ASD Weekly Community Bulletin
News and Events from the Anacortes School District
On the calendar
Nov 7 - School Board Meeting
Nov 8 - No School (Staff Development Day)
Nov 11 - No School (Veterans Day)
School board receives statewide ‘Board of Distinction’ award
The Anacortes school board has again been recognized as one of the top school boards in the state. In an announcement on November 1, the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) recognized Anacortes with a 2019 “Board of Distinction” award for their excellent work and commitment to both students and community.
School board members are Bobbilyn Hogge, Erin Rieger, Bill Shaw, Marilyn Hanesworth and Matt Cutter. The board is now eligible for a “School Board of the Year” award, which will be announced at the upcoming WSSDA annual conference on November 22.
This is the sixth time that Anacortes has been honored. Anacortes is one of only 12 districts statewide that have received the award five or more times.
Thirty-seven school boards statewide were named this year out of 295 districts. Anacortes and Mount Vernon were both recognized from Skagit County.
The award highlighted the district’s work related to equity and closing the achievement gap, especially through the district’s summer Impact program and social-emotional learning. It also acknowledged the board’s outreach efforts related to changing school start times.
“We have made important progress in the last year by launching a new summer school program, introducing social-emotional programs across schools and addressing a community desire for later start times,” said Board President Bobbilyn Hogge. “I am proud of the research and outreach we have done on these programs to support the success of all of our students.”
The board also presented data showing increased student achievement in state assessments, reduction in ninth-grade failure rates, and improved graduation rates. Anacortes ranked first of 35 districts in northwest Washington on 2019 state assessments, while districtwide graduation rates have increased above 90 percent for the first time in district history and ninth grade failure rates dropped significantly in 2018-2019.
“Our board carefully monitors student progress as it relates to district goals, and sets a high bar for student achievement,” said Superintendent Mark Wenzel. “This recognition represents an incredible effort by our entire staff across schools, as well as the board’s intentionality in staying focused on a strategic plan and aligning the system to the goals of that plan.”
United Way Campaign Underway
More information about United Way's programs can be found here: https://unitedwayskagit.org/
Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office at (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org.
AHS/ Cap Sante/ AMS Annual Update
Please login to Skyward Family Access to verify your information:
You can confirm/ change:
- Mailing address
- Phone numbers
- Emergency contacts and more
If you newly enrolled a student this year, you do not need to update your information.
Questions? Contact Wendy Durham, (360) 503-1212 or wdurham@asd103.org
HIV/ AIDS Prevention Education Info Night
Curriculum and materials that will be used for HIV/AIDS education will be presented and available for inspection. HIV/AIDS prevention education is an annual state requirement, beginning in Grade 5.
A student may be removed from HIV/AIDS prevention education if the student’s parent or guardian, having attended a district presentation, objects in writing to such participation.
Parent requests to exempt their children from the HIV/AIDS Education Awareness Program will be honored. The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for parents to review the curriculum materials. An exemption form will be available at the meeting.
Questions? Contact District Nurse Emily Wade - ewade@asd103.org
Ski/Snowboard Bus sign-up:
The Anacortes/Burlington Mt. Baker Winter Ride Program is open to all students in 6-12 grade.
-8 week program starting January 4th 2020 (Saturdays only)
- No experience necessary
-Ski/snowboard equipment rental available
-Lessons available & optional
-Transportation is provided by a private charter bus
-Restroom facilities available during travel
Information and Sign up locations areas follows:
November 6th 5:30-7:30
Northwest Career and Technical Academy - 2205 West Campus Place
Mount Vernon 98273
November 7th 5:30-7:30 at the Anacortes High School commons.
A Mt. Baker representative will be on hand for those purchasing seasons passes and to answer questions. Sign ups will run through December 15th and are in a first come first serve basis. All weekly trips are chaperoned.
Please join the Facebook page “Anacortes Winter Ride” for more details or contact: Stacy Doyle - (360) 840-5133
Anacortes Boys & Girls Club Updates:
Club Closure Nov 1st
The Anacortes Boys & Girls Club will be closed Friday, November 1st due to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Skagit County's Great Futures Gala. This is our organizational fundraiser which helps with operational costs for all clubs in Skagit County. If you have any questions please let me know.
Anacortes Boys & Girls Club Enrollment Info
After School Arts Classes for Kids - new days!
After School Spanish Classes for Kids - new days!
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 Robotics Booster Club (ARBC)
We sponsor robotics teams within the FIRST progression of programs at all grade levels (K-12). Visit the ARBC website to learn more, or e-mail us at info@AnacortesRobotics.org with questions. Each program level has its own calendar of important dates for team formation, meetings, and tournaments.
ABRC FIRST Lego League JR Boomtown Build
ABRC FIRST Lego League City Shaper
Anacortes Parks & Rec Programs:
APRD is partnering with Challenger Sports to offer a Tiny Tykes Soccer Program. (See this flyer for registration information.)
There are much more APRD recreation opportunities listed in our Fall A-Town Publication which can be found online HERE.
Anacortes Police Dept - Vote for K-9 T-Bone to win an Aftermath K-9 Grant! This grant awards a total of $16,500 to nominated agencies or first responder K-9 teams in the US which can be used to maintain or expand a K-9 program. The grant recipients will be determined by popular vote, and the top seven departments/teams in terms of votes will receive a portion of the grant money. Voting opens up on October 23 at 5:00 AM and closes on November 3 at 11:59 PM. Legal residents of the US ages 6 and older and eligible to vote, and voting via the Aftermath website can be done every 24 hours (literally 24 hours have to pass between votes). Voting instructions, including the URL for the voting website, are below. Keep in mind that you may additionally vote once daily on Instagram (follow @AftermathK9Grant) by liking the daily K9 post and making a comment letting them know you are voting for the Anacortes Police Department and K9 T-Bone.
