Hello VISD Community,
Welcome to this week's issue of The Vashon Beacon. This newsletter is a source for news, updates, and stories from across the Vashon Island School District. Each issue will highlight important district initiatives, shine a spotlight on the great work happening in our schools, and share upcoming events, key information, board news, and much more.
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- October 21: CES Picture Retakes
- October 23: Regular Board Meeting
- October 24: VHS Picture Retakes
- October 29: CES Conferences (Early Release for CES students at 11:40 a.m.)
- October 30-31: CES Conferences (No School for CES Students)
- October 30: McM ASB Hoedown
- November 1: Registration for VHS Winter Sports Opens
- November 1: VHS Home Football Senior Recognition
- November 4: EKG Heart Screenings at VHS
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Congratulations are in order for VHS seniors August Kampmeier, River Powers, and Nathaniel Schill. August and River earned Commended Scholars designations and Nathan earned a recognition of National Merit Semifinalist! |
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For the past 13 years, McMurray 6th graders have teamed up with the Vashon Nature Center to keep a close eye on the health of Judd Creek. Each year, students head out into the field to explore the creek and collect samples of tiny creatures called macroinvertebrates — an important clue to how healthy the ecosystem is. Back in the classroom, students use stereo microscopes to sort and study their samples. The data they collect is then sent to King County, where it becomes part of the King County Benthos Database — a scientific resource used by environmental professionals. To wrap up the project, students analyze the database to determine how Judd Creek is doing overall. |
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On November 10, ParentSquare will be update how you receive text messages from VISD to regular 10-digit phone numbers. This will make it easier to see who is messaging you. For example, a message from your student's teacher will come from a different number than a message from the school office, allowing you to save that number into your contacts.
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Our Family Engagement Coordinators Nidia Sahagun and Richard Rivas would like to thank all the families who joined them for their recent workshop! The workshop focused on connecting and helping everyone learn how to navigate various platforms and apps used by the District, such as School Dismissal Manager, Skyward, and ParentSquare.
The VISD Family Engagement Center is in Room 203 at Chautauqua Elementary. Feel free to come by and say hello during normal school hours! Our family engagement coordinators are here to help families get connected with the school and community resources.
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On Thursday, October 23, beginning at 4:30 p.m., the VISD Board of Directors will be meeting with the building administration to discuss school improvement plans. Following, at 6:00 p.m., the Board will hold a regular business meeting. The meeting will be held in-person at the District Office Conference Room #302, on the third floor of Chautuaqua Elementary, 9309 SW Cemetery Rd. Click here to view the agenda.
Upcoming Meetings:
- November 13: Regular Meeting
- November 20-22: WSSDA Conference
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You're invited to the Vashon Schools Foundation's first annual Gala & Auction: Under the Stars on November 15 at O Space! It's sure to be an unforgettable night, coming together to support our students—and tickets are limited, so reserve yours soon! Click here for tickets and details.
Why Your Support Matters
State funding doesn’t cover all of our students’ needs. That’s where you come in. Your support helps provide targeted academic and family engagement support, arts education, social-emotional support services, science programming and so much more. Your generosity directly fuels the programs and staff that help every Vashon student thrive.
Can’t attend but want to help?
We’d love volunteers! Whether you have 30 minutes or a few hours, there's a role for you. Click here to volunteer.
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The PIE Board is currently reviewing 55 grant requests for the 2025-26 school year, totaling over $70,000. The grants will serve students from Pre-K to Grade 12 in all subject areas–science, art, music, math, reading, social studies and physical education. The teachers have worked hard on their grant proposals. We need your help to fund as many of these grants as possible.
You should have received a brochure in the mail this month. If you still have it in your to do pile, please mail in your donation today. If you have misplaced your brochure, you can mail a check to Vashon PIE at PO Box 1645, Vashon, WA 98070. You can also donate online here: Give Now.
For more information about Partners in Education, check out our website VashonPIE.
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Are you interested in joining the VISD team and making a difference for our island's youth? The following jobs are currently open. Apply today!
- Multilingual Learner Paraeducator
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The Vashon Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on sex, race, ethnicity, religion, creed, color, national origin, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or non-program-related RCW 49.60 Law Against Discrimination, and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and any other youth group listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society.
The Vashon Island School District is an equal opportunity employer. Vashon Island School District is tobacco-free, drug-free and weapons-free. Appropriate fingerprint screening results are required for employment.
For specific information, contact:
- VISD Title IX, HIB Compliance Officer, and ADA/504 Coordinator, Kathryn Coleman, P.O. Box 547, Vashon, Washington 98070, (206) 463-8532, kcoleman@vashonsd.org.
- VISD Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW, Amy Sassara, Human Resource Director, P.O. Box 547, Vashon, WA 98070, (206) 463-8529, asassara@vashonsd.org.
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