Blakely Newsletter -October 5, 2026

Blakely Families and Community, 

October is here, and it is National Bullying Prevention Month! We support bullying prevention work year-round, but we will unite for the cause this month with our annual Unity Day on Wednesday, October 21st. On this special day, we ask all students, staff, and families to participate by wearing ORANGE as we send a visible message that we are building commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. 

During counseling lessons this month, students will learn how to recognize bullying behavior, report it to a safe adult, and refuse to let it happen to them or someone else. These are known as the 3Rs of bullying prevention– Recognize, Report, and Refuse. Students learn that the four key components in recognizing bullying behavior are that it is hurtful (physically and/or emotionally), on purpose, one-sided, and repeated. We are also practicing how to report this behavior to a safe adult and how to refuse it using a strong, respectful voice. We also discuss how to be an upstander (rather than a bystander) when we see this type of behavior toward another student (friend, classmate, etc.). 

In addition, students will contribute to our school-wide window mural in the stairwell later this month by adding important ways to ensure others feel like they belong at our school, signing our school-wide unity pledge, and joining together to take our annual Unity Day picture. In the afternoon on Unity Day (October 21st), we will also enjoy an annual Taproot Theatre production that is sponsored by our hardworking and incredible PTO. Thank you, PTO! 

We encourage you to continue the bullying prevention conversations at home and discuss ways to be an upstander when we recognize bullying behavior taking place.  

In unity, 

Conference Sign Ups will be available on Monday, October 12th at 3:00pm via Family Access to sign up.  We will close the conferences on Friday, October 23rd.  If you need any assistance please reach out to Kyanne at KHawkins@bisd303.org

View and order at: https://shop.jostenspix.com/login

School Name: BLAKELY SCHOOL

Event Code: FE124126

Re-Takes are 10/27 in the morning.

Check out our New Spirit Wear this year.  You can order your style, color, size and it will be shipped directly to your home!  Show that Bulldog Pride!!

We will be working on a school-wide project connected to UNITY DAY! We need flat ROCKS that fit in the palm of your hand and are great for painting on (see the example picture below). 

Please start bringing your rocks to the front office with Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Marshall. 

Fall Referral Window: September 21–October 9, 2026

BISD’s Highly Capable (HC) referrals are welcome during our fall window for students new to our district (since February 19, 2026) in grades 1–11. (Referrals for Kindergarten and currently enrolled BISD students will open during our spring window.)

If you’d like your student considered for HC services, please visit our BISD Highly Capable page for the timeline, program details, and the referral form.

Previously in HC/Gifted elsewhere?

Please complete the BISD referral and email documentation (e.g., assessment scores, grades, placement letters) to Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.

Deadline: Submit the referral (and any supporting documents, if applicable) by end of day Friday, October 9, 2026.

Questions or need assistance? Contact Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.

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