By
Kyle Freeman – OISD Elementary/Middle School Principal
Bob Connell – Parent

In an effort to improve the Orcas Island public schools, the Site Council representing the Orcas Island Elementary, Middle, and High schools gathered data from parents, guardians, and community members. The Site Council wishes to thank all those who took part in these online surveys. The information from these surveys is being used to focus our efforts in the coming years.

Areas of school strength identified in the parent/guardian and community surveys include:

• parents/guardians/community members feel welcome at the school
• students feel safe at school
• students enjoy school
• strong community connection and support

Areas of focus for our school improvement plan include:

• improved communication between school staff and parents
• effective teaching of all students
• parent vision represented in the schools
• increased parent involvement and participation
• consistent standards and curriculum

Where do we go from here?

By Stephanie Buffum Field

As an island community, we depend on barge landings, transfer stations, schools, water treatment systems and other essential public facilities. Friends of the San Juans [FRIENDS} thinks that we can and should provide those services without reducing the quality of our treasured natural surroundings. Relying on this belief, on April 13, 2010, FRIENDS appealed a San Juan County ordinance that would allow essential facilities without fully protecting wildlife or farmlands.

The Growth Management Act (GMA) directs counties to protect critical environmental areas and to conserve agricultural lands. It also directs counties to establish a process for siting essential public facilities.  Rather than reading these goals together, though, the February 9 Upland Essential Public Facilities Ordinance would elevate the status of essential facilities in a way that could sacrifice critical areas and farmlands (upland areas are lands not within shorelines). It would also loosen standards largely for public projects.

“San Juan County is one of the largest developers in the County.

By Judy Packard

Motorists it is your responsibility to Share the Road with cyclists and other vehicles on the roadway.
Tips for motorists: Motorists and bicyclists in Washington have exactly the same rights, rules and responsibilities in sharing the road.

• Motorists please slow down when passing a bicycle especially a child on a bike and give 3 feet of clearance between your vehicle and the bicycle. Provide extra passing room to bicyclists during rain and other bad weather. Wait to pass if you are uncertain about road or weather conditions.

• It is illegal to pass a bicycle if oncoming traffic is near. Wait! No vehicle shall be driven on the left side of the roadway when a bicycle or pedestrian is within view of the driver and is approaching from the opposite direction, or is present, in the roadway, shoulder, or bicycle lane within a distance unsafe to the bicyclist or pedestrian due to the width or condition of the roadway, shoulder, or bicycle lane. [RCW 46.61.125 (1)(d)]
• Yield to cyclists when you are turning. Many car/bike accidents are caused by turning in front of a cyclist.

Contributed by S. Jaen Black

Last night’s concert at the Grange — the Wanderers and Tom Rawson — proved to be a sweet, sweet night of musical history, charming musicians, and a true hootenanny.  It was the first concert I’ve ever been to that the audience sang nearly as much as the performers, and it is because all of the musicians sincerely were there to make sure NOBODY ever forgets people like Woody Guthrie and the three thousand songs he wrote.

The Wanderers, the well-seasoned duo of Carl Allen and Bill Murlin, opened the show with the news that this year marks the fiftieth year of their musical collaboration. That is remarkable and a blessing as they sure did bring us a lot of fun and great music with lots of old Woody songs and more.  Carl plays guitar, harmonica, and Bill plays banjo and guitar.

Also, they brought along a friend, Jim Portillo, that played an intriguing electric bass ukelele with strings made of polyurethane, which gave it a resonance like rubber, very rich sound for such a small instrument.  Besides perfect licks, he had a great classic, statue-like stance of a bluegrass bassist, never wavering, and then later, it was revealed he was blind and had only been playing a few weeks.

Do you think you know your own mind?  Do you believe that your judgments, decisions and beliefs are products of your conscious, rational thought processes?  Do you realize that everyone has unconscious biases?   

Dr. Anthony Greenwald offers us all a ‘wake up call’  with his presentation, “How Hidden Mental Habits Can Create Unintended Consequences.”   

All  Orcas thinkers, movers and shakers are invited to join your fellow citizens next Sunday, April 18 at 2 pm at the Orcas Center for an enlightening discussion with this leading social psychologist, who says that “current psychological research paints a complex and problematic picture.”   

In his Crossroads presentation Dr. Greenwald describes some of our methods of “implicit social cognition”, provides an overview of current psychological research and reveals how hidden mental habits may guide us, resulting in unintended thoughts and actions (such as discriminatory behavior.)  The presentation is followed by audience Q&A and a public reception.   Dr. Greenwald has been a Professor of Psychology at University of Washington since 1986.  He received an A.B. from Yale University, and both his A.M. and Ph.D.

