Coho Connection 09/08/26

Dear Sakai Families,

I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Labor Day weekend!

Last week was such an incredible first week! I truly feel so lucky to be part of this special community. In many ways, the first day already feels like a distant memory simply because we have packed so much heart, connection, and energy into these first five days!

As our daily routines begin to settle in, my hope is that we hold tightly to the sense of joy that defined our first week. Just as importantly, I hope we carry forward a positive mindset no matter what comes our way. A perfect example of this was the surprise rainstorm on day two. As a community, our students and staff were quick to adapt, improvise, and keep moving forward with smiles intact.

That sudden downpour was also a great learning moment for our students about being prepared for Pacific Northwest weather. As a reminder, our students have outdoor recess rain or shine. Please ensure your child comes to school with appropriate rain gear, such as a waterproof jacket, an umbrella, or even a spare set of clothes in their backpack just in case. At this intermediate age, we encourage our students to practice independence and self-regulate when it comes to the elements. To avoid an influx of midday calls home for dry outfits, we appreciate your partnership in helping them pack and dress for the weather each morning.

Thank you for your ongoing support as we build strong, resilient habits together this year!

With gratitude,

Sincerely, 

Alison Hook

Principal, Sakai Intermediate School

Please join us for back to school Parent/Guardian Night. 

Fifth grade Parent/Guardian Night is on Tuesday, September 15th from 5:15 - 6:30 pm, starting in the gym. 

Sixth grade Parent/Guardian Night is on Wednesday, September 16th from 5:15 - 6:15 pm, in your student's homeroom classroom.

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.

New this year, students are in school for full days Monday through Friday. We will have one full-day or half-day release, roughly once a month, on a Monday. Here are rest of the the September Mondays:

Full-day releases (no school for students)

 September 28 · October 26 · January 25 · March 22 · May 17

 November 30 · April 26 · June 7

 2026-2027 BISD Calendar

 Printable Monthly Calendar

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!

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:

Missing just 10% of the school year—about two days each month—can add up quickly and make it harder to keep up.

At this age, students can begin taking more responsibility for getting themselves ready for school. Families can support that growing independence by helping students:

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.

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.

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