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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- January 20: CES Food Drive Begins
- January 22: Regular Board Meeting
- January 23: Last Day of First Semester
- January 26: No School (Semester Break)
- January 27: First Day of Second Semester
- January 28: CES New Family Tour
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McMurray seventh-grade social studies is in its third year of partnering with island musician Todd Zimberg to explore how West African drumming builds community and preserves history.
A big thank you to Todd for sharing his rhythmic traditions he learned directly from his teacher, Ghanian kete drumming legend Koo Nimo, bringing world-class expertise to our classroom.
This immersive experience is made possible through the generous support of Vashon Artists in Schools and Vashon Partners in Education (PIE).
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On January 16, all of CES gathered to celebrate what the state of Washington calls "Temperance and Good Citizenship Day." Principal Julie Kangas and staff remained focused on centering the assembly on the life, leadership, and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
During the assembly, students engaged in:
- Class "what we stand for" statements;
- A reading of A is for Activist led by student leaders;
- Civil Rights Movement songs such as "This Little Light of Mine", "We Shall Overcome", and others;
- Context about Dr. King as an activist, leader, and citizen; and
- Discussions of youth voice, justice, equity, and community action.
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VHS has a brand-new chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), the largest business career & technical student organization in the world. Twenty-three of our 34 inaugural FBLA members are preparing for regional and state conferences, where they’ll compete in categories such as accounting, business law, business presentation, career portfolio, entrepreneurship, event planning, healthcare administration, marketing, networking infrastructures, organizational leadership, social media strategies, sports and entertainment management, and more.
To get competition-ready and start off strong, we’re reaching out to our broader community to ask for support in any number of ways:
- Donate or loan business attire to students who will start competing on January 31. We are hoping to collect blazers, dress shirts, ties, and suit pants in a variety of sizes. If you have clothing to donate or loan, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/3EweTUkPZBkgxh1r8
- Share your business expertise with students–whether through mentoring, listening to practice presentations, or joining an FBLA meeting as a guest speaker. If interested, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/fadfKCEP9efqPb2Y7
- Serve as a volunteer judge at the regional conference on Saturday, January 31, 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the University of Puget Sound, in Tacoma. The event includes 74 competition categories. Attendance has nearly tripled in size from last year, so we are on the lookout for many judges, who will receive training and lunch. If you’re interested and available, complete this form: https://forms.gle/RXUWtyJtGKbsdVaN8
- Stop by Thriftway on Saturday, February 21, to support the VHS FBLA bake sale. As a brand-new organization, we are starting from scratch and working to raise funds to send students to Regionals, State, and, hopefully, Nationals.
Please email VHS FBLA Adviser Sara Easterly at seasterly@vashonsd.org if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your support!
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This February, Vashon others will be asked to vote on an Education Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy that renews critical funding for education programs and services all VISD students engage with.
It is important to note that the 2026 EP&O Levy is not a new tax rather, it renews an expiring tax last passed by Vashon voters in 2022.
For more information about how much the levy generates as well as what local levy money funds at VISD, visit our Levy webpage.
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On Thursday, January 22, beginning at 6:00 p.m., the VISD Board of Directors will hold a Regular Board Meeting. The meeting will be held in-person at the District Office Conference Room #302, on the third floor of Chautauqua Elementary, 9309 SW Cemetery Rd. Click here to view the agenda.
Upcoming Meetings:
- January 22: Regular Board Meeting
- February 26: Regular Board Meeting
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On February 10, Vashon voters will be asked to consider a continuation of VISD's current EP&O Levy. Last November, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changed rules on date stamping mail when it is received at the post office.
Local and state election officials are warning that voters who mail their ballots close to the election deadline could have their ballots thrown out because of cost-cutting measures by the USPS, leading to postmarking delays.
The Washington Secretary of State’s Office cautions voters not use a mailbox within seven to 10 days ahead of the election. Election officials are urging voters to instead use any of the 85 ballot drop box locations across the county. There is a drop box located at the Vashon Library.
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Washington State Ferries is inviting the Vashon community to an online community meeting on January 21, at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The meeting will include a preview of 2026 service, a recap of 2025, and a public Q&A session. This is the first set of planned virtual community meetings in 2026.
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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!
- Special Education Teacher - Leave Replacement
- Head Volleyball Coach
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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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