Letters to the editor | June 11 edition
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Cell phone policy
I write to encourage VISD parents to contact school board members to advocate for a “bell to bell” cell phone policy throughout the district, mirroring McMurray’s current policy (students do not access their phones from the first bell of the day to the last bell of the day). At the May 28 meeting, board members discussed numerous studies identifying the negative impact of phones in our schools on student learning, mental health and social development. It was stated that a significant majority of parent emails to the board wanted cell phones away for the full day.
In the VHS teacher survey, in response to the question, “which of the following policy options do you believe would be most effective for improving the learning environment,” 50% of teachers identified a full away for the day policy. (Only 25% selected the current policy.) Yet the board appears reluctant to vote for a district-wide “bell to bell” policy due to logistics and implementation challenges. Countless other school districts have accomplished this, providing models to learn from. We can do this.
VISD school board members have the power to make a change to improve student learning and mental health, and the teaching environment for teachers. Parent voices matter — we elected this board to be our voice and do the right thing for our students — even when it’s hard.
They need to hear from us before or at their Thursday, June 11, 6 p.m. meeting. Knowing they have the support of our community will help them to move forward with a policy that may present challenges, but ultimately serves our students and teachers best. Please contact our school board to support a “bell to bell” policy.
Maria Porter Steward
Become a friend of the Cemetery District
The Cemetery District is preparing to propose a ballot measure seeking a tax increase to support cemetery operations, maintenance and long-term preservation efforts.
Community members are invited to participate in a newly formed advisory and discussion group. The group is intended to provide an open forum for residents both in support of and opposed to the ballot measure, ensuring that all perspectives are heard as the district evaluates community needs and financial challenges.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, offer ideas and help shape public understanding of the proposal before it appears in the November ballot.
The district’s goal is to encourage honest and respectful community dialogue, whether residents support or oppose a tax increase, we want everyone to have a seat at the table.
Meeting dates, times, and locations will be announced soon. Residents interested in participating or receiving updates may contact the Cemetery District at cemeterydistrict1@hotmail.com or 98070cemeterycommissioner@gmail.com.
Catherine Sullivan Cemetery Commissioner Position #1
Time & Again: Vashon Pride
I very much appreciated “Time & Again: Vashon Pride,” which covered the history of the LGBTQIA2S+ community on Vashon. While many islanders believe we live in a big blue bubble where we all get along, I think it’s critically important to look at our history squarely in the face, lest we repeat it, and that we recognize and respond to any acts of discrimination that occur here now, no matter how seemingly insignificant.
I also think language matters, and, in that regard, I had to wonder about the sentence, “Today islanders recognize that Vashon has mostly accepted our LGBTQ+ neighbors at a time when we are increasingly becoming an unsafe nation for these neighbors.”
I’m not sure who “our” refers to, but it seems to reference an unspoken majority of non-LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Are we who identify as heterosexual the decision makers who get to decide who we include?
Heteronormativity, the definition of heterosexuality as the normative human sexuality, is often unconscious and without malintent. Still, I believe we are one another’s neighbors, and no one group gets to be the in-charge group. True confession, I’m also not into “our youth,” “our seniors,” or “our immigrants.” I can hear the naysayers chiding me for being picky. My goal is to be inclusive in a way that prioritizes equity and mutuality. We’re all in this together.
Janie Starr
