Vashon Island Child - Vashon Island Child-Fall 2015

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

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A Guide to Education on Vashon Island

2015 Chautauqua Elementary • McMurry Middle School • Vashon High School • Private Schools

Generously Sponsored by

A supplement of The Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber • August 26, 2015

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

FROM THE SPONSOR

WELCOME TO VASHON’S STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS

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 particularly 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.

School year opens with excitement

— The Vashon John L. Scott Family

Contents 13 | Chautauqua Elementary School 14 | McMurray Middle School 15 | Calendar 18 | Vashon High School 19 | Educational Alternatives FamilyLink StudentLink

19-20 | Private Schools Harbor School Carpe Diem Homestead School

M

y favorite day each year is when school opens in September and we are met at the doors with student and parent enthusiasm, anticipation, curiosity and joy.

What is true for our students is also true for our faculty and staff.

Rested from vacation, our faculty anticipates your return and has been invested in the joy of their own learning over the past several weeks. We study newly adopted curriculum, coordinate lesson planning together and practice new teaching and learning strategies. We all have a commitment to teaching the habits of mind that will enable you to enjoy a lifetime of learning.

School district families 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. I’m proud of the professionalism of our faculty and staff and the commitment they make to your education and growth each day.

Many of our parents and graduates describe the Vashon public school system as having the attributes of an expensive private school education. We offer high quality academic programs and a wide range of opportunities in the arts, sports, music and travel in the classroom and through co-curricular clubs and activities. For the past two years, our students have earned the Washington Academic Achievement Award, placing in the top 5 percent of high

schools across the state. Our school district prides itself in providing excellent, rigorous and engaging programs.

The culture within each of our three public schools is built upon a deep compassion and caring for one another. Our mission, “To equip every student to engage, thrive, and contribute within an ever-changing world,” guides our commitment to the success of every student. We are committed to the development of the whole child in which each develops a love and personal responsibility for learning, explores and embraces individual gifts and passions, learns to become a contributing citizen and develops essential life and academic skills with plans for continued growth.

We welcome and value students from diverse backgrounds who may have ethnic, economic, and/or learning differences because they often teach us to appreciate and accept each other in an increasingly diverse world. Our joy is to know every student as an individual and to provide each student with the tools and learning opportunities he or she needs to prepare for college or a career and ultimately to lead productive lives as citizens.

Our public schools thrive because of our community support. We are so grateful for the contributions of funding and expertise from Vashon Partners in Education (PIE), Vashon PTSA, Vashon Allied Arts, Vashon Nature Center and many others. The Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation has nearly achieved this year’s goal of raising $247,000 for our mental health and suicide prevention initiative, science and math program enhancements and a variety of equipment, materials and program supports not covered by other types of funding. Our public schools and students thrive because of our community support. Thank you.

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

Welcome back!

— Michael Soltman, Superintendent

Vashon school district board of directors

For a directory of island preschools, stop by The Beachcomber office for the spring issue of Island Child.

STAFF Publisher ...........................

Section editor ....................

Section design and cover design ...............

Advertising ........................

Daralyn Anderson Susan Riemer Nance Scott Daralyn Anderson

Island Child is published biannually by Sound Publishing Inc. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the permission of Sound Publishing. For additional copies, call (206) 463-9195 or email publisher@vashonbeachcomber.com. ©2015 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.

Island Child – Fall 2015

Vashon’s school board members include, from left, Dan Chasan, Bob Hennessey, Kathy Jones, Steve Ellison and Chair Laura Wiskhik.

The board meets throughout the year at 7 p.m. at Chautauqua Elementary School, typically on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month, though dates vary. For more information about the board, including board member contact information and meeting dates, see vashonsd.org.

For the upcoming November election, John Osbourne is challenging Dan Chasan, and Toby Holmes is challenging Laura Wishik. Kathy Jones is not running again; Jake Jacobovitch and Zabette Macomber both filed to run for her seat.

Ballots for the Nov. 3 election will be mailed in mid-October.

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Chautauqua Elementary School Jody Metzger, Principal Kathryn Robinson, Vice Principal

AT A GLANCE Yvette Butler .......................Counselor Phone ................................463-2882 Fax ....................................463-0937 Students .....................................524 Teachers .......................................30 Support staff .................................30 Volunteers .................. More than 300

Accomplishments This past year we added a new ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program) preschool thanks to the grant writing and persistent efforts of Roxanne Lyons. This preschool provided the dual languages of Spanish and English. The increasing opportunities for children to learn Spanish made for an exciting year of collaboration among our teachers who teach Spanish. Holly Boyajian (first grade), Sarah Hamill (second grade) and Victoria Clayton (kindergarten) continued to offer a language experience to our young students.