By Jonathan White and Joe Gaydos

While driving home from a recent storm water workshop, a friend asked, “Is run-off from my small property really making its way to the ocean and causing damage?  My family has lived here 20 years, and we care about the environment as much as anyone.  Why is this suddenly becoming a problem?”

It’s a good question, and one that resonates with many of us.  When we look to science for the answer, we find that it isn’t always exact enough to show specific effects from specific human behaviors.

While science may not be able to tell us the specific effect of each and every household on water quality, it does tell us something unequivocally:  that polluted run-off is making its way into our environment in quantities that are measurable and damaging.

Mike Kaill, of San Juan Island, maintains a public aquarium at the end of Spring Street where he cares for anemones, fish, and other marine creatures.  The aquarium, intended for educational purposes, circulates seawater from the harbor.  Several years ago, Mike noticed that some of the critters were dying, so he tested the water.  What showed up surprised him.  In repeated tests over the last three years, surfactants and other compounds were showing up in lethal doses.

By Laura Trevellyan, DVSAS Prevention Coordinator/Youth Advocate

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Washington State. Locally and around the state, individuals, youth, communities, schools, and agencies will be taking action to increase awareness about sexual assault and to end sexual violence. I am writing to ask for your help in this work.

The issue is pressing. One out of every four girls and one out of every six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. A recent survey conducted by the Washington State Office of Crime Victims Advocacy found that one third of all women in Washington State have experienced some form of sexual assault. Unfortunately, our beautiful islands are not exempt from these statistics.

To address this problem that in one way or another impacts all of us, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of the San Juan Islands is organizing several community events and activities, including:

• Be the Solution 5k Run/Walk. Sunday April 25th at the high school.
• Information and awareness display at the Orcas Public Library.
• “I am anti- violence and pro….” community wide poster campaign

The theme of this year’s Awareness Month is “Be the Solution.” By discovering and rethinking the ways that people can be a solution, the campaign seeks to make a meaningful impact on sexual violence.

Contributed by Hilary Canty, Executive Director, Orcas Island Community Foundation

The Orcas Island Community Foundation 2010 Grants cycle is in full swing. Come join the fun!

Partners in Philanthropy are individuals, organizations and businesses who collaborate with OICF in granting funds to the Orcas community. OICF funds grants through investment returns from the community endowment, but that is only part of the story.  The Partners program, now in its 5th year, supports projects and organizations that match donors’ areas of interest.  The OICF grants committee, made up of trustees and community volunteers, carefully assesses all proposals and requires that all grantees report the impact of funded programs.  Partners review the committee’s vetted and prioritized proposal list and can choose to fully or partially fund one or more projects, or contribute to the overall pool for the committee to distribute.  Over the years, Partner contributions have ranged from $100 to $10,000.

This year, OICF has received 33 proposals from 31 nonprofits, requesting a total of $185,000.  This is an increase of nearly ten percent over the amount sought in 2009.  Many applications are seeking assistance for basic salary and operating expenses as a result of the ongoing economic downturn.

By Madie Murray, Farm to Cafeteria Committee

Geddes Martin, chef at the Inn at Ship Bay Restaurant, knows how to make more than 300 kids, parents and teachers smile: serve them herb roasted chicken, mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy, carrots and plum crisp with fresh whipped cream on Celebrity Chef day at the public school cafeteria.
This once-a-month Farm to Cafeteria event during the school year has become a real favorite.  It has bolstered the number of students eating in the school cafeteria as well as the community’s involvement and excitement about the Farm to Cafeteria Program as a whole.
Although patterned after Lopez Island’s Harvest Meals where Island chefs prepare dinner for the entire community at their school cafeteria once a month, our Celebrity Lunch Day is not a fundraiser.  It has, however, increased the school’s food service revenues.  Normally, a school cafeteria is a drain on the school’s budget which is why many schools are considering dropping food service altogether.   By using more local organic foods, practicing scratch cooking methods and raising the overall quality and nutritional value of school lunches, it is possible for the cafeteria to actually become self-sustaining because more students, teachers and parents are opting to buy lunch at the cafeteria rather than go off campus or brown bag it.

Probably most people on the island have received and (hopefully completed) their census form and mailed it in.  Unfortunately, some people, especially senior citizens are reluctant to divulge any information to the government, no matter what information it is collecting.

Please, I encourage every one on the island to complete your census for and get it mailed in.  Many of you may not know how important this is.  Based on the demographics of our island and other communities across the United States, the census results determine the amount of federal funds to be allocated to those communities.  They also use the numbers to determine which programs are to be funded, and may reallocate the number of representatives delegated to each district, existing or recreated.

