Posts filed under ‘• Education’
Vashon Island Events: Introducing the Vashon Green Map~ Vashon Island Real Estate
Vashon’s Social Ecology Education and Demonstration School (SEEDS) has completed its work on the online Vashon Green Map, identifying community natural resources, cultural resources and green living resources. The Green Map System uses a set of universally recognized icons that have been developed collaboratively since 1995 and are active in 475 cities and 54 countries. SEEDS begain its first phase of the program at the Vashon Farmers Market on the Village Green on August 23, 2008.
The online maps are interactive and open to an array of uses. Bob Spivey, a member of the developing committee, notes that one idea has been to create a sub-map of land available for farming / gardening on Vashon for residents who may otherwise not have access to land. A key feature of the map is that site visitors may nominate sites that do not yet appear on the map, as well as sites they may wish to see on Vashon in the future.
Developers will be at the Farmers Market in early May to collect suggestions for the future development of the map. Donations to off set printing costs are appreciated.
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Vashon Island College: Artful Vashon Course
Vashon College presents its “Artful Vashon” course on Sunday afternoons from 3 – 6 PM at Courthouse Square, from March 1 through April 5. The course “explores the meaning and expression of artfulness on Vashon Island and develop ideas to increase Island artfulness.”
Each session features experiences, discussions, and speakers that have established unique possibilities within Vashon’s vibrant art scene.
Registration is $150. A materials fee of $40 will also be collected. Partial scholarships are available and continuing education credits may be available as well.
Applications are available at Vashon College and the class limit is 30 students. Contact Pamn Aspiri for details at 408-8022 or email her at pamn.aspiri@vashoncollege.org. For information on content, contact helenmeeker@centurytel.net.
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Vashon Island Events: School Bond Public Debate
On Wednesday, February 11, from 7 – 9 PM, there will be a public debate of the proposed $7.5 million school bond at Courthouse Square. Proposed uses for the money include construction of a new building, the renovation of existing buildings, a new track and synthetic turf playing field,a secondary gymnasium, upgrading of ventilation and other technical equipment, and other capital improvements. The debate will feature school board chair Bob Hennessey speaking in favor of the measure and Hillary Emmer, community activist, arguing against it.
Organizers expect a large crowd and request that only those Islanders undecided or uncertain about the proposal to attend. The event will be aired by Voice of Vashon.
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Vashon Island Music: Mark Graham and Orville Johnson Teach and Play the Blues
Vashon Island Music Studio: Harmonica and Slide Guitar Workshops
On Saturday, December 6, the Vashon Island Music Store presents two outstanding blues workshops. From 10-12, Mark Graham leads a session on blues harmonica. From 1-3 Orville Johnson will host a session on blues slide guitar. Each session costs $25. Pre-register with the Vashon Island Music Studio at 463-0552.
Mark and Orville are staying to perform a concert at the studio at 7 pm. Admission is $15.
Vashon Chamber of Commerce: Small Business Seminar
The Vashon Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a free seminar sponsored by the Service Corps of Retired Executives, a non-profit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small businesses worldwide. The seminar will be presented on Tuesday, November 18. To RSVP, write to lee@vashonchamber.com. Questions? call Lee Ockinga, Executive Director of the Chamber, at 463-6217.
SCORE business counselor Ed Milan will lead the group in the creation of a business plan, including financial reports, marketing reports and sales forecasts.
The Chamber is initiating a partnership with SCORE and will host SCORE meetings for individual businesses on a monthly basis at the Chamber offices. If you wish to sign up for additional assistance from SCORE, the association offers one-on-one help in all aspects of growing a business. Their working and retired counselors are experts in various business needs.
Vashon Saturday Math and Muffins: Tutors Needed
Vashon’s Math and Muffins Project seeks tutors to provide at least two hours a month math assistance to Vashon kids. Vashon students are also being solicited for the program. Sessions take place at the Vashon Cohousing Common House, located at 10421 SW Bank Road, between 10 am and noon on Saturdays. Parents, other adults and advanced students may help with tutoring.
Muffin makers are welcome also!
For more information or to register call Martin Koenig or Margaret Hoeffel at 463-1224.
About Vashon Schools
The Vashon Island School District is located on Vashon Island in the center of Puget Sound. The school district is one of 35 King and Pierce County school districts affiliated with the Puget Sound Educational Service District, a regional support educational agency. Vashon Island is a beautiful place to live, and has the unique advantage of offering a rural lifestyle with access to the greater Seattle-Tacoma area. Vashon Island is comprised of a population of approximately 11,000 residents during the school year. During the summer months, the island is a popular outdoor summer residence and tourist retreat for boating, water sports, and other outdoor recreational activities. At the northern tip of the island there is access to complete ferry service to West Seattle (Fauntleroy), foot passenger/bicycle only service to Coleman Dock in Seattle, and service westward to Southworth on the Olympic Peninsula. The southern tip of the island accommodates the ferry route to Point Defiance in Tacoma.
The community has high academic expectations for the school district and has supported its maintenance and operations levy over the last twenty years, as well as a capital bond of $20.1 million in 1990. In 1997, voters passed a 4-year replacement maintenance and operations levy which will provide funding stability into the 21st century. In addition, several local organizations, including Partners In Education, a Parent/Teacher/Student Association, Vashon Allied Arts and the Vashon Community Scholarship Foundation contribute generously to support students and the schools.
Vashon Island School District has about 1,600 students who are served in three facilities: Chautauqua Elementary School (pre-primary through grade 5); McMurray Middle School (grades 6-8); and Vashon Island High School (grades 9-12). In addition, our district offers FamilyLink and StudentLink designed to provide programs for learners outside the traditional school setting. The annual general fund is about $10 million, of which approximately twenty percent is raised through local school district levies approved by Vashon voters. Our small District size is a major advantage in providing small class sizes and personalized services to students and parents.
Community, board members and staff encourage an exploration and development of innovative curricula that will enhance each student’s learning experience. Curriculum plans assure thoughtful and continuing planning and articulation of the K-12 program. There is a high rate of volunteerism to assist in various capacities throughout the system. A full complement of student services is available.
