Soundings.Volume 8

Number 1

Fall 2017VA

SHON

ISLAN

DPromises Made, Promises KeptA Message from Superintendent Michael Soltman

Every strong relationship is built on mutual respect and trust and on making and keeping commitments. In our case, the school district is committed to providing our students with exceptional educational opportuni-ties where they experience a variety of challenging courses. We are committed to offering a tiered system

of supports for the success of all K-12 students. We are committed to of-fering classes taught by highly qualified staff, 72 percent of whom have advanced degrees and an average of 12 years of experience. And when 97 percent of our students graduate, 71 percent of them enroll in college. Our commitment to educating Vashon’s young people also includes fostering emotionally healthy, compassionate students with good social skills and healthy peer relations who are sensitive to racial and gender equity. We practice restorative justice to minimize suspension and ex-clusion. Our new partnership with Neighborcare Health ensures basic health for all students and our Food Service works to keep students healthy by providing a wholesome, freshly cooked breakfast and lunch every day. The strength of our relationship with the Vashon community is also built on financial accountability and the careful stewardship of our resources. The Vashon community approved capital projects and we are completing the work on time and on budget (see story on page three). We maintain a balanced budget and appropriate reserves and conduct preventive maintenance to extend the life of all of our facilities. Our commitment to students getting “real world” learning is sup-ported through the Vashon community’s many talented and generous individuals and organizations that share their expertise and special skills with our students and teachers on a regular basis. That includes our robust arts program in partnership with Vashon Center for the Arts, our rich applied science program in partnership with the Vashon Nature Center and other organizations like Vashon Wilderness and Vashon For-est Stewards. We are grateful to our many community partners–Partners in Education, PTSA, and the Vashon Schools Foundation—for program enhancement. We have made and kept our promises to the Vashon community, but could not do it without your continuing support and trust. We look forward to another great school year.

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Neighborcare Center OpensOn VHS CampusNeighborcare Health has opened a new school-based health care center at Vashon Island High School with a grant from King County Best Starts for Kids, an initiative to improve the health and well-being of all students by investing in preventive care and early intervention. The center will offer a range of on-site health care services including medical, mental health, den-tal, and health education. “We have found that the best way to serve kids is to meet them where they are,” says Alyssa Pyke, who manag-es Neighborcare’s School-based Health program, which sponsors 16 school-based health centers in King County. “It is particularly valuable for busy par-ents who can’t always arrange to take time off of work to take their child to different appointments,” she said. “It is also a convenient resource for students who can be assessed and treated on site for medical or dental concerns without missing too much class time. Some ap-pointments take only 15 minutes.” Superintendent Michael Soltman believes it is an exceptional opportu-nity for the entire community. “We are so fortunate to be able to offer these services to all students,” he said. “Our partnership with Neighborcare enables us to work closely with parents— as well as existing community organiza-tions—and make sure that every child is healthy and ready to learn.” Principal Danny Rock welcomes the Neighborcare facility and its for-ward-looking and comprehensive ap-proach to the development of healthy young adults. “These days, our teens are dealing with so many pressures, it will be great to have health profes-sionals right on campus to work with students and help us assess and resolve their issues on a daily basis. By mak-ing health care so accessible, students

Continued on page 4

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDVASHON WAPermit No. 4

Vashon Island School District No. 402P.O. Box 547 Vashon, WA 98070-0547

www.vashonsd.org206-463-2121

VASHON–MAURY ISLAND RESIDENT

Neighborcare staff at the new health center includes Anna Waldman, mental health thera-pist (left); Crystal Bensen, nurse practitioner (right); and Stepha-nie Keller, health center man-ager (center).

Above, Maria Metler, a Vashon Nature Center (VNC) naturalist, is a frequent visitor in Vashon classrooms along with VNC Director Bianca Perla. VNC is one of many island partners that enrich the district’s academic curriculum.

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SoundingsSoundings is published periodically by the Vashon Island School District 402, P.O. Box 547, Vashon, WA 98070-

0547, for Vashon residents and businesses. The district complies with all federal laws, rules, and regulations and

does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including language), sex, sexual orientation

including gender expression or identity, creed, religion, age, veteran or military status, disability, or the use of a

trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in any district programs or activities and provides

equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The district is an equal opportunity/affirmative

action employer encouraging application of qualified minorities, women, and disabled persons for employment

and other opportunities. The VISD is a drug-free, weapons-free, and smoke-free workplace and educational set-

ting. Direct inquiries regarding compliance, grievance, or appeal procedures related to district title IX, Affirma-

tive Action, or Section 504 of the ADA should be directed to Kathryn Coleman by phone at 463-8532. Our Civil

Rights Coordinator is Amy Sassara and she may be reached at 463-8529. For information concerning the district

prohibition of harassment, intimidation and bullying board policy, contact Jodi Burwell at 463-8534.

