2017-18 school year:

A look back

Achievements

New teachers and educators hired for the 2017-18 school year
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new educators hired

We’re lowering class sizes and hiring well-qualified teachers. More than 70 percent of our teaching staff has a master’s degree.

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evening preschool programs

The programs help incoming kindergartners become acquainted with their new surroundings, meet future classmates and teachers and work on building the knowledge and skills they’ll need at school. Thanks to the Foundation for VPS and an anonymous donor, the programs will expand in the 2018–19 school year.

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Girl participates in literacy activity at Marshall Elementary
Hazel Dell students dig for worms with the help of a master gardener
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in partner contributions

In 2017-18, VPS students and families benefited from cash and in-kind goods and services (non-district funds) provided by the external organizations with whom our Family-Community Resource Centers partner.

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buildings trades students who learned from VPS’ tradespeople

The class, started in fall 2017, is focused on building trades to meet the demand for skilled workers. The class is part of the Hudson’s Bay High School’s Architecture, Construction and Environmental Services program.

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Students learn trades from the district's maintenance department
Community members gathered for the Ogden groundbreaking
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final designs completed in 2017-18 for schools that will be entirely rebuilt

Thanks to a voter-approved bond measure, seven schools will be completely rebuilt, three new school buildings will be constructed and every school in the district will receive upgrades.

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students rewarded for good attendance by the attendance prize patrol

In an effort to improve attendance across the district, the prize patrol surprised classes with perfect attendance on the day of the visit.

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Sacajawea students celebrate their good attendance

Moments

Discovery student William Clark eats breakfast at school

Middle schooler moves legislators

Then sixth-grader William Clark influenced legislation that addresses schools’ handling of meal debts. Learn how he advocated for kids all over Washington.

Read the story

Solving the puzzle

Sasha Thomas, then a senior at Vancouver iTech Preparatory, and Carson Mowrer, then a senior at Skyview High School, wanted to bring a popular pastime to people with visual impairments.

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Visually impaired student solves tactile Rubik's Cube
Washington students plant their new garden

Learning grows in school garden

It started out as a persuasive writing assignment. The prompt: What would make Washington Elementary School better?

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Students on board with free city bus passes

The Youth Opportunity Pass isn’t meant to replace the school district’s buses, but rather expands transportation options for families.

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Hudson's Bay student waits for the bus
Therapy dog Luna at Hough

A good dog

One of the newest staff members at Hough Elementary teaches kids how to be kind, develop empathy and show compassion.

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Congratulations, class of 2018!

Across the district, 100 VPS graduates received their associate degree and high school diploma simultaneously in 2018. This number is up from 23 in 2009, a 400 percent increase in less than a decade. The total value of scholarships awarded to the class of 2018 is approximately $23 million, up from $16 million in 2009, a 45 percent increase in less than a decade.

Read one grad’s story

Data

Photo: Student welding
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evaluations per school year of progress toward meeting the goals of our strategic plan
Learn about our 2017-18 accomplishments and goals for next year
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of the district’s general fund budget is allocated to classrooms and classroom support
Learn more about our budget
Anderson student raises her hand
iTech students work on robotics
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deadline to meet student achievement, school climate and college and career-readiness goals
Learn about how we measure progress

Thank you to the students, staff members, families, volunteers, partners and community members who made the 2017-18 school year #VPSAmazing!