How to vote?
1. Visit www.aftermath.com/k9grant.
2. Click region your K9 is located.
3. Find your photo (use the left and right arrows at the bottom of the page to scroll between nominees if you don’t see your photo).
4. Click picture to see the full size photo (photos may be cut off to fit square voting panels).
5. Click “Vote”.
6. Enter your first and last name along with your email address and select the “reCAPTCHA” box (this information will not be saved, it’s used to insure that you are a real person and that you can vote once every 24 hours).
7. Click “Vote”.
8. Share your vote via social media!
ASF Celebrate the Season Marketplace - Vendors Needed - Due Nov 30. The ASF is looking for Student/Club/Team vendors for the Celebrate the Season Marketplace December 7th and 8th, from 11-3pm. Come sell your art, crafts, gifts, packaged foods or fundraiser items at the Family Holiday Fair at the Port of Anacortes. Space is limited so submit your application asap.
Winter CSA Opportunity in Anacortes
Boldly Grown Farm is a certified organic farm in Skagit Valley. Our family farm grows fall & winter vegetables to feed our community during the typical off-season. Our Winter CSA (community supported agriculture) program has expanded to Anacortes this season! We are excited to partner with the Island Hospital Health Resource Center as a drop site.
With our CSA share, you can look forward to:
- 12 bountiful, biweekly veggie boxes from late October through early April
- High-quality, certified organic produce, from staples to specialty items
- Value-added products like kraut, chili powder and more
- Produce storage tips and recipes from your food-loving farmers
- Convenient drop sites in Seattle, Skagit Valley and Bellingham
All the details are on our website, so head on over to learn more about our CSA program and sign up to get your share at Island Hospital. We hope you'll consider joining us for a winter of local, sustainable—and of course, delicious!—eating.
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!
All fourth graders are eligible to see America’s natural wonders and historic sites for free through the Every Kid Outdoors Program! This program provides fourth graders and their families access to public lands (NATIONAL PARKS, FORESTS, WILDLIFE AREAS, BLM, ETC.) for one year. Passes can be printed and brought with the child on their park visit. Encourage fellow educators, parents and friends with fourth graders to download their Every Kid Outdoors pass today!
Fidalgo DanceWorks is now accepting new students of all ages! Ballet, jazz, tap, modern and many more classes are currently enrolling for September. Please see our full schedule at www.fidalgodanceworks.org. Classes are filling fast!
Kaleidoscope Play and Learn Groups
Mt. Erie Elementary Food Drive November 4-15th: We are collecting non perishable food goods to help local food banks fill their shelves before the holidays. Donation boxes will be in each classroom to make it easy for students to contribute.
Mt. Erie Elementary Scholastic "Snow Much to Read" Book Fair, November 12th -19th in the library (open to public school days 8:30-4:30pm ):
- Sign up to volunteer with set-up or book sale shifts: https://signup.com/go/YBeDPNX
- Set up an "e-wallet" so your student can pay at school without carrying cash: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html
- Shop the book fair online from November 7-18th: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/mte
Our MTE Library earns a percentage of sales that they can spend through Scholastic on more books, technology, equipment and more. Earnings from the Winter Scholastic Book Fair enhance the library experience for all our students.
MTE Movie Morning - Frozen 2, 10:30 AM Sunday November 24th: Special PTA ticket pricing is $10 and includes a small popcorn and drink. Tickets limited to 140, so buy your tickets now to get your seat! Doors open at 10 AM, show starts at 10:30 https://mtepta.square.site
Help Mt. Erie get an Electronic Message Board! A new electronic sign board costs approximately $11,000 to purchase and install at the school. This will allow the school to easily communicate upcoming events like Picture Day, Harvest Night, Conference Week and other schedule changes to families. The PTA has already saved $5000 towards this sign, but we need your help to raise the additional $6000 so we can get this sign up at school NOW, not 6 years from now. Please consider donating on the PTA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/MtEriePTA or online
Salish Sea School - Guardians of the Sea - Rising 9th-12th grade students! Come aboard and become a scientist! Explore the Salish Sea! Experience all of the incredible marine life that call the Salish Sea home! Participate in environmental service projects at local islands! Earn community service credit! Connect with like-minded students in a small group environment! Become a leader in marine conservation ecology!
The Salish Sea School announces the launch of Guardians of the Sea for rising 9th-12th grade students!
Guardians of the Sea is a boat-based, hands-on STEAM program that takes place on the Salish Sea.
Each session is four days long (eight hours per day) and will include student citizen science data collection for ongoing research projects (tufted puffins, water quality, marine microplastics, bull kelp), environmental service projects, hikes at nearby islands, mindfulness in nature practices for stress reduction, and much more.
Enrollment for Summer 2020 sessions is open today at TheSalishSeaSchool.org. Space is limited. Student scholarships are available, please inquire at info@thesalishseaschool.org.
Seahawks Choir Boosters Mattress Fundraiser - Nov 2
Secret Harbor - Foster Parent Info
Skagit Parent to Parent November Newsletter
Skagit Land Trust Opt Outside - Nov 29
Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund - Sign Up Nov 11-Dec 6
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
The Anacortes School District provides interpretation and translation services upon request as needed. Please contact the Student Support Services Department for more information: (360) 503-1216.
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