Congratulations to the graduating Vashon High School Class of 2020!

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Congratulations to the graduating Vashon High School Class of 2020! We are so proud of each of you and the many accomplishments you have achieved since you began your journey in kindergarten. You have made an important impact on the Vashon community while learning and growing in our public schools.  We have learned from your commitment to each other and our environment, and you helped to move us forward toward a better future. We encourage you to continue your search for what is important to you, and to invest in the values you want to live by.

Ten years ago educators, parents and students came together to answer the question, “What do our public schools need to do to be successful in the future.” The answer was summed up in the District’s newly adopted mission statement: “Equipping every student to engage, thrive, and contribute in an ever-changing world.” This belief guides Vashon Island School District and the Vashon Schools Foundation’s commitment to the success of every student.

In 2017 the Vashon School Board adopted Policy No. 3212: ENSURING EDUCATIONAL AND RACIAL EQUITY.  The school board and District Administration wanted to help ensure race would not be a predictor of student achievement. The policy directed the superintendent to identify and remove barriers, and to reinforce best practices in the planning, development and evaluation of policies, services and programs.

Through the generosity of our community, Vashon Schools Foundation is helping realize that vision by raising the funds needed to support Racial Equity work through providing professional development training and educational resources for our teachers and students. We pledge to continue the important work for racial justice, equality, and a level playing field for all students.

Like perhaps no other year in recent memory, 2020 has epitomized an ever-changing world.  We recognize that we are privileged to live on Vashon-Maury Island. Our hope is that we continue to work together to understand and support the changes necessary to meet our commitment to each and every one of our students as they venture out to take their place in the world.

Bravo VHS Class of 2020!  You make Vashon proud!

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Support our island’s public schools, please GiveBig 2020

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We’ll get through this together.

Now, more than ever, it’s clear our schools are much more than institutions of learning. Vashon schools provide essential services to all families. They feed our students, they provide emotional support, they link those in need to critical safety nets, they are safe places, they provide a sense of community and belonging, they make sure our kids know they matter.

For many of us, nothing is certain right now. It’s the same for our schools. Education funding is even more uncertain and unstable. The programs our students rely on, and we value, may be in jeopardy.

If your family is able, please step up and help.  Your gift to the Vashon Schools Foundation will help us meet our fundraising goals and preserve these vital school programs and services.

  • Expansion of science education opportunities, K-12.
  • Funding for counseling, social and emotional support in partnership with Vashon Youth and Family, Journeyman and Sisterhood.
  • Resources for updating and expanding classroom libraries.
  • Resources for Chautauqua Spanish Speaking Intern program.
  • Support for racial equity initiatives: educator training and student resources.

Our GiveBig goal is to raise $30,000 – which will be matched, thereby DOUBLED, by the generosity of a Vashon business owner! With your donation you are providing a more certain future for our students and investing in thriving public schools that teach and empower our students. Thank you for your support.

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Some of the best presents don’t fit in a box

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Vashon Island Community PTSA and Vashon Schools Foundation Announce New Collaboration

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The Vashon Island Community PTSA announces that it is joining forces with the Vashon Schools Foundation as of August 27th, 2019. With enthusiastic support from school district administrators and the education community, these two powerful all-volunteer organizations will combine resources to provide coordinated benefits to students, teachers and families in the Vashon Island school district.

“The Vashon Island Community Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and Vashon Schools Foundation (VSF) have a long and rich history of supporting our students, staff, and school community. Our schools thrive due to the ongoing involvement of these organizations,” said Slade McSheehy, Superintendent of Vashon Island School District. “Most recently, I am very excited about a new level of collaboration between PTSA and VSF. In the 2019-2020 school year and in an effort to better serve our schools, PTSA leadership will join VSF.  This partnership will dramatically improve their capability to enhance resources and support for District events that have been a hallmark of their service. Vashon Island School District is a very special place and we are fortunate to have the kind of caring adults and involvement of these two special organizations,” continued McSheehy.

Effective immediately, PTSA is rebranding as FACE (Family and Community Engagement), joining a growing national education movement designed to better engage families in creating thriving public schools. As FACE, the former PTSA leadership will continue to sponsor beloved school events and activities such as the Harvest Festival, Teacher Appreciation, Popcorn Fridays, Fun Run and other annual traditions, but now as an arm of the Vashon Schools Foundation.

“As the FACE coordinator, I’m excited about this collaborative partnership,” said Jenny Wegley, Immediate Past President of Vashon Island Community PTSA. “Together, we can develop and implement a shared vision of excellence for Vashon Island students. When families and schools work together, everyone benefits,” declared Wegley.

Even with the addition of FACE, the core mission of the Foundation remains the same: to help bridge the gap between the State’s basic education funding allotment and the actual cost of the high-quality educational opportunities that parents want for their students on island. The unification of the former PTSA with the Foundation serves this mission. Even better, a single donation to the Vashon Schools Foundation now supports a combination of curriculum, educational materials, program enrichments and community building throughout all three public schools in the district.