Chautauqua is a school where children are challenged to discover their skills and conceptual understandings through problem solving, researching and investigating. Children take a big leap beyond providing “the answer” to providing evidence that backs up answers and discoveries. Students thrive academically through interesting problem-solving and project-based learning opportunities.

Our school culture relies on children and adults knowing and supporting SOLE in our school. Every student in our school should be able to tell anyone who asks what SOLE means. They will tell the inquirer that SOLE stands for respect for Self, Others, Learning and our Environment. These expectations are supported through weekly social/emotional instruction. We’re proud of the actions of our students and the commitment of our staff to instill thoughtful behaviors and attitudes in our children.

At the end of this past year, we bade a fond farewell to several of our teachers. Meri-Michael Collins resigned her position in the Learning Resource Center at the end of December. Mary Heath retired at the end of the school year to seek new adventures in Montana.

Sara Barry retired from the developmental preschool as well. They will all be missed, and we wish them well in their next pursuits. Each of these remarkable teachers made a huge impact on the lives of our children.

Spanish Studio Vashon Before and After School Spanish Classes at Chautauqua Elementary School My name is Victoria Clayton, I am a native Spanish teacher.

Everyone can learn a second language, but everyone learns differently. In my classes I strive to accommodate different learning styles and create activities that engage every child.

My classes are small, fun and interactive.

Classes are Monday through Thursday, once or twice a week options. In addition, I offer two weekly adult classes.

Call or email for more information or to register 206-859-7796 email: victoriamclayton@gmail.com

Susan Riemer/Staff Photo

Alayna Aldrich and Landon Cunningham, students at the new preschool at Chautauqua, enjoy the wonders of a wet, fall day on the playground.

Looking ahead Our community and the Vashon Schools Foundation have provided funds to continue a reduction in class size in the early grades. This effort has allowed us to begin a new year with an excellent teaching staff and a wonderful support staff. We begin this year with five new classroom teachers. Karolina Clevenger is moving from a support position in the Learning Resource Center to take the lead teacher position in our developmental preschool. Sarah Hallstein is moving to our area from Rome, Georgia, as a second-grade teacher.

Margie Butcher joins us from the John Stanford International School to teach our third-grade Spanish extension class. Paul Wahlan has moved from the Franklin Pierce School District and will teach third grade. Also, Jenni Wilke, who has been in our school as a parent, AmeriCorp volunteer and para-educator, will join the third-grade team with her own classroom.

Finally, Rachel Paxton joins us from Virginia to teach fifth grade.

We are fortunate to work with excellent science coaches in our community. This coming year Roxanne Lyons will support science in our school through coaching and connecting citizen scientists with our teachers and our students. Our partnerships with Partners in Education (PIE) and Vashon Allied Arts

allow us to provide innovative experiences for our children. The arts are alive and well in our school thanks to the artists in our schools program and the huge effort our partners put forth to ensure our children receive a most well-rounded education.

We look forward to another year of bright-eyed children walking through our front doors. They are the heart and the soul of our school community, and with all our efforts, they will engage in what we have to offer, and they will contribute to each other’s learning.

The annual Chautauqua Elementary School Icebreaker will take place from 1 to 2 p.m.

Thursday, September 3.

Elementary students and parents are invited to meet their teacher, see their classroom and have a snowcone before the school year starts.

Participate in your child’s education!

Discouraged with common core?

Afraid to home school on your own?

Christian cooperative group of home schoolers have several openings for this 2015-2016 school year for grades 5th/6th and 8th/9th.

Call to inquire at

206-567-4070 Island Child – Fall 2015

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

McMurray Middle School Greg Allison, Principal

AT A GLANCE Gates Johnson ...... Executive Assistant Carolyn Zike .......................Counselor Phone ................................ 463-9168 Fax ....................................463-9707 Students ..................................... 370 Teachers .......................................22 Support Staff ...................................8 Volunteers .................. More than 200

Overview McMurray Middle School is a unique learning community, focused on preparing students during the transition from elementary school to high school and helping them to engage, thrive and contribute. We offer a strong core curriculum, dynamic instruction, challenge and support for all students. Additionally, a wide range of appealing elective and exploratory courses are offered that cultivate students’ intellectual, creative, kinesthetic and social development.

