Principal's Message
Dear Island View Families:
No day is bad at Island View, but some can be tougher than others. Needing something to lift my spirits last Friday, I followed a kindergarten class out to the garden, which had been turned into a veritable pumpkin patch by the Island View PTA. I am not sure any scene can create more joy than watching kindergartners choose and then try to carry the perfect pumpkin back to class. 😊 That is one of many reasons I feel blessed to be the principal at Island View—your students create and spread happiness.
Again, I want to thank families and students for their ongoing patience and flexibility. We have transitioned smoothly to a new lunch routine with students eating in the cafeteria, rather than on hallway floors. The positive response from students was not surprising. Our 4th and 5th grade students and teachers also navigated state testing in the fall, which has never happened before. I am continuously impressed by the resilience and "can-do" attitude of our students and staff.
I would like to offer a special thank you to Mr. Marcus Knowles for helping manage our recent changes. Mr. Knowles, our science specialist, is now a half-time Dean of Students at Island View. This means he will be performing administrative duties while continuing to teach science part time. Ms. Nicole Ross, who taught physical education at Island View last spring, will be Mr. Knowles' job share partner in science. They have formed an incredible partnership to support your students.
Being filled with gratitude at this time of year is very appropriate. As we move into November and toward the holiday season, I hope you take brief moments to pause and breathe. Take moments to center yourself on the beauty of your children. Ask them about their school day, and don't take "fine" or "good" for an answer. Gently press them with follow-up questions: "What one thing made your day 'good'?" or "tell me the best part of your day" or "tell me one challenge you faced today at school." Listening to children is a gift. And one I am grateful for every day.
As always, please reach out to me at bhanrahan@asd103.org or at 360-503-1490 with questions, concerns, or suggestions.
With gratitude-
Brian Hanrahan
October Was a Great Month at Island View!
Trunk Or Treat Was Awesome!
This year, ISV was unable to host the usual staff/student costume parade to celebrate Halloween. Instead, ASD staff and families hosted Trunk or Treat in the high school parking lot on October 30th - a GORGEOUS, crisp Saturday afternoon tailor-made for fall fun!
Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who decorated their vehicles, provided and distributed candy, and ensured our students had a safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween.
The Anacortes Kayak Tours Winner is...
Congratulations to our PTA Membership Raffle winner, Sam Guzik!!! Sam has won a 1.5 hour Deception Pass tour with Anacortes Kayak Tours as well as an AKT t-shirt and pint glass. This package was generously donated by Anacortes Kayak Tours.
THANK YOU to everyone who has joined the PTA so far this year. We could not support our young Island View Eagles without you!
It's Book Fair Time!
This year's fall book fair will be held online from November 26 - December 5. Over 5000 outstanding Scholastic titles will be available to purchase for your family's reading pleasure; they'd also be marvelous for anyone on your holiday gift list! And, 25% of each book's price comes directly back to ISV to benefit our teachers and students.
You can shop the Book Fair online at this link.
Let's Show ISV Custodians Our Appreciation!
The Custodians Are Key Contest is back!
Our custodians show up every day ready to make our school look spectacular, and they do it all with a smile! They put so much effort into keeping our schools not only sparkling clean, but sanitized and safe to help prevent the spread of COVID.
We appreciate them and would love for you to help us show our gratitude!
Nominate your custodian by November 15, 2021. 12 custodians will be selected to receive a $500 gift card. At the end of the school year, one of the 12 finalists will win a $5000 value prize for themselves and $10,000 for their school!
A few words from the fabulous Sam Scribner:
My name is Sam Scribner and I am 57 years old and I have worked for the Anacortes School District for 24 years. I was born and raised in Anacortes and I graduated in 1982 from Anacortes High school playing football, basketball and baseball and earning a baseball scholarship to Central Washington Universitiy. I love the outdoors, sports, music and traveling. Both of my parents taught in the district and my mom taught at Island View and I went to Island View as well. I have truly enjoyed working for the district and working with the wonderful staff here at Island View so much that I consider them my extended family. My grandfather used to tell me that being a good man is something you do, not something you are and I have tried to live my life as such.
