Annual Parent Notices

The Bainbridge Island School District prioritizes partnering with families to make sure students fully benefit from their education by attending school regularly. Your student can start building this habit as early as preschool so they learn that going to school on time, every day is important.

Our Promise To You
We know that there are a wide variety of reasons that students are absent from school. There are many people in our building prepared to help you if you or your student face challenges in getting to school regularly or on time.  We promise to track attendance daily, to notice when your student is missing from class, communicate with you to understand why they were absent, and to identify barriers and supports available to overcome challenges you may face in helping your student attend school.

Did You Know?

• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences (excused and unexcused) can cause children to fall behind in school.  
• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) increases the chance that your students will not read or master math at the same level as their peers.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.  
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of high school.
• By being present at school, your child learns valuable social skills and has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with other students and school staff.
• By 9th grade, regular and high attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores.

What You Can Do

• Avoid scheduling vacations when school is in session. They are considered unexcused absences.
• Build regular routines for bedtime and the morning.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Talk about the importance of regular attendance and about how your child feels about school.
• Don’t permit missing school unless your child is truly sick. Use a thermometer to check for a fever. Remember that stomach aches and headaches may be signs of anxiety.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• Avoid medical appointments when school is in session.
• Keep a chart recording your child’s attendance at home. At the end of the week, talk with your child about what you see.
• Develop backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Ask a family member, neighbor, or another parent for help.
• Seek support from school staff or community groups to help with transportation, health problems, etc.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

We miss your student when they are gone and we value their contributions to our school. We would like you to help ensure that your student attends regularly and is successful in school.  If your student is going to be absent, please contact your student’s school.

• Bainbridge High School: 206-842-2634
• Commodore Options School (Eagle Harbor High School, Odyssey, Mosaic): 206-780-1660
• Woodward Middle School: 206-780-4579
• Sakai Intermediate School: 206-780-6600
• Blakely Elementary: 206-780-2071
• x̌alilc (Halilts) Elementary:  206-780-3050  
• Ordway Elementary: 206-780-1075

School Policies And State Laws

It is important that you understand our school policies and procedures, as well as Washington State Law, to ensure your child is successful in school. State law for mandatory attendance called the Becca Bill, requires children from age 8 to 18 to attend a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children who are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements.

Washington state law (RCW 28A.225.010) requires mandatory attendance for children ages 8 to 17 at a public school, private school, or a district-approved home school program. Children that are 6- or 7-years-old are not required to be enrolled in school. However, if parents enroll their 6- or 7-year-old, the student must attend full-time. Youth who are 16 or older may be excused from attending public school if they meet certain requirements.  

BISD School Board Policy 3122 and Procedure P3122 outline the district’s policy regarding excused and unexcused absences. BISD is required to provide annual notice of its Attendance Policy.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232; 34CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records. Under FERPA, a school may not generally disclose personally identifiable information from a minor student’s education records to a third party unless the student’s parent has provided written consent. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords parents and students over eighteen (18) years of age (“eligible students”) certain rights with respect to the student’s education records.

They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within forty-five (45) days of the day the district receives a request for access. Parents or eligible students should submit to the district records custodian a written request that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The records custodian will make arrangements for access and notify the parent or eligible student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the parent or eligible student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Parents or eligible students may ask the district to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the school principal, clearly identify the part of the record they want to be changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the district decides not to amend the record as requested by the parent or eligible student, the district will notify the parent or eligible student of the decision and advise them of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the parent or eligible student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the district as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff and law enforcement unit personnel); a person serving on the school board; a person or company with whom the district has contracted to perform a special task (such as an attorney, hearing officer, auditor, medical consultant, or therapist); a parent or student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the district discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school district in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the district to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office U.S. Department of Education 400 Maryland Avenue SW Washington, D.C. 20202-5920

In Washington, all students have the right to be treated consistent with their gender identity at school. Our school will:

• Address students by their requested name and pronouns, whether or not they have legally changed their name.
• Update students’ gender designation so they are accurately reflected in school records.
• Provide students with access to restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.

· Ensure students can participate in sports, physical education classes, field trips, and overnight trips consistent with their gender identity.

