Two exceptions to the start date are designed to help kindergarten and sixth grade students make a smooth transition

The first day of school for Vancouver Public Schools is Aug. 30 for most of the anticipated 21,000 students. Two exceptions to the start date are designed to help kindergarten and sixth grade students make a smooth transition.

Vancouver Public Schools at a glance

• New educators hired: 115 
• Student enrollment: approximately 21,000 students 
• Immunizations are required for the first day of school. VPS families can access an immunization clinic on Sept. 1 to get their children immunized. 
• COVID updates

Sixth grade kickstart: VPS sixth graders are invited to a full-day orientation at their schools on Aug. 29. Sixth grade kickstart gives first-time middle schoolers a preview of their new school schedule, classes and teachers without older students in attendance. Transportation, breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Kindergarten soft start: Kindergartners will start school on Sept. 2. The three-day delay allows kindergarten teachers time to meet with the families of their incoming kindergarten students.Teachers will learn more about their new students and answer questions families may have about school.

Planning for the future: A planning process to set the future of VPS will begin this year. Families, students, staff and community members can provide input now. Additional opportunities to be involved will be announced this fall. 

School administrative changes

• Anderson Elementary School: Nichole Reinfeldt is the new principal at Anderson Elementary. She previously was the principal at Lent K-5 Dual Language School in Portland Public Schools. Harrison Bardo, former principal at Anderson, is associate principal at Lincoln and Salmon Creek elementary schools.
• Eisenhower Elementary School: Mark Jordan, previously associate principal at Eisenhower and Lincoln elementary schools, is the new principal at Eisenhower. He replaced Craig Homnick who retired in June with 35 years of service in VPS. 
• Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School: Dana Re-Bloom is the new principal at King following Adley Copeland’s move to the district’s assistant director for professional development. Melle Soles, who served as dean of students at King, is the new associate principal at the school.
• Marshall Elementary School: Mandie Greene, formerly associate principal at Gaiser Middle School, replaced Bobbi Geenty as principal at Marshall Elementary School. Geenty retired in June with 29 years of service in VPS. Paul Lewis, a K-6 principal from Napavine School District in Napavine, WA, replaces Greene as associate principal at Gaiser. 
• Jason Lee Middle School: Sally Kroon, previously dean of students and instructional coach at McLoughlin Middle School, is associate principal at Jason Lee Middle School. She replaces associate principal Patrick Mahaney who left the district.
• Thomas Jefferson Middle School: Kristyn Westphal is the new principal at Jefferson Middle School. Westphal replaces Luke LeCount who took a position at Battle Ground Public Schools. Westphal comes from Portland Public Schools where she was senior director of middle schools. Alison Watson, former associate principal at Jefferson Middle School, is now associate principal at Skyview High School. She replaces Ian Mansfield who took a position at Ridgefield School District. Alyssa Alvord, previously associate principal at Lake Shore and Salmon Creek elementary schools, is associate principal at Jefferson.
• Columbia River High School: Kimberly Johns, from Portland Public Schools, is a new  associate principal at Columbia River. She fills a position held by Nick Davies who is now associate principal at Eisenhower and Lake Shore elementary schools. 
• Hudson’s Bay High School: Spencer Williams, previously dean of students, is now associate principal at Bay. He replaces interim associate principal Eric Sakshaug, who has taken a position in Battle Ground Public Schools.
• Vancouver Innovation, Technology and Arts Learning Lab: Jennifer Blechschmidt is the principal at the VITA Learning Lab, a  program for project-based learning during the 2022-23 school year.

Information provided by Vancouver Public Schools.