Vashon Schools Foundation spring fundraising drive

I view Vashon as something of an academic oasis.  In a broader State educational landscape suffering from the “drought” of program cuts and staff reductions that result in incrementally failing each year’s “crop” of children, the Vashon Public School district stands as a thriving exception.  

Vashon public schools have a well-deserved reputation for excellence.  Known for devoted staff, high academic achievement, small class size, challenging curriculum and a virtually unmatched array of enrichment opportunity, Vashon public schools are a robust “ecosystem” in their own right.

Each year the Vashon School District attracts numerous families who are leaving minimally supported school systems in search of something better for their children.  These families are discovering what island school families already know – Vashon kids get the equivalent quality of a private school education for a public school price!

But are all these advantages really available for free?  The experience parents value so highly does have a cost associated.  Yes, the State is supposed to pay the tab, but I think most residents are well aware by now that the State has fallen far short in its obligation, with no meaningful solution yet on the horizon.

But Vashon hasn’t waited around for the Legislature to act.  Vashon has stepped up to support its kids.  In 2009 a farsighted group came together in concert with the School District to form the Vashon Schools Foundation.  Since inception, with the phenomenally generous support of the Vashon community, the Foundation has  raised more than $1,800,000.

And yet, despite this amazing level of support, you may not even know the Foundation exists, or what your donation pays for.  That’s partly because there are multiple entities working to raise funds for various aspects of school needs.  It’s also partly because the Foundation has intentionally cast itself in a quietly supportive role to the School District.
To help clarify the matter, Vashon Schools Foundation is not Partners in Education (PIE), and it is not the PTSA.  The Foundation works alongside those wonderful groups in the effort to provide classroom resources, but the Foundation has a distinct mission of its own.

Put simply, the Vashon Schools Foundation works to bridge the funding gap between what the state provides and what the school district outlines they need to meet the educational goals of our students.  

Money donated to the Foundation replaces outdated textbooks and provides modern classroom instruments.  It helps hire and retain experienced teachers and counseling staff.  It helps make summer school possible and bilingual programs available.  These aren’t necessarily headline making changes, but they are fundamental to operating a successful school system that meets the varied needs of its student body.  

The following are just a few examples of the many School District funding requests that the Foundation hopes to help fulfill when the 2015 pledge drive kicks off on April 20th :
•    New Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Initiative K-12
•    Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program enhancements
•    Advanced math textbook adoption
•    Materials and curriculum development for bilingual preschool
•    Student Link services program resources
•    Science lab equipment and additional graphing calculators

The complete list of 2015 funding initiatives can be found on the Vashon Schools Foundation website.
I know the Vashon community is ready to renew its part in sustaining our academic island oasis! Please be part of the continuing success story by making a donation in any amount that is meaningful to you personally.  A gift of any size is meaningful to the Foundation and the School District!  In donating, you will feel the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting the public schools and helping pave a path to opportunity for Vashon’s children.

Donations to the Vashon Schools Foundation can be made at any time, on either a one time, or on continuing monthly payment basis at the Foundation’s web site: http://vashonschoolsfoundation.org/contribute/give-today/
Also look for additional information on the Vashon Schools Foundation web site concerning the “Give “Big” one day campaign on May 5th.