This is important information to be used for the next ten years.  The only way we can truly benefit from the results of the census is to have everyone complete and mail their forms in.  Especially you, Seniors.  If you have questions or need help with your form, call the Senior Center at 376-2677 and ask for Linda.  We’re here to help.  That’s our job.

To date, over 70 parents, guardians and community members have taken one of the School Site Council’s surveys.  There are different surveys geared to parents/guardians, community members, teachers and others, all anonymous and all designed to aid the school district in its school improvement process.
If you haven’t yet taken a survey, please consider adding your voice and comments by either obtaining a hard copy of the survey from the district or front offices at school, or taking the survey online.  The survey(s) take only a few minutes to complete (please be sure to hit “submit” for each page of the survey!) and can be accessed on the front page of the OISD website:

www.orcasislandschools.org

Thanks in advance for being a part of this important process.
Barb Skotte
PTSA President, Orcas Island Public Schools

By Phil Heikkinen, Director, Orcas Island Public Library

On Friday, March 19, nine community members will start a planning process to help see us through the next three to five years. The Library Board and staff see our long-range plan as a key in annual budgeting, as well as a guide to how to configure our ongoing services and resources.
Our current plan dates from the spring of 2005, when another committee of community members listed three priorities. Two of them focused on maintaining a strong core collection of materials and online resources in the realms of human knowledge and self-expression. The third priority was to offer materials, services, and programs reflecting current issues and interests important to our community.
Now we are looking for direction again. We want to check in with the community to see whether this is time to reaffirm those priorities, tweak them, or take off in new directions. I invite anyone interested in sharing feedback to contact either a committee member (listed below) or me.
The first planning meeting is scheduled from 1 to 5 pm on Friday, March 19, at the Episcopal Parish Hall in Eastsound.

By Rivkah Sweedler

The story of Colton Harris-Moore is a cautionary tale of what happens when a society does not provide in a positive way for its children, as when a society spends more on prisons than on schools, more on war than on health care.
We as a society have an increasing number of children with ADHD, depression and other imbalances. Medicating, punishing and imprisoning are not useful ways to help afflicted persons regain their stability and centeredness so they can be positive members of society.
When I was in Cuba in 2000, I did a story telling in a neighborhood school. I observed among the children a strong sense of cooperation and looking out for one another. Among U.S. schools I had been observing competitiveness and bullying. When asked, the Cubans explained that their philosophy as a Nation was that one should look out for and be kind to the more troublesome or difficult children. This way they would not grow up to be a problem or threat to the community, but rather a part of it. I would call this “Properganda”!

The news of the Ace Hardware attempted break-in this weekend has pumped life into the bored, bond-weary, environmentally-critiquing Orcas public, and the town is buzzing with conjecture about the Moldy Hairy Colt who may be running rogue throughout our sleepy village.
But that is why we see Scott Lancaster’s stoic integrity and refusal to pander to the romanticism that a “common thief” (in Lancaster’s words) engenders, as inspirational.
Lancaster said on Monday that he had been contacted by no less than a dozen “news” shows for interviews about the Sunday morning alarm at his store. He refused them all. He was told that Sheriff Bill Cumming had also refused to be interviewed. Far more helpful is Cumming’s frequent advice to take action to prevent burglaries; such advice kept a “successful” break-in from happening at Ace Hardware this time.
Yes, there is a “romantic” element to a “kid” who has the chutzpah to steal planes, destroy surveillance equipment and elude arrest, but, especially locally, isn’t that a little dismissive of the nerds, the wonks, the grinds, the “ordinary Joes” who labor day in and day out to make our everyday life a little better, a little easier, a little more pleasant and safe for our children and elders?

Updated Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.

Having completed our first two public meetings, we as your recently elected Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (‘OIPRD’) commissioners would like to clarify what seem to be some common misperceptions about the District.
First, this newly formed local body, despite its similar name, is not a replacement for the existing county program called Orcas Rec.; a longstanding and highly valued organization.  (Interestingly, the taxing district title of ‘Park and Rec’. is actually one created by the state).  While Orcas Rec. was mentioned frequently in the materials promoting the formation of this District by its supporters, along with the Funhouse, our schools and other equally worthy local organizations, and while it is among the top priorities that we are in the active process of addressing, they are wholly different organizations.
It should also be noted that this new District, while created by a wide 72% margin of ‘Yes’ votes, was not funded, and consequently cannot disperse even a dime to any organizations until it is; when and if the public may or may not deem it worthy of its support.  Orcas Rec.

