Hedline

2 Island Child – Fall 2013

StaffPublisher .................................................... Daralyn Anderson

Editor ........................................................... Natalie Johnson

Section design and cover design ......................... Nance Scott

Advertising ................................................. Daralyn Anderson

Island Child is published biannually by Sound Publishing Inc. No part of this pub-lication may be reprinted without the permission of Sound Publishing. For addi-tional copies, call (206) 463-9195 or email publisher@vashonbeachcomber.com. ©2013 Sound Publishing Inc.Note: As of press time, the dates in the School Calendar on page 7 are set. Throughout the year, however, some may change. Confirm dates by calling the Vashon Island School District office at 463-2121 or visiting www.vashonsd.org.

The annual back-to-school drive was launched more than a decade ago by Islanders Lauri and Bob Hennessey and their three children — a family effort to help students with financial needs start the school year on a positive note.

It’s since been adopted by Vashon’s PTSA, often garnering up to $3,000 worth of supplies.

This year’s drive is under way. There will be bins at Thriftway Aug. 2, 3, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 24 and 27, and at IGA Vashon Market Aug. 9 and 23. Starting Aug. 9, drop off sup-plies at AJ’s Espresso between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily and receive $1 off your purchase. Twenty percent of the net proceeds from dinner at Saucy Sisters from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 14 will go to the drive. There will be a carwash at IGA Vashon Market 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, and a bake sale from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at

Thriftway. Those who wish to donate can also send checks to the PTSA at P.O. Box 2364, Vashon, 98070.

Volunteers are also needed and should contact Manette Arteaga, drive coordinator at 280-9673.

Families who would like to receive items can do so from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the Vashon Maury Community Food Bank at Sunrise Ridge near Granny’s Attic. A Spanish inter-preter will be on site.

“It’s open to anyone who needs a hand get-ting the family equipped for the school year,” said Jackie Merrill, PTSA’s president.

File Photo

Preschoolers at The Barbie School work with island artist Liz Lewis each year to make clay creations.

Vashon is a great place to raise kids. From our excellent schools to our many fine youth-oriented programs, children on Vashon are nurtured, challenged and supported by an island community that clearly cares about them and their future success.

At John L. Scott, where many of us are parents, we’re grateful both for the trust many of you have put in us and for the opportunity we have to give back to the community. It is par-ticularly important to us to find ways to support our kids, as well as the schools and other organizations that help them to become fine adults.

So please join us in supporting our island’s young people. And take a moment to feel some pride. We have great kids and a great community behind them.

— The Vashon John L. Scott Family

FROM THE SPONSOR Support our kids: Give to the annual back-to-school drive

ABOUT ISLAND CHILDThis supplement, published by

The Beachcomber, gives parents and other caregivers a thorough look at the island’s educational resources.

Though Vashon is small, we have several educational options for fami-lies — from excellent public schools to highly regarded private ones. Vashon also has several preschools, a few after-school enrichment pro-grams and many, many after-school clubs — for the budding dancer, musician, artist or explorer.

As this supplement points out, Vashon residents walk their talk, supporting the public schools and the academic lives of our children with a handful of vibrant nonprofits. Each one helps our young people embark on a path toward a bright future.

— The Beachcomber Staff

What to donate? Backpacks are in great demand, organizers say. Other items include safety scissors, college-ruled paper, calcula-tors, glue sticks, rulers, pens and pencils.

A great way to get involved in public education on Vashon is to join the PTSA, a local and active group of engaged parents and teachers who offer support, energy and expertise to the island’s three public schools.

The PTSA meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at the library in McMurray Middle School. Come to a meeting and join the organization. Or visit its website — vashonptsa.org — to sign up and get more information about the group.

The PTSA’s big fundraiser is an annual auction, often held in early spring. It

also hosts a large number of events at all three schools — including family science nights, career fairs, a field day, recreation nights, staff appreciation week, a film fes-tival and book fairs.

And for those who have kids in elemen-tary school, consider kicking off the school year with the PTSA’s icebreaker, a social event at Chautauqua Elementary School from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29. Enjoy icepops, meet your child’s teach-er and get to know other parents.

Contact PTSA president Jackie Merrill at ajmerrill@comcast.net.

GET INVOLVED: JOIN THE PTSA

Contents 3 | Vashon Island School District A note from the superintendent 4 | Chautauqua Elementary School 5 | McMurray Middle School 6 | Vashon High School 7 | Calendar 10 | Educational Alternatives FamilyLink StudentLink 11 | Community Support Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation Partners in Education Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation Private Schools The Harbor School Carpe Diem12 | Enrichment programs and after school activities13 | Kid Connections A multitude of offerings geared toward kids and their families

www.vashonbeachcomber.com

3

Vashon School Board of Directors

As you dust off your backpacks and gather your supplies and tools for a new school year, I’d like to recommend a few things for you to bring along to make the most of your experience.

