Education Insider

Welcome to the district's bi-monthly newsletter! At the bottom of this newsletter, you'll find a link to the Community Bulletin Board.

• Dec 19 - Jan 2: Winter Break
  
• Tuesday, Jan 3: Classes Resume
• Thursday, Jan 5, 5:30 - 7:15 p.m.: Budget Advisory Council
• Thursday, Jan 5, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.: School Board Info Night
• Friday, Jan 13: No School/ Staff Development Day

A district-wide event calendar is available on our website.

Dear ASD families:

I hope you enjoy the holidays and are able to rest and recharge with your family over the break. We are excited for your students to return for the second half of the year!

Thank you all for being a part of our community. Happy holidays and happy new year!

- Dr. Irish

Superintendent Justin Irish is launching listening sessions this year to engage with our community, answer questions, provide district updates, and hear feedback. Sessions are open to anyone: students, families, staff, and community members.

There are several dates and times scheduled throughout the year. Please pre-register to attend. https://bit.ly/Javawithjustin

• Monday, February 13, 5:15-6:15 p.m.
  
• Thursday, May 11, 5:15-6:15 p.m

Please pre-register: https://bit.ly/Javawithjustin

Each session has 20 slots available.

All sessions are held at the Whitney Early Childhood Education Center Library: 1200 M Avenue

Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office at (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org

Anacortes School Board Director Marilyn Hanesworth has announced her resignation from the Board of Directors, effective January 19, 2023. Hanesworth, a software developer, is leaving her post early to focus more time on her work and her family.

“My time on the board has been incredibly rewarding, and I feel privileged to serve this community of students, staff, and educators,” said Hanesworth. “My work schedule has become more demanding, and I simply cannot devote the amount of time I feel a board director should, so I have decided to step down early.”

Hanesworth has served on the board since she was elected in November 2015. During her term, the board has received the statewide board of distinction seven times. She has served as board vice president, legislative representative, and on the district’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Hanesworth is particularly proud of the board’s work to oversee the high school construction project, updates to the math curriculum, hiring Superintendent Irish, and guiding the district through the coronavirus pandemic.

Hanesworth will be recognized at the January 19, 2023 school board meeting. The public is invited to attend and recognize her.

“I will miss Marilyn’s thoughtful approach to board policy and leadership,” said Board President Jennie Beltramini. “She makes decisions with the student experience at the core of all our work.”

Superintendent Justin Irish echoed many of Hanesworth’s qualities.

“Marilyn has been a steady leader for the district,” said Irish. “She has brought a historical context to our work that has been invaluable to me and our newer leaders.”

The school board is currently accepting applications to fill the vacancy on the board that will be left by Marilyn Hanesworth, who is stepping down early, effective January 19.

Vacancy Appointment

The school board will appoint someone to fill the remainder of Hanesworth’s term, which expires in November, 2023. The appointee will have the option of running for the seat in the November, 2023 election. The board is currently accepting applications for the vacancy, through January 13 at 5 p.m.

Application Process & Timeline:

• Applications are being accepted through January 13, 5 p.m.
• Information Night - Open to anyone interested in applying or running for the position: January 5, 2023, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Anacortes High School Library
• Candidate interviews, open to the public: January 25, 2023, 5:15-8:30 p.m.
• Swearing In Ceremony for new appointee: February 23, 2023, 6:15 p.m.
• This information is also posted on the board’s website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/48-School-Board

Questions? Contact the Superintendent’s Office: (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org

The winter weather season is certainly upon us! Take a moment to review our bus adverse weather routes, and our emergency/ closure procedures.

• Adverse Weather Routes
• Emergency/ Closure Procedures

The adverse weather routes are also loaded into the Ride 360 parent app. For instructions on how to use the app, visit our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/32-Transportation/983-Ride-360-Instructions.html

Questions? Contact the Transportation Department at (360) 503-1155 or kgarrison@asd103.org

Basketball, Boys Swimming, Girls Bowling, and Wrestling all kicked off this week. For schedules, please visit: https://anacortesseahawks.com/events

The Learn to Return program funded by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) provides free COVID-19 testing for Washington K-12 schools. This letter is to inform you that through this program, our school will now start offering BD Veritor SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A+B testing at our district starting January 3rd, 2023.

Commonly referred to as BD Triplex, this test detects Flu A + B as well as COVID-19 and can be a useful tool to detect respiratory illnesses during the winter months. Knowing if it is COVID-19 or the flu allows families and caregivers to make informed decisions about staying home and seeking follow-up care as needed. Our goal is to provide a healthy and safe environment for all students.

Please see the frequently asked questions about BD Triplex below to help you learn more about this technology:

What is BD Veritor SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A+B test?

Also known as BD Triplex, this test is a rapid antigen test that uses one sample to detect three viruses: COVID-19, flu A, and flu B. It only takes 15 minutes to get clear results for each sample. Watch this short video for more details on how this test works. You can also look at the BD Veritor for COVID and Flu Patient Factsheet for more information.

What does this mean for me as a parent/student?

Getting tested with BD Triplex is a similar experience as getting tested with other COVID-19 tests since the sample collection method is the same. BD Triplex’s only difference is that it detects flu as well as COVID-19 using a single sample.

What should I do if I want my student to be tested with BD Triplex?

1- Contact the Covid Coordinator, Dianne Szerlong, to schedule a test.

dszerlong@asd103.org or 360-503-1217

2- Parents/caregivers who want their student to participate in BD Triplex testing must sign a new consent form: Consent to test .

What if my student tests positive for Flu A + B or COVID-19?

Most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral drugs. If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. If, however, you have symptoms of flu and are in a higher-risk group, or are very sick or worried about your illness, contact your healthcare provider.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/treatment/takingcare.htm
What to Do if your Child Gets the Flu

How long do I need to stay home if I am positive for the flu?

Stay home when you are sick until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (100 degrees or higher) without the use of fever-reducing medications, symptoms have significantly improved and you feel well enough to participate in normal activities.

Families and staff can access our weekly Covid dashboard on our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/52-Health-Services/601-COVID-Testing.html

The online dashboard will take the place of the emails that families received last year when we had a positive case within our buildings. We encourage anyone with concerns, especially high risk individuals, to check the website on a regular basis.

We are always actively recruiting new substitutes for a variety of positions, including food services, transportation, custodial, paraprofessionals, and classroom teachers. If you are interested in subbing for the Anacortes School District, please reach out to Shelby Vander Kooy @ 360-503-1203, or please click here.

Click the link below to find items submitted for our community bulletin board:

https://www.smore.com/76mc8