The Current
Anacortes High School's guide to monthly events.
Anacortes High School
1600 20th Street
Anacortes, WA 98221
Phone: (360) 503-1300
Fax: (360) 503-1301
Principal: Jon Ronngren
Vice Principal: Kecia Fox
Dean of Students: Mike Baribault
Athletic Director: Erik Titus
January / February 2020
Happy New Year Seahawk Families!
The month of January has presented us with weather-related challenges, but we march on none the less.
By the time you read this we will have completed semester finals and have started second semester. Second semester begins on Monday, February 3. Students will have reviewed their schedules in Advisory and know their classes. I suggest reviewing your student’s second semester schedule with them in Skyward and have them contact their counselor should they have any questions. A reminder that yearlong classes may change periods and/or instructors due to our master schedule, course offerings, course selections, and the balancing of classes. Schedule change requests will be approved if 1) there is an error in the schedule - i.e. no 3rd period, 2) schedule does not have required core academic classes, and 3) requesting different elective (depends upon availability and openings)
We are very excited to announce the return of The White Hatter to AHS on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:30 pm in Brodniak Hall for a parent/guardian presentation. For those not familiar, Darren Laur, aka The White Hatter, and his team are an internet safety and digital literacy education company that facilitate school assemblies and provide community presentations on technology safety and privacy subjects. Always an engaging and educational evening, I hope that you can find time to attend. Our students will be attending an assembly the morning of February 10.
This is a great time for senior parents to check in with their seniors regarding remaining graduation requirements, the status of their required job shadow experience, and post-secondary applications and deadlines. The last semester of high school goes quickly and I encourage you to stay involved as we near graduation. Our counselors stand by ready to assist should you have any questions.
Health and Happiness to you and yours in 2020.
In Seahawk Pride!
Jon Ronngren
Principal
Important February Dates
Monday, February 10: White Hatter Assembly
Friday, February 14: No School
Monday, February 17: Presidents' Day (No School)
Social Emotional Learning at AHS
This year at AHS we are implementing a program called Character Strong. Our Character, like any other muscle in our body, can get stronger with intentional, consistent practice. Our goal is to help students forge meaningful relationships, build positive community, focus on social-emotional learning, and develop character.
At school, students and teachers have Character Dares. If you want to try this at home, we have Family Character Dares intended to support positive family communication, acts of kindness, recreation and rest, and expressions of love. Here is this month’s Family Dare:
ASB Officers
Vice-President: Aynslee King
Secretary: Elizabeth Koals
Business Manager: Elizabeth Chambers
Advisor: Erik Titus/Robert Hancock
Vape Education at AHS in February of 2020
National and statewide outbreaks of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes and vapor products have started to show up in our community health centers. The only commonality among all cases is that patients report the use of e-cigarettes or vapor products. CDC has identified vitamin E acetate as a chemical of concern among people with vaping associated lung injury, but we don’t know enough yet to rule out other possible causes. There's still more research to be done, and there may be more than one cause.
Anacortes High School recognizes the need to educate our community on this important topic and we formally invite you to our school on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. Nurse Tammy Akard, a Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist and Leslie Hammonds, a Registered Respiratory Therapist will be present to provide education around the topic of vaping and its related health consequences. We look forward to seeing you in the Anacortes High School Commons on February 19 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Congratulations to February Students of the Month
Math: Alex Chonka
English: Lucy Theny
Science: Geoffrey Dylan
Social Studies: Serena Beckwith
Fine Arts: Keely Dittmore
CTE: Micah Apple
PE: Liz Pena Rangel
Excellent Work Ethic: Isaac Butler
World Languages: Jazzmin Serrano
Attendance: Josh Ocampo
Attitude: Gavon Long
Academics: Cyprus Harper
AVID: Sophie Chapin
Most Improved Grades: Gabriela Gomez
Spring Musical Band Geeks Performing in Brodniak Hall in March
Ticket information to follow. Please join us!
National Honor Society
We have over 130 National Honor Society Members here at Anacortes High School. NHS supports the school's commitment to building character, promoting leadership, service to the community, and scholarships.
Future NHS meetings will be the held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 AM in the school library. Students will also have the opportunity to attend Hawk Talks at different times throughout the year to learn about college and career opportunities.
Reminder About the Pre-Arranged Absence Form
Counselor's Corner
Check out the link to the Counseling Center, where you will be provided a comprehensive and engaging school counseling curriculum that encourages active participation in social-emotional, academic, and career development. Meet your counselor and access great resources!
To all parents: please remember to keep the school updated on all demographic changes such as addresses, physicians, name changes, and any legal issues. A form can be picked up and returned to the registrar's office.
Alpha breakdown of Counselor Assignments:
Maggie Lahey: Class of 2020: G-M. Classes 2021-23: H-Pa
Ashlee Poggie: Class of 2020: N-Z. Classes 2021-23: Pe-Z
The Counseling Office hours are from 7:30-4:00. Please email your counselor with any questions.
Counseling Center Announcements - February of 2020
Important Reminder for Seniors
Senior Experience Reminder
Seniors are reminded that the final documents verifying completion of your Senior Experience Projects were due Friday, January 31st in Advisory. The Senior Experience Project is a graduation requirement for all AHS seniors, except for those attending Running Start or the NCTA who do not have an AHS Advisory and meet the requirement through your Running Start or NCTA program.
Senior Meeting Regarding the “Senior Culminating Presentation”
There will be a senior class meeting on Wednesday, February 5th in the Commons during Advisory. We will be introducing the requirements for the Senior Culminating Presentation graduation requirement. Senior Culminating Presentations will take place during April, so seniors will have two months to be working on them.