Our blend of core academics, electives and skillbuilding helps create a community of engaged learners.

Challenge, exploration, acceptance and support are all part of the McMurray program. These aspects are fostered by students and staff who work to establish a building climate of positive communication, collaboration and cooperation.

Highlights and Honors • All students participated in Community Day designed to create a positive and welcoming environment at the beginning of our school year.

• Math is Cool Competitions-Division II Regional first place award — 6th grade 2015.

• Math is Cool Masters Competition Finalists, 2015.

• FIRST Lego League team regional finalists, 2014.

• Symphonic Band (7th and 8th grade) Rating 2 at the Commencement Bay Band Festival, 2015.

• Over 200 students qualified for M.A.S.T. (McMurray Academic Success Team) Honors in 2015 with a 3.5 or higher GPA or improved GPA of .5 or better.

Courtesy Photo

McMurray Middle School teacher Larry Dubois won the Vashon PTSA’s Doors of Opportunity award last year. The award is given annually to a teacher or administrator who exceeds expectations and “opens doors” for students. Above, Dubois drives a crew of students around on the school’s Community Day.

• Sixty 8th-grade students qualified for the President’s Award for Academic Excellence by earning a 3.5 GPA or better for their entire Middle School years.

• Football won the JV league championship in 2014.

• WIAA Team Outstanding Scholarship academic awards were earned by volleyball (3.719 average GPA), girls’ soccer (3.594 average GPA), girls’ basketball (3.592 average GPA) and track (3.694 average GPA).

• WIAA Team Distinguished Scholarship academic awards were earned by football (3.397 average GPA), boys’ soccer (3.470 average GPA), volleyball (average 3.448 GPA), boys’ basketball (average 3.31 GPA) and wrestling (3.205 GPA).

• 80 percent of our students participate in a wide range of interscholastic sports (see above) and one or more of our clubs: Chess Club, Prevention Club, Journalism Club, Yearbook Club, Equality Club, Art Lab, Feature Fridays, Disc Golf Club, Vocal Music Club, Executive Council and Friday Movie Nights.

• McMurray hosts over 200 volunteers annually, creating a welcoming and successful partnership with our parents and the community.

• More than 250 students displayed their unique artistic talents at two Night of the Visual and the

Soccer Shoes in youth sizes and adult sizes Balls, Shin Guards, Shorts and more!

Adidas Warm-Ups • Sambas Located in Thriftway Plaza M–F 10–6pm • Sat. 10–5pm • Sun. 11–3pm 463-5906 • northwestsports@mac.com

Island Child – Fall 2015

Performing Arts in January and May. • 140 eighth-grade students participated in Exploratory Week in June, choosing from a range of 10 week-long experiential learning activities.

Goals for 2015-2016 • Student engagement, literacy, critical thinking and academic excellence and growth for all students continue as our highest priorities.

• Developing a positive, safe, respectful and inclusive school climate will be emphasized throughout the year.

• Developing positive partnerships with students, home and the community through a variety of outreach and communications.

Listening & Reading • Academic Writing • Note Taking• Time Management • Study Skills

“Smartest money I’ve ever spent.”

– Nannette Dean, mother of one eager student and one resistant student.

Devon Atkins • 206-353-9227 www.devonatkins.com • atkins.devon@gmail.com Grade 5 through College Level Planning • Work Ethic • Good-Student Skills • Prioritizing • Test Taking • Organization

Prioritizing • Scholarship Skills • Planning • Optimism

Kick off the soccer season with us!

Study Skills • Self-Advocating • Planning • Confidence

We strive to develop positive relationships with students in a variety of ways. McMurray staff are committed to challenging each student to master essential academic skills, to acknowledge individual potential, to identify one’s strengths and challenges. Students routinely explore their affective and whole selves, while developing a sense of respect and responsibility for others and their environment.

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

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2015-2016

• January

Vashon Island School Calendar • September 1-3 7 8

17 24 29 30

16 21-23

1 14 18 28

www.vashonsd.org

Teacher In-Service Days Labor Day Holiday - No School First day of school for: Chautauqua Elementary McMurray Middle School & Vashon Island High School Full day of classes Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Vashon Island High School – Open House Chautauqua Elementary – Open House McMurray Middle School – Open House

• October 1

Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Teacher In-Service Days Parent/Teacher/Student Conference Day for Chautauqua Elementary School – No classes for Chautauqua PreK - 5th grade.

