PIE empowers innovation in Vashon schools
Published 7:00 pm Monday, December 29, 2025
In the heart of our island community, there is a quiet but powerful engine driving creativity and excellence within the Vashon Island School District (VISD).
For decades, Vashon Partners in Education (PIE) has acted as a bridge between the community’s generosity and the classroom’s needs, ensuring that our students have access to the kind of “outside-the-box” learning that makes a Vashon Island education truly special.
What makes PIE unique is its grassroots philosophy. The grants awarded by PIE are written by and for the teachers, librarians, and students themselves. When a teacher spots a unique opportunity to engage students, or a librarian imagines a new way to integrate technology with storytelling, they turn to PIE. By providing the financial means for these innovative ideas, PIE allows our educators to move beyond and deeper into standard curriculum and dive into creative projects which spark a lifelong and deeper love of learning.
Robotics at Chautauqua Elementary
One of the most exciting examples of PIE’s impact is the Chautauqua Elementary robotics program. In our digital world, PIE recognized the value of giving our youngest learners a head start in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
Through PIE-funded grants, Chautauqua students aren’t just reading about technology; they are building it. These Lego for Education, SPIKE Robotics kits allow children to collaborate, problem-solve, and see their logic come to life in physical form. It is the kind of hands-on experience that turns a standard school day into an adventure, fostering the engineers and innovators of tomorrow right here in our own backyard.
Supporting our libraries
PIE also understands that the school library is the heartbeat of the campus. In recent years, our librarians have expanded their roles, becoming navigators of digital information and curators of diverse perspectives. PIE grants have consistently supported these vital spaces, ensuring our libraries are stocked with cutting-edge resources and comfortable, engaging environments where every student feels welcome to explore new worlds.
Community action
The magic of Vashon Partners in Education is only possible because of the kindness of the Vashon Island community. As we look toward the future, the need for creative, flexible funding in our schools has never been greater.
Making a donation to PIE. Your contribution — no matter the size — goes directly into the hands of our dedicated teachers and librarians, turning their most inspired ideas into reality. When we invest in PIE, we are investing directly in the curiosity, brilliance, and potential of Vashon’s children.
Together, we can ensure that every student in the Vashon Island School District has the tools they need to dream big.
Did you know that some of the most innovative learning on Vashon is powered by your donations?
From the cutting-edge LEGO Spike Prime robotics kits at Chautauqua Elementary to new resources in our school libraries, Vashon Partners in Education (PIE) is making it happen.
What makes PIE so special? Every grant is written by our own teachers, librarians, and students. It’s grassroots innovation that puts tools directly into the hands of our educators to help Vashon students dream bigger.
We are so lucky to have such a dedicated group supporting our schools. If you’re able, please consider a donation to help fund the next round of creative classroom projects.
PIE awarded 53 grants totaling over $57,000 this fall. PIE’s annual fundraising campaign is ongoing. PIE’s president reports that they are just over halfway to their goal of covering the fall 2025 grants plus the organization’s annual administrative expenses. PIE is an all-volunteer board.
Donations to PIE may be made online at vashonpie.org, or by check mailed to P.O. Box 1645, Vashon, WA 98070.
Kathleen Lawrence is a teacher/librarian at Chautauqua Elementary School. In addition to overseeing the school library, she teaches robotics to students in all grade levels.
