Drina McCorkle, CRS
John L Scott Anacortes
360-661-4472
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Autumn
Known as the 'Evergreen' state, we also have a
healthy share of deciduous trees and they trumpet
their colors come autumn. The turning colors of
alders and cottonwoods accent fall's crisp blue
skies. Morning breaths come in smoky puffs and
we break out the mittens and scarves.
Winter
One can hardly think about the Pacific Northwest
without the image of umbrellas and slickers coming
to mind. Fidalgo Island however is spared the
drumbeat of wetness that affects the Seattle area.
They say it lies in the "banana belt"
because of its position in the rainshadow of a
large body of land—Canada's Vancouver Island.
As drenching pacific storms march westward, they
spill their heavy cargo first on the western face
of Vancouver Island. Having shed their wet wrath,
it leaves only a fizzle for lands that come after.
Residents of Fidalgo Island therefore experience
an average annual rainfall of 26 inches compared
to Seattle's 38.
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"I
lived in a place with a good climate
and it bored the hell out of me."
John Steinbeck
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Winter winds
urge us all inside; they flatten life's pace as
we catch up on reading and handwork and experiment
with hot soup recipes. The winds give clouded skies
a complex broken texture unlike the flat gray ceiling
of areas farther south.
Late December or early January brings snows that
melt away hastily—too soon for recreation, too slowly
for convenience.
Spring
Spring bursts forth with clean, sharp blue skies.
The blaze of rhododendron blooms reminds our winter-weary
eyes about color.
Summer
Summers in the area are unforgettable. Residents
express regret when their own planned vacations
take them away from the summer's grandness. Temperatures
in the 70's and low 80's are average. The
northerly latitude of 48 degrees ensures plentiful
hours of light and gives rise to summer sunsets
that flame skies for hours.
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Yearly
Temperatures
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Low |
High |
| January |
33 |
44 |
| February |
34 |
48 |
| March |
37 |
53 |
| April |
41 |
61 |
| May |
46 |
67 |
| June |
50 |
71 |
| July |
52 |
75 |
| August |
53 |
75 |
| September |
50 |
70 |
| October |
45 |
61 |
| November |
39 |
51 |
| December |
36 |
46 |
- Average temperatures recorded throughout
the county for 1996
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Anacortes School District
The Anacortes School District is located on
Fidalgo Island, 16 miles west of I-5 (near Mount
Vernon) and 80 miles north of Seattle. Administrative
offices are located in the heart of Anacortes
at:
- Anacortes School District
Management Support Center
2200 M Avenue
Anacortes, WA 98221
(360) 293-1300
- The district is 25 square miles in size
and enrolls approximately 3,000 students.
It is flanked on the southeast by La Conner
and on the south by Oak Harbor School
districts.
- School bus transportation for students
is provided and those students living
over one mile from school are eligible
for bus transportation. Bus stops, routes
and times are published each fall in the
Anacortes American
newspaper.
- Health services promoting wellness are
provided by the District. An employee
wellness program provides important resources
for health issues of the District personnel.
- Hot lunches and breakfasts are served
daily. Free and reduced price breakfast/lunches
are available to eligible students.
School
Roster
Whitney Elementary 225
students
1200 M. Avenue Grades K – 2 l
(360) 293-9535 |
Mt. Erie Elementary
550 students
1313 41st Avenue Grades K – 6
(360) 293- 9541 |
Island View Elementary
490 students
2501 J Avenue Grades K – 6
(360) 293-3149 |
Fidalgo Elementary 410
students
1360 Gibralter Grades K – 6
(360) 293-9545 |
Anacortes Middle School
500 students
2202 M Avenue Grades 7 – 8
(360) 293-12230 |
Anacortes High School
850 students
1916 J Avenue Grades 9 – 12
(360) 293-2166 |
Athletics
and Activities
 Elementary
students, grades 4, 5 and 6 may participate
in intramural sports in volleyball, softball,
football and basketball and interscholastic
girls and boys basketball. Band is open to interested
students in grade 6.
Middle school students may join interscholastic
sports teams that compete in the north division
of Sno-Co League. Opportunities in girls and
boys basketball, wrestling, girls' volleyball
and track are part of the school sponsored program.
