BISD STRONG Awards for Winter 2019 were awarded!

It's always a happy day when it's BISD STRONG Award Day! Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen surprised the Winter 2019 recipients and as always, the day was filled with lots of smiles and some tears of joy. Congratulations to all the winners!

Sakai students want your plastic!

Sakai students are taking part in the National Trex Recycling Program and so far, have collected more than 1,500 pounds of plastic. The contest runs through April 15, 2019 so there is still time to gather even more --- and keep plastic out of our landfills!

Introducing Tours of Sakai for upcoming 5th/6th graders not currently enrolled in Bainbridge Island School District

School visitations are an opportunity for non-BISD students and parents to tour the school and learn more about what makes Sakai and the district unique!

Mentor program helps new educators chart their way

Hans Griesser is in his first year teaching and like all first-year teachers in the Bainbridge Island School District, was paired with a mentor to assist with navigating the details.

The first batch of BISD STRONG Award Winners for 2018-19 were announced!

During the week of Dec. 17, 2018, Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen surprised the winners of the BISD STRONG Award for the fall quarter. Congratulations!

BHS 9th graders reflect on the Holocaust

As part of their history class, ninth graders at Bainbridge High School cycled through five different stations which focused on aspects of the Holocaust such as Jewish life in Europe before the Holocaust, the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and the Nazi camp system.

Great progress is being made on the new Blakely Elementary!

Thank you, Bainbridge Island Community, for supporting this exciting project.

Curiosity sparks were flying at Wilkes Elementary

Capping off their school-wide unit on curiosity, Wilkes students explored different career options.

BHS students visited BIPD

BHS teacher Kaleb Anderson and his class took a field trip recently to visit friends at the Bainbridge Island Police Department.

In action: BISD's motto of strong hearts, strong minds and strong community

BISD joins forces with West Sound Wildlife Shelter to help a feathered friend get on its way.

Working Together: Russell Milbrot

This year we are highlighting some people who help BISD run smoothly -- let's meet Russell Milbrot!

Marches of the Armed Service played by The Woodward Middle School Band

The Woodward Middle School Band performed a moving rendition of "Marches of the Armed Forces" at the school's annual Veterans Day Assembly.

BISD School Board Approves a Capital Levy Measure for the February 2019 Election

Bainbridge Island School District Board of Directors (Mev Hoberg, Sheila Jakubik, Lynn Smith and Mike Spence) voted unanimously to place a $15 million capital levy on the February 12, 2019 ballot. The $15 million will provide funding to complete the replacement of the 100 Building at Bainbridge High School (mostly funded by the 2016 Bond) and provide funding for district-wide maintenance through 2025.

Christina Hulet selected as School Board Director for Bainbridge Island School District

Bainbridge Island School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Christina Hulet to the position of School Board Director for District 4 following Tim Kinkead’s recent resignation.

Working Together: Alan Silcott

This year we are highlighting some of the many people who help BISD run smoothly. Let's meet Alan Silcott!

Recommendation from the Superintendent's Advisory Workgroup

On May 31, 2018, the board directed the superintendent to establish a committee for the purpose of identifying funding options to complete the 2016 Bond projects. A deadline of early fall was established for a final committee report and recommendation. Read more to learn about the recommendation.

Lunchroom News

Clink-clink! There is a new sound this school year in some of our lunchrooms — the distinct sound of metal silverware clinking against porcelain salad bowls or glass yogurt parfait containers.

Working Together: Patsy Reese

This year we are highlighting some of the many people who help BISD run smoothly. Let's meet Patsy Reese!

Congratulations to Blakely Elementary: National Blue Ribbon School

October 1, 2018 — U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today recognized 349 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2018, including Captain Johnston Blakely Elementary School in the Bainbridge Island School District. The recognition is based on a school’s overall academic performance.

Two new BISD positions help address students' social and emotional health.

In our continued work to address the social and emotional health of BISD students, we are pleased to introduce JoAnna Rockwood as the district's Behavioral Health Specialist and Sarah Frost as the district's Social Worker.

Returning home!

Talk about a full-circle story! Meet Ms. Maddie Ketcheside, a new third-grade teacher at Blakely Elementary. When Maddie was in grade school she attended Blakely Elementary and is now teaching in the very same classroom she once sat in as a third-grade student.

We are ready for the start of school!

Can you feel the excitement in the air?

Smiles from all the new BISD educators!

A warm welcome to educators new to our district! We are so glad you are here!

Working Together: Renee Knight

This year we will be highlighting staff in our monthly feature called Working Together. First up to bat is Renee Knight, who can be found at the front desk of the District's Office. Let's learn more about her!

Public Service Announcement: Construction work on Miller Road and Fletcher Bay Road

Plan your route to school accordingly! People who travel along Miller Road and Fletcher Bay Road should plan for delays.

BISD is conducting a survey.

BISD is conducting a telephone survey to gauge the public's opinion on a possible ballot initiative.

Going green & Saving green

When students and staff return to school in September, they will notice a few changes to the bathroom supplies. These simple changes will make a big impact on the district’s bottom line and improve the district’s recycling efforts.

We miss our students and staff!

It sure is quiet around here during the summer. Because we miss our students and school staff so much, we put together a 2017-18 memory montage to keep us company until school resumes in September. (FYI- the music begins after a few slides.)

Announcing the Kiwanis Club's Educator of the Year

Sunny-side-up smiles were all around at Kiwanis of Bainbridge Island's breakfast meeting on July 11 where BHS Science Teacher Charisa Moore was honored as the club's Educator of the Year. How fortunate we are to have such amazing educators in our district!

2018-19 First Days of School

We hope you're enjoying the easy-breezy days of summer. But before you become too carefree, please take note of our first days of school so you're prepared when the bell rings in September!

