Coho Connection 04/15/25

Dear Sakai Families,

I hope you and your family had a restful and joy-filled Spring Break!

For me, there is no surer sign that spring is here than the Cherry Trees at Sakai blooming. Each year our school celebrates the Japanese tradition of “Cherry Blossom Festival”, or Hanami. At Sakai, celebrating the Cherry Blossom Festival means a fun surprise for students by eating lunch outside under the trees and enjoying a cherry-flavored dessert. You may have noticed before the break a majority of our trees were in full bloom, however, our day of celebration is determined when the largest tree finally blooms. It’s a last-minute call and a surprise for students who will be informed that morning on the broadcast. We will be closely watching our largest tree and picking a day over the next few weeks.

 

At the heart of Hanami is a moment with family and friends to celebrate Spring and the beauty of nature. It is also a time of reflection and appreciation. Reflecting on this year we have had so many wonderful moments outside of our normal learning time with intramurals, Leaving Our Island Day, after-school clubs, the food drive, and the salmon release. I am so immensely proud of our staff and students for their hard work this year. And, I am grateful to you for your continued partnership. This week’s Family Dare is to have everyone think of 1 person they are grateful for and write them a letter telling them all the reasons they are appreciated. Challenge yourselves by getting specific about why they’ve influenced you and the role they have played in your life.

Spring also marks the transition into the home stretch of the year. We will soon have state testing and, more importantly, fun end-of-year events. This means planning for next year too. Families of 5th-grade students, please see the class placement below. 

Finally, this week we will be spending lots of time revisiting our school expectations so we can finish the year strong. On that note, I have received communication from our neighbors in North Town Woods about the increase in families picking up there in the afternoon. Please refrain from doing so as this causes an unsafe environment with an inability for emergency vehicles to access those streets. If you are picking up your student from school use the school pick-up area or Island Church as an alternative. We have a crossing guard and a coned-off path to the church. I appreciate your help with this. 

Have a great week, Sakai!

Drew

In an effort to assure a fair and consistent district-wide placement procedure, the following process has been adopted: The teaching staff will provide the building principal and counselor with the necessary information concerning all students considered for placement in the next year’s classrooms. The Sakai placement team receives information from current 5th grade teachers. The principal has final responsibility for classroom assignments. 

Parents/Guardians may provide additional information to assist the staff in meeting the needs of their child if they feel it is necessary. Please be brief and specific.

Student placement is one of the most important things we do. A great deal of time and effort is put into this process to provide a placement where each child will succeed. Mr. Crandall, Sakai Principal, receives information from each 5th grade teacher about their students. Along with the parent/guardian input forms, the Sakai Placement Team (Principal, Dean of Students, Counselors, and Special Education Teachers) uses this information to determine the placement. Our goal is to create balanced supportive learning communities. The majority of students are well equipped to adjust to any classroom placement.

Beth Hebert, ehebert@bisd303.org, 206-780-6506

Anita Watson, awatson@bisd303.org, 206-780-6561

Sakai School Counselors

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

Please join us at the next Sakai PTO meeting on Thursday, April 17th, at 9:00 a.m. 

You are welcome to attend the PTO meeting either in-person at Sakai in room 223 or via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to families prior to the meeting.

Thank you to all who attended our fun and successful Contra Dance. If you were not able to attend but would like to make a donation, please use the QR code below. Thank you!

This year, we’re going Back to Camp to celebrate our amazing staff and show them just how much we appreciate them! We’ve planned a full week of fun, food, and surprises—but we need your help to make it unforgettable.

We’re collecting donations to stock our “camp” with snacks, treats, and supplies. Please sign up HERE, or shop directly from our Amazon Wish List. Local purchases are always welcome—just let us know so we can update the list (contact details in sign-up genius).

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.

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.

As the weather warms up, our Lost and Found is filling up with winter wear.

Please have your student check if any of the coats, and also lunch boxes and water bottles, belong to your student.

To check for items left on district buses, please check the photo gallery on the Transportation Lost & Found page.

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.

As the calendar turns to April, we know that many students and families are looking forward to a restful and refreshing spring break starting April 7th!

Despite recent challenges with weather and illness, our teachers, students, and families have remained dedicated to learning and staying engaged. We truly appreciate your continued partnership and commitment to our school community.

We look forward to finishing the school year strong as a learning community. Please continue encouraging your student(s) to attend school every day. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance due to health or mental health reasons, please contact your student's school counselor or principal.

Free summer program for students entering 6th grade in fall 2025 - Register now for the Future Focused Summer Academy! Students who are entering sixth grade in fall 2025 will participate in this two-week program to learn self-regulation skills, mindfulness, goal setting, and hope as they explore interests, strengths, and career and future pathways. Coordinated by Kitsap Strong, held at the Olympic College campus in Bremerton. Two sessions available: July 14-24 and August 4-14. Register here. Contact: promise.partner@kitsapstrong.org.

For a list of other local events happening in our community, visit BISD's Community Events page. 

*Bainbridge Island School District does not sponsor this event, and the district assumes no responsibility for it. In consideration of the privilege to distribute materials, the Bainbridge Island School District shall be held harmless from any cause of action filed in any court or administrative tribunal arising out of the distribution of these materials, including costs, attorney's fees, and judgments or awards.

17: PTO Meeting 9:00 AM

26: Choir Club Amabile Concert 1:30 PM

2: Talent Show 6:30 PM

7: SBA ELA CAT Testing 5th & 6th grade 9:00 AM

8: SBA ELA PT Testing 5th & 6th grade 9:00 AM

9: PTO Mini Mart and Popcorn Day

12: Choir Club National Anthem at Mariners Game 6:40 PM

14: SBA Math CAT Testing 5th & 6th grade 9:00 AM

15: SBA Math PT Testing 5th & 6th grade 9:00 AM

15: PTO Meeting 9:00 AM

16: Bike to School Day

20 : SBA Science - 5th grade only 9:00 AM

26 : Memorial Day - No school

28 : 6th Grade Restoration Point Field Trip 10:15 AM