Inside this Newsletter
- Principal's Message
- School Photos
- Culture Club
- Volunteers Needed
- Bike to School & Win Prizes!
- Washington State Healthy Youth Survey
- Highly Capable Referral Window Open
- Character Strong Strengths and Needs Screener
- Come Cheer on Your Spartans
- Show Up and Show Out Attendance Matters
- Sakai Calendar
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Dear Sakai Families,
October is a busy one at Sakai, filled with Unity Day, the Great ShakeOut, and our Coho Run fundraiser. Please look for more information on the fundraiser from our wonderful PTO coming next Monday. This is by far our largest and most important fundraiser and ensures we can support our teachers and kids this year.
Yesterday was a good reminder of the weather ahead. Your student should expect recess to be outdoors daily and to dress appropriately. If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity, supervising our Game Room at recess is a fun way to get involved. Additionally, students who arrive at school before we open for breakfast at 8:30 can expect to wait outside. Unfortunately, we don’t have a supervised location inside for students before 8:30. Thank you for your support in ensuring students are prepared and comfortable for school.
Yesterday, we started our first of several lessons in COHO around bullying prevention. We worked to define bullying and distinguish it from other negative behaviors. In CharacterStrong bullying is defined as “unwanted, harmful behavior that is likely to be repeated, coming from someone who has more power”. Next week we learn about response strategies as we aim to hone the skills needed to prevent it in our school community.
This week’s Family Dare is to agree as a family to set aside a certain time each day this week to unplug from devices and plug into family time. Model being present in the moment without the distractions that can come from technology. Debrief and discuss this challenge afterward and commit to this practice at least 1 day each week.
Have a wonderful week, Sakai!
Drew
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Get Ready for Picture Day!
Our photographer is scheduled to take school photos the morning of Friday, October 3rd.
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 FE249425
- Preview your pictures before you buy
- Choose your background
- Photos ship directly to home
Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, October 29th.
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Do you want to be part of a student group that learns about different cultures represented in our student body and country? Are you a person who is curious about people who might be different, and similar, to you? Are you interested in making a difference at Sakai and having fun? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, please consider joining the Sakai Culture Club.
Here are the details:
Who: 5th and 6th graders from Sakai ( and Ms. Rose)
When: Wednesday afternoons from 3:30 to 4, with a strict pick-up at 4; first meeting will be October 1
Where: Room 207
Why: Because you are curious and committed to creating a sense of community and belonging at our school
Students can pick up applications in the front office.
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Game Room Volunteers for October/November
As the weather gets colder and a little less outdoor-recess-y, our awesome Sakai staff would like to provide a game room alternative during lunch recess! Game Room will be availabe during recess on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We would love one parent volunteer to supervise each of these. Please review the available slots below snag one or more if you are able.
Please note: You must be cleared by the District as a volunteer to sign up!
Thank you for volunteering at Sakai!
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Get rewarded for biking to school! Now through the end of October, each time you bike (or walk!) to school, you’ll be one step closer to winning cool prizes. Use your punch card to track your progress and stop by the front office to collect your rewards.
Prizes include:
- Reflective sticker
- Reflective t-shirt
- Bike water bottle or tote bag
Safety Tips for Riders & Walkers:
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Be predictable: Signal your turns, follow traffic laws, and avoid weaving in and out of traffic.
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Be visible: Wear reflective gear, use front and rear lights, and travel with friends when possible.
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Be aware: Watch for turning traffic and road hazards like loose gravel or wet leaves.
Ride safe, have fun, and earn rewards along the way!
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Our school is participating in the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey this October. The survey will be administered on the following date:
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6th grade students at Sakai — October 17
The Healthy Youth Survey includes questions related to physical activity, unintentional and intentional injury, substance use, interpersonal relationships, school experiences, risk and protective factors, and access to school-based services. Survey results are used by schools, communities, and State agencies to plan programs to support our youth and reduce their risks. Participation in the survey is voluntary and steps are taken to ensure student privacy. There are no names or codes used to link a survey back to a student.
To opt your child out, please call your child’s school.
Healthy Youth Survey Information for Families and Youth is also available in:
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Fall Referral Window: September 29–October 10, 2025
BISD’s Highly Capable (HC) referrals are welcome during our fall window for students new to our district (since February 2025) 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 Whitney Skarbek at wskarbek@bisd303.org.
Deadline: Submit the referral (and any supporting documents, if applicable) by end of day Friday, October 10, 2025.
Questions or need assistance? Contact Whitney Skarbek at wskarbek@bisd303.org.
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Dear Families,
As part of our district’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment, we are writing to share information about one of the ways we support students’ social-emotional well-being.
This year, teachers in grades K–5 will complete the Character Strong Strengths and Needs Screener (new this year) for all students assigned to their class as part of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This brief screener, combined with other relevant data (such as attendance), helps us gain a clearer understanding of each student’s social-emotional and behavioral needs.
The information gathered from this process allows a team made up of district and school administrators, counselors, and qualified staff to:
- Identify students who may benefit from additional support,
- Monitor the effectiveness of our school-wide (Tier 1) SEB supports, and
- Ensure all students are receiving the resources they need to feel connected, supported, and successful at school.
The offered support may include small group or individual interventions focused on specific social-emotional skills or needs. If your student is identified as a student who could benefit from this type of additional support, you will be notified and provided an opt-out form giving you the option to decline your student’s participation in the intervention. If your student is not identified as a student who could benefit from this type of additional support, you will not receive an additional notification.
If you have any questions about MTSS, this screener, or the support process, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building administrator or our Director of Student Services, Annalisa Sanchez, at asanchez@bisd303.org. We value our partnership and appreciate your continued support in helping all students succeed.
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Tickets
All tickets must be purchased online through Hometown Ticketing. Tickets for football and volleyball home games are now available through our online box office. We will no longer accept cash at the gate or door.
Game Day Guidelines
Our school district is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and enjoyable environment for all fans. Please review these game day guidelines especially those impacting our kindergarten through eighth grade families.
- Students in grades K–8 must be accompanied by a supervising adult.This is especially important for grades 5–8—students will not be admitted to the game without an adult.
- No re-entry once leaving the stadium.
- No in-and-out privileges.
- No outside food or beverages.
- No student backpacks allowed inside the stadium.
- All bags are subject to search.
Come out and support our Spartans this fall—see you under the lights!
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TOGETHER, WE STRENGTHEN OUR SAKAI COMMUNITY!
One day, one student, one choice at a time.
LIKE MANY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SAKAI HAS SEEN A RISE IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. WE’RE TAKING ACTION.
BISD is launching a campaign that encourages students to “Show Up and Show Out” in class, take pride in learning, and build positive, healthy habits together.
Sakai had a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.8% during the 2024/2025 school year.
Our goal is 90% of Sakai students will attend school 90% of school days!
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OCTOBER
3: School photos in the AM
6: PTO COHO Run kick off
15: Unity Day - wear orange
16: PTO Meeting 9 AM
17: Healthy Youth Survey - 6th grade
21: Vision and hearing screening
24: PTO COHO Run Celebration
29: School photo retakes in the AM
30 - 31: Fall Conferences - No school
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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:
Annalisa Sanchez, Director of Student Services
206-780-1069
asanchez@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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