Please bring your curiosity and imagination to feed your creativity and stimulate new ideas and ways of thinking. Be thoughtful and flexible in considering alternative ways to solve problems. Set aside your fears, take responsible risks, try new things, and discover your growing competence. Collaborate with classmates to learn from each other and take time to really listen and understand the perspectives and ideas of others. Most important, bring along your sense of humor. Learning is more meaningful when it is fun.

No doubt you have grown and changed over the summer, and so have we. We just finished a summer institute that has deepened our knowledge of teaching strategies that will deeply engage you in your excitement about learning. All have a renewed commitment to teaching the habits of mind that will enable you to enjoy a lifetime of learning.

You will meet several outstanding new teachers and staff who have joined us. They were chosen for their love of teaching, their competence and experience and for being “just the right fit” for our Vashon community. Our new high school principal, Danny Rock, is excited to welcome you to a year of learning together, exploring ideas and planning together for a wonder-ful transition to the new building mid year. We also welcome Therresa Prather, our new assistant principal at Chautauqua and wonderful addition to our team. I’m proud of the profes-sionalism of our faculty and staff and the commitment they make to your education and growth each day.

Vashon Island High School is transforming daily while con-struction is under way to complete our new building by this

December. What a joy it will be to occupy this school designed to support the programs and learning goals of our school community. We are working to minimize the effects of the construction process and ask for your cooperation to “mind the signs” to ensure safety for all. At McMurray, the new technology network is installed along with the new intercom, bell system and clocks that all show the same exact time.

Our school district prides itself in providing the best in academic instruction, the arts, sports and extracurricular activities. Families, businesses and com-munity members have helped to make this possible through generous donations to the Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation, for which we are extremely grateful. We are also fortunate to have strong partnerships with Vashon Allied Arts, Partners in Education and the Vashon PTSA, each of which provides significant support to our academic and arts pro-grams. The Vashon Park District and many athletic support organizations ensure that our children have great opportunities to develop physical and leadership skills for healthy living. I’m proud to be part of a community that stands for a deep com-mitment to the health, education and welfare of its youth.

I wish each and every one of you a successful school year. Welcome back!

— Michael Soltman, Superintendent

Steve EllisonPosition 4sjellison@msn.com391-0313

Dan ChasanPosition 1info@vashonsd.org463-2571

Bob Hennessey, chairPosition 2bobmhen@gmail.com463-1931

Kathy JonesPosition 3karj1000@gmail.com 300-2441

Laura WishikPosition 5wishil@centurytel.net463-6561

OFFICE DIRECTORYThe school district offices are located

in Chautauqua Elementary School at

9309 Cemetery Rd. S.W.

The mailing address is P.O. Box 547, Vashon, WA 98070

District main number: 463-2121 Fax: 463-6262

Michael Soltman, superintendent, ext. 8123

Donna Donnelly, assistant to superintendent, ext. 8123

Paula Cummings, student services director, ext. 8120

Roxanne Lyons, curriculum director, ext. 8115

Amy Sassara, human services director, ext. 8111

Thomas Dargel, business manager, ext. 8106

Sarah Day, school nurse, 463-2882, ext. 245.

Email addresses for employees in the school district follow a formula: the first initial of the person’s first name, followed by his or her last name, @vashonsd.org. For example, Michael Soltman can be reached at msoltman@vashonsd.org.

AN OPEN LETTER TO VASHON’S STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS

Welcome back to a thriving district

4 Island Child – Fall 2013

Chautauqua Elementary School

AccomplishmentsThirty-eight Chautauqua kindergarteners were the

first to complete a year of Spanish immersion this past year with Victoria Clayton, or as her children call her, Professora. Within the first six months, our 5-year-olds were conversing in Spanish at an advanced level. This program has been so successful that we are expanding it to offer Spanish Extension for our first graders in Mrs. Boyajian’s class this coming year. Also, our first, second and third graders will take a class with Professora Clayton once a week.

Goodbye, Mrs. Haulman, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. McElroy. Mrs. Haulman retired at the end of this past year. We will miss seeing her in our kindergarten classes each day, but are thrilled to know she will return as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Davidson resigned to spend more time with her young daughter. It is our hope to see Mrs. Davidson in the building from time to time. She has been another beloved kindergarten teacher in our school. Finally, Mrs. McElroy has retired after a teaching career that spanned many grade levels. We wish her well as she enjoys retire-ment with her husband Greg, who is another former teacher in the Vashon Island School District.