Behind the stage in Act II, the performers "quietly" act out their own drama. Photo courtesy of Chris Thomerson.

In the howling, romping fun of “Noises Off,” at the Orcas Grange, it’s easy to forget about the painstaking work of timing, blocking, memorization, and characterization that go into the portrayal of comedic characters.
But, two days after seeing the Actors Theater of Orcas Island present “Noises Off,” I’m still grinning and shaking my head in wonder and admiration for what Doug Bechtel and his troupe of actors has pulled off in this quintessentially British farce, which plays again this Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at the Grange.
The structure of the play needs to be understood to fully appreciate what the Actors Theater have achieved: in Act I, our Orcas Island cast portrays a troupe of actors in final rehearsal of a play called “Nothing On,” placed in a country home where “no one is in residence,” but all kinds of characters appear; in Act II, the Grange audience sees a “live” performance of the play a month later – only from the backstage perspective, so the “actors” are frantically miming backstage as they call out their lines to the audience; finally in Act III, we are at the final performance of the play, again from the audience perspective, when everything that can go wrong, does go wrong (and you get the feeling that everything that CAN’T go wrong, still does go wrong).

I want to follow up the letter I wrote to correct a few misperceptions I had, and may have given. I talked with the man who removes the signs and is the enforcer for all the county codes. Being only one man, he must be very busy, yet he took the time to talk with me. He was courteous and helpful, and willing to share what information he had, including sending me the sign ordinance part specific to Eastsound.
The Ordinance (section 16.55.300(D) of the San Juan County Code – Eastsound Subarea Plan) as it now stands, states that there can be NO free standing signs anywhere in Eastsound, even on private property.
I’m not sure where the boundaries of ‘Eastsound’ are. Outside of ‘Eastsound,’ a  different section of the Plan states that some free standing signs for events can be put up for short periods of time, but nothing commercial may be advertised.
The sign ordinance was pushed forward by a vocal few, not the many. It is coming under review by the County Council, who have received complaints about it and are aware that it’s flawed.

I’m writing to speak to Senator Kevin Ranker’s remarks about his vote in the Senate to suspend the rule requiring a 2/3 majority before increasing taxes.
I’m sure Senator Ranker has had to make very tough decisions. Many in our state have been devastated by the economic crisis caused by the banking industry
. We have a serious problem in our country with deregulation. Foxes guarding the henhouse is the quality of representation we’re getting in D.C.
It doesn’t help that our country is mired in expensive ongoing wars and that many of our jobs have been shipped overseas to maximize corporate profits. Our country is being sold out from under us, and both major political parties are responsible.
We must end corporate domination of our elections. Then our representatives would have incentive to represent our best interests over the interests of corporations that profit from wars and outsourcing jobs. We need publicly funded elections.
Our U.S. House Representative, Rick Larsen, a former lobbyist, too often favors corporate interests over the needs of the people in our district. He doesn’t lead, nor does he project a vision for a future that is both economically and environmentally sustainable.

“Ignoring the problem will only make it worse.”

By Terry Whalen, Owner, A1 Marine Services

A1 Marine Services began raising and removing derelict vessels from the waters and beaches of San Juan County through the Derelict Vessel Program in 2004.
After that first boat, it took us about two years to actually get a signed contract with San Juan County. During that two year period we were still removing derelict vessels, but we were just doing it without a contract.
In December of 2008 San Juan County dropped the Derelict Vessel Program; however, just because the County has dropped the program, it does not mean the problem has gone away. The latest boat that was salvaged through the Derelict Vessel Program was just two weeks ago.
I have talked to a lot of people over the last few months about the Derelict Vessel Program but it seems to have just fallen on deaf ears. It is as though, if it’s not on a beach in front of their house they don’t care.  I have given it a lot of thought about why nobody seems to care about what happens to these derelict vessels and I am convinced that it is because people really don’t know what happens when on of these things go down.

By Laura Trevellyan, DVSAS Prevention Coordinator/Youth Advocate

As Valentines Day approaches and talk of love surrounds us I would like to take a moment to spread the word on a topic that is unfortunately closely connected… dating violence.
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. This month provides an excellent opportunity for our community to demonstrate its commitment to ending teen dating violence and to support the numerous victims and survivors who are among us. One in three adolescent girls in the US is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner. These violent relationships can have serious consequences for victims – putting them at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior, suicide and adult re-victimization.
This February is the time to educate about the seriousness of teen dating violence and the prevalence of this epidemic in our lives.  The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault services (DVSAS) would be honored if you would help spread the word and support us in the prevention of teen dating violence.