29

11 19 25

Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Veterans Day – School Closed Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Student Half Day – Dismissal Times imes (All Kindergarten Students Attend)

26-27

No breakfast or lunch served.

• Chautauqua Elementary 11:50 • McMurray Middle School 10:45 • Vashon Island High School 10:55 Thanksgiving Break – School Closed

• December 4 10

Last day of Trimester-Chautauqua Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start 21 – 31 Winter Break – School Closed

Winter Break – School Closed Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Martin Luther King Jr. Day School Closed Last day of semester for McMurray Middle School and Vashon Island High School Teacher In-Service Day School Closed

• February 11

Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start 15 President’s Day – School Closed 16 – 19 Mid-Winter Break – School Closed Professional Development Day 25 2-1/2 hour delayed start

• March 11 17 24-25

25 31

• November 5

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Teacher In-Service - Snow day make up Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences for McMurray Middle School No classes for McMurray Last day of Trimester-Chautauqua Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start

• April 11 – 15 Spring Break – School closed 21 Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start

• May 12 26 30

• June 18 23

24

Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Professional Development Day 2-1/2 hour delayed start Memorial Day – School Closed

Class of 2016

Vashon Island High School Senior Class Graduation 2016 - 2pm Student Half Day – Release Times • Chautauqua Elementary 11:50 • McMurray Middle School 10:45 • Vashon Island High School 10:55 Snow Day Make-Up Day

A Special Thanks to for sponsoring the 2015 Fall issue of Island Child

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A Guide to Education on Vashon Island

Play-based, experiencial preschoool and parent education, too! Conveniently located at Courthouse Square, on Vashon Highway, across from DIG.

Dr. Yorek’s mission is to create beautiful smiles while providing a rewarding experience for every family.

He is proud to offer his patients state-of-theart treatment with the Damon System Braces.

You can find out more about this exciting technology on-line at www.perfectsmiles4u.com

Please call us at 463-3313 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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Dr. Yorek is also a member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. We offer free home sleep studies to most patients with private medical insurance.

Our oral appliance therapy is an alternative to CPAP use for patients that suffer from sleep apnea.

Daryl Yorek DDS, MS Orthodontics for All Ages

perfectsmiles4u.com 17637 100th Ave. SW • Vashon WA 98070

Go Back to School in Style!

Classes are almost full!

Register now at www.vmcp.org Toddler Class: Thursdays 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. (child must be walking) 2-3 Year Old Class: Mondays & Tuesdays 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. (child must be 2 by August 31st) 3-4 Year Old Class: Tuesdays - Fridays, 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. (child must be 3 by August 31st) Wait list only.

4-5 Pre-K Class:

Tuesdays - Fridays, 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. (child must be 4 by August 31st, also open to children enrolled in morning kindergarten)

Our teachers: Molly Wilson and Kate Davidson (Toddlers) Our parent educators: Elaine Webster and Melanie Salonen (Toddlers)

Class Scholarships available year-round.

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~ NEW ReWilding Families program

206.463.5131

Open 7 days a week: Mon – Sat 9:00 – 5:30 Sun 10:00 – 4:30

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20211 Vashon Hwy SW • 206-463-3655 www.countrystoreandfarm.com

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YOUTH SAVINGS CERTIFICATE

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Available to OCCU members ages 0 – 18. Minimum deposit of $500. 1-year term for an APY* of .50%.* *Annual Percentage Yield. Subject to change.

Page 18

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Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

Vashon High School Danny Rock, Principal Kelly Kirk, Assistant Principal

AT A GLANCE Paul Peretti ........................Counselor Tara Vanselow ...................Counselor MJ Hartwell ............. Career Specialist and CTE Director Phone ................................ 463-9171 Fax .................................... 463-1944 Students .....................................550 Faculty ..........................................34 Support staff ................................. 10 Volunteers ................................... 146

Courtesy Photos

Vashon Island High School completed another successful school year in 2014-2015. Our students were award winning in multiple areas; our staff again demonstrated their high commitment and care for the education of our students, and our community poured countless hours of time, talent and treasure to help make our school the best it can be. After completing our first full year in our beautiful new building, there is much for us to be grateful for. We look forward to continuing to improve our learning environment so all students can find success at Vashon High School.

AP art students and their friends, left, celebrate the end of AP exams with a dart painting and waffle party, and John Kehl, a member of the Robotics club, works on a robot, right.

rates. It also improved the achievement of traditionally struggling students. Our Washington Achievement Awards reflect the commitment of our students and staff and the support of our community.

We won national awards for our literary magazine, HUM, our yearbook and for the design of our new building. Our 10th and 11th graders scored between 20 and 30 percentage points higher than the state average on the new, more rigorous state assessments. We maintained our Level 1 Green School status and are quickly For the second year in a row, Vashon High School approaching Level 2 as measured by our sustainabilstudents placed in the top 5 percent among all high ity practices. We had a National Merit Scholarship schools for academic achievement and graduation Finalist, three semi-finalists, and we dramatically increased our enrollment in higher level math and science courses for We’ve done your shopping! the coming year. Our commitment to a high-quality academic learning environment remains at the core of our mission and purpose.

Accomplishments

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Our students also thrived outside the classroom. More than 70 percent of our students participated in activities, including theater, robotics, debate, athletics and schoolbased clubs.

In the field of competition, VHS students were highly successful. Girls’ cross-country won league and district.

Wrestling won league, placed second in regionals and eighth in state and featured a two-time state champ. Boys’ basketball won league and district, placed fifth in state and included the 1A player of the year. Several coaches were named League

Coach of the year, and the vast majority of our teams earned state honors for their collective GPAs. The robotics team finished first in state and competed in the West Super Regional in Oakland, California.

Our school winner for the National Poetry Out Loud competition qualified for the state final, and we once again sent a pair of debate students to the state competition. We even had a state solo winner out of our music program. Additionally, our Japanese language students hosted 20 students and two staff from our sister school, Himeji Minami High School, in Himeji, Japan.

Looking Ahead This coming year VHS will have several new course offerings to continue fulfilling our mission that students thrive, engage and contribute out of their learning. Our 11th- and 12th-grade English courses have diversified, included more female authors and will allow for more choice from students. We have diversified and increased our physical education and science offerings, as well as continued popular and effective electives.

Additionally, we have started two support programs to better meet students’ needs. First, Pathways successfully completed a pilot last spring and will more fully launch this year to provide a school within a school as an additional alternative to our successful StudentLink and FamilyLink. Pathways will allow students to self pace in their curriculum, receive more personalized support, take up to three classes with other students at VHS and earn credits on a pass/fail basis. Our other support program will be AVID, a program to increase effective study habits, academic achievement and ultimately to gain college entrance for students.

We are excited to continue to support all our students as they work to successfully launch from Vashon Island High School to the next steps in their lives.

Come visit the new high school if you haven’t yet done so, check out our new digital alumni display and feel the pride of our shared accomplishments.

Find this guide online at www.vashonbeachcomber.com • 24/7 Breaking News!

Island Child – Fall 2015

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Educational Alternatives Julie Hanger, Program Manager

AT A GLANCE Danny Rock ..........................Principal Julie Hanger............Program Manager Jim Gilmour & Richenda Hawkins ............... Teachers Janet Chapman ...... Program Secretary Phone ............... 463-9171, ext. 5503 Students ...................................... 60

FamilyLink FamilyLink is a community of homeschooling families, teachers and staff who are committed to providing 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, it offers enrich-

Nan Hammett, Teacher

AT A GLANCE Danny Rock ..........................Principal Julie Hanger...........Program Manager Nan Hammett ........................ Teacher Janet Chapman .................... Program Secretary Phone .......463-9171, ext. 5504/5506 Students .......................................26

StudentLink StudentLink is a contract-learning program in which students in grades 9 to 12 take personal responsibility for their education. Students meet weekly with teacher Nan Hammett to develop their individual learning plan, document 25 hours per week of independent learning and progress toward completion of their high school diploma. They participate in designing a course of study that is meaningful to them, based on their

ment classes, family-friendly activities and events, a resource library and computer lab, regular communication, the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an educational support fund for each student.

Last year we presented a block system of enrichment classes on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Students in two multi-age groups grades K-2 and 3-5 took classes in language arts, math, science, art and drama. This year we plan to hold a similar schedule of classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays for grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Classes are meant to complement learning at home. Parents are invited to participate in enrichment classes with their children.

In FamilyLink, parents may choose curriculum tailored to the learning style of their student and their own teaching style. Our teachers can recommend curriculum for parents new to homeschooling, and we have a variety of samples in our resource library.