• Keep students’ health and education information private and confidential.
• Allow students to wear clothing that reflects their gender identity and enforce dress codes without regard to a student’s gender or perceived gender.
• Create an inclusive, respectful environment and protect students from teasing, bullying, or harassment based on their gender or gender identity.

Executive Order on Gender

Any state can continue to have laws and policies that recognize more than two genders, including transgender and nonbinary individuals, even if a federal executive order defines gender narrowly. Here's why:

• State Authority: Education is largely governed at the state and local levels. Washington state has the authority to establish its own policies for schools, including those that affirm and support transgender and nonbinary students, as long as these policies do not conflict with federal law.

• State Nondiscrimination Laws: Washington is one of several states with robust anti-discrimination protections, including for LGBTQ individuals. These laws apply to schools, workplaces, and other areas, and they include protections based on gender identity and expression. The state's legal framework remains valid unless explicitly preempted by federal law, which generally requires Congressional action rather than an executive order.

• Limits of Executive Orders: An executive order is a directive for federal agencies and does not automatically override state laws. Unless accompanied by new federal legislation or court rulings, states retain significant control over policies related to education and gender recognition.

• Conflict Resolution: If a federal executive order conflicts with Washington state's laws, disputes may arise, but courts typically resolve these issues. Historically, courts have supported states' rights to go beyond federal minimums in offering protections to marginalized groups.

^ Source: Pullman Public Schools

Policies & Procedures

Policy 3211 & Procedure 3211P: Gender-Inclusive Schools

Policy 3210 & Procedure 3210P: Nondiscrimination

Policy 3207 & Procedure 3207P: Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying of Students

Policy 3205 & Procedure 3205P: Sexual Discrimination & Sex-Based Harassment of Students Prohibited 

Policy 5011 & Procedure 5011P: Sexual Discrimination & Sex-Based Harassment of Staff Prohibited (pending administrative & board review)

BISD Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator

Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
206-780-1058
khaizlip@bisd303.org
8489 Madison Avenue N., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Resources

OSPI Information for Families: Gender-Inclusive Schools

Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) Information

We work with parents/guardians and/or students to help students who are facing housing insecurity (lack of a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime home) stay in school and access stable services.

Federal law, called the McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Assistance Act, gives children the right to a free, appropriate education regardless of their housing situation. Schools must remove barriers to children in temporary housing
to enroll, attend and succeed in school.

The Bainbridge Island School District is committed to maintaining a safe and equitable learning environment for all students. As outlined in BISD Policy 4300:

The Bainbridge Island School District does not grant permission for any person engaging in, or intending to engage in, immigration enforcement, including surveillance, to access the nonpublic areas of school district facilities, property, equipment, databases, or otherwise on school grounds or their immediate vicinity. 

Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Plyler vs. Doe (457 U.S. 202 (1982)) that undocumented children and young adults have the same right to attend public primary and secondary schools as do U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Like other children, undocumented students are obliged under state law to attend school until they reach a mandated age.

State Legal Protections

Washington state law, specifically RCW 28A.320.145, requires that public schools: 

1. Protect student privacy 

2. Not collect or record information about citizenship/immigration status 

3. Ensure equal educational access regardless of immigration status 

• RCW 10.02.045 restricts state and local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws unless specifically required by federal or state law.
• RCW 10.93.160 prohibits school resource officers from inquiring about or sharing immigration status for civil enforcement purposes.
• RCW 28A.320.145 ensures schools protect student privacy, refrain from collecting immigration-related information, and provide equal educational access.

BISD Committment to Action

The Bainbridge Island School District is dedicated to protecting the privacy and rights of all students. We will continue working within the legal framework to ensure our schools remain safe spaces for every child to learn and thrive. 

To comply with state laws and safeguard student rights, Bainbridge Island School District will:

• Protect the privacy and rights of all students.
• Educate staff with guidance on responding to potential enforcement actions.
• Establish procedures for potential visits from federal immigration officers.
• Require immigration enforcement officers present a judicial warrant (signed by a judge), consult with district legal counsel and notify families of their rights.

