BISD Newsletter - March 6, 2026

We have passed the 100th day of school, and are almost 60% of the way through our school year! At this time of year (and maybe even more so this year) I find myself seeking more light both literally and figuratively. Thankfully, the universe readily supplies me with both right when I find that I need them most. 

This weekend marks the return of Daylight Savings Time, and the gradual building of more light into our days. While more light is a very welcome change, we also know that next week can be a bit off for all of us, as we lose an hour of sleep and our bodies adjust to the new schedule. Please be kind to yourself as we collectively make this shift. 

Another consistent form of light for me comes from our BISD students! We were lucky enough to have representatives from Spartronics (our BHS Robotics team) present as our Students at the Center during the February 26th Board Meeting. These 5 student leaders were poised, thoughtful and so very knowledgeable about their experience as part of the Spartronics 4915 Robotics team. I was so impressed by their crazy good mechanics, programming, electronics, and marketing skills, but also by their clear collaboration and respect that they had for one another as teammates. They each represented a different function of the team, all of which are interdependent of one another. If you need a bit more hope in your world right now, I would encourage you to check out this video beginning at 2:27.

Wishing you a week of finding light in ways big and small,

Amii Thompson

Superintendent

The Bainbridge Island School District has been recognized by the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) as one of the top-performing school districts in Washington State through the inaugural State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence.

Announced on March 5, 2026, the award honors 46 school districts statewide for their commitment to student success. Districts were recognized either among the top 25 districts in overall educational achievement during the previous school year or the top 25 districts demonstrating the greatest progress over the past three years.

This recognition reflects the collective work of our Bainbridge Island community—but most importantly, it is a testament to the dedicated educators and staff members who show up each day to support, challenge, and inspire our students. From classrooms to counseling offices, transportation to nutrition services, and every role in between, it is the commitment of our staff that makes this level of student success possible.

The City is offering a unique and meaningful opportunity for our students to engage in civic life and practice their public speaking skills!

Students are invited to open upcoming City Council meetings by reading the Suquamish Land Acknowledgement. This is a powerful way for our youth to step into leadership, honor the history of our region, and participate in an important community tradition.

How to Sign Up: Families can register their interest by completing the official form here: Bainbridge Island City Council Land Acknowledgement Sign Up

Next week, we celebrate Educational Support Professionals Week, a time to recognize the many staff members who help our schools run smoothly every day. Educational Support Professionals are essential to the success of our students, schools, and district.

Across BISD, support professionals serve in many critical roles, including food service, custodial, technology, transportation, health services, maintenance, and office support. Their work often happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt in every classroom and throughout every campus.

From preparing meals and maintaining safe, welcoming spaces to supporting student health, transportation, technology, and daily school operations, these dedicated team members make it possible for our schools to function and for students to thrive.

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend Hidden in Plain Sight, a virtual presentation designed to help families better understand current youth trends and how to recognize potential warning signs of risky behavior. This informative session will provide practical tools for navigating the teen years and tips for starting meaningful family conversations.

Click on this link to join the Zoom: Hidden in Plain Sight