By Dave Straube

For The Beachcomber

It’s been a busy year here on Vashon, where the women hold strong opinions, the men try to look good, the children want higher grade averages and the schools are underfunded. School budgets have been the talk of the town for some time now. Our upstanding citizens ask one another, “How can Vashon schools possibly provide an education above the minimums mandated by state standards?”

As it turns out, there’s an unassuming organization that has been enriching the classroom experience for Vashon students for 22 years now: Vashon Partners in Education, also known as PIE. For many, PIE may be under the radar compared to other educational initiatives on the Island. But while PIE may work quietly, it works very effectively.

The PIE model for improving Vashon public schools is simple. We solicit proposals for materials, projects and activities that will demonstrably enrich the classroom experience. Most proposals come from those who know our students best, the teachers, though any staff member may submit a proposal. Proposals with the most merit and applicability are funded.

Vashon Partners in Education is an independent charitable organization governed by a board of local citizens. Its goal is specifically not to backfill that which state budgets have taken away. Instead, the goal is to experiment, to break new ground, reach students in new and engaging ways and to rekindle teachers’ enthusiasm.

PIE is not about copier paper and glue sticks. Instead, PIE funds outdoor chess sets, innovative nutrition curricula, math puzzles for tactile and visual learners, a portion of the Artists in Schools program, interactive whiteboards, display microscopes, math competitions and museum field trips. And that’s only a partial list from last year. You can visit www.VashonPIE.org for a complete listing of recent grants.

Of course, there is a catch. This simple plan of energizing teachers with grant money for enriching projects delivered by a low overhead local organization succeeds only in direct proportion to your support. PIE’s single fundraiser will be our annual phonathon this month. If you want to keep Vashon schools special, if you dare to innovate, if you want to motivate our teachers and help them challenge all our students, then please answer the call and give what you can.

— Dave Straube is a parent and a PIE volunteer.

PIE’s annual phonathon will take place Oct. 6, 7 and 8. This is the only fundraiser for the organization each year.