Policies & Procedures

Policy 4300: Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Schools

Policy 4310: District Relationships with Law Enforcement and Other Government Agencies

Policy 4311 & Procedure 4311P: School Visitation

Policy 3266 & Procedure 3226P: Interviews and Interrogations of Students on School Premises

Resources

State of Washington Executive Order: Protecting Immigrant Families 

OPSI: Immigrant Students’ Rights to Attend Public Schools (translated versions available)

PSESD: Supporting our Immigrant, Refugee, and Undocumented Students & Families

Non-Discrimination, Including Discriminatory Harassment and Sexual Harassment Information

The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) is a federal law that provides parents/guardians of elementary and secondary students rights regarding the collection of data for surveys, marketing, and certain physical exams. The Bainbridge Island School District Board of Directors has adopted Board Policy No. 3232 detailing the rights and obligations of the PPRA. More information about the PPRA can be found at: www.ed.gov.

The PPRA requires parents/guardians to be informed before their student(s) are asked questions in a survey about:

1. Political affiliations or beliefs of the student or student’s parent;
2. Mental or psychological problems of the student or student’s family;
3. Sex behavior or attitudes;
4. Illegal, anti-social, self-incriminating, or demeaning behavior;
5. Critical appraisals of others with whom respondents have close family
relationships;
6. Legally recognized privileged relationships, such as with lawyers, doctors,
or ministers;
7. Religious practices, affiliations, or beliefs of the student or the student’s
parent; or
8. Income, other than as required by law to determine program eligibility.

For surveys that ask questions about one or more of the eight identified topics above, parents/guardians have the right to receive notice, inspect upon request, and be given an opportunity to opt their student out of participation.

For surveys that ask about one or more of the eight identified topics and are funded in whole or in part by the United States Department of Education, parents/guardians have the right to receive notice, inspect upon request, and provide consent prior to their student’s participation. Rights transfer from parents/guardians to students when they turn 18 years old or are emancipated under state law.

Parents/guardians who believe their PPRA rights have been violated may file a complaint:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue SW
Washington, D.C. 20202

In September 2024, the BISD School Board adopted revised Policy 3205 and Policy 5011, as required by new 2024 Title IX Regulations. On January 9, 2025, a federal district court judge issued a ruling in Tennessee vs. Cardona, a lawsuit filed against the 2024 Title IX Regulations. The judge's decision ordered a vacatur of the 2024 Title IX Regulations. As a result, the 2024 Title IX Regulations are no longer in effect and all K-12 school districts have been directed to revert to prior policies that align with the 2020 Title IX Regulations.

Bainbridge Island School District is committed to:

• Implement policy in alignment with 2020 Title IX Regulations (3205)
• Follow procedure in alignment with 2020 Title IX Regulations (3205P)
• Continue to abide by Washington State Discrimination Laws: RCW 28A.640 and WAC 392-190
• Maintain a clear process for handling discrimination complaints
• Provide equal opportunities in athletics and educational programs
• Address sexual harassment and discrimination concerns promptly and effectively
• Conduct regular self-evaluations of district compliance
• Ensure BISD staff are trained on Title IX compliance & responsibilities
• Educate BISD students on their rights under Title IX

BISD Title IX Coordinator

Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
206-780-1058
khaizlip@bisd303.org
8489 Madison Avenue N., Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Resources

• Dear Colleague letter on Title IX rules - US Dept of Education, Office of Civil Rights (February 4, 2025)
• OSPI Guidance: Sexual Harassment in Washington K–12 Public Schools

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992 or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. Fax:
833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
3. Email: USDA Program Intake
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Bainbridge Island School District is committed to providing access to all individuals seeking information on our district website – with or without disabilities. To meet this commitment the District will comply with standards of the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 Level AA for web-based content. 

Reporting an Issue with Accessibility

If you have difficulty accessing any material on this site, please report the web address or where you found the issue along with a detailed description of the problems you have encountered to the contact below:

webhelp@bisd303.org

To contact us in writing, send letters to:

c/o Accessibility Issues
8489 Madison Avenue North
Bainbridge, WA 98110