 2013, the Vashon School District Board of Directors adopted a new strategic plan. Through a collaborative process involving faculty, staff, administration, students and the Vashon community, a group of over 80 has worked together to develop six initiatives that support our mission statement at all levels.

Mission: To equip every student to engage, thrive, and contribute within an ever-changing world.

So what does it mean to equip every student to engage, thrive, and contribute in an ever-changing world?

Engage: A teaching environment that fosters a sense of curiosity and personal investment in learning through meaningful instruction.

Thrive: A learning community that supports the intellectual, emotional, social and physical needs of each student with a balance of appropriate challenge and recognition for achievement.

Contribute: A curriculum that encourages critical thinking and a world-view through exposure to perspectives of other cultures and backgrounds. Understanding the connectedness of world cultures, what makes a good citizen, and the importance of each citizen’s contribution to the greater whole.

The following is an overview of our mission, objectives of that mission and strategies to reach said objectives. We consider our strategic plan to be a living document under constant reevaluation and growth to keep pace with the rapidly changing world of education.

Objectives:

1. Every student demonstrates essential life and academic skills for continued growth.

2. Every student is engaged and heard, and demonstrates personal responsibility for learning.

3. Every student demonstrates a commitment to contribute by participating in projects that are meaningful to the student and to the community.

Strategies:

1. Deepen students’ engagement in their learning community

2. Adopt, embed and evaluate a District set of cognitive and social skills within a growth mind set.

3. Make learning relevant and responsive to students’ lives in an ever-changing world.

Initiatives in Action:

Healthy and Compassionate Living Initiative:  Implement a social/emotional mental health skill framework along with research-based programming to facilitate a culture of care and compassion, life skills for healthy living, systems of intervention and support, and a commitment to an antiracist multicultural school community.

Instructional Practice Initiative: Empower teachers to lead instructional change using the Marzano Instructional Framework; increase student engagement and enhance student growth.

Multi-tier System of Supports Initiative: Effectively identify students needing additional instructional support, monitor student progress using multiple data points to inform instruction and to implement effective interventions to address the unique needs of these learners (K through 12).

Upcoming District Events Worth Noting

This is an exciting and incredibly busy year for all of us in the school community. The weeks ahead are filled with momentous events of celebration, recognition and closure to the school year. Here are some highlights…

Chautauqua Elementary School

Young Authors Day, Tuesday June 6, all day throughout CES

All students, ages K-5, will share their own writing in small groups. The event will culminate in students attending a performance of El Deafo, based upon the novel by Cece Bell, at Vashon Center for the Arts.

Field Day, Friday June 9, all day in multiple venues throughout CES

All students will have an opportunity to enjoy games and activities that will generate team building skills as well as fun and laughter in this year-end celebration.

Senior Stroll, Friday June 16, 10:30-11am, location weather dependent

VHS Seniors don their caps and gowns and visit CES students in a celebration of the beginning and the end of the educational timeline here at VISD.

McMurray Middle School

POPS Concert, Tuesday June 6, VHS Gymnasium 7-8:30pm

(See description under VHS activities.)

Exploratory Week, Monday-Friday June 12-16

8th grade students embark on a weeklong journey of exploration, discovery and learning through a range of experiences.

Tributes and Treats, Thursday June 22, 6-8pm

An annual tradition at McMurray Middle School, graduating 8th graders receive their diploma in a ceremony that celebrates the unique qualities and contributions of each student.

Vashon Island High School

Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation Awards Night, Wednesday May 31st, 6-10pm VHS Gymnasium

Each senior graduate who has submitted a scholarship notebook will receive a scholarship award to be applied towards education beyond high school. VCSF is a non-profit organization that has distributed more than 1.5 million in scholarships since its inception in 1986.

POPS Concert, Tuesday June 6, 7-8:30pm, VHS Gymnasium

Both VHS and McMurray band students will participate in this rousing performance entitled “A Night at the Movies.” The audience will be treated to a repertoire of movie theme song classics and favorites.

VHS Academic Awards Night, Wednesday June 7, 6:30-8pm, VHS Theatre

This annual event recognizes select VHS students for academic excellence and achievement. Invitations to this event are sent by mail to students’ families.

VHS Class of 2017 Graduation, Saturday June 17, 6-8:30pm

Graduation ceremonies will take place in the stadium or gymnasium, weather pending.

Community Events

VISD Racial Equality group, Tuesday June 13, 12-2:30pm, CES District Conference Room

The community is invited to join the VISD Racial Equity group for its final meeting of the school year. Participants will review work accomplished to date and plan for August workshops and beyond. Please RSVP: jburwell@vashonsd.org

Screening of, 13th, Monday June 19, 6pm at VHS Theatre

Vashon Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ), VISD Racial Equity, and the Backbone Campaign are sponsoring this screening of the award-winning documentary, 13th, titled after the 13th Amendment. In the documentary, filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the US, focusing on the fact that the nation’s prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.  A discussion will follow the screening.