San Juan Island School District is happy to announce that we have achieved two-year contracts with both the teachers’ union, San Juan Education Association (SJEA), and the classified employees union, Public School Employees of Washington (PSE).  Both contracts target additional funds for the purpose of honoring employees with the greatest longevity in the school district. 

The SJEA contract has raised the starting salary of new teachers with a BA degree and no experience or credits to $50,160.00 this year and $52,428.00 next year.  Earnings for experienced teachers with an MA/PHD, the most longevity and credits will increase to $97,002 this school year and will top out next school year at $101,386.00.  The overall average of SJISD teachers’ salaries this year is $78,155 and next year will increase to $82,875.  In addition, teachers will receive increased classroom budgets, higher special workload stipends and improved instructional load standards.

Salary schedules are available to the public on the District website at this link https://www.sjisd.wednet.edu/Page/2088.

All negotiating teams worked with a strong sense of purpose and teamwork to achieve these agreements. We are especially pleased to have signed them as early in the year as we did enabling us to fully concentrate our energies on the District’s continuing focus of student performance.

Paul Allen – Microsoft Blog photo

Allen’s Generosity Created Greater Safety and Connection in San Juan County

The world lost a true friend in the passing of Paul Allen. Many are telling the stories of his incredible contributions to science, technology and humanity around the world and particularly in Washington State. You may not realize it, but Allen’s generosity is responsible for the improvements OPALCO was able to make for the safety of our crews in the field and access to first responders county wide.

In 2014, Paul Allen’s company, Vulcan, carved out a small block of 600 MHz spectrum and made it available to OPALCO. San Juan County has such a small population base – we would not have ever had access to this key element of connectivity without Allen’s foresight and generosity. Owning that spectrum set OPALCO up for success with the purchase of Rock Island Communication and made it possible to build a wireless network in San Juan County.

Whether a member of your family is out in the field as a lineworker, law enforcement officer or emergency medical provider; whether you or your family have ever benefited from local emergency services; whether you or a family member can now work remotely from home; whether you’ve noticed the increased coverage for mobile communications county-wide; or whether you can simply appreciate the opportunity to stream a movie at home all the way through without buffering: Paul Allen made it all possible.

Please join us in sending our thoughts of gratitude and peace to the family of Paul Allen. May we all take inspiration from his philanthropic spirit for the greater good.

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Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) is our member-owned cooperative electric utility, serving more than 11,000 members on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 95% greenhouse-gas free and is generated predominantly by hydroelectric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937. Follow OPALCO @OrcasPower on Facebook and Twitter.

The students at the Shaw Island School recently won first place in a statewide contest promoting earthquake preparedness and safety. Sponsored by the Cascadia Regional Earthquake Workgroup, the competition solicited videos from schools across Washington.

Timed to promote the Great Shake Out earthquake drill, this is the second year of the contest, and the second year that Shaw has taken home a prize.

It’s not to late for islanders to sign up for Thursday’s Shake Out exercise: www.shakeout.org/washington

Some comments from the students: Read More »

Nine school- and preschool-aged children have CONFIRMED cases of varicella (chickenpox) on Lopez, Orcas and Shaw islands, with additional possible cases awaiting evaluation from health care providers within the county. 

Schools have been alerted of the current outbreak. Parents are encouraged to check their child’s vaccination status and ensure their children are fully immunized against the chickenpox virus (two doses). Symptoms of chickenpox include fever, fatigue and a rash that progresses from the head to other parts of the body.

If you or your child has symptoms of chickenpox, please seek medical attention (call first) and remain at home until the rash is completely gone and all the blisters are dried. This means not attending/participating in sporting events, traveling on the ferry (unless staying in your car), or going into other community gathering places, such as libraries, stores or community centers where others may be exposed during your illness. Read More »

Skagit Valley College to offer two travel abroad opportunities to Spain and Portugal

If a visit to the Iberian Peninsula is on your bucket list, then you will want to join SVC Music Department Chair, Dr. Diane Johnson, on one of two travel abroad opportunities to Spain and Portugal in 2019.

Dr. Johnson will lead a trip to Barcelona and Madrid March 21-29. Travelers will have an opportunity to enjoy the art, music, cuisine, and culture of Barcelona and Madrid. For more information, visit https://www.efcollegestudytours.com/professors-trip/2091817WE

On June 21-30, Dr. Johnson will lead a trip of SVC student singers and community singers to Lisbon and Porto, Portugal. Community singers, who are interested in this trip, should contact diane.johnson@skagit.edu to review the requirements needed for singing on the trip.

Both study abroad trips are open to SVC staff, faculty, students, and community members. For more information, contact Dr. Diane Johnson at 360.416.7655 or diane.johnson@skagit.edu

Photo Credit: Jeanne Hyde, Storyteller/Documentarian of The Whale Museum’s Orca Adoption Program

Summer may have gone but Fall is here, which means it is time to gear down and reconnect with others interested in learning more about the Salish Sea! Everyone is welcome to come join us for two big events this weekend being put on by The Whale Museum: Saturday, October 20: Gear Down Workshop for Marine Naturalists and Sunday, October 21: TWM’s 3rd annual Research Symposium. Both events will be held at the San Juan Island Grange Hall and doors open at 9:30 am for both events. 

On Saturday, the “Gear Down” Workshop will focus on research and recovery efforts related to Southern Resident killer whales (SRKWs) and salmon. Invited presenters include: Kenneth Warheit (WDFW) on finfish health regulations of marine (net-pen) aquaculture, and the relative risks of Piscine Orthoreovirus (PRV) to native salmonids in the Salish Sea; Amelia Bahr (Stewardship Partners) on engaging in salmon conscious stewardship; Kendra Smith on SRKW Recovery Efforts and the Whale Warning Flag Pilot Project; and Taylor Shedd (TWM) on foraging characteristics of the SRKWs. A no-host reception at Mike’s Café & Wine Bar will follow. Read More »

Here’s the latest from San Juan Community Theatre…

Have you seen the show that everyone is raving about? There are just four more chances to do so!

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday’s performances are at 7:30 pm (and Thursday is Pay What You Can) and we finish the run with a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 pm.

You can get tickets online at sjctheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (360) 378-3210. The Box Office is open Tuesday-Friday 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Saturday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, and one hour before each performance. Don’t miss out on this incredible production!

Silent Sky Cast:

Henrietta Leavitt: Essine Kilpatrick-Boe
Annie Cannon: Deb Langhans
Williamina Fleming: Carol Hooper
Margaret Leavitt: Chelsea Parrott
Peter Shaw: Adam Parrott

The Class of 2019 Kicks off Grad Night Fundraising

Deluxe Noble Wreath

The Friday Harbor High School Senior Class of 2019/PTSA is now taking orders for their annual Holiday Wreath sale.

Get your beautiful, aromatic, long-lasting, 24” Northwest Noble Fir wreath with pinecones, berries, and a handmade bow in the color of your choice for only $25! These wreaths make great gifts for friends, family, neighbors and business associates.

Also, new this year, the Senior Class is selling delicious homemade pecan and pumpkin pies for $20 for Thanksgiving! Simplify your holiday by purchasing a pie or two while supporting Grad Night!

These TWO fall fundraisers are the largest fundraisers for the Class of 2019. Proceeds go directly towards paying for Grad Night: a memorable, safe and sane graduation celebration. Read More »