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Wildcat News - December 17, 2025

Posted Date: 12/17/25 (03:57 PM)
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Masthead WMS

December 17, 2025

Inside this Newsletter
  • From the Principal
  • Yearbooks - Final Days to Purchase
  • Winter Break Pantry Bags
  • WMS Athletics - Girls' Basketball Registration
  • Toy Drive - Last Day!
  • Woodward Seminar
  • Wildcats in Action
  • PTO News
  • Calendar
  • Helpful Resources
  • Community Events
 
Mrs. Donoghue

From the Principal

Woodward Families,

Break & Student Led Conferences: January 21, 22, 23 
Winter break is here! We hope your family enjoys a peaceful and relaxing two weeks without the daily school grind! As you start planning for 2026, please be sure to keep 30 minutes available on January 21, 22 or 23 for your student to share their school work during the Student Led Conferences. Your student will be given the schedule on Monday, January 5th, for you to find a time that works best. 

Chromebook & Electronic Device Use 
During the winter break, students will have much more free and unstructured time. I encourage families to shut down and put chromebooks away for the break and be mindful of all technology use, especially late in the evening and during the night when students are alone without supervision. Students are savvy and know how to get around blocked content on the chromebooks and phones. Many students spend hours on games, shopping, messaging, texting, and/or potentially dangerous internet activity when families believe they are sleeping or doing homework. Consider taking a break from devices to support social skills, creativity, and overall well-being. Students at this age can benefit greatly from learning to be without computers and other devices.  

New Pasta Makers! 
All of your donations to PTO are enhancing our students' school experience at Woodward! Ms.Sandoval was able to purchase these pasta maker attachments for Culinary Arts (see photo below). We can't wait to see them in action! 

Have a wonderful break!

Jeannie Donoghue
Woodward Principal 

What I'm reading now:  
Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey, by Edel Rodriguez
The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune  
Pasta Supplies
 

YEARBOOKS - Last Days to Purchase!

Yearbook pre-orders end THIS FRIDAY - 12/19!

If you're not sure if you've already purchased one for your student, please email Kristin Gellert in the front office at kgellert@bisd303.org to double check.

You can purchase these online with a credit card or at the Attendance Office with cash or check.
 

Winter Break Pantry Bags

Helpline House, in partnership with Rotary, is providing extra food during school breaks for any youth ages 0-18 who are in need of additional nutrition. These can be picked up at Helpline House Monday-Friday 10am-4pm during the school break.
 

Woodward Girls' Basketball

Tryouts are scheduled for 1/12, 1/13, and 1/14 from 3:45-4:15. In order to participate, students need to have:
  • Completed registration
  • Current physical on file
  • Online forms signed

More information can be found on the WMS Athletics page.
For questions, email the front office at kgellert@bisd303.org
 

TOY DRIVE - 1 MORE DAY!

Builders Club is spreading holiday cheer with a Toy Drive to support children in need! They are collecting new, unused toys in their original packaging until this Thursday.
 

Woodward Seminar

Social and Emotional Learning at Woodward Middle School - Seminar Lessons for the month of December

Each Monday during 4th period your student participates in Woodward Seminar, a social emotional learning (SEL) platform designed by a dedicated group of Woodward teachers. We use the WMS newsletter to highlight the Seminar lesson themes that took place over the course of the month.

For the first lesson of the month on December 1st, the topic was ‘boundaries’ and how choices we make help us feel comfortable and safe. Students also learned about types of boundaries we may need including personal, physical and digital.  

For the December 8th lesson, 7th grade students revisited their WMS goals from the beginning of the year and checked in on their progress. They also discussed the concept of labels and how labels can influence our perception of things which impacts our behavior. 8th grade students revisited their goals and discussed labels and the Halo/Horn Effect and how this influences how others feel and think about a person's specific traits. 

On December 15th the topic of the lesson was digital citizenship and navigating digital dilemmas where students learn and discuss cyber bullying, photo sharing, screen shots and privacy.  

Wildcats in Action

Take a look at what's happening around Woodward!

Cupcake Wars

Cupcake Wars erupted in Culinary this week as student teams battled it out in the kitchen, armed with piping bags and bold thematic visions. Teams hustled to design, budget, bake, and perfect their creations before facing the ultimate test: a panel of judges with keen eyes and even keener taste buds. Flavor palettes were scrutinized, moisture levels debated, and presentation flair fiercely admired. In the end, only one team per class could claim the coveted title of Cupcake Wars champion.

The flavors to claim the title included:
  • Creme Brulé Vanilla Cupcake with Swiss Meringue Buttercream
  • Chocolate Caramel Filled Cupcake with Oreo Buttercream
  • Double Chocolate Cupcake with Chocolate Buttercream
  • Apple Pie Cupcake with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting.

Victory has never tasted so sweet!
Cupcake Wars
Cupcake Wars
Apple Cinnamon cupcake
Cupcake Wars
 

A Visit from State Representative Greg Nance

We want to give a warm Wildcat "Thank you" to WMS Alum, Greg Nance. Greg is currently serving our community as a State Representative with his main focus on advocating for youth mental health, and helping our ferry system. We were honored to have Representative Nance stop by the school to talk to students about state government and to see all the wonderful things happening within our building.
 

Knowledge Bowl Put to the Test

Our Knowledge Bowl Club competed in the Long Island Winter Quiz Bowl this week along with 500 other teams!

PTO News

Follow Us!

Be sure to follow the PTO Instagram for fun images and friendly reminders.

Hot Cocoa and Cool Jazz - Dec 19

Students will have a before school treat to wrap up 2025! Cocoa, apple cider, and the smooth serenade of our very own jazz band.

Students are encouraged to bring their own mug to help keep waste to a minimum.

Emergency Preparedness - Thank You Bainbridge Community Foundation

The Bainbridge Island PTOCC and PTOs express great appreciation to Bainbridge Community Foundation for an award of $13,000 to help create a more resilient school district in the event of a disaster, such as an earthquake.

This generous grant is enabling a more equitable distribution of emergency supplies including first aid kits, mini lanterns, disposable gloves and masks, and more — distributed across all school BISD classrooms!
 
Calendar

Upcoming Events at Woodward

DECEMBER
15-19: Spirit Week
19: Cocoa and Jazz, Spirit Assembly
12/22-1/2: Winter Break - No School

JANUARY
8: School Board Meeting 5:45
12-14: Girls Basketball Tryouts 3:45-5:15
16: Choir Concert 6:30
19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
21-23: 7th-8th Conference - No School
26: Start of 2nd Semester
28: PTO Meeting 6:00
29: School Board Meeting 5:45

 
Helpful Links

Helpful Woodward Resources

School Hours
Monday: Early Release/ Seminar Schedule - 9:00AM - 2:00PM
Tuesday-Friday: Regular Schedule - 9:00AM - 3:30PM

Phone Numbers
  • Attendance Message Line: 206-780-4579
  • Attendance Direct Line: 206-780-4504
  • Main Office: 206-842-4787

Helpful Links:

Community Events

Check out the Community Events Page for fun and engaging activities around the island!
 

Non-Discrimination Statement

Bainbridge Island School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The BISD provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. 

The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator & Title IX Coordinator:
Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
206-780-1058
khaizlip@bisd303.org

Section 504/ADA Coordinators:
Annalisa Sanchez, Director of Student Services
206-780-1069
asanchez@bisd303.org

Maria Kuffel, Director of Student Services
206-780-1088
mkuffel@bisd303.org

8489 Madison Avenue North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110