Inside this Newsletter
- Principal's Message
- Counselor's Corner
- Sakai Phones & Smartwatch Policy
- Attendance
- Transportation
- PTO Spirit Wear
- Fee Update
- Every Day Counts: Showing Up in 5th & 6th Grade
- BHS Girls Soccer Camp : Grades 3-8
- Sakai Calendar
- Community Events
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Dear Sakai Families,
We had a fantastic first day of school! The building was filled with energy, smiles, and the excitement of fresh beginnings.
A major highlight of our day was an amazing Opening Ceremony featuring a student-led Land Acknowledgment, two inspiring student speakers, and a wonderful performance by our choir. We were also honored to welcome many visiting community members and retired faculty. A central theme across the morning's speeches was creating a culture of belonging at Sakai . This vision we hold close to our hearts, as we work to ensure every student feels seen, connected, and supported in their growth.
Another special moment was our school-wide expectations rotation activity, designed to help students feel confident and comfortable in every space at Sakai. Classes visited stations around the building to learn and practice expectations for our shared spaces.
I had the pleasure of leading the cafeteria station, which gave me the wonderful opportunity to connect with every single class! Our 5th graders were especially thrilled to learn that we have free seating and that they can choose where to sit at lunch. Together, we practiced entering the cafeteria, navigating the lunch line, and wrapping up when finished. I emphasized the phrase "leave no trace" to remind students to take pride in cleaning up after themselves—a great habit to reinforce at home, too!
It was a truly wonderful start, and I hope your child came home with stories of new connections made with peers and staff alike. As we navigate these first few weeks, please never hesitate to reach out if there is anything we can do to support your child through this transition.
Thank you for sharing your incredible kids with us!
Sincerely,
Alison Hook
Principal, Sakai Intermediate School
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Welcome to the new school year at Sakai. I am so thrilled to welcome both our returning families and those joining our community for the first time.
I am honored to serve as Sakai's full-time school counselor. This marks my sixth year here at Sakai. Although, I have over 20 years of experience as both a counselor and a teacher.
On a personal note, I am a mom to two high schoolers, a freshman and a senior. I also have two wonderful doodle dogs, including Dotty, who joins me at school as a certified therapy dog. Together, Dotty and I make a strong counseling team.
The core of my work is ensuring every student has a successful academic and social-emotional experience. This year, we are continuing our social-emotional curriculum, CharacterStrong, which students will engage with during COHO time, our dedicated SEL time every Monday.
An essential part of my role is providing students with a safe, supportive space to navigate life's challenges. In partnership with teachers and families, I help students recognize their strengths, build resilience, and develop strong problem-solving skills, equipping them to face obstacles confidently, learn from mistakes, and grow.
During the first week of school, I will be visiting classrooms to introduce myself and share how students can access counseling support. I can't wait to see the growth, joy, and positive experiences this new school year will bring.
Please don't hesitate to reach out and say hello. I deeply value partnering with our families and look forward to working together!
Warmest regards,
Anita Watson
School Counselor, Sakai Intermediate School
awatson@bisd303.org | 206-780-6506
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We understand the role a phone or smartwatch can play in communicating with your child after school, however, they can also be distracting to the learning environment during the day. As such, if your student carries a phone or smartwatch to school, it will need to be
turned off and stored in their ‘er during the school day.
We are a phone and smartwatch free campus from the moment students enter school until they leave. If you wish, phones or smartwatches can be turned into the office to be stored.
If you need to contact your child during the school day, please call our office line at 206-780-6500. Additionally, we have a student phone in the office that they can use to call you.
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It is important that students have consistent attendance and arrive to school on time. If your student must be late or absent, please notify our office each day of your student's absence.
Instructions for reporting absences can be found on our website.
Our automated phone system will call to confirm your child’s absence if you haven’t called our attendance line by 9:30 am.
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If a transportation change occurs during the school day and your student is not aware of the change, please call our office at 206-780-6500 to inform us of the change. We will write a note to your student that will be delivered to their classroom at the end of the day.
For example, student usually rides the bus but will be picked up today instead and the student is not aware of the change.
If the student is aware of the change before school starts, the office does not need to be notified.
Students may not use the office phone to arrange after school plans with friends. We request that this be taken care of before coming to school.
Please note, transportation is limited to a student's home or to one of the following locations: Boys & Girls Club, Big Kids / Kids Club, Hazelcreek Montessori. Please contact the transportation department at Transportation@bisd303.org with any questions.
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PTO Sakai spirit wear T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, hoodies and pullovers are available for ordering using the School Spiritwear Store! Order online and ship to home or pick up is also available.
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Online payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a small transaction fee. If your child’s food service balance is low, it only takes a few minutes to add money using your VISA or Mastercard credit or debit card. Online Payment can also be made in your student's school office.
Reminder: Cash or checks are always accepted at your child’s school as an alternative to online payments and have no convenience fee.
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A new school year means new teachers, new friendships, new challenges, and new opportunities. One of the most important things students can do to start the year strong is simple: show up every day and be on time!
Why Attendance Matters
Fifth and sixth grade are important years for building independence and preparing for the transition into the secondary grades. When students attend regularly, they are more likely to:
- Keep up with assignments and new concepts.
- Feel connected to friends, teachers, and their school community.
- Develop confidence and independence.
- Build strong habits that will help them in middle and high school.
Missing just 10% of the school year—about two days each month—can add up quickly and make it harder to keep up.
Build a Routine That Works
At this age, students can begin taking more responsibility for getting themselves ready for school. Families can support that growing independence by helping students:
- Pack backpacks and charge devices the night before.
- Choose clothes and organize sports or activity gear ahead of time.
- Establish consistent bedtime and wake-up routines.
- Use an alarm and begin taking responsibility for getting up on time.
- Check schedules and assignments so they know what to expect the next day.
When Going to School Feels Hard
There may be mornings when students feel tired, stressed, worried, or simply don't feel like going to school. Showing up on those harder days is part of building resilience and strong habits.
At the same time, we know there can be real barriers to attendance. If your child is beginning to struggle with getting to school, please reach out early. We want to work together to understand what's getting in the way and help your student stay connected.
Parents Still Matter!
Fifth and sixth graders may be asking for more independence, but they still need their families to set expectations around school attendance. Continue to make school a priority, ask about their day, celebrate their successes, and remind them that being at school matters.
Show Up. Connect. Grow.
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SEPTEMBER
15: 5th grade Parent/Guardian Night from 5:15 – 6:30 pm.
16: 6th grade Parent/Guardian Night from 5:15 – 6:15 pm.
17: PTO Meeting 9:00 am
OCTOBER
2: School photos during the school day.
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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:
Darren Spencer, Assistant Director of Student Services
206-780-1069
dspencer@bisd303.org
Maria Kuffel, Director of Student Services
206-780-1088
mkuffel@bisd303.org
8489 Madison Avenue North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
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