VPS now: 3/13/23

2022-23 school year: Issue 14

In Our Own Words

In Our Own Words



For In Our Own Words this week we get to meet Rafael from Fruit Valley Elementary. Rafael is a student leader who values community.

In Our Own Words
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We are also excited to introduce you to Kiki, an eighth-grader from McLoughlin. As part of our strategic plan work, Dr. Snell has been meeting with students to listen to ideas they have for our schools. Kiki was part of an amazing group of students who shared. You’ll enjoy listening to Kiki.
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Sandra Zavala-Ortega Interview

In January, Sandra Zavala-Ortega began her role as the first Latina School Board President for VPS. Sandra’s path to serving as VPS School Board president is unique. She is a former student, a former VPS employee, and a parent of a current VPS student.


Mario Barba, a dual-language coach at King Elementary sat down with Sandra to learn about her goals and what’s important to her as she gets settled into her new role. We also have the video available in Spanish as part of the VPS en Español program.


This is the first in a series of Board Director interviews. Stay tuned!

Board Interview - Sandra
Iká pwe ke mochen epwe wor emén epwe ánea ngonuk masowen ei taropwe nón fóósun fénúomw ren ómw kopwe weweiti, en mei tongeni kéri Dania Otto, 360-772-7494.

March 14 Board Recognitions

At this month’s board meeting, the following students will be recognized for their academic achievements:


National Merit Scholarship Program Semifinalist

Jonah Campbell (iTech Prep)


College Board Awards


National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA)

Abigail Rosales (Skyview)

Cristian Arana (Skyview)

Isabella Alvarez (iTech Prep)

Yuri Garcia (iTech Prep)


National African American Recognition Award (NAARA)

Setota Asrat (Skyview)

Emmanuel Aklilu (Hudson’s Bay)

Isabella Alvarez (iTech Prep)


National Rural and Small Town Award (NRSTA)

Clark Hegewald (iTech Prep)

Isabella Alvarez (iTech Prep)

Jonah Campbell (iTech Prep)

Kathleen Cannon (iTech Prep)

Tara Patel (iTech Prep)


Perfect AP Score

Andreea Coroi - 2-D Art and Design Exam in May 2022 (VSAA)


NAACP’s Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics

Amyah Gibson (VSAA)

Music in Our Schools Month

During the month of March, the National Association for Music Education observes Music in Our Schools Month® raising awareness of the importance of music education. Students in VPS schools benefit from music education and performance opportunities in music classes, band, orchestra and chorus.


With the support and sponsorship of the Lower Columbia Music Educators Association (LCRMEA), there are over twenty musical events taking place in March in many of our schools. For a complete list of performances, please see our calendar.


We hope to see you at one of these upcoming performances!


Mes de la Música en Nuestras Escuelas

Durante el mes de marzo, la Asociación Nacional para la Educación Musical (en inglés: “National Association for Music Education”) celebra el Mes de la Música en las Escuelas “Music in Our Schools Month® “aumentando la concienciación sobre la importancia de la educación musical. Los estudiantes de VPS se benefician de la educación musical y oportunidades de participación en clases de música, banda, orquestra y coro.


Con el apoyo y patrocinio de “Lower Columbia Music Educators Association” (LCRMEA, por sus siglas en inglés), hay más de veinte eventos musicales que se llevan a cabo en marzo en muchas de nuestras escuelas. Para una lista completa de las presentaciones, por favor vea nuestro calendario de eventos: please see our calendar.


¡Esperamos verlos en una de estas próximas presentaciones!


Месячник «Музыка в наших школах»

В марте Национальная ассоциация музыкального образования проводит месячник «Музыка в наших школах» с целью привлечь внимание общественности к тому, насколько важным является музыкальное образование. На учеников в школах VPS оказывают благоприятное воздействие занятия музыкой и возможность участвовать в выступлениях в музыкальных классах, а также в выступлениях духового и струнного оркестра, и хора.