What’s cool about Chautauqua? It is such a treat, as principal of this vibrant school, to take guests on tours of CES. While children are exploring Asian culture in the first grade classrooms, robotics is in full-swing in the fifth- grade commons area. If we’re lucky enough to tour during the fourth-grade birding unit, we can catch a glimpse of both realistic and whimsical birds reflecting the integra-tion of science and art.

Each year, our multi-age classes study a rotation of themes, and this past year it was such a treat to learn about

colonial America through the children’s living museums and their fine writing. They culminated a study of Asia with beautiful haiku poetry and stunning performances that demonstrated deep knowledge.

Our teachers took on some fantastic professional devel-opment opportunities this year. They worked with a math facilitator from the University of Washington all year and into the summer. Also, they worked side by side with Trish Howard and Barbara Gustafson as they delved deeply into the new life sciences curriculum.

Throughout this year, our staff learned from each other as they explored the best ways to teach math, reading and writing skills, including and beyond the curriculum. Teachers share their incredible knowledge and skills with one another, making our school a place where every child has a chance to learn to his or her highest potential.

Our school culture continues to promote respectful engagement in regard to self, others, learning and the environment. Children have been recognized for their kindness towards others, their commitment to keep our environment safe and inviting and for striving to do their best academically. We are proud of our students and their leadership throughout the school. Many of our children embody the habits of mind that great leaders possess: empathy, persistence, cooperation, responsible risk-taking, humor and so much more.

Looking aheadThanks to the efforts of our Vashon Schools Foundation

and the community at large, Chautauqua begins a new year with an excellent teaching and support staff. We are welcoming several new staff members to Chautauqua. Theressa Prather is joining us from the Peninsula School District as our new assistant principal. Mrs. Prather has taught at Artondale Elementary for 23 years and has been a national board-certified teacher. Ms. Amy Selland is our new kindergarten teacher. Ms. Sarah Hamill will join the second-grade teaching team, and Ms. Kelly Brynn is teaching with the third-grade team. These new teachers will bring new ideas, fresh eyes, and great respect for the wisdom of the Chautauqua staff.

Thanks to PIE grants and support from VAA staff mem-bers, we will continue to incorporate the arts into pro-grams that educate the whole child. As Chautauqua moves into this new school year, staff collaboration in the area of mathematics is a major focus. We will continue to learn how best to implement our new life-sciences curriculum that utilizes our campus for meaningful field-experiments. Our staff will continue their outstanding outreach by meeting with families and continuing to strengthen the ties between school and home. We will continue to work with our volunteers who support our school with hours of time and talent. They are an essential piece of a school that thrives.

We look forward to a new year with our energetic and inquisitive children. It is with gratitude for our commu-nity and a sense of renewal that we also look forward to a year where family and community involvement is high and staff collaboration is abundant.

— Jody Metzger, Principal

Natalie Johnson/Staff Photo

Kindergartners in Pam Haulman’s kindergarten class show off their enthusiasm one day last spring.

Courtesy Photo

Chautauqua students display whimsical art they made as part of a collaborative unit integrating their science and art lessons to learn about birds.

Jody Metzger, PrincipalTheressa Prather, Vice Principal

AT A GLANCEYvette Butler .......................CounselorPhone ................................463-2882Fax ....................................463-0937Students .....................................520Teachers .......................................37Support staff .................................25Volunteers .................. More than 300

5

McMurray Middle School

OverviewAs a learning community, McMurray Middle school

prepares its students during the transition from ele-mentary school to high school. We are committed to helping students achieve their fullest potential through dynamic instruction, challenge and unique learning activities during the significant sixth-, seventh- and eighth grades. We appreciate the diverse learning styles and abilities of middle school students and are respon-sive to their developmental and social characteristics. As a middle school, we recognize the intellectual, cre-ative, social and emotional nature of young adolescents. We challenge each student to master essential academic skills, to acknowledge individual potential, to identify his or her strengths and challenges and to explore possibilities while developing a sense of respect and responsibility for themselves and peers.

McMurray’s program is a blend of core academics, exploration and skill building that helps create a com-munity of engaged learners. Challenge, exploration, acceptance and support are all part of the McMurray program. These aspects are fostered by students and staff that work to establish a building climate of posi-tive communication, collaboration and cooperation.

AccomplishmentsMcMurray focuses on challenging and supporting

students in literacy, mathematics, critical thinking and life skills. Students made gains in supporting and chal-

lenging each other toward academic excellence, par-ticularly in reading and math. Our school climate was enhanced in many ways through our student mentors, student leadership, homeroom advisory and student-led conferences, positive recognition and cultural enrich-ment programs.

