Welcome to Chinook Elementary, home of the Wolf Pups!
I am honored to be principal at Chinook Elementary School. We have an awesome staff, great students and a wonderfully supportive family community.
I have worked in the field of education for the past 36 years. I received my undergraduate degree in human development and family studies from Cornell University and a master’s degree in special education from Vanderbilt University. I also earned a special education administrator’s credential from Central Washington University and my principal’s credential from Washington State University. I worked in the field of special education for many years as a teacher, outdoor educator and program administrator. Prior to coming to Chinook in 2003, I was principal at Hough Elementary School.
My vision for Chinook focuses on three core areas: high expectations (academic rigor and exemplary student behavior); community connections (families should feel welcome and involved and partnerships should be nurtured); and joy (“Every child should know some joy each day at school and look forward to some joyous event for the morrow.”). I am currently studying best practices in the areas of student data analysis, effective instructional strategies and utilizing technology as a powerful tool to communicate with our families.
On a personal note, I have two great sons. Zach, who graduated from Indiana University with a degree in jazz performance (piano), now is a full-time musician in New York City. My son Andrew graduated from Western Washington University and currently is living and working in Salzburg, Austria, as well as studying opera. For fun, I like to exercise, play banjo and guitar in a bluegrass band, read and go to the movies.
Please feel free to contact me at 360-313-1600 or joe.lapidus@vansd.org.
Sincerely,
Joe Lapidus
Principal, Chinook Elementary
Principal’s updates
From the principal: February 2016
Classroom Visits We love to see our many parents and volunteers at Chinook. For the safety of our students, and to ensure that the learning environments are not disturbed, we would like to ask that [...]