Parents may also take advantage of subscription curricula in keyboarding skills, math and reading, to name

a few.

This year, we will offer Odysseyware online curriculum, which includes courses in core and elective subjects for students in grades 3-12. Odysseyware lessons and instructional tools are designed to equip learners with resources for academic success, incorporating a mix of grade-appropriate text, instruction videos, activities and games. Odysseyware lessons also integrate numerous instructional supports to address diverse learning styles and allow for collaboration among learners, parents and teachers. We plan to have a parent training for interested families early September.

FamilyLink is housed in two portables on the Vashon High School campus. These facilities provide the program with offices for consulting and administrative staff, a resource library and small computer lab, and classroom space. Additional classroom space is located in the K Building. For more information about FamilyLink enrollment and services, contact us at 4639171, ext. 5503.

interests and learning style.

Students who are willing to be creative and are able to manage their time and work independently are most successful in this program. Still, StudentLink offers many opportunities for support of independent learning.

Last year Guided Learning tutors met with students one-on-one and also led small group courses in business math, geometry, history of the English language, creative writing and study of fairy tales.

Volunteers also played an important role in supporting our students. Daphne Purpose has tutored students individually in a variety of subject areas and also managed our small resource library for the past six years.

Last year Terri Colello volunteered to connect and support students with post-secondary planning.

StudentLink doesn’t issue grades; courses are pass/ fail. However, we review progress every month to ensure that students are moving forward with their

courses. Last October we introduced an additional measure that encourages students to evaluate their own engagement and commitment to their learning: the StudentLink Studies Personal Responsibility Scale.

Student initiative is also demonstrated by the individual projects students choose throughout the year.

One student finished his first novel; another earned a bike mechanic’s certificate and another developed a summer tutorial project around literacy.

StudentLink students participated last year in the Smarter Balanced Assessments required by the state.

Our tutors helped prepare students for this new test in English/language arts. Students also participated in the math and biology end of course exams.

The StudentLink classroom is located in the K Building of the Vashon High School campus. For more information about our program, contact us at 463-9171 ext. 5504/5506.

Private Schools Harbor School Main Campus: 15920 Vashon Hwy. SW Carpe Diem Primary School is now a division of Harbor School.

Type of Program: Independent school for students in kindergarten through 8th grade, kindergarten through 3rd at Carpe Diem Primary campus and grades 4 through 8 at Harbor School’s main campus.

Head of School: James Cardo Admission contact: Niamh Prince, Admissions Director, at 567-5955 or admissions@harborschool.org Website: www.harborschool.org Openings: Limited availability in grades 4 and 5 for 2015-16 school year.

Now accepting applications for fall 201617; The application deadline is Jan. 30.

Decisions will be mailed out in early March.

Since 1995, Harbor School has helped young students reach their potential by providing them with an outstanding, fully rounded educational experience.

Linda Crayton Photo

Friendships bloom at Harbor School and Carpe Diem.

Small class size (10 to 16 per grade) with relationships built with teachers over multiple years allows each child’s strengths to be nurtured and celebrated, engendering 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 encourage-

ment, self-discipline and wide-ranging experiences. Early on, students learn to take responsibility for their education.

A vigorous academic program features a full schedule of traditional courses taught by experts in their fields. Students are coached and guided through lessons that are discoverybased, with the students researching, analyzing and demonstrating facts.

In recent years, Harbor School has retooled completely its integrated arts curriculum to enhance and build upon a strong theme-based learning environment. This includes art courses for all students. Additionally, expanded electives provide students with greater artistic options and allow them to explore their creativity fully.

Harbor School’s Travel Study program expands students’ awareness of their world. Besides exploring our own island throughout the year, travel study trips take students throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as far-off adventures SEE NEXT PAGE

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to Washington D.C., Louisiana, Spain, Oregon and California, just to name a few. With more than 30 days spent out of the classroom, students grow their independence and learn to adapt to a changing world.

At Harbor School, work is evaluated by the teacher and student. Personal best is a hallmark of success, not an arbitrary grade, and a student’s voice is highly valued. Parents are involved, and three-way communication among student, parent and teacher is central to the school.

Finally, Harbor School is an uplifting community.

Its Cornerstone Values are evident in all interactions, making the school a respectful, compassionate haven.