При поддержке нашего спонсора «Lower Columbia Ассоциация преподавателей музыки -(LCRMEA)» в марте организовано более двадцати музыкальных мероприятий в наших школах. Для ознакомления с перечнем выступлений, просмотрите календарь please see our calendar.

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month

Vancouver Public Schools is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories." Let us know how you observe Women's History Month. Share how you celebrate on our padlet!

Women’s History Month

District Calendar 2022-2023

Due to school closures on February 23 and 24, our snow makeup days will be June 16 and 20, with the last day of school on June 20. This plan could change if there are additional snow days.


Debido al cierre de las escuelas el 23 y 24 de febrero, los días perdidos debido a la nieve se recuperarán el 16 y 20 de junio, el último día de clases sería el 20 de junio. Este plan podría cambiar si hay días de nieve adicionales.


В связи с тем, что 23 и 24 февраля школы были закрыты, 16 и 20 июня будут учебными днями взамен пропущенных "снежных" дней. Этот план может измениться, если у нас будут дополнительные снежные дни.


Pokiten an kesipw sukkun nòn ewe Fapèweri 23 me 24, sipwene ekesiwini ekewe ràànin sukkun chòòn sukkun ir mei etiwano sukkun ngeni Suun 16 me Suun 20, iwe sàingonòòn rànin sukkun nòn Suun 20. Mei tongeni epwe pwan ekesiwin ikà mei pwan wor ràànin an epwe kesipw sukkun ren waten snow.


April 2023

3-7: Spring break, no school

13: Parent conferences, two-hour early release for all schools

14: Parent conferences, two-hour early release for elementary schools; no student attendance for middle and high schools


Abril de 2023

3-7 de abril: Vacaciones de Primavera (Spring Break), no hay clases

13 de abril: Conferencias de Padres y Maestros; Salida de clases 2 horas temprano para todos los estudiantes

14 de abril: Conferencias de Padres y Maestros. Salida de clases 2 horas antes para los estudiantes de la PRIMARIA, NO hay clases para los estudiantes de la Secundaria y Preparatoria


Апрель 2023 года

3 - 7 апреля: Весенние каникулы, занятий нет

13 апреля: Родительские собрания, окончание занятий на 2 часа раньше для учащихся всех школ

14 апреля: Родительские собрания, окончание занятий на 2 часа раньше для учащихся начальных школ, в средних и старших школах занятий нет


Eprein 2023

3- 7: Asésén Spring, ese wor sukkun

13: Mwiichen Saam me Iin, meinisin sukkun repwe sárekái wón ruu awa

14: Mwiichen Saam me Iin, meinisin mwiichen kinter ngeni enimwuan repwe sárekái wón ruu awa; ese wor sukkun ngeni mwiichen onuwan ngeni engon me ruuwan

2023-2024 School Calendar

The 2023-2024 school calendar has been approved and is available on the VPS website.
Vancouver Public Schools

Vancouver Public Schools

Vancouver Public Schools
We serve 21,000 amazing students and their families in the great community of Vancouver, Washington!
2901 Falk Road, Vancouver, WA, USA 360-313-1000 vansd.org

Notice of nondiscrimination

Vancouver Public Schools is an equal opportunity district in education programs, activities, services, and employment. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The district complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws. You may contact any of the following people at 2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA, 98661, or by writing to them at VPS, PO Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668-8937 or by calling 360-313-1000: ADA & Affirmative Action/Title IX Coordinator–jeff.fish@vansd.org; Civil Rights and Affirmative Action—janell.ephraim@vansd.org, Title VII, 504—steve.vance@vansd.org; IDEA—daniel.bettis@vansd.org; Athletic Equity & Title IX Elementary and Secondary—james.gray@vansd.org, kristie.lindholm@vansd.org and bill.oman@vansd.org. This notification can be provided in the appropriate language for communities of national origin and minority persons with limited English language skills by contacting 360-313-1250.