Ordway Weekly Newsletter - May 12, 2025

Inside this Newsletter

Dear Ordway Families,

Thank you for the recognition and all the kindness shown during Staff Appreciation Week. There were fun and delicious surprises, organized by PTO, in the staff room each day. We loved the breakfast, coffee, snacks, lunch and desserts provided throughout the week. Also the cards, flowers and posters for staff were thoughtful gifts for everyone to receive. Thanks to each of you for helping us make Ordway such a caring community for our Otters!

In appreciation,

Ordway Staff

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It’s hard to believe the school year is almost over. This month, as part of our Purposeful People/CharacterStrong social-emotional curriculum, we’re celebrating one of my favorite character traits: Creativity.

We teach students that they use their imagination every day—not just in art, but also in solving problems, expressing ideas, and navigating challenges. Our educators play a vital role in nurturing creativity by encouraging risk-taking, respecting students' ideas, and allowing room for mistakes.

In the classroom, students are regularly exposed to a range of perspectives and invited to brainstorm multiple solutions to situations they encounter. This approach helps them become more confident and flexible thinkers. Here are a few key ways we support creativity in our school environment:

As we enjoy the spring sunshine and head into the final stretch of the school year, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Warmly,

Janette Dodge

This Friday, May 16th is Bike to School Day. Students can bike, walk, scoot, even unicycle to/from school. Please be extra patient if you are a driver that day and if you are a participant, be sure you are dressed with high visibility clothing.

PTO is calling all volunteers!  Help us make Bike to School Day 2025 the best one yet. On May 16th, we have a variety of locations AND times to volunteer and your support is greatly appreciated. You must have volunteer credentials with the school district (it's an easy and useful training). Last year we had an amazing turn out and it would not be possible without your help.

Bike to School Volunteer Sign up

It is that time of year for you to provide input on your child’s placement for next year.

This is a confidential (and optional) guardian input form for K-4 student placement. Current 4th grade families, you received an email in March with directions for providing feedback to Sakai.

If your child is not returning to Ordway or BISD please indicate so on this form.

Input regarding your child's learning style, preferred learning environment, social context or other factors the school may not be familiar with can be helpful to the placement team. Your input will be considered in the placement decision. We do not accept requests for individual teachers.

 

If you have multiple children at Ordway you will have an opportunity to fill out another form after you submit this one. If you have an incoming kindergartener you can fill this out as well. 

The Annual Back-to-school Check-in (ABC) process is now open. 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 Ordway Office Manager Sarah Dunstan, sdunstan@bisd303.org / 206-780-1397. 

NOT RETURNING? If your current K-4th grade student is not returning to BISD schools next fall, please let Ordway Office Manager Sarah Dunstan, sdunstan@bisd303.org / 206-780-1397, know.

16: BIKE TO SCHOOL

20-22: SBA 3RD & 4TH

28-29: SBA 3RD & 4TH

28: SPRING MUSICAL CELEBRATION

2-4: OUTDOOR ED

6: CARNIVAL

19: JUNETHEENTH

23: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL