Blakely Newsletter - August 18, 2025

Dear Blakely Families,

Welcome to the start of a brand new school year! I hope your summer was filled with rest and relaxation with the people you love.

The first days of school always bring a unique mix of emotions—excitement for what’s ahead, paired with the nervousness of change and new beginnings. Whether it’s meeting a new teacher, learning new routines, or stepping into a new grade level, these transitions are an important part of growth. Our Blakely staff are here to walk alongside your children every step of the way, and help them build skills and confidence as they begin this next chapter.

We believe that relationships are the foundation of everything we do. Strong partnerships between students, families, and educators allow us to create the supportive, joyful learning community that is Blakely. Relationships grow through connection, and with that in mind, I’d like to share a bit about myself.

I grew up on Bainbridge Island, graduated from the University of Montana, and earned my master’s in Educational Administration from Western Washington University. I taught at Blakely for nine years before spending the last three as the principal at Crownhill Elementary in Bremerton. My wife, Laura, and I have a four-year-old son, Finn, who makes sure we stay active and moving. Our family loves being outside—swimming, hiking, skiing, exploring the Olympic Peninsula, and spending time at the beach. Blakely truly feels like home, and I am grateful to be part of this community. **In the same connection vein- just a reminder that I'll be on the playground from 5-6 tonight (8/18) with popsicles for our Blakely community. I hope to see everyone there! 

As we step into the new school year, I am excited for the learning, growth, and partnership that await us. Please know that my door is always open—if there is ever anything I can do to support your child or family, don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead. Thank you, and Go Bulldogs!

Sam Cameron

SCameron@bisd303.org

(206) 780-2050

August 18 (Today): Popsicles with Mr. Cameron from 5:00 to 6:00pm. All families welcome! Come play on the playground, get to know Mr. Cameron and meet other families.

August 26: Class placement will be available for families on Skyward Family Access at 3:00 pm. ABC Check-in must be completed.

August 28: Meet & Greet from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Come see the school, and meet your teacher!

September 2: First Day of School for 1st -4th grade! Please note that Blakely hours are 7:50 am to 2:20 pm Tuesday through Friday and 7:50 am to 12:50 pm on Monday.

September 4: Kindergarten 2 hour start & parent meetings. Students will be assigned to attend morning or afternoon. Parents will stay for important school information.

9: First Day Preschool. The youngest members of our school start this day. If you see parents parking in the bus loop - it is because they have a preschooler!

26: Picture Day! Pictures will be taken in the morning at school. Buying school pictures is optional.

Bus Routes are posted online here. Please consider utilitzing the bus this year especially with all of the construction at Eagle Harbor.

Please contact transportation directly with any questions. (206) 842-4641 or Transportation@bisd303.org

All families: Please fill out this transportation form as soon as possible. Click Here

This form tells the school how your child will depart from school each day. This needs to be your normal end of the day plan. We can only transport to and from home and to child care facilities (Big Kids/Kids Club, Boys and Girls Club, and Hazel Creek.

Play dates and other after school activities will be up to families to provide transportation

Our preference is an email to blabus@bisd303.org We will respond to your email but are unable to confirm messages or notes

Thank you so much for filling out this form and talking to your student about their normal end of the day plan. It helps dismissal run smoothly.

Fill out Survey here

Through the generous support of our PTO, school supplies are provided for ALL students.

Families are responsible for:

Please make sure everything is labelled. Thank you PTO!!

The Annual Back-to-school Check-in (ABC) process has been completed for 70% 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. You must complete your ABC check-in to be able to find out your child's teacher on August 26th.

If you need assistance with the ABC process (such as translation, accessing technology, or other questions), please get in touch with Sheila Jakubik via email sjakubik@bisd303.org or by phone 206-842-4411.

NOT RETURNING? If your K-4th grade student is not returning to BISD schools this fall, please let Kyanne Hawkins know via email KHawkins@bisd303.org  as soon as possible.

Did you know that BISD utilizes flexible boundaries? This means there are many areas of the Island (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. 

At this time, there is nothing that needs to be done. We do not anticipate having enough information to make flexible boundary decisions prior to the summer break, but we will notify families (if applicable) by mid-August. 

If you have additional questions, please reach out to Director of Teaching & Learning, Whitney Skarbek wskarbek@bisd303.org.

18: Office Reopens

26: Class Placement available at 3:00pm via Skyward Family Access

28: Meet & Greet from 9:00am-10:00am

2: First Day of School 1st-4th Grades

4: Kindergarten 2 hour start/Parent meetings

5: Kindergarten First day

9: First Day Preschool

18: Back to School Night 1st & 4th at 5:15pm

18: Back to School Night 2nd & 3rd at 6:30pm

26: Picture Day!

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