Building to support construction & maritime trades at Vancouver Public Schools with the Endeavour Fund
Members of the community gathered Tuesday to break ground on the construction of a new building to support Vancouver Public Schools’ (VPS) students. This building will provide more space for the current construction trades magnet program and will also add a new pathway for VPS students to explore the maritime industry.
Mark Wreath, director of college & career readiness for VPS, said this about the project, “I am incredibly proud to be a part of this project. This new building symbolizes our communities commitment to equipping students with the skills needed for success after high school in the local workforce. Through the support of private donors, community partners, and our school district, we are creating pathways to family wage jobs for all students, ensuring a prosperous future for our community.”
“It has been inspiring to see the community rally to make this project a reality. We are acutely aware of how quickly this all came together. That in and of itself is incredible. Yet, without the financial support from the Endeavour Fund, this project would not have been able to come to fruition so quickly. We are so grateful and appreciative for the support from the Endeavour Fund,” comments Jenny Thompson, executive director of the Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools (FVPS).
When we asked the Endeavour Fund why they chose to give so generously they said, “We strive to ignite positive change that prioritizes youth and educational opportunities. The Endeavour Fund works collaboratively, seeking to empower our community to generate platforms for future generations.”
In a time when we know we need more people to enter the trades workforce, seeing a new building like this come together is exciting to see. What makes this project so special is that FVPS and their partners were able to develop a roadmap for how other schools could also pursue a project like this too, with a quicker than usual turnaround.
The hope is that the new building at Hudson’s Bay High School will open for students this coming fall.
The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools is an independent, 501(c)3 educational non-profit corporation established in 1988 to support Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). Governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of business, community, and education leaders, the foundation creates opportunities to cultivate and inspire student success. As an educational non-profit entity, the foundation serves students at all 40 VPS schools and programs, providing direct aid to students facing learning barriers due to economic need, as well as financial assistance for learning enrichment and mentoring programs that cannot be funded by the school district. The Foundation for VPS is supported by donations from school employees, parents, students, community members, businesses and foundations.
Information provided by Vancouver Public Schools.
Also read:
- Candidates vying to head OSPI spar over how state funds WA’s public schoolsState funding was a hot topic at an election forum featuring candidates for the office of Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction.
- County seeks volunteer to fill opening on Columbia River Gorge CommissionClark County is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Columbia River Gorge Commission.
- Former Union Titan making his mark in professional golfAfter years years of some ups and a whole lot of downs, professional golfer Alistair Docherrty, a 2012 graduate of Union High School in Vancouver, recently finished second at the Myrtle Beach Classic, a PGA Tour event, and he has a renewed level of confidence.
- NASA Astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt to connect live with Camas School District students from International Space StationThe Camas School District recently announced a unique opportunity for its students to engage with NASA Astronaut and Camas native Dr. Michael Barratt.
- Lineup announced for Vancouver Arts & Music FestivalThe Vancouver Arts & Music Festival returns to Esther Short Park and downtown Vancouver August 2-4.
- High school students launch future goals at Hockinson’s largest college and career fair eventOn May 16, over 600 Hockinson School District students and family members gathered in the HHS commons for the Launching Futures College and Career Fair event.
- Traffic delays and closures for summer road preservation work will bring improved roads for travelers in Clark CountyClark County Public Works reminds local drivers that summer is the season for road preservation projects.
Hey VSD… who you gonna get to serve as instructors once this new building is finished????? You’re laying off a bunch of your current qualified (and licensed) instructors in order to balance your overblown, bloated budget. This is resulting in a significant cut to teachers in most (all?) of the academic areas including much-needed library-science professionals.
So just who is it that’s gonna teach in this new building… teacher-aides? the custodians? unlicensed volunteers?
I had high hopes for Jeff Snell, VPS Superintendent, but those hopes are quickly fading. He can’t figure out a way to teach reading, writing, arithmetic, science, and history (the core purposes of public schools) without getting rid of licensed teachers. But he’s ok with this new undertaking? Jeff, oh Jeff… how did you lose your way so soon????