We strive to engage students, families and the community. We enjoy the support of key volunteers, enhancing students’ experience in a variety of set-tings and helping to make our school a special place for learning. Additionally, student-led conferences and online family and student access to our database sys-tem continued with great success.

Our entire school participated in Community Day at the beginning of the year. This day focused on many home-room team-building activities designed to build commu-nity, respect and involvement throughout the school.

High percentages of our students participated in and excelled in the various activities McMurray offers. All of our sports teams received WIAA recognition as dis-tinguished and outstanding scholar-athletes.

We continued to collaborate with a variety of part-ner groups, such as PTSA, Artists in the Schools and Vashon Youth & Family Services to support our students’ success. Reading and math assessment and intervention, prevention activities and student mentors were very successful in helping students reach their fullest potential.

Eighth-graders also took part in 10 different experi-ential learning programs during Exploratory Week in June with outstanding achievement.

Goals for the yearStudent engagement, literacy, critical thinking and

academic excellence and growth for all students con-tinue as our highest priorities.

Developing a positive, respectful, and inclusive school climate will be emphasized throughout the year in our homerooms and throughout the school.

Developing positive partnerships with students, home and the community through a variety of outreach and communications will also continue to be a high priority.

Events and programsMcMurray students participate in a variety of activi-

ties, such as Recreation Nights, artistic endeavors, sports teams, drama productions, band concerts, student council, yearbook production, History Day, student mentorship, Egypt Festival, Tech Club/Lego League, Science Fair, Math Olympiad, Math Counts, Math Is Cool, Exploratory Week and many other ser-vice opportunities

— Greg Allison, Principal

File Photo

The McMurray seventh-grade Math Is Cool team strikes a pose at the Math Is Cool Seattle regional championships last fall. Both McMurray’s seventh-and eighth-grade teams went on to compete at the state competition.

Greg Allison, Principal

AT A GLANCEGates Johnson ...... Executive AssistantCarolyn Zike .......................CounselorPhone ................................ 463-9168Fax ....................................463-9707Students .....................................400Teachers .......................................21Support Staff ...................................8Volunteers ...................More than 150

File Photo

Several eighth-grade McMurray students enjoy a moment with Miss Washington last fall in Yakima at the Washington State Prevention Summit. The annual summit is intended to reduce substance abuse and other destructive behaviors.

6 Island Child – Fall 2013

IntroductionsIt is a great honor to begin the year as the new

principal of Vashon High School, home of the Pirates! My family moved onto the island at the beginning of July and has been warmly welcomed by not only the weather, but the characteristic friendli-ness of the island. This school year will be a year of introductions for the high school, including new staff, new students, new classes, a new schedule and the amazing experience of opening a new building. We will continue to blend a strong academic pro-gram with vibrant extracurricular experiences this coming year as we equip students to be prepared for 21st century challenges.

AccomplishmentsThis past year, Vashon High School students

were highly successful in and out of the classroom. Our students placed well above the state average in all state assessment scores, including significant increases in our reading, writing, math and sci-ence scores. Our student athletes were recognized for being State Academic Champions in girls cross country, boys baseball, boys basketball and debate. Our musical theater students were praised for their spring production of “In The Heights.” We also host-ed 20 students and two staff from our sister school, Himeji Minami High School, in Himeji, Japan.

Outside the classroom, our students were equally successful. The VHS Percussion Ensemble com-

peted in the state competition, earning a perfect 1 (Superior) rating. Senior Cole Devereau qualified for the state golf tournament for the 4th time in 4 years and Parker Scott qualified for Tri-District. The VHS baseball team qualified for the state competition, tennis singles Victoria Zaknich and Taryn Mulvihill both qualified for State, Cate Stackhouse and Lili Stenn placed third in the state debate tournament and the boys’ wrestling team qualified athletes to compete in post-season tournaments as well as plac-ing first in the Nisqually League.

Our students and community also demonstrated the strong connection and support we share in responding to the passing of current and former students this last year. There are no easy ways to deal with the loss of part of our community, and our students, staff and parents were quick to be there for one another in times of need.

Looking AheadThere will be several new engaging courses offered

this year, including Advanced Placement World History, AP Human Geography and AP Computer Science, which are open to all students. We also will have new career and technical education courses in marketing, video game design, intro to computer science and independent living. Additionally, we will offer Anthropology, Body Conditioning and Tournament PE as new courses this year.

Our school is moving from trimesters to semes-ters and introducing block scheduling on specific Wednesdays and Thursdays. The move to semes-ters will better align schedules between the middle school and high school, more closely align students’ schedules with state and national testing require-ments, reduce gaps in learning between semesters and reflect the research linking high performing schools and student schedules. The new time sched-ule will be posted on the high school website as well as sent home in our welcome newsletter in mid-August.

