Inside this Newsletter
- Principal's Message
- Counselor's Corner
- Sakai Spirit
- Monday Reminder - No School Monday, September 28
- Volunteers Opportunities
- School Photos
- PTO News
- Highly Capable (HC) Referral Window Open
- Every Day Counts: Showing Up in 5th & 6th Grade
- BHS Girls Basketball Camp : Grades 3-6
- Bainbridge Schools Foundation
- Sakai Calendar
- Community Events
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Dear Sakai Families,
Thank you to everyone who made it a priority to join us for our 5th and 6th grade Parent/Guardian Nights last week! It was wonderful connecting with so many of you! I hope the evening gave you a clearer window into our school curriculum, our daily routines, and the overall rhythm of life here at Sakai.
During 5th Grade Night, I had the opportunity to introduce myself and share a bit about my personal philosophy, and I want to share those same thoughts with our entire school community.
Simply put, Sakai is a truly special place. Leading this school is my dream job, and I hold this responsibility with the deep respect and dedication it deserves. As a parent myself, my guiding principle is simple: I strive to lead, care for, and support your children in the exact same manner I would want for my own.
Building a strong school community relies on working in partnership between home and school, and I want you to know that my door is always open to you. Please feel free to reach out anytime:
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Email: ahook@bisd303.org
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ParentSquare: Send a direct message through the app
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Main Office: Call or stop by to schedule an appointment
It has been an absolute joy getting to know your kids and starting to build strong relationships with them. The Sakai students make coming to work a delight every single day! I am honored to serve your students and look forward to working alongside you to make this a wonderful school year!
Sincerely,
Alison Hook
Principal, Sakai Intermediate School
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Wow, three weeks into the school year already! Both as a parent and an educator, I love tracking the emotional rhythm of the school year. The initial burst of excitement and nervous energy is starting to settle into daily routines, and you might begin to notice a few shifts at home:
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Energy Dips: Early excitement often gives way to normal fatigue as stamina builds.
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Shifting Dynamics: Kids are finding their social footing, which can mean shifting old friendships or navigating small bumps in new ones.
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Academic Rhythm: Homework and higher expectations are becoming real, which can occasionally bring brief moments of stress.
This adjustment period is completely normal. Consistent sleep, easy chatter, and plenty of downtime make a world of difference right now.
To help jump-start that easy chatter, try skipping "How was your day?" and go with one of these instead:
- "If today was an emoji, which one would it be?"
- "What made you laugh out loud today?"
- "What was the easiest part of your day? What was the trickiest?"
- "If your day was a movie, what would the title be?"
Two Quick Tips for Success:
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Give them a beat: Kids often need a snack and 30–60 minutes of zero-pressure downtime to decompress before they are ready to talk.
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Share first: Lead with a small, funny, or frustrating moment from your day to make it a natural conversation rather than an interrogation.
Building Our Community
During these first few weeks, we have been intentional about helping students truly see and support one another, grounded in our Character Strong curriculum and COHO Time.
Through COHO Time, students step away from traditional academic learning to build peer connections, take part in team activities, and strengthen essential social-emotional skills. Coupled with Character Strong lessons on empathy, respect, and perseverance, our goal is simple: to ensure every student feels seen and learns to treat others with dignity and compassion.
I am always here as your partner in supporting your child’s growth. Please reach out anytime if you have questions or if your student needs a little extra encouragement!
Warmest regards,
Anita Watson
School Counselor, Sakai Intermediate School
awatson@bisd303.org | 206-780-6506
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This month the following students were honored for outstanding spirit:
- Beckett Boudreau
- Oliver Schindler
- Garrison May
- Rooney Ramos
- Sebastian Herzog-Ross
These students invited a friend to attend a pizza party with Ms. Hook. Thank you to That's a Some Pizza and PTO for sponsoring our student incentive program. The nominations are made in reference to Sakai's Four R's: Responsible, Respectful, Reasonable, Reliable.
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Mark your calendars — there's no school for students on Monday, September 28. It's the first release day of the year, and teachers will be spending it on professional learning and collaboration.
Starting this fall, Mondays are full-length school days and the weekly early release is ending. In its place, we'll have one full-day or half-day release, roughly once a month, on a Monday. Here's the full year at a glance:
Full-day releases (no school for students)
September 28 · October 26 · January 25 · March 22 · May 17
Half-day releases
November 30 · April 26 · June 7
Resources
We know a change to a long-standing routine takes some adjusting. Consolidating release time into full and half days gives teachers longer, uninterrupted blocks for professional learning and collaboration — the kind of work that's hard to do well in a weekly 90-minute window.
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Game Room Volunteers
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help make our school’s Game Room a fun, welcoming, and engaging space for our 5th and 6th grade students! Game Room will be available during lunch recess on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please review the link below and sign up if you are able.
Library Volunteers
The library is looking for volunteers to help restock and organize books on the shelves during school hours.
Volunteers can help at any time during the school day that works with their schedule. Please review the link below and sign up if you are able.
Lunchroom Volunteers
We are looking for parent volunteers to help during our students’ lunch period at Sakai.
If you are interested in helping in our lunchroom, please review the link below and sign up if you are able.
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.
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Get Ready for Picture Day!
Our photographer is scheduled to take school photos the morning of Friday, October 2nd.
Please read the Picture Day Flyer for information and instructions regarding school photos and online ordering.
Highlights for this year:
- No paper ordering envelopes.
- A few days after picture day, ordering will be available online via the Jostens website, Sakai Event Code is FE124426
- Preview your pictures before you buy
- Choose your background
- Photos ship directly to home
Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, October 28th.
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Spirit Wear
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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Fall Referral Window: September 21–October 9, 2026
BISD’s Highly Capable (HC) referrals are welcome during our fall window for students new to our district (since February 19, 2026) in grades 1–11. (Referrals for Kindergarten and currently enrolled BISD students will open during our spring window.)
If you’d like your student considered for HC services, please visit our BISD Highly Capable page for the timeline, program details, and the referral form.
Previously in HC/Gifted elsewhere?
Please complete the BISD referral and email documentation (e.g., assessment scores, grades, placement letters) to Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.
Deadline: Submit the referral (and any supporting documents, if applicable) by end of day Friday, October 9, 2026.
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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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Strong schools are built together! Bainbridge Schools Foundation (BSF) works alongside BISD and our school PTOs to help ensure every student has access to an excellent public education. While PTOs build community and enrich the experience at individual schools, BSF raises funds for critical district wide staff and programs serving students across all seven BISD schools, including academic intervention, educator support and professional development, and library resources. Learn more about how these organizations work together, and how you can support our schools, at www.bainbridgeschoolsfoundation.org. |
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SEPTEMBER
28: PD Full Day Release - No School
OCTOBER
2: School photos during the school day.
15: PTO Meeting 9:00 am
21: Unity Day - Wear orange
23: COHO Run Day
26: PD Full Day Release - No School
27-30: Fall Conferences - Half Day Dismissal at 11:55
28: School photo retakes.
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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, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender 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 and provides equal access to Scouting America and other designated youth groups.
The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator & Title IX Coordinator:
Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
Section 504/ADA Coordinators:
Maria Kuffel
Darren Spencer
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