Approximately 50 percent of the school’s alumni matriculate to Vashon High School, where they have been decorated highly with academic and extracurricular laurels. Alumni have attended many of the top colleges in the country, including Dartmouth, Brown, Middlebury, Columbia, Duke, MIT, Wesleyan, and both the UW and the WSU Honors Programs.

Foreign Language: Spanish is taught to all students.

Average Class Size: 14 (varies by grade) Tuition: $10,080 - $13,185 Financial Aid: Yes, available to qualifying families.

Governance: Board of Trustees. Harbor School is a non-profit organization.

Accreditation: NWAIS Candidate Member Meals: Students bring their own.

Carpe Diem Primary School

New Location: 17708 Vashon Hwy SW (Located in the Presbyterian Church), administrative offices located on Harbor School’s main campus – 15920 Vashon Hwy. SW Type of Program: Independent school for students in kindergarten through third grade.

Head of School: James Cardo Admission contact: Niamh Prince, Admissions

Carpe Diem Photo

These students focus on a science lesson at Carpe Diem.

Director, at 567-5955 or admissions@harborschool.org Website: www.harborschool.org Openings: Now accepting applications for fall 2016-17.

Admission deadline: Jan. 30, decisions are mailed out in early March.

In 2015, after 25 years as a private school, Carpe Diem Primary School became a division of Harbor School, realizing a vision to create a united kindergarten through eighth-grade independent educational program on Vashon. This July, Carpe Diem primary classrooms moved to a new larger space in the Vashon Presbyterian Church, and we welcomed our new teacher Joleen McCauley to the faculty team, joining Carpe Diem veterans Andrea Braganza and Jaffrey Clark.

Carpe Diem teachers focus on the education of the whole child. The school teaches and models good character and creates an academic environment where students develop an attitude of healthy risk-taking to learn new skills and concepts.

Setting personal goals for the development of good character qualities and core academic excellence are backbones to the learning environment. Students and teachers see good character as a key to being a happy and successful person as well as a good peer leader.

Our 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.

Key to Harbor School’s focus on travel study, the teachers at Carpe Diem believe that the classroom exists beyond the walls of the school. Through wilderness activities and nature studies, students learn to appreciate the fragile beauty of nature and gain an understanding of the importance of their role as Earth stewards.

Foreign language: Spanish is incorporated into the curriculum.

Student-teacher ratio: 10-to-1. Three full-time teachers with additional staff for enrichment activities.

Meals: Students bring their own.

Homestead Farm and Wilderness School

Homestead Farm and Wilderness School is a multiage primary school for children ages 6 to 11.

The school is located on seven diverse acres of farm and forest. The program blends an academic and artsbased curriculum with a hands on practicum with the natural world of plants and animals.

A warm organic grain is served mid-morning. The student-to-teacher ratio is 12 to 1, and special needs students can be accommodated. The school follows the public school holiday calendar. It meets from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

There are openings; contact Dana Schuerholz at 4667398 or dana@revolt.org to register. For more information, see homesteadschool.org

Vashon Island Dental Office of Marc O. Langland, DDS

THE PRESCHOOL HOUR 9 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Monday thru Friday

• • • • • • • •

ABC’s / 123’s / colors Music & Singing Art (Painting, Clay, Crayons, etc) Crafts Social activities, Games and Play Cooking Field Trips Storytelling and Drama

4 & 5’s: Mon, Wed, Fri 2 & 3’s: Tues & Thurs *Afternoon care available*

206-408-7559

Island Child – Fall 2015

Serving patients 12 months or older.

We strive to make dentistry fun for kids! At our office, we use modern techniques to ensure a positive experience. We offer cleaning, exams, flouride, BPA-free sealants and fillings, and orthodontic evaluations.

Call or stop by our office in town, we would love to meet you!

(206) 463-9282 www.VashonIslandDental.com 17425 Vashon Hwy SW • Mailing: PO Box 673, Vashon Island WA 98070

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 • Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

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Voted South Sound Magazine’s 2014 & 2015

Nov. 15, 2015, 12-2pm

Leif Rasmussen DDS, PLLC Committed to providing personalized treatment for the whole family in a gentle relaxed atmosphere.

University of Washington School of Dentistry graduate 1998 17 years practicing dentistry 10 years living and practicing on Vashon

Now welcoming new patients.

206-463-3685

19715 Vashon Hwy SW • Vashon, WA 98070 www.VashonDental.com

Read this guide online with your paid subscription at www.vashonbeachcomber.com Island Child – Fall 2015

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