It is hard not to focus on one of the biggest chang-es for us this next year as we prepare to move into our beautiful new building the first week of January. The new Vashon High School will be the pride of our whole community, and we are greatly looking forward to opening the doors and moving in. The new school will be a state-of-the-art learning envi-ronment with the latest technology, tons of natural light and an environmentally friendly design. Our students will be the biggest winners, as this new building will make it much easier for students and staff to focus on learning instead of the quirks of an old building.

Our school is poised to continue our tradition of engaging students in learning, connecting them to their passions, and preparing them for challenges that await all of us in the coming year.

— Danny Rock, Principal

Vashon Island High School

Craig Hanson Photo

Students performed in last year’s musical “Into the Heights“ as a culmination of a musical theater elective.

Danny Rock, Principal

Stephanie Spencer, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director

AT A GLANCESusan Haworth ................... Freshman and Junior CounselorLaurie Martin ................... Sophomore and Senior CounselorMJ Hartwell ............. Career SpecialistPhone ................................ 463-9171Fax .................................... 463-1944Students .....................................520Faculty ..........................................34Support staff .................................10Volunteers ................................... 148

File Photo

Members of the VHS Amnesty Interact club participated in the Seattle Aids Walk last fall.

File Photo

High school football players carved jack-o-lanterns for the Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie as a team.

FamilyLinkFamilyLink is a community of homeschooling

families, teachers and staff who are committed to pro-viding quality education in a way that acknowledges the individual interests and learning styles of each student. FamilyLink teachers partner with parents to create learning plans, develop teaching strategies and learning activities, find curriculum and access district services. In addition to teacher support, we also offer enrichment classes, family-friendly activi-ties and events, a resource library and computer lab, regular communication via our website and monthly Community Connection, the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an educational support fund for each student.

Highlights from 2012-13• Enrichment activities included field trips to Tutankha-men: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs at the Pacific Science Center with teacher Richenda Hawkins and a beach walk around the north end ferry dock with science instructor Barbara Gustafson. Her students also studied the physics of structure and designed and built their own structures. High school students fulfilled

their lab requirement in the biology lab class taught by teacher Jim Gilmour. In the visual arts, students made mosaics and jewelry with teacher Katie Lewandowski and raku pottery with artist Liz Lewis. They made encaustic photographs with photographer Ray Pfortner and exhibited their work at the Two Wall Gallery during First Friday in May and June. • Some of our high school students took state-approved

online classes this year in geometry, chemistry, Spanish and career explo-ration. The use of online courses is helpful when the subject — like chem-istry — is more challenging to do as a homeschool student. We also offered all parents more opportunities to use web-based and subscription curriculum to supplement their primary program of study. • Community-building and student/parent support activities included our fall orientation, winter wreath and ornament-making workshops, test Tips and strategies workshop and the end-of-year pool party and potluck. • Eight seniors graduated with Family-Link diplomas in June.

Plans for this yearFamilyLink plans to offer regularly

scheduled enrichment classes and workshops for students in grades K

though eight, including science, lan-guage arts, writing and art. High school students will have the opportunity to take physical science with teacher Jim

Gilmour. We also will continue to publicize the wealth of enrichment activities and events available on Vashon in our newsletter and on our website.

FamilyLink is housed in two portables on the Vashon High School campus. For more information about FamilyLink enrollment and services, contact us at 463-9171 ext. 503 or visit www.vashonsd.org/links.

10 Island Child – Fall 2013

StudentLinkStudentLink is a self-directed, contract-based learning

program open to students in grades nine to 12. Students meet weekly with the teacher to develop their individual learning plan and document 25 hours per week of inde-pendent learning and progress toward completion of their high school diploma. They may also choose to take a course at Vashon High School or attend Running Start. They are provided more time to develop skills and learn concepts if needed. Students must complete a minimum of 21.5 credits, pass all required state assessments and complete a Five-Year Plan and Culminating Project to graduate. StudentLink seniors are eligible to sub-mit scholarship notebooks to the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation and walk in the VHS gradua-tion ceremony.

This program works best for students who are willing to be creative, able to manage their time and work inde-pendently and are well organized.

Because of their more flexible schedule, StudentLink

students are encouraged to develop courses that are experiential or community-based. For example, one stu-dent who excels in blacksmithing was invited to demon-strate his skill to one of the career and technical educa-tion classes at Vashon High School. He also displays his creations at the Vashon Market.

Another student used her graphic design and Photoshop skills to create the poster for the Day of Silence event at Vashon High School.

Still another student with an interest in poetry was chosen to be a Junior Vashon Poet Laureate this year.