“We are two great organizations who are going to be even better together. We hope that our contributions will mean a positive and successful experience for everyone in our school family. At the heart of it, we want keep Vashon schools great places to learn, work, and teach,” explained Beth Lindsay, President of the Vashon Schools Foundation’s board of directors.

For questions about the new partnership or to get involved, please contact vashonpublicschoolsfoundation@gmail.com To make a donation in support of Vashon Schools Foundation/FACE, visit https://vashonschoolsfoundation.org/donate/

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On Wednesday, May 8 our community comes together…

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…. in a day of generosity known as GiveBig. When we all give together, we GiveBig!

As you plan your donations, we ask you to consider including Vashon Schools Foundation (VSF). Since 2010, the Foundation has raised funds to support programs, curriculum and supplies that bridge the gap between state funding and the outstanding education that families and students have come to expect. This year, VSF plans to invest in:

  • Expansion of science education opportunities, K-12
  • Resources for updating and expanding classroom libraries
  • New instructional materials for reading, writing, and social studies at VHS and McMurray
  • Program funding support for racial equity, social, emotional learning for increased academic success

To schedule your GiveBig gift, go to www.givebig2019.org or give directly at our website.
Thank you in advance for creating community-powered public education!

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Today is Giving Tuesday please donate

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The holiday season has officially begun! We wish you one full of celebration, wonder, and special time with those who are dear to you.

You can join the global #GivingTuesday movement, a day dedicated to supporting charities. In this season of giving, we hope Vashon Schools Foundation has made your list.

Our non-profit works close to home, closing the gap between modest state funding for education and the exceptional opportunities and experiences that Vashon public schools are known for. Your gift will have a lasting impact on our schools and make a difference for a generation of students.

Our goal is to raise $36,000 by the end of the year to fund curriculum, programs, and initiatives that enrich student learning and experiences. With your help, we can fund:

  • Chautauqua Language Arts Curriculum Adoptions
  • STEM and Citizen Science Partnerships
  • McMurray Reading Curriculum Adoptions
  • Grade 4 and 5 Social Studies Adoption
  • VHS Science Grade Curriculum Adoptions
  • Science Lab Equipment
  • K-12 English language learner Program support
  • K-12 Racial Equity in Schools Initiative
  • Support for Guided student link
Making a donation on #GivingTuesday – or any day this holiday season – is easy. Use our website to make a secure contribution or send a check to P.O. Box 481, Vashon, WA 98070. Thank you!
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School Funding: A Conversation with WA Legislators about McCleary and the Current State of Education Funding

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Vashon Schools Foundation, PTSA, school administrators and staff have invited our state legislators to the island to discuss the education funding model after the McCleary decision, its impacts on Vashon schools, and changes needed to make it sustainable and fair.

Representatives Eileen Cody, Joe Fitzgibbon, and our newly elected state senator will be in attendance.

Thursday, November 8, 2:30 to 4:00pm Vashon Library

For questions or more information, contact vashonpublicschoolsfoundation@gmail.com or check out our Facebook event page here.

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You’re Invited! Fall Family Feast October 18th

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Come to our Fall Family Feast on October 18th at VHS! Connect with your school community, get updated on the Foundation’s work in 2018 and enjoy an amazing meal featuring Matsuda Farm produce! See you there!

Fall family feast October 2018

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R2-D2 and BB-8 will run to make our schools the best in the galaxy!

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“These are the droids Vashon is looking for. They will use the force for good to make Vashon schools out of this world,” said Beth Lindsay, president of the Vashon Schools Foundation.

The characters R2-D2 and BB-8 have fans of all ages from their roles in the movies. These particular robots were built on island using 3D printers, and the Foundation hopes they will appeal to kids in particular because they were built using the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) technology that is emphasized in Vashon schools.

“This is a great example of the technology that Vashon students are learning in class. The Foundation has funded STEAM programs, including faculty, equipment, calculators and other classroom supplies,” said Amy Broomhall, vice president of Vashon Schools Foundation.

Though fluent in 6 million forms of communication, R2-D2 and BB-8 do not plan to make many campaign stump speeches. They will appear at Strawberry Festival and other public events throughout the summer. Like all good politicians, they will host fundraising events with a goal of raising $10,000 for Vashon Schools Foundation.

 

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Thank you for your support! We raised over $96,000 during GiveBIG

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135 donors helped to make our public school fundraiser a success. We are grateful for each and every contribution. We live in a time when our students need to know more and have the capacity to do and process more than ever before. We raise funds provided by YOU to improve student learning through district-wide academic initiatives, curriculum and book purchases, emotional well-being programming, support and training for our teachers, and a full array of programs and resources that meet our schools’ and our students’ needs.

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