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SAKAI INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
COHO CONNECTION
01/09/23
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| MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
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Dear Sakai Families,
Today I introduced our annual Martin Luther King Day Essay Challenge to our students. I will ask a few students to share their essays with their classmates at our Martin Luther King Day assembly. Please encourage your student to participate. As we near the honoring of Dr. King, I also encourage you to talk with your student about equity and hopes for the future. Ask them questions, listen intently, and provide opportunities for them to help their community. Please consider joining the Young People’s March for Peace and Kindness on Monday (see details below).
This month we are discussing Digital Citizenship with students with short videos and lessons. For families, we have invited John Garland to our PTO meeting on January 19th to discuss digital safety and citizenship and how to have that conversation with our kids. John is a Special Agent with the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) assigned to the National Maritime Center in Martinsburg, WV where he is investigating Merchant Mariner Credential Fraud. Previously, he was assigned to the CGIS Northwest Region Office in Seattle, WA where he primarily conducted Family and Sexual Violence Investigations. In this capacity, John received specialized training involving Crimes Against Children. While stationed in Washington State, John participated in the Kitsap County Human Trafficking Taskforce with a mission to bring awareness/dialogue surrounding this topic to schools, parents, guardians, and the community. John most recently lived in Poulsbo and has three school-aged kids: a son in 6th Grade, a son in 2nd Grade, and a daughter in First Grade. John will let you in on a couple of tips for knowing what your kids are doing online and take any questions you may have. Personally, I know John as a parent from when I was the principal at Poulsbo Elementary, and I know you will find him engaging and informative.
Conferences will be held at the end of this month on January 25-27. Conferences will be held in person with an option for Zoom if you wish. We ask you please find a time within three days that work for you. You will receive information from your student's homeroom teacher about how to sign up this week. We look forward to meeting with you!
Have a wonderful week, Sakai!
Drew
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Wednesday, January 25th, Thursday, January 26th and Friday, January 27th are Winter conference days.
There is no school for students on conference days.
Conferences are an important time to further that home to school, and school to home connection that is so valuable in education. It's a time for students to be recognized for their efforts, and a time for students to re-establish their goals and their dedication toward reaching those goals. Families and teachers work together to support the student. In so doing, families and teachers show the caring and teamwork that is a crucial connection in a student's education. Teachers are looking forward to conferencing with all of you. If you have not yet heard from your student's teacher about signing up for a conference, you will soon. When you do, please act quickly to sign up for the conference time that works best for you.
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Sustainability Update
Here is a note from our Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Jackson:
The City of Bainbridge Island recently enacted new regulations with the goal of reducing single-use plastic waste on Bainbridge Island. These regulations mostly impact retail establishments and restaurants, but you may notice changes at schools as well as we endeavor to put our practices in line with these initiatives. Effective January 1, 2023, the following new regulations go into effect:
1. Disposable plastic forks, knives, and spoons are prohibited (compostable ok; businesses have a 3-month grace period to use up what they have)
2. Reusable serviceware is required for onsite dining
3. Styrofoam is prohibited
4. 25 cent fee for disposable cups is required--bring your own!
5. No single-use hygiene products in hotels (refillable dispensers instead)
More information on these initiatives can be obtained at the website linked here: 2023 Waste Reduction Resources | Bainbridge Island, WA - Official Website (bainbridgewa.gov)
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Sakai Volunteer Opportunities
We have several upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thank you for considering signing up to help us out.
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Updates to Grading & Assessment
The School Board held a Study Session focused on Grading & Assessment. Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, BISD began the process of updating our kindergarten through 5th Grade Report Cards, now called Progress Reports. This work was accomplished through many hours of committee meetings involving stakeholders from each K-5 grade level and school building in BISD. The result is a Progress Report aligned with our curricula and assessments and is consistent across grade levels and schools.
These new Progress Reports will be used as of January 2023, replacing our former K-5 Report Cards. Elementary principals and teachers will provide parents and guardians with additional information.
For questions, please contact Amii Thompson, Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning, at 206-780-1067 or athompson@bisd303.org.
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WILKES RENAMING & PUBLIC HEARINGS
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As we have shared, BISD is exploring options to rename Captain Charles Wilkes Elementary to better align with BISD's mission and belief statements.
Since October, we have been collecting name recommendations, and the suggestion form will remain open through January 27th.
In addition, there will be two public hearings where community members can learn more about why the name change is being considered, the Renaming Committee's vetting process and submit name suggestions in-person or online.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - TWO OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK
DATES: January 10, 2023 and January 17, 2023
WHEN: From 4-6 p.m.
WHERE*: Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School, 9343 Sportsman Club Road
QUESTIONS?: Contact Amii Thompson, Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning at athompson@bisd303.org
*Note the hearings will be held at Sakai due to its central location
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NEW TESTING @ BISD DRIVE-THRU SITE
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BISD now offers testing that screens for COVID and Influenza A & B.
WHAT: With one nasal swab, BISD students and staff can test for COVID and Influenza A & B using the BD Triplex test.
WHERE: Testing will be available at the District Office Drive-Thru Testing Center, 8489 Madison Ave. N (between the Aquatic Center & Ordway Elementary). The Triplex Test requires special equipment, so this is not a take-home test.
WHEN: School days from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. during January. (Depending on the response and the prevalence of the viruses in our community, it may be extended into February.)
THINGS TO KNOW:
- A consent form must be completed prior to the test and is provided during the check-in process.
- In addition, take-home COVID tests will be available at the District Office Drive-Thru Testing Center and schools' health rooms.
- Look for updated information on the BISD website
- Did you know? Many COVID-test kits are good for months past the expiration date printed on the pacakge. Check your kits here.
- Care Connect - Offers free support to those who are isolating or quarantining for COVID-19 infections. Services include food deliveries and personal care kits.
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REPORTING COVID-POSITIVE CASES
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Take home COVID Tests are available in Nurse's office if needed.
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The Young People’s March for Peace and Kindness on Monday January 16th
The second annual Young People's March for Peace and Kindness will take place on Monday, January 16th. Between 10:30-11:15, children, their families, and community members, are invited to gather at the Commodore Commons (pit parking lot, 9530 High School Rd.) to write letters to the leaders of their choosing, asking them to work for peace or thanking them for the work they are already doing. At 11:15, we will march to the Winslow post office to mail our letters. Bring signs, banners, and friends. Questions? awillhoit@bisd303.org
View photos of past year's march here: http://www.bainbridgereview.com/news/march-for-mlk-day-photo-gallery/
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| For community activities of interest to students and families, click the button below.
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CALENDAR
JANUARY
JANUARY 16 - MLK HOLIDAY - NO SCHOOL
JANUARY 19 - PTO MEETING 9:15 AM
JANUARY 20 - SPIRIT DAY - DISNEY DAY
JANUARY 25, 26 & 27 - PARENT CONFERENCES - NO SCHOOL
JANUARY 30 - FOOD DRIVE KICKOFF
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MLK Holiday
January 16th
No School
Winter Conferences
January 25th, 26th & 27th
No School
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Nondiscrimination Statement: Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For questions, please contact Civil Rights Coordinator, Kristen Haizlip at khaizlip@bisd303.org.
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