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Blakely Newsletter - November 24, 2025

Posted Date: 11/24/25 (08:12 AM)
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Blakely Elementary School
Bulldog - In this newsletter

November 24, 2025

Inside this Newsletter

  • From the Counselor
  • Helpline House Food Drive
  • Two Hour & THREE Hour Delay
  • PTO News
  • Blakely Calendar
  • Helpful Information/Links
  • Community Events
 

From the Counselor

Dear Blakely,

It’s hard to believe that after Thanksgiving Break, we will be entering the month of December! In December, our school will be focusing on the Character Strong character trait of empathy—the important skill of understanding and caring about how someone else is feeling. Empathy helps students build stronger friendships, resolve conflicts more kindly, and contribute to a positive school community. It is noticing when someone is upset or left out, imagining what they might be experiencing, and responding with compassion.

Throughout the month, students will explore empathy during Character Strong lessons in class, morning meetings, read-alouds, etc. As a school community, we will be practicing listening with care, recognizing emotions in ourselves and others, and engaging in kind actions to help others in need. 
You can help extend this learning at home by:

  • Naming feelings: Use everyday moments to talk about emotions—your child’s and others’.
  • Asking perspective-taking questions: “How do you think they felt?” or “What might they need right now?”
  • Modeling empathy: Let your child see you offering help, speaking kindly, or checking in on others.
  • Reading together: Stories give natural opportunities to pause and discuss how people feel and why.

Thank you for partnering with us in helping students learn the power of empathy in building a caring, connected community!

Have a restful Thanksgiving Break filled with reflecting upon and sharing gratitude, and spending quality time with loved ones!

With Care,

Amanda Keller
School Counselor
 
Helpline House

Helpline House Food Drive

We are down to our last two days of collecting food for our food drive. Our goal is to collect 1,000 pounds of food between November 17–25 and we have collected 1242 pounds!.

You can still donate! Donations can be dropped off in the morning pick-up circle from 7:30–7:50 a.m. or in the office today and tomorrow.

Thank you Blakely for your kindness and generosity! Thank you Jackie Muth for spearheading this effort.
Food Drive
Food Drive
 

Two & THREE Hour Delay for Inclement Weather

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep students and staff safe during winter weather, BISD is introducing a three-hour delay option for school start times. BISD now has the flexibility to start school two or three hours late when winter weather impacts travel conditions.

This additional delay provides more flexibility on Tuesdays through Fridays, allowing extra time for roads to be cleared and for everyone to travel safely to school.

Our team has been working hard behind the scenes to make this a viable option on snow and ice days—ensuring that schedules, transportation, and meals are all ready to go when the weather requires extra flexibility.

How to calculate your school start time:
  • A two-hour delay means you’ll add two hours to your regular start time.
  • A three-hour delay means you’ll add three hours to your regular start time.
  • ⏰ End times will remain the same—the school day will still end at the usual time.

Bus transportation:
  • If BISD announces buses are on snow routes - check the transportation page on our BISD website.
  • If buses are running on regular routes, add 2 or 3 hours to your usual pickup time based on the delay.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate winter weather together. Our goal is always the same: to get everyone to school safely.

For more information, visit our Inclement Weather Info & FAQs.
 

PTO News

Yearbook Cover Contest!
Show your talent by designing the 2025-26 Blakely Yearbook Cover! All submissions must be on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper, vertical/portrait style, and include "Blakely Elementary 2025-26" on the design. Submissions are due Friday, December 19, Ms Hawkins will have a basket in the front office. 
Yearbook contest
Upcoming Meetings
The next Blakely PTO meeting will be held Friday, December 5 at 9am all are welcome to join! The coordinating council of all Bainbridge PTOs (the PTOCC) will be holding their next meeting Thursday, December 4 at 9 am Woodward Middle School.
 
Calendar

Blakely Calendar


NOVEMBER:
17-25: Helpline House Food Drive
26-28: Thanksgiving Break (No School)

DECEMBER:
5: Popcorn Day
5: PTO Meeting 9:00am
22: Winter Break Starts

Monday, January 5th School resumes
 
Helpful LInks

Helpful LInks

Helpful Links
SCHOOL INFORMATION

K-4 School Hours
  • Monday: 7:50-12:50
  • Tuesday-Friday: 7:50-2:20
Preschool Hours:
Tuesday-Friday
  • AM: 7:45-10:15
  • PM: 11:45-2:20
Phone Numbers
  • Main office: 206-842-4752
  • Attendance: 206-780-2046 or blaattend@bisd303.org
  • After-school Transportation: blabus@bisd303.org
Helpful Links
 

Community Events

Looking for things to do around town? Visit our Community Events page for local happenings, classes, and family activities—updated regularly.
 

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

Section 504/ADA Coordinators:
Annalisa Sanchez, Director of Student Services
206-780-1069

Maria Kuffel
206-780-1088

8489 Madison Avenue North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110