Blakely Newsletter - June 16, 2025

As we wrap up the school year, I wanted to share that during these last couple of weeks of school, I have been visiting our kindergarten and third-grade classrooms to teach personal safety lessons. These age-appropriate lessons are delivered annually in June using our Second Step curriculum. The goal is to empower students with the knowledge and tools to recognize unsafe situations, set healthy boundaries, and ask a trusted adult for support when needed. I encourage you to continue these conversations at home and ask your child about what they have learned!

Additionally, as summer begins, it’s important to keep mental, social, and emotional wellness in mind. Without the structure of school, some children may feel a bit off-balance or miss daily connections with friends and school staff. Here are a few simple ideas and free online resources to support your child’s mental health and social-emotional well-being during the summer months.

🧠 On Our Sleeves – Mental Health Resources for Parents & Caregivers

Activities, conversation starters, and videos are designed to help families talk about emotions and mental wellness.

🌳 Connecting Kids and Nature – National Wildlife Federation

Mindful and relaxing outdoor activities that promote curiosity and calmness.

🧘‍♀️ Cosmic Kids Yoga

Fun yoga adventures for kids that support mindfulness, movement, and relaxation.

Wishing your family a restful, joyful, and mentally healthy summer. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any additional support or resources as we bring this school year to a close. I look forward to seeing you all again in the fall! 

Always here,

Don't forget to have your student look at lost and found for any missing items! It is overflowing...We are able to return items that are labeled. Everything left on the last day of school will be donated.

If you are not returning to BISD schools, please contact the office at 206-842-4752 or KHawkins@bisd303.org to inform us of your plans. Thank you so much.

Before your mind turns to summer, mark these important dates on your calendar. The 2025-26 school year will be here before you know it!

Next Years Calendar: Click Here

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 our office.

 

NOT RETURNING? If your current K-11th grade student is not returning to BISD schools next fall, please let our office know.

It is happening THIS FRIDAY - the most exciting school day of the year! After months of hard work, our kids are ready to celebrate with a day full of fun, games, and laughter. Thanks to the amazing efforts of PE Teacher Alec Grimm and Field Day Coordinator Scott Covey, this year’s event promises to be unforgettable. But to make it truly magical, we need your help. There are still plenty of volunteer roles open - lend a hand and join in the fun!

PTO Positions Still Open for 2025–26! It takes all kinds of people to make our PTO a success — and we’d love to have you on board! Whether you’re a planner, a helper, or just curious, there’s a place for you. 📧 Questions? Email blakely.president@bainbridgeptos.org

Did you know that BISD utilizes flexible boundaries? This means that there are many areas of the Isand (unless you live solidly South, i.e. Lynwood Center or solidly North, i.e Seabold) that are considered a flexible boundary area between two (or sometimes three) of our preK-4th Grade neighborhood schools-Blakely, Ordway or x̌alilc. 

Per Policy 3130 and Procedure 3130: The establishment of attendance area boundaries for the elementary schools will be completed on an annual basis as follows:

As we work to balance class sizes between our neighboring schools, we may need to transfer a small number of students. We do not yet know if this will be the case, as it will be largely dependent on how many new students register over the summer, and at which grade level at each building. 

As of right now, please know that there is nothing that needs to be done at this point in time. We do not anticipate having enough information to make a decision prior to the summer break, but we will notify families (if applicable) by mid-August. 

Please reach out to Director of Teaching & Learning Whitney Skarbek for additional questions: wskarbek@bisd303.org

From kindergarten classrooms to high school programs, Bainbridge Schools Foundation helps fund academic intervention, educator resources, and student well-being programs that reach every school and every student.

This spring, we’re working to raise $100,000 by June 30, and every dollar donated will be matched up to $40,000 by a generous BSF supporter. If you've been waiting to make a donation, now's your chance to double your impact!

Your gift, no matter the size, helps ensure all Bainbridge students continue to have access to the opportunities and support they need to learn and thrive! 

Make your donation today.

The Summer Pantry Bag Program provides free breakfast and lunch items for youth ages 0–18. Please note that participants do not need to be BISD students or registered with Helpline House to receive a bag

19: No School for Juneteenth

20: Field Day (PM)

23: Moving Up Assembly 8:00am

23: Last Day of School 10:50am dismissal