Board of DirectorsSteve Ellison, chair Dan Chasan Zabette Macomber, vice chair Bob Hennessey Toby Holmes

Michael Soltman, superintendent

District Welcomes New Administrator and Faculty MembersJuanita (Winnie) McGilton Assistant Principal, MCM

Education: B.A., Antioch University Seattle; M.A., Central Wash-ington University. Past Experience: Ten years as teacher and dean of students in the Highline School District.

Becky Blankenship Seventh Grade Humanities, MCM

Education: B.A. and B.S., Miami University; M.A. and Teacher Certification, Northern Illinois University. Past Experience: Taught at Schaumburg High School (Illinois) and in Pasadena United School District, and is assistant dean at Concordia Col-lege’s High School Russian Immersion Program.

Kristen Dallum Art Teacher, MCM

Education: B.A., University of Washington; M.A.T., University of Portland. Past Experience: Bellingham Public Schools; Oregon Episcopal School; Wilderness Expeditions and Environmental Education, YMCA Camp Orkila, Orcas Island.

Marcus Galen Eighth Grade Teacher, MCM

Education: B.A., Arizona State University; B.A. Portland State University; M.A.T., Lewis & Clark College. Past Experience: PIV-OT Job Corps in Portland; Beaverton (Oregon) High School; Middle School ESOL in Kaosiung, Taiwan.

Elizabeth Gleb Chemistry, Physics, Cheerleading Coach, VHS

Education: B.A., B.S., M.A., University of Washington. Past Expe-rience: Taught at Steliacoom High School.

Duncan Goulding Special Education, CES

Education: B.A., The Evergreen State College; certification, City University of Seattle. Past Experience: Taught at Gatewood Elementary School (Seattle)

Debi Hagardt Speech/Language Pathologist

Education: B.S., M.S., University of Washington; Doctoral Stud-ies, Walden University. Past Experience: Intership, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital; early intervention work through Holly Ridge Center Infant Toddler Program; University of Washing-ton’s Speech and Hearing Clinic and its Center for Human Development and Disabilities; Children’s Regional Medical Center Family Conversations Unit.

Laura Jensen Fourth Grade Teacher, CES

Education: B.A., West Chester University of Pennsylvania; B.A., M.Ed., teaching certificate, Portland State University; reading endorsement, Concordia University. Past Experience: Taught in the Portland Public School District and the Lincoln County School District (Newport, Oregon).

Gator Lanphear Kindergarten Teacher, CES

Education: B.A., The Evergreen State College; teaching cre-dential, Fresno State University. Past Experience: Taught in the Sacramento and Tacoma School Systems.

Jen Lindsay Third Grade Teacher, CES

Education: B.A., University of Michigan; M.A.T, Lewis & Clark College; Ph.D., University of Washington. Past Experience: Taught pre-kindergarten through adult education in public schools in Seattle and San Francisco, environmental education in Maine, Colorado, and California.

Dawn Macray Second Grade Teacher, CES

Education: B.A., Boston University; M.P.H., University of Califor-nia, Los Angeles; M.Ed., Grand Canyon University. Past Experi-ence: Taught various elementary grades in the Seattle Public School District.

Lou Mangione Spanish Teacher, VHS

Education: B.A. Seattle University; M.Ed., City University of Seat-tle; postgraduate study, University of Washington and Antioch University Seattle. Past Experience: curriculum specialist, Seattle Public Schools; teacher training, Innovations in Education, Inc.; Edmonds School District, John F. Kennedy High School.

Kristina Miller Counselor, CES

Education: B.A.S.W., Pacific Lutheran University; M.S.W., Uni-versity of Washington. Past Experience: ECEAP/special educa-tion, Bethel School District; counselor, Mt. Pilchuck Elemen-tary School; counselor, Thornton Creek School (Seattle).

Tina Parrish Special Education, CES

Education: Two B.A. degrees, elementary teaching and French teaching, University of Northern Iowa; continuing education in special education. Past Experience: Substitute and long-term substitute teaching in Iowa, Nebraska and Washington, includ-ing VISD for past five years.

Allison Reynolds Science Coach, CES

Education: B.A. Whittier College; M.Ed., University of Washing-ton. Past experience: Taught 14 years at White Center Heights and Genessee Hill Elementary Schools in Seattle.

Erynne Smith Music Teacher, CES

Education: B.A., Adams State University (Colorado). Past Experi-ence: Falcon School District 49 (Colorado Springs, Colorado); Elizabeth School District (Elizabeth, Colorado).