A few words from the amazing Gary McKenzie:
Hello, my name is Gary L McKenzie and I'm the Head Custodian at Island View Elementary. I'm originally from Louisiana. The thing I love most about my job is the customer service aspect and making sure all of my school wives, buddies and the kids are happy and safe. My hobbies are photography, drawing, hiking, painting, camping, building remote control airplanes and boats (which I haven't done in a while), and playing my bass guitars - well, learning to play them. 🤣 Everybody stay safe.
Nominate your favorite Island View Elementary custodians at this link today!
PTA Dollars At Work
Have you ever noticed those beautiful tiles lining the Island View Elementary hallways?
Funded by our PTA memberships and fundraising, local artist Janice Veal has worked for over a decade with each 4th grade class to produce individually-designed student tiles. In combination with their 4th grade curriculum on state history, students design these tiles with images depicting all the beauty of Washington.
Last year due to the pandemic, graduating 5th graders (who missed out the previous year) worked with Kate Clark to design their tiles. This year, 4th and 5th graders will create tiles - no ISV student will miss out on this opportunity.
Thank you to PTA members for helping support this special way in which each ISV Eagle leaves a piece of themselves here, even after they leave the nest!
Picture Make-Up Day
Dress your best, Eagles - these pictures will be in the yearbook!
Parents, remember that picture packages can only be purchased online. Place your orders here.
Picture retakes are scheduled for November 5th.
ISV Support Opportunities
Fundraising
Did you know there are some easy ways to help the ISV raise fund throughout the school year? These include Box Tops and Amazon Smile. In fact, so far this year, we've earned $23.80 through Box Tops and $74.51 through Amazon Smile! Instructions on how to participate in each of these programs - at no additional cost to your family - are below.
Teacher Wish Lists
We can tell that all our teachers at Island View love what they do! 🦅 They love our young Eagles and it shows in everything they give to our students.
❤️ THANK YOU teachers for all you do!!❤️
If you are able, please consider giving back to our amazing teachers by clearing 1 or more items from any of the teachers' lists - it goes a long way towards helping our students have a successful year!
Visit islandviewpta.org/wishlist to shop teacher classroom wishlists.
THANK YOU to everyone for your help with clearing the lists!!
Hospitality Updates
Stock the Staff Room
Thank you to everyone who donated to "Stock the Staff Room!"
We had an unbelievable amount given - granola bars, chips, trail mix, sweets, seltzers, hot chocolate, and healthy snacks for the fridge!
Our Island View parents/caretakers are the best!!!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Hospitality Committee members provided a **catered meal **for the teaching staff during parent-teacher evening conferences last week. This long-standing tradition aims to relieve some of the long hours the teachers put in that day with a little brightness and delicious home cooking.
Thank you to Molly Johnson, Amber Fry, Teresa Syms, and Ali Mackey for putting on this event!
Staff Favorites
The Hospitality Committee has collected many replies for "Staff Favorites."
If there is a special Island View Staff member you would like to provide with a treat, we have info on individual staff members' favorite coffee shops, healthy and sweet treats, and local businesses.
Just email Hospitality@islandviewpta.org to find out more!
Membership Updates
PTA Committees - We Need You!
We have so much we want to do for our students and staff at Island View this year, but we need you to make those ideas a reality! If you're interested in taking the lead on any of these committees or if you have a great idea for this school year, email us at membership@islandviewpta.org!
Next meeting: Tuesday, November 30 @ 6 PM!
Have ideas? Have questions? Just want to be in the know? We're here for you! Watch your email for the Zoom link, then pop in and chat with us.
Save These Dates!
November
- 11: Veterans Day - No School
- 12: No School
- 24: Early release
- 25-26: Thanksgiving - No School
- 30: PTA Meeting at 6PM via Zoom
December
- 17: Early release; Winter Break begins
January
- 3: Students back to school
- 18: PTA Meeting at 6PM via Zoom
Questions? Please feel free to contact us any time!
President - Eric Mithen
Membership Coordinator - Rachel Esposito
Hospitality Coordinator - Stacey Mahoney