Highlights from 2012-13• We are fortunate to have

tutor Daphne Purpus continue to work with our students Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon. Most students use her help in math, but she also helps with writing and general prob-lem-solving. She is another car-ing adult on whom our students can rely, and we are very lucky to have her.

• This year, we offered stu-dents the opportunity to be in the StudentLink classroom at least three hours per week, in addition to their one-hour meet-ing with teacher Nan Hammett. There are no consequences if

they choose not to attend, but most embraced the offer and were able to receive additional assistance on their work.

• StudentLink honored two graduating seniors at our Celebration of Graduates in June.

Plans for this yearWe expect to hire an additional teacher this coming

year as enrollment in StudentLink increased from 17 to 25 students.

The StudentLink classroom is located in the K Building of the Vashon High School campus.

Julie Hanger, Program Manager

AT A GLANCEDanny Rock ..........................PrincipalJim Gilmour & Richenda Hawkins ............... TeachersJanet Chapman ...... Program SecretaryPhone ................. 463-9171, ext. 503 Students ...................................... 70

Nan Hammett, Teacher

AT A GLANCEDanny Rock ..........................PrincipalJulie Hanger ...........Program ManagerNan Hammett ........................ TeacherJanet Chapman .................... Program SecretaryPhone ..................463-9171, ext. 503 Students ....................................... 17

Courtesy Photo

Laura Erickson displays a wreath she made at a wreath-making workshop. Her mother Heather and brother Evan are in the background.

Courtesy Photo

Volunteer tutor Daphne Purpose is ready to help students Ethan Albers, Keirsten Allen and Lily Robinthal.

Educational alternatives at VISD

11

Private Schools

Carpe Diem Primary School10014 S.W. Bank Road (the Land Trust Building)

Type of program: Independent school for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Contact: Director and teacher Janice Campbell at 375-8898 or carpediemps@comcast.net

Openings: Currently has a waiting list.The mission of Carpe Diem is to edu-

cate the whole child. The school’s two main goals are to teach and model good character and create an academic envi-ronment where students develop an atti-tude of healthy risk-taking to learn new skills and concepts.

Setting personal goals for the develop-ment of good character qualities and core academic excellence are backbones in the school’s learning environment. At Carpe Diem, students and teachers see good character as a key to being a happy and successful person as well as a good peer leader. Carpe Diem teachers believe

there is no ceiling to learning. They set high standards for student achievement and expect each student to work to his or her personal best.

Through experiential thematic units

and integrated studies, the school’s teachers strive to create lifelong learners who continue to be curious about our world of nature, arts, science, literature and cultures.

At Carpe Diem, students and teachers believe that the classroom exists beyond the walls of their school. Through wil-derness activities and nature studies, students learn to appreciate the fragile beauty of nature and gain an under-standing of the importance of their role as Earth stewards.

Special needs students are accepted depending on qualifications of the appli-cant and the school’s ability to accom-modate the need.

Foreign Language: French or Spanish are incorporated into the curriculum.

Student-teacher ratio: Three teachers for up to 28 students for core academics; two teachers for up to 28 students for all enrichment activities.

Meals: Students bring their own.School Calendar: School starts in

September and ends in mid-June.Website: www.carpediemschool.org

Harbor School15920 Vashon Hwy. S.W.

Type of program: Independent school for students in fourth through eighth grades.

Contact: Head of School James Cardo at 567-5955 or james@harborschool.org.

Openings: Now enrolling only for sixth grade and eighth grades for 2013-14; contact the school for details.

Since 1995, the Harbor School has helped young students reach their potential by providing them with an outstanding, fully rounded educational experience. In a smaller environment, with relationships built with teachers over multiple years, a child’s strengths are nurtured and celebrated, engender-ing a noticeable self-awareness and confidence.

The middle years are developmentally crucial, and Harbor School helps early adolescents navigate the path to young adulthood with encouragement and self-discipline and wide-ranging experi-ences. Early on, students learn to take responsibility for their own education.

A rigorous academic program fea-tures a full schedule of traditional courses taught by experts in their fields. Students are coached and guided through lessons that are discovery-based, with the students researching, analyzing and demonstrating the facts.

The school is also pleased that its Arts Initiative is fully underway for the fall.

Harbor School travels extensively

to expand students’ awareness of their world, exploring on-island and in the Pacific Northwest reg-ularly. Students also have opportunities to visit Washington D.C., New Orleans and Guadalajara, Mexico, among other destina-tions.

Assessment at Harbor School is authentic, in that work is evaluated fully by the teacher and student. “Personal Best” is the hallmark of success, not an arbitrary grade, and a student’s voice is highly valued. The parents are involved closely, and three-way communication among student, parent and teacher is central to the school.

