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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- November 11 - Veteran's Day (No School)
- November 13 - Regular Board Meeting
- November 17 - VHS Winter Sports Begin
- November 19 - Prospective VHS/McM Student Tours
- November 20-22 - WSSDA Annual Conference
- November 26 - Early Release
- November 27-28 - Thanksgiving Break (No School)
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VHS Principal John Erickson and VHS Library Manager Vanessa Gannon recently had the opportunity to meet with the sisters of Peggy Kallsen's, the high school's former librarian, who retired back in 2014, and passed away in December of 2024. To honor her memory, they've made a generous donation to the VHS library program. Pictured here are Ms. Gannon and Mr. Erickson accepting the beautiful memorial plaque they had made, which will be displayed in the VHS library. Be on the lookout for a piece in the VHS Riptide soon that details Ms. Kallsen's impact over her 34 years of service to the VHS library. |
Last week, thanks to an amazing group of volunteers from the Sam Yates Community Foundation and Vashon Island Fire & Rescue, about 125 VHS students received free EKG heart screenings, helping our students and families detect any issues that might otherwise go undetected. As an added benefit, VIFR helped lead CPR and AED trainings for our students to make sure they know what to do if they ever encounter someone in need of help. |
Huge, heaping thanks to our amazing PTO, parent volunteers, and community sponsors for making the Harvest Festival a success. In the spirit of our Belonging focus—Invited—this event was a joyful reminder of how meaningful it is when every family feels genuinely welcomed to take part. Special shout-outs to our custodians, Scott and Will, for their behind-the-scenes magic and for tackling cleanup with a smile. Seasonal events like this help us build lasting connections. |
VHS Theatre is proud to present its first production of the 2025-26 school year, Our Town, over the first two weekends of December.
Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage,” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually–in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre–die.
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Thanks to all who attended the Día de los Muertos Community Dinner at McMurray. With the help of our La Chispa students, each of our schools hosted an ofrenda—an altar that often includes photos, mementos, and favorite foods of the departed. |
Congratulations are in order to the students of La Chispa, who recently received the Future of Heritage Award from the Association of King County Historical Organizations for their mural "Fiesta", created with artist Rafa Diaz and with support from Vashon Youth and Family Services.
The Future of Heritage Award is presented to a King County student or student-led project that has positively contributed to the heritage community with service or through a project that has benefited the community at large.
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On Thursday, November 13, beginning at 6:00 p.m., the VISD Board of Directors 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.
On November 20-22, 2025, the VISD Board of Directors will be attending the WSSDA Annual Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Seattle, Washington. No action will be taken during this gathering.
Upcoming Meetings:
- November 13: Regular Meeting
- November 20-22: WSSDA Conference
- December 11: Board Work Session
- December 18: Regular Meeting
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The Vashon Nature Center will be hosting a Greentech night in collaboration with Vashon Theatre and Vashon Center for the Arts on November 18, 6:00-8:00 pm., for "From Sea to Sky: The Raising of a Whale."
The evening will include general information on gray whales shared by VNC staff, the story of the gray whale (affectionately named Singer) that beached on Vashon Island last April, and the story of the whale's impact on VNC staff and community members. A feature film from the Hakai Institute on gray whale skeleton articulation will be shown, followed by a talk given by the local artist, Ela Lamblin, on their process so far of articulating the skeleton.
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The VSF auction packed with more than 80 incredible items and experiences that celebrate the best of Vashon and beyond! It’s the perfect way to kick off your holiday shopping while giving back to support our Vashon students and public schools. Bidding closes Friday, November 14, at 9:00 p.m.-- don’t miss your chance to bid!
While tickets to our first annual “Under the Stars: Gala” are SOLD OUT, you can still be part of the celebration by making a direct donation to the Foundation. Every gift helps fund vital programs and opportunities for Vashon students. Donate here.
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.
Have questions?
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In light of uncertainty from the federal level about nationwide support programs, the Vashon Social Service Network would like to share the following resources:
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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!
- Substitute Classroom Teachers
- Substitute Instructional Support
- Substitute Custodial or Food Service Support
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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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