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Coho Connection 02/10/26

Posted Date: 02/10/26 (08:52 AM)
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Sakai Masthead

Coho Connection 02/10/26

Inside this Newsletter
  • Principal's Message
  • Winter Conferences
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Art News
  • Yearbook Photos Needed
  • BusRight App
  • Save the Dates: 2026–27 School Year Information Nights & Events
  • Wrestling
  • Basketball Camp
  • Sakai Calendar
  • Community Events
 

Principal's Message

Dear Sakai Families,


We have gathered A LOT of food and toiletries to donate to Helpline House! This is such an important service project for our students to experience, giving back to our community. With the help of many family volunteers, we were able to get the truck packed and delivered yesterday. Thank you for your help and support! If you have any photos of your students participating, please submit them to the QR code below so they can be included in our yearbook.

A huge congratulations to our Sakai Choir for being selected to sing the National Anthem at the Mariners game! We are scheduled for the May 18th game. This is a fun school event, and I hope you can attend, whether your student is singing or not. We will have a link soon for you to purchase tickets. Please wait to buy through this link. Families of Choir students, you will be receiving more information from Ms. Gibbs soon. 

We are looking forward to meeting with you this week to discuss your student. Conferences are a valuable time to strengthen the home-to-school connection and ensure we are doing all we can for our students. As you know, Progress Reports are available for viewing in Skyward. I would like to add a quick note that grades given in 5th and 6th do not go on a lasting transcript. At this age, they are truly meant to be feedback for students. The value is in the reflecting and goal setting.

Have a great week, Sakai!

Drew
 

Winter Conferences

Wednesday, February 11th, Thursday, February 12th and Friday, February 13th are Winter conference days. 

There is no school for students on conference days.

Teachers are looking forward to conferencing with all of you.  
 
Volunteers Needed

Volunteer Opportunities

February Conferences - Let's Feed Our Teachers & Staff
Conference week means long days and lots of meetings for our amazing teachers and staff, so we’re putting together lunches and coffee to keep them fueled and feeling appreciated. If you’re able to contribute food or coffee during the week, it’s a simple (and delicious!) way to say thank you for all they do for our students. Every contribution helps—and is very much appreciated!


Sakai Reads
Sakai’s 6th grade Leaving Our Island book discussion groups take place on Wednesday, March 4th. For more information and if you would like to lead a discussion group, please click here.

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.
 
Art

Art News

It has been a very busy time in the Art Room. We have made clay pieces and will continue to do more clay after break. At the same time we have also made Valentines for Island volunteer caregivers to put inside Valentine packages for folks in nursing homes on the Island and part of their group. I have often thought that if we could only harness the creativity and energy of this age group we could conquer the world.

Besides clay and valentines, we also created "Heart Art" which will be going up on the walls this week. 

May you have a safe and fun Mid-winter break!
Art
Art
Art
Art
 
Yearbook Photos Submissions

Yearbook Photos Needed

We would love to get photos of your student to include in the yearbook. That is why we are sending out this QR code to allow you to upload photos directly to the Sakai Josten’s Yearbook site anytime! 

You can use this code all year to upload photos of your student participating in any and all activities. Thanks for helping to make this year’s Yearbook amazing!
Yearbook QR code
 
Bus Right

Transportation Update: BusRight Launch

We’re excited to share that we are launching the BusRight app and look forward to providing families with a new tool that offers greater visibility and real-time updates for student transportation.

Activations emails have been sent to families. Please check your inbox for next steps.

📧 What to Look For
Families of bus riders will receive an activation email with simple, step-by-step instructions to set up their BusRight account and begin using the app once the system is live.

📱 Why We’re Excited About BusRight
Once active, BusRight will put transportation information right at your fingertips:
  • Real-Time Tracking: Follow your child’s bus on a live map
  • Arrival Times: View estimated arrival times for your specific stop
  • Stay Informed: Receive notifications about route updates or delays

❓ Questions?
If you have questions about your child’s route or the BusRight app, please contact our Transportation Department at 206-842-4641.

 

Save the Dates: 2026–27 School Year Information Nights & Events

The 2026–27 school year will be here before we know it! We look forward to welcoming families to a series of information nights and transition events this winter and spring. Please save the dates below—February & March events will include additional details and times in our upcoming Community Newsletters.


Eagle Harbor High School Information Night
Tuesday, February 10 | 6:30 p.m.
Eagle Harbor High School

Future Freshman Night (BHS & EHHS)
Wednesday, February 11 | 6:30 p.m.
Bainbridge High School

New-to-BISD (Grades 9–12)
Monday, February 23 | 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Bainbridge High School
Sign-up information will be shared in January

Incoming Sakai 5th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night | 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24 | 6:30 p.m.
Sakai Intermediate School

Additional details, reminders, and links will be shared in district publications as we get closer to each event. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your student’s transition into the 2026–27 school year!
 

Intermediate and Middle School Wrestling

The middle and intermediate school Bainbridge Wrestling program (Affiliated with USA wrestling) is a free after school program held at the Bainbridge High School wrestling room for 5th through 8th grade students.

To sign up, please contact Dan Pippinger (danpippinger@gmail.com), fill out the information below and email it in or bring it on the first day of practice. Forms are also available in the Sakai office.
Wrestling sign up
 
BHS Basketball Camp
 
Important Upcoming Dates

Sakai Calendar

FEBRUARY
11-13: Winter Conferences - No School
16-20: Presidents Day & Mid-Winter Break - No School
26: PTO Meeting 9 am

MARCH
4: 6th grade Leaving Our Island Day
17: Choir Festival Field Trip - CK Performing Arts Center 9 am - 2 pm
27: Talent Show 6:30 - 7:30 pm

 

Community Events

Check out the Community Events Page for fun and engaging activities around the island!
 

Non-Discrimination Statement

Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability.  The BISD provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. 

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator & Title IX Coordinator:
Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
206-780-1058
khaizlip@bisd303.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinators:
Annalisa Sanchez, Director of Student Services
206-780-1069
asanchez@bisd303.org

Maria Kuffel, Director of Student Services
206-780-1088
mkuffel@bisd303.org

8489 Madison Avenue North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110