Finally, Harbor School is an uplift-ing community. Its Cornerstone Values are evident in all interactions, making the school a respectful, compassionate haven. Personal growth is valued.

Approximately 60 percent of the school’s alumni matriculate to Vashon High School, where they have been decorated with academic and extracur-ricular laurels. Alumni have attended

some of the top colleges in the coun-try, including Dartmouth, Brown, Columbia, Duke and MIT.

Foreign Language: Spanish is taught to all students.

Student-teacher ratio: 9 to 1 in the whole school. Maximum class size is 16.

Financial aid: Yes, available to fami-lies who qualify.

Meals: Students bring their own.School calendar: 2013-2014 school

year calendar is posted online.Website: www.harborschool.org/

File Photo

Isa Trujillo sells cookies at the annual Mercado.

File Photo

Carpe Diem student Sadie Liebo plays out-side the school.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Despite state funding, Vashon schools still need support from the community to help them thrive. Here are a few examples of programs that support public education on Vashon.

The Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation

The foundation was created in 2010 to bridge the gap between state fund-ing for education and what the Vashon Island School District needs to main-tain quality programs. Due to the gen-erosity of island businesses, community members, school families and staff, the foundation has raised an average of $400,000 annually for the district.

But the foundation’s goal is not to respond to yearly funding crises, Superintendent Michael Soltman said. Its purpose is to help sustain a quality school district. Increasingly, he says, it’s important that islanders see education as a public-private partnership. Many districts benefit from additional private funding; there are 32 school founda-tions in Washington State.

The foundation is a nonprofit governed by a 12-member board. Foundation funds help keep teaching positions — striving to give all students the tools they need to thrive.

For more information, visit www.vashonschoolsfoundation.org.

Partners in EducationVashon Partners in Education, or PIE,

is an all-volunteer organization that enriches the learning environment at Vashon’s public schools by funding cre-ative programs and innovative educa-tional materials. Every year, with funds donated by the community, it awards more than 40 grants. Last year’s grants included Shakespeare DVD’s, several field trips, including the eighth- grade touring our state capitol and tricycles for the preschoolers.

PIE holds several fundraising events, including the annual phone-a-thon, which will be held on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 this year. Contact president Ingrid Petersons at Ingrid.m.petersons@com-cast.net or visit www.vashonpie.org for more information.

The Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation

This community-based foundation supports Vashon High School graduates who seek support in their post-high school educational efforts. Supported by Vashon organizations, businesses and individuals, the foundation handed out $115,000 to 80 graduates last May.

The foundation’s biggest fundraising event is a spelling bee for adults and teens, called Spell It! The 2014 spelling bee will be held in late January.

To learn more about VCSF, contact Barbara Gustafson, this year’s co-presi-dent, at 463-1638.

12 Island Child – Fall 2013

Vashon offers a variety of opportunities for young children through teenagers to stay active. Below is a sampling of ideas.

Vashon Allied ArtsVashon Allied Arts, the island’s larg-

est arts organization, is bustling with activity every afternoon.

VAA serves the community with more than 120 classes and summer camps each year. Geared toward stu-dents of all ages, VAA offers classes in dance, pottery, fine arts, music and theater. The VAA Center for dance is entering its 34th year of provid-ing exceptional dance instruction. Scholarship assistance is available. Website: www.vashonalliedarts.org-Phone: 463-5131

Vashon Island Junior CrewThe program is open to teens ages

13 to 19 and in grades eight though 12. Novice rowers will learn the basics, and returning rowers will continue to train for technique and fitness. Those interested in being coxswains are encouraged to sign up as well. Regattas require off-island travel on weekends.

Registration is under way, and the fall season starts with an all-day camp from Aug. 26 to 30. Regular after-school practice starts Sept. 3. The fall season focuses on long distance races and concludes in November.Website: www.vashoncrew.com and click on the Juniors tab.

Vashon LacrosseNow in its 21st year, the club empha-

sizes good sportsmanship, fitness and teamwork while introducing young players to the fun of the game. It pro-vides playing opportunities for boys and girls in several grades Website: www.vashonlacrosse.net

Vashon Island Soccer ClubVISC offers on-island programs

for kids in kindergarten through 10 years old and an Association League for youth ages 11 to 18 years old. This league plays half its games off island. Website: www.vashonsoccer.org

Vashon Youth Baseball & Softball

This program offers leagues for chil-dren ages 5 to 14 and fast-pitch softball leagues for girls ages 8 to 15. It seeks to instill teamwork, individual achieve-ment, a spirit of fair play and a healthy sense of balance between competition and honorable cooperation. Website: www.eteamz.com/VYBS/

La Petite EtoileThe school will offer a French class

and choir on late arrival mornings at

the island’s public schools. This class is for students in first-grade and up, and adults are welcome as well.

