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Blakely Newsletter - September 30th, 2024

Posted Date: 9/30/24 (10:33 AM)

Blakely Elementary School
September 30, 2024
Inside this Newsletter
  • From the Principal
  • From the Health Room - When to Keep a Student Home
  • Highly Capable Referrals
  • PTO Jog-A-Thon Fundraiser
  • PTO Happenings
  • STEM Supplies Needed
  • Blakely Calendar
 
Ms. Pool
From the Principal
Dear Blakely Families,

September is a wrap! I couldn’t be more pleased and grateful for the way the first month of school rolled out. The staff is feeling a strong sense of community built around our 3Bs. When we feel SAFE, RESPECTED and RESPONSIBLE, the sky's the limit at Blakely. 
  
Our social emotional curriculum, Character Strong, focused on “Kindness” during September. The value of those lessons is visible throughout the school. I would like to recognize the effort of every single staff member of our Blakely community: bus drivers, custodians, lunchroom folks, office staff, teachers, and paraeducators, for the heavy lift that is the beginning of a school year. The shared effort to teach and reinforce these core values by everyone is so appreciated. In addition, behind the scenes, our district has a strong administrative group working to support us every day. I am happy to report; the groundwork has successfully been laid for the hard work ahead.

Now that we have established a culture of respect and kindness, and been able to get to know every single one of our students’ strengths and areas for growth, we can move into October with an intense focus on instruction. As I walked the halls this morning learning in action was visible in every single classroom and shared space. I love this building for the way its design shines a light on learning from every single perspective. We will look forward to sharing our progress with you at the end of this month at parent and guardian conferences.

The weather has turned and I embrace this new season. Having been in education for so many years, I know this is a time of hope in our school year cycle. Enjoy the long days and the sunshine while it lasts.

Happy October,

Kathleen Pool
 
Health Supplies
From the Health Room
When to Keep a Sick Student Home - A Guideline for Parents/Guardians
According to best practice guidelines, please DO NOT send your child to school if he/she has:

  • A fever (an oral temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher). A fever is a common symptom when it occurs with sore throat, an earache, nausea, listlessness, or a rash. PLEASE keep your child home during the course of a fever - and for an additional 24 hours after the fever has passed without the use of fever reducing medication
  • Vomiting during the night or more than twice in the past 24 hours
  • Diarrhea during the night or more than twice in the past 24 hours
  • Strep Throat (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
  • A cold, with a very runny nose or bad cough, especially if it has kept the child awake at night
  • Bacterial Conjunctivitis, or Pink Eye (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
  • Ear Infection (must have been taking an antibiotic for at least 24 hours before returning to school)
  • A bothersome body rash, especially with fever and/or itching that spreads quickly and has open, weeping wounds
Thank you for your cooperation in helping our school community to stay healthy. Don’t hesitate to call with any questions or concerns.

Bainbridge Island School District Nurses
 
Highly Capable
Highly Capable Referrals Open
Highly Capable (HC) Referral for new students to our District

Bainbridge Island School District offers services to students who have been identified as highly capable. Highly capable students are those who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels. Services are provided for students in grades K - 12. 

If your student is new to our district this fall, and you are interested in having them evaluated for our Highly Capable program, please visit our Highly Capable Webpage for more information. The referral window is open from September 25th to October 6th.

Highly Capable Webpage: https://www.bisd303.org/33922_3

The referral process for all other returning students (Grades 1-11) and Kindergarten will occur in the Spring of this school year. 

New to District HC Referral Process Timeline:
September 25-October 6: Referral window open
October 21-November 8: CogAT Testing
December: Results communicated with families before winter break.

Please contact your school's highly capable teacher with any questions you may have.
 
Bulldog Logo
Blakely Jog-A-Thon Fundraiser
Blakely Jog-A-Thon
The Blakely Jog-A-Thon will be held Friday, October 25th, with an emphasis on inclusivity, fun and celebration for our kids as they skip, run, or walk their way around the field in support of Blakely. Look for information coming home this Friday when we kick off our efforts! 

Sponsorship Opportunities
Do you own or work for a company interested in supporting Blakely while also getting great visibility in our community? Jog-A-Thon sponsorship opportunities are available! Contact Elli Koskella for more information: ellikoskella@gmail.com.

Thank you to our 2024 generous sponsors.
Miguelitos
Pacific West Land
 
PTO
PTO News and Events
Evening PTO Meeting (Wednesday, October 9, 6-7 pm): The October 9th PTO meeting will be held in the evening meeting to support larger attendance. We would love to see you! Interim Principal (and former librarian), Kathleen Pool along with Reading Specialist, Robyn Stahl, will give a short presentation on how to kick off the school year right with "Supporting Reading Development at Home". 

  • Childcare (with pizza for the kids) will be provided - please indicate in your RSVP how many children will be accompanying you! RSVP here.
  • If you would like to volunteer to help supervise children in the Commons, please sign up here.

Call for Volunteers
  • Chess Club Parent Volunteer Opportunity: Chess Club Coach Mark Cohen is in search of parent volunteers for Chess Club every Tuesdays (October 1 - October 22, 2:20 - 4 pm) in the Blakely Lunchroom. More information and sign up available here!

 
STEM
STEM Supplies Needed
Want to donate supplies to your child's STEM class?
We can use:
  • Foam/ Bubble Wrap
  • Sturdy small to medium sized boxes
  • Paper Towel Tubes
  • Toilet Paper Tubes (paper free please)
  • Craft Supplies
  • Circuit Boards
  • Corks 
  • Cool metal bits, pieces and contraptions
  • Feathers
  • Marbles
  • Ping Pong, Tennis, Whiffle or misc Balls
  • Fake Flowers
  • Fabric
  • Old Flashlights
  • Beautiful miscellaneous things taking up space at your house
  • Any other amazing, creative and/or phenomenal building supplies. 
Thanks for all the donations! 
 
Calendar
Blakely Calendar
OCTOBER

9: PTO Meeting 6pm Library
9: Conference Sign Ups via Family Access 3pm
18: Unity Day (Taproot Theater Performance)
25: PTO Jog-a-thon
29: Picture Re-takes (AM)
31- Nov 1 : Conferences (No School)
 
Non-Discrimination Statement
Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Kristen Haizlip, Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator and Gender Inclusive Schools Coordinator, 8489 Madison Ave. N, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110; 206-780-1058; khaizlip@bisd303.org