BISD Newsletter - August 19, 2026

As we gear up for the 2026-2027 school year, it is my honor to share our new BISD Strategic Plan - a shared vision for our district built to ensure that every student is known, challenged, and prepared for whatever comes next. This plan reflects months of listening, honest conversation, and shared work among students, staff, families and community members. 

Our new plan centers around three core focus areas and a commitment to strong stewardship:

As a cornerstone of this plan, we have defined our Portrait of a Graduate. From early learning through high school graduation, this guides our daily work to ensure every BISD graduate:

Transparency and partnership with all of you are essential to making these goals a reality. I invite you to explore the specifics of our vision, our key initiatives, and the work we will be doing by visiting our Strategic Plan hub.

As your superintendent, I promise to continue showing up every day as a heart-focused leader who keeps student needs at the forefront. We have so much to look forward to this year, and I am confident that, by working together, we will continue moving our district forward.

Thank you for your ongoing trust, your partnership, and your dedication to our BISD community. Wishing you a wonderful last few weeks of soaking up this beautiful PNW weather!

Take care,

Amii Thompson

BISD Superintendent

Starting this fall, Mondays are full-length school days. The weekly early release is ending. In its place, we'll have a full-day or half-day release roughly once a month on a Monday.

Full-Day Releases (no school for students)

September 28 · October 26 · January 25 · March 22 · May 17

November 30 · April 26 · June 7

We know a change to a long-standing routine takes adjustment. Consolidating release time into full and half days gives teachers longer, uninterrupted blocks for professional learning and collaboration — the kind of work that's hard to do well in a weekly 90-minute window.

Class placement & schedules can be viewed in Skyward Family Access on the following dates/times:

BHS: August 27 at 3pm

EHHS: August 27 at 3pm

Woodward: August 28th at the Wildcat Welcome

Sakai: August 21st at 4pm

Blakely: August 25th at 3pm

Ordway: August 25th at 3pm

x̌alilc (Halilts): August 25th at 3pm

Student Device Reactivation: August 24 — Secondary student Chromebooks (grades 7–12) will be reactivated on Monday, August 24, so students can view their schedules before the first day of school.

To ensure student safety, our district already provides automated internet filtering that proactively blocks access to unsuitable online content across all district managed devices. To supplement our existing filter tools BISD is introducing Qustodio for parents. Qustodio is a free app allowing families to monitor their student's school-managed device outside of school hours, plus digital protections for one personal home device.

We look forward to sharing more information in the coming weeks but feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of student success, and it starts with connection. Meet and greets and parent/guardian nights give families a direct line to the people teaching their students every day: what the year will look like, how to reach out, and what support is available. Times and locations vary by school — check your building's listing below to find yours.

📅 August 28, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.

📅 September 17, 2026

Grades/times vary by school. Specific school information will be sent through school newsletters.

📅 August 28, 2026 | 12:30–2:00 p.m.

📅 September 15, 2026 | 5:15–6:30 p.m.

📅 September 16, 2026 | 5:15–6:15 p.m.

📅 August 28, 2026 | 9:00–10:00 a.m.

📅 September 17, 2026 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.

📅 August 28, 2026 | 9:15–11:15 a.m.

📅 September 22, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.

📅 September 1, 2026 | 8:45–10:45 a.m.

**10, 11, 12th graders start at 10:45 a.m.

📅 September 23, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

**9th & 12th Grade Meetings at 6 p.m.

📅 September 1, 2026 | 8:45–10:45 a.m.

**10, 11, 12th graders start at 10:45 a.m.

📅 September 23, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.

Class schedules and placements for 2026-27 will be released soon, and they'll only be available to families who have completed the ABCs. If yours aren't done, your student's schedule will be held until they are.

The ABCs must be completed for all students attending BISD schools in 2026-27, both new and returning. Log into your Family Access account to get started — it takes about 15 minutes. ABC Directions

Need help with translation, technology access, or anything else? Contact the office manager at your student's school.

Not returning? If your student won't be at a BISD school this fall, let your school's office manager know or email studentrecords@bisd303.org.

1: First Day of School Grades 1-12

4: First Day for Kindergarten

7: Labor Day (No School)

28: PD Full Day Release (No School)

26: PD Full Day Release (No School)

27-30: K-6 Conferences (Half Days)

Looking for things to do around town?

Visit our Community Events page for local happenings, classes, and family activities—updated regularly.

Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on what is happening within our school district.