Coho Connection 09/29/26

Dear Sakai Families,

I hope you all found moments of rest and joy during yesterday's break from the routine!

As a parent, I know that non-school days land differently for every household. For some, it’s a welcome chance to slow down; for others, balancing childcare and work can be a real juggle. Please know that however your day looked, we see you, we hear you, and we appreciate all you do to support your children.

While students were away, our dedicated certificated staff spent yesterday engaged in meaningful professional learning and collaboration. To deliver the high-quality education our students deserve, having dedicated time to align our instruction and plan together is essential. I want you to know our team made every minute count!

One of our primary focuses during this time was exploring how we can best support our students holistically. To help us build on those efforts, students will be completing the Panorama survey next Monday and Tuesday. This survey gives Sakai students a voice, offering us valuable insight into their social-emotional well-being and their perceptions of our school climate. Your children's feedback is critical as we will use it to make adjustments to ensure we deliver on our commitment to providing a positive school culture where every student feels a sense of belonging and community. 

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, trust, and support as we work together to help every Sakai student thrive. Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!

Sincerely,

Alison Hook

Principal, Sakai Intermediate School

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.

Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, October 28th.

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. 

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. 

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.

With recent news about neighboring districts adjusting early grade screen time, we want to reassure you that Bainbridge Island School District is already ahead of these trends. Our K–2 classrooms rely on shared sets of iPads or Chromebooks used strictly for targeted, teacher-led activities or assessments. As a result, typical daily screen time ranges from just 0 to 15 minutes for Kindergarten and 1st grade, and 0 to 30 minutes for 2nd grade. Hands-on learning, physical reading and writing, direct connection, and play remain the true foundation of our instructional day. Looking ahead, our newly established Technology Advisory Council—made up of parents, staff, and community members—is actively working to evaluate digital tools and set clear, evidence-based guidelines across all grade levels. To learn more about our balanced approach, please visit the Instructional Technology page on our BISD website!  

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.

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.

Questions or need assistance? Contact Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.

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!