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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- May 29-31: VHS Theatre presents Piano Lad
- June 4 - Pops Concert
- June 6 - Senior Prom
- June 8-12: Exploratory Week
- June 12: Links Graduation
- June 13: Class of 2026 Graduation
- June 18: Last Day of School
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In 1998, Charlie Staadecker started a fund and created an annual award that he named the Doors of Opportunity Award. The idea behind this award is to honor a VISD teacher or staff member who best exemplifies by deed, a true spirit and grit that goes beyond their job description, opening doors and maximizing a student’s potential. Winners of the award receive $1,000 for personal use and $1,000 for their field of work or classroom.
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The VISD Band Program invites everyone to the annual end-of-the-year Pops Concert! The concert will include performances from the McMurray Mustang Band, McMurray Symphonic Band, VHS Wind Ensemble, and concludes with the MegaBand. Selections to be performed by each ensemble are selected by the students themselves, each with their own unique theme.
- Date/Time: June 4, 6:00 p.m.
- Location: VHS Gym
A by-donation Bake Sale will also be offered prior to and post concert to support the VHS Band. Cash is preferred.
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In their first year competing at the state level, VHS's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter made a stellar showing at the Washington FBLA State Business Leadership Conference.
As part of a brand-new chapter, VHS competitors, made up entirely of underclassmen, faced off against larger, more experienced programs, making their results especially notable. Several VHS students advanced to final rounds, with multiple earning top-10 finishes:
- Pierson Guenther, Cash Requa—7th Place in Introduction to Business Presentation
- Simon Lanphear—7th Place in Introduction to Marketing Concepts
- Olive Alpen, Sophie Cohen—10th Place in Entrepreneurship
- Felix Cobb Maigetter, Simon Lanphear, Leif McBennett—4th Place in On Campus Commerce (a State-only event)
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Come eavesdrop at the bar in a small Northeastern seaside town, in this theatrical experience created by VHS junior Declan O'Brien. The people of the town come and go, hidden from the world for one last day. Hear their songs, their absurdities, and their stories, all held together by the musical patter of Piano Lad.
Showtimes:
- May 29: 7:00 p.m. (includes dinner)
- May 30: 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- May 31: 4:00 p.m.
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Recently, sixth grade social studies students had the opportunity to work with island artist Brian Fisher. The art project enriched student’s study of Ancient Greek history and mythology. Inspired by Greek pottery design and the myth of Theseus—the Greek hero who bested the mythical Minotaur—students designed and created collages that reinterpreted scenes from the story. Supported and inspired by Fisher’s expert tutelage, this engaging, creative experience brought the myth to life through art! The experience is thanks to a generous Artist in Residence grant sponsored by Vashon Allied Arts! Thank you, VAA! |
The Vashon Island Speech and Debate team attended the Washington State Championships at the University of Puget Sound. Nearly 600 students from 70 different schools across the state competed in 14 events. Unlike most Washington Interscholastic Activities, speech and debate tournaments are not divided by school sizes, pitting Vashon students against students from mammoth schools like Eastlake and Tahoma, as well as elite private schools like Overlake and Eastside Prep. Vashon had students qualified in seven events, including a first-time entry in World Schools Debate. Juniors Hannah Hillis and Iylaf Al Mustafa both advanced to finals in their individual events, placing sixth in Dramatic Interpretation and third in Informative Speaking, respectively. The team is now busy preparing to send four students to Richmond, Virginia, to compete at the NSDA Nationals Tournament in June. Anyone interested in supporting their journey or next year's season can contribute on GoFan. |
On Thursday, May 28, 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:
- June 11: Regular Board Meeting/AI Work Session
- June 25: Regular Board Meeting/Budget Hearing
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Join King County Parks for a community celebration of the newly upgraded Dockton Marina! Enjoy hands‑on activities led by local groups, from boat tours with the Quartermaster Yacht Club to knot‑tying demonstrations by teen sailors from the Sea Scout Ship Odyssey. You’ll also have opportunities to connect with the Vashon Heritage Museum, Vashon Bird Alliance, and Vashon Nature Center.
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This three-part training workshop combines online and in-person sessions. Participants will learn about Pacific gray whales, with a particular focus on “Singer,” the sculpture exhibit honoring the life of a gray whale that washed ashore on the island in 2024. Areas of focus will include gray whale behavior, anatomy, climate change impacts, the process of recovering Singer’s skeleton, and methods of interpretation. Upon completion, participants will be eligible to volunteer as docents during certain scheduled events at the Vashon Center for the Arts to support public engagement and education related to “Singer”.
Through a blend of virtual and in-person sessions, participants will learn the basic anatomy and life history of Pacific gray whales through the story of Singer. Register for your own curiosity, learning, and delight. Following the workshop, participants may volunteer as sculpture docents and share this information with non-captive audiences at the Vashon Center for the Arts during scheduled events.
- May 28: 7:00-8:00 p.m., Zoom
- June 4: 7:00-8:30 p.m., Zoom
- June 6: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Vashon Center for the Arts
- Registration link here
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The district does not sponsor or endorse the events or information under the "Information and Other Community Events" section of this newsletter, and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Vashon Island School District will be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney’s fees and judgments or awards. |
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!
- 0.8 FTE Spanish teacher
- 1.0 FTE Speech Therapist (two positions available)
- VHS 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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