Inside this Newsletter
- From the Counselor
- New Staff at Blakely
- Parent/Guardian Night
- Attendance
- Monday Reminder
- Volunteering
- Lunch Balances - New Process
- Shoe Boxes Needed for STEM
- Blakely Calendar
- After School Sports Club
- Gear Grinders
- PPRA Annual Notice
- Helpful Information/Links
- Community Events
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Welcome back to a new school year! I hope everyone had a summer full of balance; quality time spent resting and rejuvenating in whatever way helps you reset, and time spent enjoying something fun, adventurous, and new.
As we dive into the excitement of a new school year, it’s time to build up those morning routines and comforting, consistent goodbye rituals. My family is also currently working to re-establish these elements in support of our two-year-old (so you are not alone, I’m right there with you!). Here are a few tips to help our children (and us) start each day on the right foot!
Establish a Consistent Morning Routine
Predictable mornings help children feel safe and confident in their ability to tackle the day ahead. Here are some ideas to help keep mornings predictable, consistent, and smooth:
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A visual schedule with pictures of each step to take in the mornings (brush teeth, get dressed, etc).
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Prepare the night before by packing backpacks, laying out clothes, and making lunch to reduce morning hustle and stress. Have your child help with this and make it fun!
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Gentle time warnings, such as "Five more minutes until we leave.” This can ease transitions and support time awareness. Visual timers can also help children keep track.
Easing Morning Goodbyes
Separation nerves are normal and okay, especially during the first few weeks of school. I have had an abundance of firsthand experience with this recently as a fairly new mom. We can help our children feel more secure by:
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Validating feelings while also affirming bravery: Let your child know it’s okay to feel what they are feeling, and offer calm, confident reassurance as you say goodbye.
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Keeping it short and sweet: Lingering can increase nervousness. A consistent "special goodbye routine” (like a hug, high-five, secret handshake) can help make the goodbye fun and predictable.
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Reassuring them: Let your child know when you’ll be back and that you’re excited to hear about their day. Having something fun for them to look forward to after school can also help.
Starting the year with structure and loving support goes a long way toward helping our little ones feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your child’s transition into the school year, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We’re all in this together!
Amanda Keller, MS, MEd, NCC
School Counselor
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We are thrilled to welcome several new faces to our Blakely community this year! In the coming weeks, we’ll be featuring staff spotlights so everyone can learn more about our newest Bulldogs. Here are the new staff that joined Blakely this Year and the new roles that current staff have moved into:
Aisle McCarter and Lishu Rodriguez - Art Teachers
Lee Muir - STEM Teacher while Mr. Kitley is on leave until January
Emily Saling - 3rd Grade Teacher
Megan Shaffer - Kindergarten Teacher
Amber McGing - Library Paraeducator
Shannon Felgar - Intervention Specialist (Leave Replacement for Lee Muir)
Tina Gibson and Doreen DiSanti - Kitchen Staff
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Please join us for Parent/Guardian Information Night on Thursday, September 17th. We will start in the Commons for 15 minutes and then head to your student's classroom.
- 2nd & 3rd at 5:15pm
- 1st & 4th at 6:30pm
Boys & Girls Club will be providing child care on Back to School Night. Register Here: bit.ly/4xkwQyh
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Attendance Matters! We want your student here.
Please email blaattend@bisd303.org if your student will be tardy, getting picked up early or absent. You can also enter an absence on Family Access/Skyward.
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New this year, students are in school for full days Monday through Friday. We will have one full-day or half-day release, roughly once a month, on a Monday. Here is the schedule of the September Mondays:
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Monday, September 14 — Full school day.
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Monday, September 21 — Full school day.
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Monday, September 28 — Our first professional development day. No school for students.
Full-day releases (no school for students)
September 28 · October 26 · January 25 · March 22 · May 17
Half-day releases
November 30 · April 26 · June 7
Resources
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Blakely Families,
Please join us this Friday to vote in new PTO Officers for this School Year. The meeting will take place Friday, September 11th at 9:30am in the conference room....All are welcome.
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We love our Volunteers! In order to volunteer in the classroom or chaperone a field trip you must be on the Approved Volunteer List. Here is the link to complete the process. Please note it can take approximately 2 weeks to process but then you will be an approved volunteer for 2 years. |
Lunch Balances: We know how easy it is with busy schedules for lunch balances to slide into the negative. To help prevent these balances from compounding over time into large, unexpected totals, we are introducing a new monthly invoice process this year.
How the New Process Works:
At the end of each month, any remaining negative lunch balance will be converted into a standard student fee. Families with a balance will receive an email invoice for the amount owed, using the same process currently used for unpaid library fees or textbook replacements. You can pay the invoice directly online or through your school’s main office.
Please remember, if your family could use a little extra support, applications for free or reduced-price meals are always open and completely confidential.
Thank you so much for your partnership as we work to keep our meal programs running smoothly and ensure every student stays fueled and ready to learn. If you have any questions about your account, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Nutrition Services department: adaniels@bisd303.org.
Fee Update: Online payments can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a small transaction fee. If your child’s food service balance is low, it only takes a few minutes to add money using your VISA or Mastercard credit or debit card.
Reminder: Cash or checks are always accepted at your child’s school as an alternative to online payments and have no transaction fee.
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If you have any shoeboxes or boxes a similar size we would love them for our STEM class. You can drop off in the front office. |
Mondays — Fall 2026
Children will play a different sport each week, including soccer, basketball, tennis, baseball, bowling, court hockey, football, and dodgeball. All equipment is provided and made of soft materials. Children will go directly to the gym after school. The club is coached by Henry Guterson, an Island youth coach since 2004. Our goal is for children to improve their sports skills and have a fun, positive experience.
- Eligible Grades: 2nd-4th graders
- Dates: Mondays, 9/14–11/2 (6 sessions-- No club on 9/28 nor 10/26)
- Time: 2:20 PM – 3:45 PM
- Cost: $135 (10% of proceeds go to the PTO)
- Capacity: Maximum of 20 children
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Each year, we remind parents/guardians of their rights under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The PPRA indicates that before a student is asked a question involving one or more sensitive topics identified in the law, the district must first inform parents/guardians and provide the opportunity to review the questions and the ability to opt their student out of participation.
Attached in the district's annual PPRA notice detailing the surveys and screeners we currently anticipate may be provided at your student's school.
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SEPTEMBER
8: First Day Preschool
11: PTO Meeting 9:30am
17: Back to School Night 2nd & 3rd at 5:15pm
17: Back to School Night 1st & 4th at 6:30pm
25: Picture Day!
28: No School - Professional Development Day
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SCHOOL INFORMATION
K-4 School Hours
Preschool Hours:
Tuesday-Friday
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AM: 7:45-10:15
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PM: 11:45-2:20
Phone Numbers
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Main office: 206-842-4752
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Attendance: 206-780-2046 or blaattend@bisd303.org
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After-school Transportation: blabus@bisd303.org
Helpful Links
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Looking for things to do around town? Visit our Community Events page for local happenings, classes, and family activities—updated regularly. |
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:
Maria Kuffel, Director of Student Services
206-780-1088
Darren Spencer
Assistant Director of Student Services
206-780-1069
8489 Madison Avenue North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
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