Coho Connection 03/25/25

Dear Sakai Families,

As you can imagine, this was a heavy week for our Sakai staff with RIF and Reassignment notices. I appreciate the huge outpouring of support from our community. It really means so much to us. As you read in Superintendent Thompsons message last Friday, we are working creatively to find a way to support band for Sakai next year. It will take some time and I’ll keep you updated as things evolve. Additionally, we are working to ensure valued services such as our Intervention and Highly Capable programs continue to be delivered to students in a high-quality manner. In the meantime, please continue to reach out to our wonderful staff, offering your support. 

For current fifth-grade families only! In sixth grade, students have the opportunity to enroll in either a standard 6th-grade math class or a compacted 6/7 math course. Additional details regarding these options can be found in the BISD Math Pathways document you were provided with at conferences. In the spring, Sakai math teachers and administrators will review student performance and recommend placement in either the 6th-grade or 6/7 compacted math class. Students who are strong candidates for the compacted course will meet at least two of the 6/7 math indicator criteria, which were shared with families during winter conferences. All 5th-grade families will receive an email in early June with their child's math placement information. During that same week, students will bring home a final copy of their student data sheet, providing insight into their academic growth and the specific scores used by teachers and administrators to determine placement. Please reach out to your child's math teacher or Bridget Lockett if you have any questions.

Have a great week, Sakai!

Drew

March is Women's History Month and we're on a mission at Sakai to recognize the women in our community who are making history at this very moment! They can be mothers, grandmothers, aunties, siblings, cousins, or friends. Show us the great ways that women in your life are demonstrating how women can BE and DO ANYTHING! Download the attached template, fill in the "banner" with an accomplishment, characteristic, skill, hobby, or profession, then snap a photo and send it to dcrandall@bisd303.org by Friday, March 28th. We will compile them all and show them on the Broadcast. 

WHAT: Sakai Choir sings at Mariners vs. New York Yannkees game

WHEN: Monday, May 12th, 6:40 pm

  

WHERE: T-Mobile Park

Tickets are being sold at a discounted rate through and part of the proceeds go to supporting our choir program. We hope to see you at the game on May 12, Seattle Mariners v. New York Yankees! Use the QR code or fevo link below to get access to the discounted tickets. Deadline to purchase is May 9th."

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Ms. Gibbs via email. kregan@bisd303.org. 

Go Sakai, Go Mariners, and GO CHOIR!

 Fevo Link

Join us for an evening of Contradance! All are welcome! Bring your siblings, grandparents, friends and whole family for a night of food, dancing and fun. Suggested $10 donation for Chili Dinner. All proceeds will go to our Sakai PE Program.

April 3rd, 5:30-7:00pm. We hope to see you there!

As you prepare your family for emergencies, you can help the BISD schools prepare, too! The collective BISD PTOs are holding a fundraiser to restock emergency supplies across all schools. Your purchase will support all BISD schools and PTOs in their efforts to ensure all classrooms have sufficient emergency supplies.

The fundraiser runs March 3rd through May 4th. Use the promo code BISD303 when you check out to make sure that our PTOs receive the 30% credit for your purchase. If you have students in more than one school, you will receive the same fundraiser information from each school.

https://bainbridgeptos.org/ptocc-resources/ 

We have several upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thank you for considering signing up to help us out.

Get ready for our Spring Mini Mart at Sakai coming up Friday, April 4th!

We need volunteers to make this fun event successful for the kids. Please review the available slots below snag one if you are able. Thank you!

As our Spring weather becomes a little unpredictable and may be less-than-outdoor-recess-ideal, our awesome Sakai staff would like to provide a game room alternative during lunch recess! Game Room will be available during recess on "B" or "C" specialist days T-F. We would love one parent volunteer to supervise each of these. Please review the available slots below snag one or more if you are able. Thank you!

Please remember that all volunteers who help in the classroom, on field trips, and other various activities must be cleared by the district: Volunteering with BISD. The approval process can take up to two weeks. Once approved, you are ready to volunteer and your approval is valid for two years.

Please bring your driver's license or id each time you sign into any school in the district.

We are looking for more yearbook photos of the following:  

*First day of school/Individual Photos

*Halloween

*Fall/Winter/Spring sports and activities

*Winter and mid-winter break

*Group photos  

Please submit photos using this link:

Calling all 5th and 6th graders who went to Blakely! Please come and sing “Thank You Soldiers”

What: Memorial Service for Mr Hannon our custodian (passed away in October)

When: This coming Sunday, March 30

Time: Service starts at 2PM. Singers meet at 1:30 in music room

Where: Blakely 

Dress: nice clothes

Please email Mrs. Hanson to let me know you are coming. ehanson@bisd303.org.

The Annual Back-to-school Check-in (ABC) process is now open. This annual process lets us know that your student(s) are returning to our schools for 2025-26 and allows parents/guardians to review annual information. 

The ABCs must be completed* for all students attending BISD schools in 2025-26, including both new and returning students. Access the ABCs by logging into your Family Access account. It should take about 15 minutes (or less!) to complete. 

If you need assistance with the ABC process (such as translation, accessing technology, or other questions), please get in touch with our office.

 

NOT RETURNING? If your current K-11th grade student is not returning to BISD schools next fall, please let our office know.

BISD’s attendance campaign!

BISD believes that student attendance and engagement are essential components of understanding and nurturing the social and emotional well-being of our students. 

SHOW UP as your best self and SHOW OUT by being a part of BISD’s community of learners with unique skills, talents, and passions! 

Simply showing up to class is not always easy, but something to be proud of as a foundational part of being a student. You can show out by positively influencing your class and school with your voice and talents.

We deeply value your students and are excited to see them in class each day. Our goal is to instill a sense of pride in cultivating healthy habits and embracing the identity of being a student. This marks the beginning of our ongoing partnership to improve school attendance district-wide.

If you are facing challenges in motivating your student to attend school or encounter barriers in supporting their attendance, we encourage you to reach out to a counselor or administrator at your student’s school for assistance.

Look for stats on how attendance impacts learning and helpful resources to strengthen students’ resolve in future newsletters. And, look at BISD attendance data from a recent presentation to the school board. Attendance Presentation

24-28: Salmon Release

25: Whale Tales - 5th Grade

3: PTO Contra Dance, Sakai gym, 6-7 PM

4: PTO Mini Mart & Popcorn Day

7-11: Spring Break - No School

17: PTO Meeting 9:00 AM