Coho Connection 09/23/25

Dear Sakai Families,

A strong connection between home and school is essential to student success, as it creates a supportive network where children feel encouraged both at home and at school. When families and educators work together, we can better meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of our kids. We are deeply grateful for the ways our families stay engaged, share their perspectives, and contribute to building a positive school community. Your partnership truly makes a difference. On that note, I want to express my sincere gratitude for coming to our Parent/Guardian Nights last week. We appreciate you!

We want to keep our connection throughout the year. To ensure you are getting information how you prefer, please watch this quick (3-minute) video on ParentSquare.

In COHO yesterday, students were introduced to CharacterDares. The CharacterDares are designed to help us practice putting values and character into action. Please ask your student to discuss what this week’s Dare is and how they might accomplish it. 

Have a wonderful week, Sakai!

Drew

This month the following students were honored for outstanding spirit:

These students invited a friend to attend a pizza party with Mr. Crandall. Thank you to That's a Some Pizza and PTO for sponsoring our student incentive program. The nominations are made in reference to Sakai's Four R's: Responsible, Respectful, Reasonable, Reliable.  ​​​​

Math Olympiad is open to all fifth and sixth graders, and our mantra is simple: every person is a “math person.”

Math O meetings take place in the Sakai Library every Wednesday during a homeroom’s designated Flex Time. Extra weekly practice is also available in the Accelerated Learning Google Classroom.

From November through March, students will participate in monthly contests during flex time. Details about the contests will be shared as students attend weekly Math O meetings.

Learn more about Math Olympiad! Check out a sample Math O Contest!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Math O coach: Laura Nelson:  lnelson@bisd303.org

I am always surprised at what my students understand and absorb. This is what I am always saying to them when they ask if they can do something "out of the box" . 

Maggie Hitchcock

Art Teacher

Our photographer is scheduled to take school photos the morning of Friday, October 3rd.

Please read the Picture Day Flyer for information and instructions regarding school photos and online ordering.

Picture retakes will be on Wednesday, October 29th.

Fall Referral Window: September 29–October 10, 2025

BISD’s Highly Capable (HC) referrals are welcome during our fall window for students new to our district (since February 2025) 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.

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

Deadline: Submit the referral (and any supporting documents, if applicable) by end of day Friday, October 10, 2025.

Questions or need assistance? Contact Whitney Skarbek at wskarbek@bisd303.org.

Dear Families,

As part of our district’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment, we are writing to share information about one of the ways we support students’ social-emotional well-being.

This year, teachers in grades K–5 will complete the Character Strong Strengths and Needs Screener (new this year) for all students assigned to their class as part of our Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This brief screener, combined with other relevant data (such as attendance), helps us gain a clearer understanding of each student’s social-emotional and behavioral needs.

The information gathered from this process allows a team made up of district and school administrators, counselors, and qualified staff to:

The offered support may include small group or individual interventions focused on specific social-emotional skills or needs. If your student is identified as a student who could benefit from this type of additional support, you will be notified and provided an opt-out form giving you the option to decline your student’s participation in the intervention. If your student is not identified as a student who could benefit from this type of additional support, you will not receive an additional notification. 

If you have any questions about MTSS, this screener, or the support process, please do not hesitate to reach out to your building administrator or our Director of Student Services, Annalisa Sanchez, at asanchez@bisd303.org. We value our partnership and appreciate your continued support in helping all students succeed.

Check out the Fall Sports Spartan Schedule and upcoming events!

All tickets must be purchased online through Hometown Ticketing. Tickets for football and volleyball home games are now available through our online box office. We will no longer accept cash at the gate or door.

Come out and support our Spartans this fall—see you under the lights!

Deciding whether your child should stay home can be tough. This guide helps you recognize key symptoms and know when it’s best to keep your child home to rest, recover, and prevent spreading illness to others.

TOGETHER, WE STRENGTHEN OUR SAKAI COMMUNITY!

One day, one student, one choice at a time.

LIKE MANY SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, SAKAI HAS SEEN A RISE IN CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM. WE’RE TAKING ACTION.

BISD is launching a campaign that encourages students to “Show Up and Show Out” in class, take pride in learning, and build positive, healthy habits together.

Sakai had a chronic absenteeism rate of 18.8% during the 2024/2025 school year.

Our goal is 90% of Sakai students will attend school 90% of school days!

3: School photos in the AM

6: PTO COHO Run kick off

15: Unity Day - wear orange

16: PTO Meeting 9 AM

17: Healthy Youth Survey - 6th grade

21: Vision and hearing screening

24: PTO COHO Run Celebration

29: School photo retakes in the AM

30 - 31: Fall Conferences - No school