Nicky Wilks CTE Marketing and Yearbook, VHS

Education: B.S. and M.B.A., Chapman University.

CES Chautauqua Elementary SchoolMCM McMurray Middle SchoolVHS Vashon Island High School

3

Capital Projects Bond Enables Needed Work at VISD Facilities

Months before this year’s Capital Projects Bond mea-sure was officially placed on the ballot last February, the Vashon Island School District Board was hard at work planning its content and cost. “It’s critically

important that we, as good stewards of our physical plant, be fis-cally responsible,” said Superintendent Michael Soltman. “When we make a commitment to the community, we need to be certain we make every effort to keep our promises.” As the board wrestled with balanc-ing the needs of the various schools and facilities with what it perceived the community would want and support, it needed to know the costs of every item in the measure as well as the feasibility of each, the myriad state and local reg-ulations involved, bidding procedures for these multi-million dollar projects, and the time each would take. Such construction detail is well be-yond the expertise of any board mem-ber. Questions required the work of an experienced expert who has been through this kind of process before. Sitting with the board from its earli-est planning sessions was Brandy Fox,

principal of Con-struction Planning & Management (CPM Seattle), who is serving as the district’s capital projects consultant. As the board deliberated,

it turned to Fox for project feasibility, planning estimates, construction mate-rials assessments, and work timelines.

Weeks of planning resulted in the nearly $10 million bond proposal that appeared on the ballot. Underlying the board’s work were Fox’s efforts in compiling final cost estimates for the dozens of project items it contained. Once the measure passed, her task grew even more demanding as she worked her way through complex permitting and bidding procedures within the related strictures of state and county regulations. First and foremost, she made every effort to give local contractors an opportunity to participate. Local architects were given the first opportunity to bid (though ap-preciative, they declined for a variety of reasons). A local engineer assessed the integrity of the football stadium bleachers and found a solution that utilized wood rather than steel so that local contractors could do the work. Painting projects were done by a local contractor, and even the paint was specified with brands carried by local hardware stores. Many of the 25 bond projects are underway and some are completed

From the top: Projects recently completed include a new roof for Building F, new carpet in McMurray, and a new roof and energy-efficient windows at the VHS gym.

as Fox manages a predetermined timeline she created for the board. Contractors are presently at work at all three schools and have been for some time, and work is scheduled through next summer (see below). Fox walks the campus facilities regularly, and is stopped frequently by workers and supervisors seeking advice and guid-ance. She welcomes such questions and answers knowledgably and with authority. “I love my work,” she says. “I feel like I’m doing something for the kids—helping make improvements that will make their environment more conducive to learning.”

Brandy Fox

“It’s critically important that we, as good stewards of our physical plant, be fis-cally responsible. When we make a commitment to the community, we need to be certain we make every effort to keep our promises.”

– Michael Soltman, Superintendent

Vashon Island School District Capital Bond Projects 2017

Chautauqua ElementaryFurniture $238,503 In planning phase, with delivery expected spring/summer 2018

Exterior paint $200,000 In process through summer 2018

Kindergarten & preschool playground $50,000 Play area expanded, ongoing development 2017/18

McMurray Middle SchoolLocker room upgrade $345,000 In planning phase, permitting in winter/spring 2018, construction summer 2018

Flooring $345,000 Complete

Window replacement $169,000 Planning 2017/18, replace summer 2018

Furniture $62,000 In planning phase, with delivery expected summer 2018

Exterior paint $75,000 Planning 2017/18, painting summer 2018

VHS Track & FieldTurf & track $5,075,000 In permitting phase, construction summer 2018

Grandstand repair $150,000 Underway

Grandstand wheelchair access $75,000 In planning phase, permitting fall 2018, construction summer 2018

VHS GymMaintenance $194,000

Interior/exterior paint Complete

Refurbish walkways Summer 2018

Replace exterior doors, frames Complete

Replace lobby windows Complete

Replace gym and lobby lighting Gym fall 2017, lobby 2018

Replace locker room partitions Summer 2018

Bleachers $75,000 Fall 2017

Seismic bracing for equipment $25,000 In progress

Roof replacement $190,000 Complete

VHS OtherSchool sign $25,000 Fall 2017

Building K partial renovation $495,000 In planning phase, permitting winter/spring 2018, construction summer 2018

Building F reroof $141,960 Complete

Maintenance FacilitiesNew building $2,225,978 In planning phase, permitting winter 2018, construction 2018