Financial Aid Reminder
If you have not already done so, all seniors planning to attend a technical, 2-year or 4-year college after graduation need to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible. Please visit fafsa.ed.gov for more information and to complete your FAFSA.
Scholarships
Scholarships are posted weekly on the AHS Counseling Center web page. Many local scholarships open in late February and early March. Seniors are encouraged to visit the web page weekly.
Running Start Information Night 2/19 @ 6 p.m.
All current tenth and eleventh graders with an interest in applying to the Running Start, dual high school-college program for next year are strongly encouraged to attend the annual Running Start Info Night on Wednesday, February 19th at 6 p.m. in Brodniak Hall at AHS. A representative from Skagit Valley College will be co-presenting and there is a lot of important information that will be shared to help students decide if Running Start is right for you. Parents/guardians are also strongly encouraged to attend. We hope to see you on the 19th!
The PowerPoint slides from the meeting will be posted to the Counseling Center website a few days following the event. Anyone unable to attend should please review the PowerPoint as a starting point for answers to many of your Running Start questions.
2020 Anacortes Schools Foundation Scholarship Applications
The Anacortes Schools Foundation announces that over 100 scholarships will be awarded to Anacortes students this May. Graduating seniors and past AHS students are eligible to apply.
Information and applications will be available Monday, March 2nd at our web site: www.asfkids.org/scholarships. Get help with paper copies if needed in the counseling office.
Important Dates! Mark your calendars:
March 2: Applications available on line and in counseling office
March 31: Applications Due in counseling office by NOON
April 29-May 15: Invitations and Regrets notices sent
May 27: Awards Ceremony
Scholarships are available for students pursuing many different paths, including: 4- year and 2- year degrees, and technical and career programs. One common application makes you eligible for all ASF Scholarships.
If you intend to pursue higher education and seek financial assistance, our scholarships have varied requirements. They often depend on accuracy and attention to detail in your application. The counseling office is ready to assist you!
SAT or ACT Testing
Most four year colleges require applicants to submit scores from either the SAT of the ACT. Four year college-bound students are encouraged to take it more than once. This will give students a chance to use the higher of the test scores. Colleges in WA State will accept either the SAT or the ACT. For
out-of-state schools, please check the Admissions page for the college(s) you are interested in attending to verify their admissions test requirements. AHS is a testing site for the SAT on 06/06/20.
SAT registration and dates can be found at
http://sat.collegeboard.com/register/sat-dates
ACT registration and dates can be found at
AHS Visits in February
2/4/20: Navy
2/5/20: YMCA Oasis Youth Shelter
2/10/20: Skagit Valley College
2/11/20: USMC
2/18/20: Navy
2/19/19: YMCA Oasis Youth Shelter
2/25/20: Army
Monthly Visits (subject to change due to holidays/schedule)
1st/3rd Tuesday, US Navy, Commons, Both Lunches
Last visit for school year: June 2nd
2nd Tuesday, US Marine Corps, Commons, Both Lunches
Last visit for school year: June 9th
1st/3rd Wednesday, YMCA Oasis Youth Shelter, Commons, Both Lunches
Last visit for school year: June 3rd
4th Thursday, US Army, Commons, Both Lunches
(Note Change: June 4th)
Last visit for school year: June 4th
**Last day for any visits will be June 9th**
AHS Athletics
Winter sports practices will begin on November 18. Stay tuned to receive additional information about times and locations for practice.
Click the links for the most updated information on start dates, activities/athletic code of conduct, attendance, and SABA.
Please note: All post-season matches require payment for admission, regardless of whether a student has an ASB card.
The Rhododendron
The Seahawk Journal
The Rock
AHS Broadcast Club will record Varsity games and make them available for replay. Here's the link: www.youtube.com/ahslive. Students and parents can subscribe to the YouTube channel and get updates on live events.
SmugMug Photos
Make Sure You Read The Student Handbook
PTSA Officers for 2019-20
Vice President: Autumn Atterberry; Auttiemoore@hotmail.com
Secretary: Angie Hamblen; Hamblenangie@yahoo.com
Treasurer: Joyce Anderson; Joycesbkkping@gmail.com
Upcoming PTSA Meeting on February 3, 2020
Grad Night Class of 2020
http://ahs.asd103.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_263971/File/2020%20Grad%20Night%20Ticket%20Letter.pdf
Amazon Smile Earns Money for AHS PTSA
On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you are prompted to select a charitable organization from our list of eligible organizations. You can change your selection at any time.
From your desktop, go to Your Account from the navigation at the top of any page, and then select the option to Change your Charity. Or, from your mobile browser, select Change your Charity from the options at the bottom of the page.
Volunteering at AHS
All volunteers must have a yearly application and background check on file with the district office prior to service in our schools.
Clearance is on a one-year basis, and all volunteers must re-apply each school year. The beginning of the school year is an excellent time to complete the process, so that you can be ready to volunteer in the schools or chaperone a field trip.
Click on the link for the application:
Title IX Compliance Notice
Nondiscrimination: The Anacortes School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
K.C. Knudson, Civil Rights Compliance/ RCW Coordinator, (360) 503-1214, kknudson@asd103.org
Fran McCarthy, Section 504/ ADA Coordinator, (360) 503-1216, fmccarthy@asd103.org
Connie Sheridan, Title IX Coordinator, (360) 503-1221, csheridan@asd103.org
Written complaints to: 2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA 98221