Look at this STRONG batch of people!

The last round of BISD STRONG Awards for the 2017-18 school year were distributed.

How BISD is investing in its students

As a school district, it’s our job to ensure that our students are prepared for personal success. But in the ever-evolving world of education, it can be difficult to balance the social-emotional and safety needs of our students while also fostering high-levels of learning. In order to maintain the success of our students, we must match current demands with appropriate levels of support.

Spotlight on Staffing to Help Students' Social & Emotional Health

During the 2017-18 school year, BISD kicked-off a social and emotional health initiative to help increase students' self-and social awareness, and provide healthy school environments. While strides have been made with our students’ well-being, we know that there is room for improvement.

Odyssey teacher recently honored at Whitman College

Odyssey 5/6 teacher Barry Hoonan received the 2018 Distinguished Educator Award at Whitman College's recent graduation.

This is what happens when you write poetry with an open heart.

Can US Poet Laureates be second graders? If so, students from Ms. Gace's class may be the next in line!

Announcing the next associate principal for WMS

BISD is pleased to announce that Travis Tebo has been selected to fill the role of Associate Principal at Woodward Middle School.

Announcing a new associate principal for BHS.

Joe Power will join the BHS admin team on July 1, 2018.

Recognizing those who go above and beyond in BISD

The BISD STRONG Awards were handed out for the spring quarter and oh were the recipients surprised! Read on to learn who won and what the nominators had to say about them.

Enticing Designs

Students in Bernice O’Brien’s Chemistry in the Community class recently completed an assignment in which they were asked to redesign a building on the BHS campus, keeping in mind factors such as air quality, lighting and environmental impact.

Volunteer Opportunity

Are you a computer science expert? Share your valuable skills with our high school students!

Announcing the next Director of Human Resources

We are pleased to announce that Nathan (Nate) Fitzpatrick has been selected to serve Director of Human Resources for our district.

Giving old shoes a new life.

Did you know that annually, approximately 300 million (yes, million) shoes are discarded in the United States? Sakai students recently saved 3,674 shoes (or 1,837 pairs) from ending up in the landfill.

Announcing the next principal for Commodore Options School

Bainbridge Island School District is pleased to announce that Tricia (Trish) Corsetti has been selected to serve as principal for Commodore Options School and will transition into her new role on July 1, 2018.

The perfect pancake lesson.

In Mrs. Milander’s second grade class at Wilkes Elementary, pancakes are more than just breakfast food. They are: a math lesson (if the recipe makes 64 five-inch pancakes, how many will you get if you make four-inch pancakes?); a cooking lesson (the difference between a tablespoon and a teaspoon); a lesson on how to be a good host (serve your guests first).

Thank you, Bainbridge Island Community -- A new Blakely Elementary is underway!

Thank you to the Bainbridge Island Community for for making education a core value of our community and supporting our school district. A strong partnership between the district and the community is crucial to students’ success and we couldn’t do our job without you. Thank you for passing the bond measure to replace Blakely elementary with a school that will better serve our students and the community.

It's time to think about summer plans!

Looking for some fun activities to keep your children engaged and challenged this summer?

Announcing the next principal for WMS

BISD is pleased to announce the selection of Jeff Hale as the next principal of Woodward Middle School. For the last two years, Hale has served in the role as WMS’s assistant principal and will take over the school’s reins on July 1, 2018, when current WMS Principal Mike Florian retires.

BISD STRONG Award Recipients Winter 2018

Aren’t surprises the best? Recently Superintendent Peter Bang-Knudsen surprised the nine BISD STRONG Award recipients. Along with big smiles there were quite a few happy tears as recipients listened to the reasons why they are being honored with award.

Wilkes Elementary and the Great Kindness Challenge

Wilkes Elementary participated in The Great Kindness Challenge and turned in their Kindness Checklists (which included such tasks as inviting a new friend to play and complimenting five people)

Bainbridge Island School District is pleased to announce that the following teachers have recently earned National Board Certification:

Odyssey 7/8 Students Place in National Writing Competition.

Odyssey 7/8 students participated in Yes! Magazine's national student writing competition by responding to this prompt: Think about someone in your school or community who is vulnerable and may need protection or support. This person may be a neighbor or a classmate—it may even be you. Are you willing and brave enough to stand up against injustice? Describe what you would do, and how your actions might make a difference.

Captain Johnston Blakely Elementary nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Award.

In mid-December, BISD received word that the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction selected Blakely Elementary as one of its seven nominations of Washington-state schools for the National Blue Ribbon Award.

The BHS Spirit Squad brings cheer to athletes and fans.

Select home Spartan games this year have had an extra sparkle and a louder cheer thanks to The Spirit Squad, Bainbridge High School's Chapter of The Sparkle Effect. The Sparkle Effect is a nonprofit whose mission is to create inclusive cheerleading teams in middle and high schools across the nation.

BISD STRONG Award recipients announced.

Oh, happy day! BISD STRONG Award recipients were recently honored by a surprise visit by the superintendent.

Best-selling author visited Woodward Middle School

Woodward students were recently treated to a visit by best-selling author Wendelin Van Draanen whose best-selling books include Flipped, the Sammy Keyes series (18 books) and her most recent one, Wild Bird.

The BISD STRONG Award

Bainbridge Island School District is filled with amazing students and staff and now there is a way to recognize and celebrate the many individuals who make our district strong.

New Attendance Requirements

In 2016, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill establishing attendance requirements for school districts.

BISD has a new look.

Why did we refresh our logo? We wanted one that was easier to read, easier to resize for various uses and incorporated our guiding principles.

How to receive notifications about BISD

Learn how to stay updated of important messages (such as weather-related school closures).