Old building reroof and waterproof $55,000 In planning phase, construction 2018

PROJECT BOND AMT. CURRENT STATUS

Vashon Island School District Performance Report

Special ProgramsFree or Reduced-price Meals (May 2017) 21.6%Special Education (May 2017) 12.5%Transitional Bilingual (May 2017) 3.7%Section 504 (May 2017) 6.8%

Scholastic Aptitude Test 2015-16(107 Students Tested)

SAT I Tests Vashon HS Score State ScoreReadingMathWriting

570578551

494508482

Race/EthnicityAm. Indian/AK Native 0.3%Asian 2.2%Two or more races 9.6%Black 0.8%Hispanic 11.7%White 75.4%

GenderMale 53.3%Female 46.7%

Enrollment by SchoolChautauqua Elementary 561McMurray Middle School 405Vashon Island High School 566Family Link 43Student Link 27Total Students 1,602

EnrollmentOctober 2016 Students: 1,620May 2017 Students: 1,602

Faculty ExperienceAverage years of teacher experience: 11.9 Total number of classroom teachers: 99 Teachers with a master’s degree or higher: 71.7%

State

Local TaxFederal

Other

Revenues 2016-17

Total expenditure per student: $13,112.

Basic Ed

Instructional Programs

Child nutrition, transportation, technology, facilities

Special Education

Smarter Balanced Assessment Results (2016-17)

Expenditures 2016-17

Conditions and Use of FacilitiesVISD buildings and facilities are well used throughout the year. When school is not in session, community groups and sports teams use facilities for meetings, athletics, and performances. The Vashon Island School District manages community theater use. Vashon Park District manages the community use schedule and access to VISD facilities when school is not in session. Contact VPD – 463-9602 to schedule facilities. Chautauqua Elementary School was constructed in 1993 and the exterior was substantially repaired in 2004. Current bond funds are being used to upgrade acoustics in the gym, paint and relight the covered play court, and expand the kindergarten playground. McMurray Middle School was constructed in 1969 and substantially renovated in 1992. Current bond funds are being used to replace carpeting throughout, and upgrade the gym floor and lighting. Vashon Island High School was constructed and opened in 2014. Current bond funds are being used to upgrade the gymnasium, new windows and paint, and to reroof Building K, Building F, and the gymnasium.

State

District

Unexcused Absence Rate 0.5%VHS Graduation Rate (4 years) 93.1%VHS Graduation Rate (5 years) 97.0%

The Smarter Balanced Assessment, first administered in 2015, is aligned with the Washington State Learning Standards. These district-wide assessment results include students tested in the FamilyLink and StudentLink programs. Eleventh grade test results are not reported as mandatory participation in the assessment begins next spring 2018. These test results should also be considered with caution as students/families who refuse participation are included as “not meeting standard” when district performance is cal-culated and reported by the state. Detailed score reports are available on the OSPI website: reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us.

Our mission is to equip every student to engage, thrive, and contribute in an ever-changing world.School Improvement Planning Objectives for 2017-18

To ensure that every student• demonstrates essential life and academic skills and plans for continued growth;• is engaged and heard, and demonstrates personal responsibility for learning; and• demonstrates a commitment to contribute by participating in projects that are meaningful to the student and to the community.

should develop a habit of getting help when they need it.” According to Stephanie Keller, who manages the center, the staff includes two master’s level mental health therapists—one at the high school and one located at Chautauqua to serve the middle and elementary schools, as well as a nurse practitioner and a dentist, who will rotate through the three schools. Keller spent 14 years in health care administration at the University of Washington Medical Center before taking an administrative position at Vashon’s Neighborcare Sunrise Ridge clinic in December 2016. When the school-based position came up, she welcomed the chance to work with the school district. She points out that in order to provide services for students, they

need to be registered. Registration forms were distributed to parents in August. It is important for parents to sign and return the form as soon as possible. No student will be turned away for lack of funds. Insurance will be billed when families have it, but no copays will be collected or fees charged. Families without insurance can receive assistance in enrolling in an insurance plan that meets their needs through an Eligibility Specialist. The center is currently housed in temporary facilities at the high school while the permanent clinic is under construction (also with King County grant funds) near the high school theater. The center is open five days a week, before, during and after school hours.

For more information or assistance, call the center at 206-548-7550.

Neighborcare Health Center Opens on High School CampusContinued from page 1

Services Offered at the District’s Neighborcare Health Center

HEALTH SERVICES• Evaluation and treatment of common health problems • Sports physicals • Preventive health care • Insurance eligibility and enrollment assistance • Health promotion and education • Vaccinations • Reproductive health care

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES• Individual, family, and group mental health counseling• Community and school-based referrals • Crisis intervention

DENTAL SERVICES• Oral exams • Cleanings • X-rays • Fluoride treatment • Fillings • Some extractions • Sealants

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