ASD Weekly Community Bulletin
News and Events from the Anacortes School District
On the Calendar
Dec 17-19: Regular Schedule, including late-start Wednesday
Dec 20 - Jan 2: Winter Break
Update on School Start Times
More than 1,300 students, staff and parents responded to the survey regarding possible later start times in 2019-2020. The school board discussed the results at a recent meeting. Overall, 71 percent said they supported a later start, 24 percent opposed and 5 percent were undecided or neutral. While many supported the proposal, others themes emerged such as:
1. Why can't we just flip elementary and secondary to allow elementary to start at 7:30 or 8 and secondary to start at 8:30 or 9? The challenge with this is transportation and after-school schedules. We need an hour between elementary and secondary start times to accommodate transportation. A 7:30 or 7:45 start would require some children to be picked up before 7, while an 8 am start time for elementary would mean a 9 am to 3:50 pm secondary schedule. Safety and family schedule considerations for elementary students and after-school commitments (athletics, activities, jobs) for secondary students make such a schedule untenable. This is why it's challenging for us to get to the 8:30 start time recommended by the American Pediatric Association for teenagers.
2. How do we support Fidalgo families that rely on the school's earlier start time to accommodate family work schedules? We realize that this is an important consideration for a number of Fidalgo families, and we aim to work with families to address this concern.
In related news, A Seattle Times story last week discussed the impact of Seattle moving to an 8:30 a.m. start for secondary. The research study published in Science Advances journal found that students are getting 34 minutes more sleep on average a night, a 4.5 percent increase in median grades and an improvement in attendance.
Here is a synthesis of our survey results.
All are invited to attend an upcoming community meeting to offer additional feedback or ask questions:
- Wednesday, Jan 16 at 10 a.m. at the District Office - 2200 M Avenue or
- Thursday, Jan 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Anacortes High School Library - 1600 20th Street
The school board will consider all feedback before making a decision, likely in February or March.
Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office at 360-503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org.
Conference Week Art Camp - sign up by Feb 4
Only 20 spaces available.
Click here for the online registration form.
After School Arts Program - Winter Menu
Click here for the registration form.
For more information, contact Tina Franulovich-Martin at tmartin@asd103.org. Scholarships/Free and reduced rates available.
Pedestrian Safety Tips from Officer Dotzauer
- Wear visible clothing that can be seen in our dark early-morning and early-evening hours.
- Cross safely at designated crosswalks.
- Pay attention to your surroundings when getting out of buses or cars.
- Watch for cars, buses, and bicyclists when coming into school.
- Slow down and be patient.
Anacortes Lacrosse Club: Calling all new and returning lacrosse players! Registration for the Anacortes Lacrosse Club’s Spring 2019 season is now open! We have teams for boys and girls in grades 1-8. We will also have a 4-week clinic for players in grades K-2. No experience necessary. Come join us as we grow the “fastest game on two feet” here in Anacortes! Contact anacorteslax@gmail.com with questions and register here: http://anacorteslacrosse.uslaxteams.com/
Anacortes Community Theater Classes
Anacortes Food to Go - This is a weekend backpack food program for Anacortes students. If you are in need, please contact Food to Go - (360) 708-3037 or ftgAnacortes@gmail.com
Anacortes Senior College - WINTER TERM REGISTRATION IS UNDER WAY! There's still time to enroll in courses that will begin on January 8th and run through February 14th. Several are still open for your education and enjoyment. Check out the Winter 2019 schedule at Anacortes Senior College.
Chess Club - After School at Mt Erie
Chess Club - After School at Fidalgo
Dogs on Call - Volunteer Opportunity - We need YOU and YOUR PET to help kids in need with Dogs on Call! If you are interested, click on the flyer!
Fidalgo DanceWorks - STARS - Dance for Youth and Teens with Special Needs
Foster Care Family Recruitment
Healthy Students Healthy Communities Newsletter
New Voices Young Poets from Anacortes - Dec 28
Peterson Conservatory of Music & Arts - Fall Classes
Secret Harbor - Foster Parent Info
Service Academy Info Night - Dec 27
Exciting News! Skagit Valley College Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) will have Full Day (6 ½ hour) classes, 4 days a week next school year 2018-2019. This is a free preschool for 3-5 year olds. Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided. Parent Activities and Educational opportunities. For more information or enrollment, call 360-679-5348.
Here is a copy of our application: https://skagit-my.sharepoint.com/…/EfXQIaAr4CxHnUXCkhN314YB…
Skagit Financial People Project Volunteer Educator Workshop
Strengthening Families Program - Jan 15-Feb 26
Anacortes School District
Email: anacortessd@asd103.org
Website: www.asd103.org
Location: 2200 M Avenue, Anacortes, WA, USA
Phone: 360-503-1200
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnacortesSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @AnacortesSchool