Intramural activities include girls' softball,
boys'
weight training and boys' and girls' swimming.
A variety of clubs and activities such as drama,
Math Olympiad, journalism and Young Authors
are open to interested students in addition
to band and choir.
Anacortes High School belongs to the Northwest
League (AAA) and competes in football, volleyball,
basketball swimming, soccer, tennis, softball,
wrestling, cross country, track and baseball.
Other activities offered include band, choirs,
drama and several clubs such as FBLA and Knowledge
Bowl team.
Special
Programs in Anacortes Schools
- Challenge Program
- Vocational Education
- Learning Labs
- Preschool Handicapped Class
- Special Education Resource Rooms and Self
Contained
- Classrooms
- Cultural Education Program
- Art Education
- Occupational and Physical Therapists; Communications
Disorders
- Specialist; Health Services and Social
Services Specialists
- Counseling Services
- English as a Second Language
- IBM Computer Lab
- Learning Opportunity Center
- Brodniak Hall (performing arts facility)
- Remedial Education
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The residents of Anacortes value the sheer
beauty of their lands and have set aside twenty
two hundred acres of land as dedicated Community
Forest Lands. These wooded areas with extensive
trail systems are scattered throughout the island.
Additionally, park sites with varying facilities
meet the needs for leisure and recreation.
- Cap Sante Park
Known to all for the spectacular views its
peak affords, this park is primarily a vista
point. It offers panoramic views of islands
to the west, the city of Anacortes, boating
activities below and lands to the east. Perfect
for a summer sunset or 4th of July fireworks.
Located along "W" Avenue from 4th
Street.
- Causland Park
An unusual park with its extensive ornate
rock work, it is located close to the downtown
area. Facilities include a nice strolling
garden, an amphitheatre, picnic tables and
a memorial plaque.
Located between "M" and "N"
Avenue at 8th Street.
- Clearidge Park
This small recreational area contains two
tennis courts and a basketball court.
Located on Blakely Place.
- Cranberry Lake
Area
This site, found near the center of the city
is a popular destination. Home to small lakes
and bogs, the main attraction is the 27 acre
Cranberry Lake. Terrain varies from flat to
steeply sloped. It is adjacent to 451 acres
of Community Forest Lands with an extensive
trail network.
Located off Oakes Avenue at Georgia Avenue.
- Keith Shugarts
Playground
An assortment of children's playground equipment
and a basketball court.
Located at 9th Street and "N" Avenue.
- Mt. Erie City/School
Playground
This park site is located on the school grounds
and was a joint effort between the Anacortes
School district and the City.
Located at 41Street and "N" Avenue.
- Mt. Erie Park
Located on the summit of 1,270 feet Mt. Erie,
it offers 4 vista points looking in all directions.
Visitors gaze westward to Vancouver Island,
northward to Canadian peaks, eastward to the
Cascades and southward to Whidbey Island and
the Olympic range. There are also a series
of hiking trails throughout the forested area.
Located south of Anacortes at Heart Lake Road.
- Rotary Park
This waterfront park abuts the Cap Sante Marina.
A flat, paved walkway is a favorite of dog-walkers
and families, leading out to a gazebo and
beach. Facilities include picnic tables and
barbecues. A forest trail parallels the walkway
and takes the energetic hiker up to the vista
point at Cap Sante Park.
Located on the eastern margin of the Cap Sante
Marina.
- Storvik Park
This lighted field plays host to summer softball
games and little league activities. The grounds
include a large grassy area, restrooms, playground
equipment, a basketball court and picnic areas.
Located at 29th & 32nd Streets.
- Volunteer Park
This site is being developed as a joint project
between the City and the School district into
a sports field complex. The site currently
contains a baseball field, softball field
and a little league field.
Located near 14th Street and "H"
Street.
- Washington Park
The darling of Fidalgo Island parks, there's
something here for everybody. A paved 2 ¼
mile loop through the forest draws walkers
and joggers out for exercise and views of
the surrounding waters. A boat launch makes
this a handy departure point for jaunts to
the islands. Playground equipment, picnic
tables and barbecues provide facilities for
commemorative events or just plain fun. The
park also has 75 camping sites with restrooms,
showers and laundry facilities.
Located at the west end of Anacortes just
past the San Juan Ferry Landing.
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