The class is taught with a storytell-ing method with skits and songs. Holly Boaz, one of Vashon’s opera singers, will join the group as a choir director.

The class and choir meet from 9 to 11 a.m. at La Petite Etoile, located at Bethel Church. For more informa-tion, email Aristy Gill at lapetiteetoil-evashon@yahoo.com.

Vashon PlaySpaceThe PlaySpace, provided by Vashon

Youth & Family Services, offers a cen-trally located facility replete with an indoor playroom, a natural playground, full kitchen and private rooms for par-ents to meet with VYFS parent coaches.

PlaySpace is open most weekdays, providing a facility where parents and caregivers can play with their children, meet with their peers and have access to parent educators and classes.Website: www.vyfs.orgPhone: 463-5511

Vashon Wilderness ProgramThe Vashon Wilderness Program

offers nature programs for youth from age 4 through high school. Its mentor-ing approach blends modern naturalist knowledge with ancient wisdom, creat-ing a safe place for children to explore and learn more about nature. The pro-gram offers opportunities in the school year and during the summer.

Website: www.vashonwildernesspro-gram.orgPhone: 651-5715

HomesteadHomestead is a learning community

based on seven acres of farm and for-

est on Vashon’s west side. Homestead’s hands-on, hearts-on approach is rooted in practices that promote social intel-ligence and connection to the natural world. Lessons draw from a theme-based curriculum that blends nature-

infused mentoring with the arts. The program offers options of four, three or one day each week Monday through Thursday for children ages 5 to 10.Website: www.homesteadschool.orgPhone: 463-OWLS (6957)

Vashon Dance AcademyThe school, run by instructor Cheryl

Krown, includes a full suite of dance classes for tots through adults and a spring show. Phone: 463-1895

Olympus Pony ClubClub members compete and train

in many disciplines, including com-bined training, dressage, and sta-dium jumping. Website: www.angelfire.com/wa3/ponyclub/Phone: Erica Ellison at 463-9466

Boy Scout Troop #294Part of the Boy Scouts of America,

this troop meets at 7 p.m. Monday evenings at the Sportsman’s Club. Website: www.scoutlander.com Phone: Michael de Blasi at 567-5957

Enrichment programs and after-school activities

PRESCHOOLS, DAYCARES AND OTHER AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMSThe Barbie School: Preschool and kindergarten. Contact Zoe Cheroke at 463-3135.

Cedarsong Nature School: Outdoor preschool. Visit www.cedarsongnatureschool.org.

Chautauqua Early Childhood Program: Preschool for children with developmental delays

and their typically developing peers. Contact Gillian Callison at 463-2882, ext. 401.

A Child’s Garden Montessori: Preschool and kindergarten. Contact Heather Baldwin at 753-

9924 or www.achildsgardenmontessori.com.

Creative Preschool: Contact the school at 463-2166 or see www.creativeps.org.

El Gato con Botas: Full-day, state-licenced Spanish bilingual daycare. Contact Sarah Bunch at

473-0445 or see elgatopreschool.blogspot.com.

Homestead School: Multi-age learning community. Contact Dana Schuerholz at 463-OWLS or

zeek@riseup.net.

Kids Are People Too: Preschool and extended care. Contact Danielle York at 463-2610.

Klahanie School: Year-round Montessori preschool program. Call the school at 491-9465 or see

www.klahanieschool.org.

La Petite Etoile: French language school. Contact Aristy Gill at (206) 304-4903 or see vashon-

frenchschool.blogspot.com.

Little Tree Montessori: Preschool and kindergarten. Contact Teri Tipton at 463-9249 or see

www.littletreemontessori.com.

Love and Laughter Drop-in Preschool: Preschool and licensed daycare. Contact Jenny

Mickelson at 529-5124 or see www.loveandlaughterpreschool.com.

Starbreak Adventure School: Preschool and kindergarten. Contact the school at 463-6277 or

see www.starbreak.org.

Vashon-Maury Cooperative Preschool: Preschool. Contact the school at 463-2779 or see

www.vmcp.org.

VYFS Vashon Kids: Before and after school care for kids ages 5 to 12, as well as care during

school breaks. Contact Dalinda Vivero at 930-2592 or see www.vyfs.org.

The Beachcomber’s spring issue of Island Child, published in April, contains more information about day care and preschool programs. Drop by the office for a copy.

Photo Credit

Vashon Allied Arts offers a variety of offerings throughout the year, including musical the-ater, above.