BISD Newsletter - March 28, 2025

At last night's school board meeting, Superintendent Amii Thompson provided a budget date and answered some Frequently Asked Questions. You can view the presentation here. You can also watch a recording of the meeting here. (The budget presentation begins around the 52-minute mark.)

This BISD webpage is a one-stop resource for the 2025-26 Budget and includes FAQs, past communications and presentations. Please refer to it for the most up-to-date information and share it with others.

When elementary students are asked what they would like to be when they grow up, many students answer with “Soccer player,” “Ballet dancer,” “Firefighter,” or “YouTuber.” (The last one is a recent addition in the last decade.)

For Bainbridge High School 9th grader Lilah Wakefield, when she was younger, her answer was “President.” So it is no surprise that Wakefield was among 12 students across Washington State selected to serve for two years on the Legislature’s Youth Advisory Council (LYAC).

“I’ve wanted to be in government ever since I can remember,” said Wakefield. “And being a part of LYAC has strengthened my desire to change how government works.” 

According to the LYAC website, the nonpartisan council serves as the official youth advisory body to the state legislature. Youth council members are asked to weigh in on any bills that directly impact the youth in our state. Wakefield shared LYAC priorities this year center around youth mental health and expanding financial literacy education for students. 

Throughout the year, LYAC meets monthly as an entire council (both in-person and online). Members lobby elected officials, testify before the legislature and survey the youth in their regions to ensure student voices are heard. 

“What has surprised me most is how many people are working in the government that we don’t necessarily see— policy analysts, personal assistants, security guards and election specialists,” Wakefield said. “While senators and legislators are often the faces of the government, many people are working behind the scenes. This has opened my eyes to all the career possibilities to impact change.”

Perhaps. But President Wakefield does have a good ring to it.

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Bainbridge Island School District is pleased to announce Jill Anderson’s appointment to School Board Director for District 5, following Mark D. Emerson’s recent resignation. 

“We are extremely pleased to have Jill serve with us on the board. Her commitment to our district and schools was evident throughout the interview,” said BISD School Board Vice President Evan Saint Clair. “Her extensive volunteer positions in classrooms, PTOs and district-level committees demonstrate her dedication to our district.”

Anderson’s background in corporate program management will help the district navigate its financial challenges, said Saint Clair. “Her deep knowledge of the schools will serve us well as we seek the best outcomes for each person in our schools.”

Anderson graduated from Bainbridge High School and attended the University of Washington, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a double major in the civics-based program Law, Societies, and Justice. She currently works in program management for Starbucks Coffee Company. Anderson and her husband (also a BHS graduate) have two young children. 

Saint Clair was impressed with the high caliber of candidates who interviewed for the position. “One of the things that makes our community special is that so many people want to volunteer and help our island thrive,” he said. “The district is fortunate to have received such strong interest from talented individuals for this key role.”

Anderson was sworn in last night and will serve the remainder of Emerson’s term through November 2025. At the April 24, 2025, meeting, the directors will vote to select the board’s president and vice president.

The Annual Back-to-school Check-in (ABC) process is open and has been completed for 18% of students. This annual process lets us know that your student(s) are returning to our schools for 2025-26 and allows parents/guardians to review annual information. 

The ABCs must be completed* for all students attending BISD schools in 2025-26, including both new and returning students. Access the ABCs by logging into your Family Access account. It should take about 15 minutes (or less!) to complete. 

If you need assistance with the ABC process (such as translation, accessing technology, or other questions), please get in touch with the office manager at your student's school. 

NOT RETURNING? If your current K-11th grade student is not returning to BISD schools next fall, please inform your school's office manager.

If you answered YES to at least one of the above questions, your student may be eligible to earn high school World Language credit by taking a language proficiency exam.

Learn more here: World Language Proficiency Exam.

If you are interested in a high-level overview of what happens at school board meetings, then look no further than the Board Brief.

The next School Board Meeting is Thursday, April 24 @ 5:45 p.m.

As the calendar turns to April, we know that many students and families are looking forward to a restful and refreshing spring break starting April 7th!

Despite recent challenges with weather and illness, our teachers, students, and families have remained dedicated to learning and staying engaged. We truly appreciate your continued partnership and commitment to our school community.

We look forward to finishing the school year strong as a learning community. Please continue encouraging your student(s) to attend school every day. If you have any concerns about your child’s attendance due to health or mental health reasons, please contact your student's school counselor or principal.

Helpline House, in partnership with Rotary, is offering Kids‛ Pantry Bags during the upcoming Spring Break. These bags are for youth (through 18) needing additional food during the school break.

Each bag contains enough food for one youth for a week.

PICK UP: During the week of Spring Break (April 7-11), bags can be picked up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any weekday except Wednesday (Helpline is closed on Wednesdays)

LOCATION: 282 Knechtel Way NE, Bainbridge Island

INFORMATION: Helpline House's website

Get your home, car, or office prepared for an emergency and make a difference in preparing BISD for any potential disaster, too!  

Through your purchase of emergency supplies for your home, car, or a pet, you will also be helping to fund the purchase of essential emergency supplies for BISD classrooms. Use the promo code BISD303 when you check out to make sure that our PTOs receive the 30% credit for your purchase. 

Click here to view events happening in our local community.

Is your non-profit organization interested in submitting news and events? Visit our webpage, Distributing News & Events, to learn how to do so.

7-11: Spring Break (No School)

24: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.

8: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.

26: Memorial Day (No School)

29: School Board Meeting @ 5:45 p.m.

To wrap up the week of "x̌alilc Elementary Loves Reading!", students and staff dressed up as their favorite book characters, and during an all-school assembly, local author Suzanne Selfors shared how she turns ideas into books.