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Coho Connection 02/03/26

Posted Date: 02/03/26 (09:55 AM)
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Sakai Masthead

Coho Connection 02/03/26

Inside this Newsletter
  • Principal's Message
  • Sakai Spirit
  • Food Drive
  • Woodward Information Night
  • Winter Conferences
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Yearbook Photos Needed
  • BusRight App
  • Kindergarten Information Nights & Choice Program Dates
  • Save the Dates: 2026–27 School Year Information Nights & Events
  • Wrestling
  • Basketball Camp
  • Sakai Calendar
  • Community Events
 
Drew Crandall

Principal's Message

Dear Sakai Families,

February has started with a flourish of excitement with our annual food drive for Helpline House and our salmon hatching. Thank you to families who have helped your student volunteer for the food drive and/or donated goods. We are halfway through and off to a very strong start! If your child is interested in volunteering, we still have open slots for students to volunteer at our local grocery stores for this upcoming weekend. 

Ahead of next week's conferences, first-semester grades will be available for you to see after 4:00 PM this Friday. 

Have a great week, Sakai!

Drew
Sakai Food Drive
 

Sakai Spirit

This month the following students were honored for outstanding spirit:

  • Ellery Smith
  • Teo Malatesta
  • Sunny Roe
  • Isabella LeMaster-Donahue
  • Lucas Lincoln

These students invited a friend to attend a pizza party with Mr. Crandall. 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.  ​​​​
 
Food Drive

Food Drive

IT'S HERE! The annual, colossal, gigantic, I can't believe it......Share the love.... COHO COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE!!

The food drive runs through Monday, February 9th.

Each student is encouraged to bring items to help us fill the shelves at Helpline House. This is part of our Coho program which includes community service.​

Food donations may be dropped off outside in front of the school at the drop off/pick up loop. Please place food donations under the covered canopy. Please write the student's homeroom teacher on all bags and boxes.
 
WMS Information Night

Woodward Information Night

6th Grade Parents/Guardians Save the Date! 

WHAT: Learn what to expect for your 7th grader at Woodward - Schedules, Core Classes, Electives, Social Media, and Much more!

WHEN: Tuesday, February 3rd, 6:30 - 8 pm
  
WHERE: Woodard Middle School - Enter through the main doors by the flagpole. 

This is an informational night for all 6th grade parents/guardians who will have 7th graders at WMS next year. 
 

Winter Conferences

Wednesday, February 11th, Thursday, February 12th and Friday, February 13th are Winter conference days. 

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.  ​
 
Volunteers Needed

Volunteer Opportunities

February Conferences - Let's Feed Our Teachers & Staff
Conference week means long days and lots of meetings for our amazing teachers and staff, so we’re putting together lunches and coffee to keep them fueled and feeling appreciated. If you’re able to contribute food or coffee during the week, it’s a simple (and delicious!) way to say thank you for all they do for our students. Every contribution helps—and is very much appreciated!



Contra Dance Event Volunteers Needed!
The Sakai PTO is looking for 1-2 volunteers to help plan the Contra Dance Event scheduled to occur on Thursday, April 23rd.

You will work directly with Sakai teachers Katie Gibbs and Amy Evans to plan this fun, family event, including helping with planning details and coordinating volunteers for the event.  

Interested or want more information? Contact Magda at sakai.president@bainbridgeptos.org.


Game Room Volunteers for January/February
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 available during recess on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We would love one parent volunteer to supervise each of these. Please sign up for the available slots 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.
 
Yearbook Photos Submissions

Yearbook Photos Needed

We would love to get photos of your student to include in the yearbook. That is why we are sending out this QR code to allow you to upload photos directly to the Sakai Josten’s Yearbook site anytime! 

You can use this code all year to upload photos of your student participating in any and all activities. Thanks for helping to make this year’s Yearbook amazing!
Yearbook QR code
 
Bus Right

Transportation Update: BusRight Launch

We’re excited to share that we are launching the BusRight app and look forward to providing families with a new tool that offers greater visibility and real-time updates for student transportation.

Activations emails have been sent to families. Please check your inbox for next steps.

📧 What to Look For
Families of bus riders will receive an activation email with simple, step-by-step instructions to set up their BusRight account and begin using the app once the system is live.

📱 Why We’re Excited About BusRight
Once active, BusRight will put transportation information right at your fingertips:
  • Real-Time Tracking: Follow your child’s bus on a live map
  • Arrival Times: View estimated arrival times for your specific stop
  • Stay Informed: Receive notifications about route updates or delays

❓ Questions?
If you have questions about your child’s route or the BusRight app, please contact our Transportation Department at 206-842-4641.

 
Kindergarten Information Nights

Choice Program Information Sessions

Choice Program Information Nights
Along with traditional kindergartens at BISD neighborhood schools, BISD offers choice programs (meaning families choose to enter them through a lottery). Attend these program-specific information nights to learn more!

El Velero (Spanish Immersion)
Wednesday, February 4 | 6:00 p.m.
Ordway Elementary School | 8555 Madison Ave North
Kindergarten Information Night

* Lottery note: Applications for Odyssey and El Velero are due Thursday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m.
 

Save the Dates: 2026–27 School Year Information Nights & Events

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.


Incoming Woodward Middle School 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night
Tuesday, February 3rd | 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Woodward Middle School

Eagle Harbor High School Information Night
Tuesday, February 10 | 6:30 p.m.
Eagle Harbor High School

Future Freshman Night (BHS & EHHS)
Wednesday, February 11 | 6:30 p.m.
Bainbridge High School

New-to-BISD (Grades 9–12)
Monday, February 23 | 2:15-3:15 p.m.
Bainbridge High School
Sign-up information will be shared in January

Incoming Sakai 5th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night | 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24 | 6:30 p.m.
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!
 

Intermediate and Middle School Wrestling

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.
Wrestling sign up
 
BHS Basketball Camp
 
Important Upcoming Dates

Sakai Calendar

FEBRUARY
9: Food Drive Delivery to Helpline House
11-13: Winter Conferences - No School
16-20: Presidents Day & Mid-Winter Break - No School

 

Community Events

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

Non-Discrimination Statement

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