Principal's Message
Island View Families,
I hope you savored time with family and friends and enjoyed our Anacortes winter wonderland over break. Years ago, when my own sons were wee-bitty Island View eagles, a snowstorm shut down schools just before winter break was set to begin. I fondly remember pulling my boys on a sled to get hot chocolate at a local donut shop. To this day, it stands as one of my fondest holiday memories. I hope you had a chance to create some magical moments of your own.
I would like to celebrate the efforts of Island View PTA president Eric Mithen and the generosity of our entire community. On January 1st, Eric embarked on a 24-hour walk around our school neighborhood, a fundraising effort that garnered nearly $10,000 in family donations and generous matching funds from Quantum Construction. Once again, I am reminded that we live in a school community that takes pride in our district and ensures meaningful opportunities for our students.
Speaking of community, as we continue to navigate a challenging health situation with rising cases of various COVID strains, I ask that you keep your students home if they don’t feel well. Throughout the pandemic, our district’s diligent efforts have kept students healthy and safe. I appreciate your ongoing care and cooperation.
In late January, our first semester of learning ends; report cards will be emailed to families in early February. As I visit classrooms daily, I am continuously inspired by the skillful efforts of our teachers and the positive engagement of our students. I hope you are as proud of our Island View community as I am.
Please contact me at bhanrahan@asd103.org or at 360-503-1490 if you have questions, concerns, or suggestions.
Happy New Year
— Brian Hanrahan
Loops for Learning Was a HUGE Success!
Thank you so much for making this fundraiser an amazing success.
Rather than send kids out to raise money during a pandemic, I thought I should symbolically hit the streets for them - walking a one-mile loop starting and ending at Island View for 24 hours. The snow and wind made it pretty exciting, but I was grateful there was no precipitation.
I'm also grateful for all the supporters who came to join me. I don't think I was alone for more than ten minutes from 8AM Saturday to 4AM Sunday. People brought homemade treats and thoughtfully assembled snack packs to keep me going. The handwarmers were a lifesaver once the sun went down! But the real energy boost was the friendly company. I got to chat with so many people my throat was hoarse by midnight.
By Sunday morning I had walked 140,778 steps, burned 14,056 calories and covered 64.5 miles.
The Island View Community made donations totaling over $13,000. When the fundraiser was first announced on December 1st, Quantum Construction offered to match donations up to $2000. You donated that much over a weekend! Quantum Construction was so inspired they offered an additional $2000, totaling $4000. Again - Island View parents, teachers, family members, and friends answered the call.
All this money goes directly to our school - making it a better place for your students.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so much for supporting our school.
— Eric Mithen, Island View PTA president 2021-2022
Some of the MANY ISV family members who joined Eric throughout his walk.
Eric crossing the finish line with his sons, 8 AM Sunday morning!
We are proud of ALL Anacortes students and staff!
Read more about the wonderful things going on throughout our school district in the fall edition of Anacortes Pride. See how many ISV students, faculty, and staff you can find in there!
PTA Advocacy in Washington
January 17-22 is Washington PTA Focus on Advocacy Week. Our state PTA advocates on behalf of students, teachers, and families to make our children's education the best it can be. But these efforts are only as effective as YOUR stories! If you'd like to support these efforts and share your family's story, you can learn more here.
PTA Dollars At Work
Did you know that Island View Elementary PTA dollars help fund teacher incidentals - up to $150, per teacher, per year? We call this automatically approved funding the "Green Light Fund."
PTA President Eric Mithen says, "Teachers ask for a lot of different stuff. Usually it's project based. We see requests for art supplies, folders, organizers, and prizes."
We are so fortunate to have wonderful PTA members whose generosity enables us to help our teachers out in this way!
Anacortes School Levy Vote
On February 8th, community members will have the opportunity to vote on two levies for the Anacortes School District. These will continue providing funding that was initially approved by Anacortes citizens in 2018.
The first levy, for Educational Programs & Operations, will provide funding for:
- smaller class sizes than would not be possible with state-funded allocations alone;
- school counselors, mental health counselors, and nurses;
- college & career counseling;
- mental heath services;
- early learning opportunities - supporting PreK students to be socially and academically ready for a robust educational career;
- opportunities for multiple pathways, including Advanced Placement, Career & Technical education, and enhanced supports for programs such as special education;
- sports, arts, clubs, and extracurricular activities; and
- maintenance, custodial, and food services staffing to schools.
The second levy, for Technology & Capital, will provide continued funding for:
- instructional and operational hardware, software, and services;
- staffing to provide technical support for instructional and operational needs;
- school-wide safety for staff and students, including upgraded fire alarm and security systems; and
- updating HVAC systems and funding needed maintenance on roof, plumbing, and electrical systems.
If you have further questions about the levy, please contact hello@citizensforanacortesschools.org or the Citizens for Anacortes Schools Facebook page.
ISV Support Opportunities
Fundraising
It's easy to help the Island View PTA raise funds throughout the year, via shopping you're probably already doing! 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
Staff Holiday Treat Boxes
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Staff Holiday Treat Boxes! There was a wonderful variety of chocolates, savory items, drinks, and snacks.
Some special highlights were ornaments, handmade by Jenny Wisniewski and Carrie Klein, and specialty cookies made by Allie Wojciechowski at House Key cookies and donated by Ali Mackey and family. The boxes were stuffed to the brim and so adorable. We heard lots of heartfelt "thank you!"s.
The Christmas elves who assembled these wonderful boxes.
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 Benefits
Did you know that as a WSPTA member, you are eligible for numerous benefits at businesses and retailers? See below for a complete list!
PTA Committees
We are so grateful for everyone that has joined the team to support our young Eagles!
We still have several opportunities for you to help make this year amazing for the students and staff at Island View. If you're interested in leading one of these committees or if you're not sure you want to lead, but you'd love to help out, please message membership@islandviewpta.org or complete the ISV PTA Volunteer Interest Form.
Next meeting: Tuesday, January 18 @ 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!
January
- 3: Students back to school
- 14: No school
- 17: No school - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 18: PTA Meeting at 6PM via Zoom
- 28: Half Day; early release at 12:05 PM
February
- 8: levy vote
- 15: PTA Meeting at 6PM via Zoom
- 21: No school - President's Day
- 28: Half Day; early release at 12:05 PM
Questions? Please feel free to contact us any time!
President - Eric Mithen
Membership Coordinator - Rachel Esposito
Hospitality Coordinator - Stacey Mahoney
