Coho Connection 01/27/26

Dear Sakai Families,

Our annual food drive started yesterday! In COHO, we discussed the importance of being a positive citizen who gives back to our community and today we heard from an employee of Helpline House on how critical this drive is to them to serve Bainbridge Island community members. It is so heartwarming to see our students excited about giving back to this community service project. There are two ways students can donate. They can simply bring a bag of items to their classroom. Or, they can volunteer for a shift at one of our local businesses.

If your student would like to volunteer for a shift, they will need your permission. Here is some information for you to know:

All donations will be delivered to Helpline House on Monday, February 9th. Let’s help our community!

Have a great week, Sakai!

Drew

We have Salmon eggs that are starting to hatch! However, last week I did share with our kids that we have fewer eggs this year than normal. That is because most Salmon hatcheries are not providing eggs to any schools due to a disease called infectious hematopoietic necrosis, or IHN for short. It is a virus that is vertically passed through the eggs of infected broodstock in many salmon and trout species. Most hatcheries that supply fish to schools are experiencing infection this year and are in quarantine. We were lucky to find a hatchery that had some non-affected eggs, and that would provide them to us. This is great news because we get to watch them grow and learn from them. However, the bad news is that we don’t have enough for each student to release one in the creek. And, even if we did, the fish we have are not permitted to be released on BI. Our fish will be released at an approved site in Kingston. We are thankful our 6th graders were able to experience releasing fish last year and our 5th graders will get a chance next year. 

There is no school for students on conference days.

Conferences are an important time to further that home to school, and school to home connection that is so valuable in education. It's a time for students to be recognized for their efforts, and a time for students to re-establish their goals and their dedication toward reaching those goals. Families and teachers work together to support the student. In so doing, families and teachers show the caring and teamwork that is a crucial connection in a student's education. 

Teachers will be contacting families to sign up for conferences and are looking forward to conferencing with all of you.  ​

We’re excited to announce a new partnership with BusRight, a school transportation technology company, to improve safety, efficiency, and communication in our bus system. The BusRight Parent App allows parents and guardians to track their child’s bus route in real time — right from their phone.

Parents of bus riders will be able to create an account to view live bus locations, stop arrival time estimates, route details, and more.

Families will receive an email THIS week with instructions on how to download the app and activate their account. The system will officially launch on February 2nd.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to transportation at 206-842-4641 with any questions. We’re looking forward to providing families with greater visibility and peace of mind in our student transportation system.

The 2026–27 school year will be here before we know it! We look forward to welcoming families to a series of information nights and transition events this winter and spring. Please save the dates below—February & March events will include additional details and times in our upcoming Community Newsletters.

Commodore Options School

Commodore Options School

Woodward Middle School

Eagle Harbor High School

Bainbridge High School

Bainbridge High School

Sakai Intermediate School

Additional details, reminders, and links will be shared in district publications as we get closer to each event. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your student’s transition into the 2026–27 school year!

As we begin the new year, we know that getting to school each day can feel challenging for some 5th and 6th graders. Changes in routines, academic expectations, social pressures, or worries about school can make attendance harder—especially during this age of transition.

Being at school regularly helps students stay connected to teachers and peers, build friendships, and participate fully in learning. It also helps students manage their workload, reduce stress from missed assignments, and develop habits that support success in middle school and beyond. Even small steps toward more consistent attendance can make a meaningful difference.

Regular attendance also allows adults to notice early when a student may need extra support, so families and schools can work together before challenges grow. If your child is having a hard time getting to school, please reach out. You are not alone, and we are here to partner with you in finding supportive solutions.

Together, let’s make this a year of growth, confidence, and success.

The middle and intermediate school Bainbridge Wrestling program (Affiliated with USA wrestling) is a free after school program held at the Bainbridge High School wrestling room for 5th through 8th grade students.

To sign up, please contact Dan Pippinger (danpippinger@gmail.com), fill out the information below and email it in or bring it on the first day of practice. Forms are also available in the Sakai office.

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