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Wildcat News - January 7, 2025

Posted Date: 01/07/26 (03:55 PM)
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Masthead WMS

January 7, 2026

Inside this Newsletter
  • From the Principal
  • WMS Athletics - Girls' Basketball Registration
  • New Credit Card Processors
  • 2026-27 Information Nights
  • Kindergarten & Choice Program Information Nights
  • March for Peace
  • Wildcats in Action
  • PTO News
  • Calendar
  • Helpful Resources
  • Community Events
 
Mrs. Donoghue

From the Principal

Dear Woodward Families,

STUDENT LED CONFERENCES are almost here! 
January 21, 22, & 23 are non-school days at WMS dedicated to our Student Led Conferences.  Conferences are student-led and specifically designed for students to take responsibility for putting together a portfolio that showcases their learning and achievements to be shared with their parents/guardians.  Students will be presenting their portfolios and learning goals to parents in 30 minute time slots at school during these conference days.  After the 30 minute presentation, there will be an optional 30 minutes available to stop in to see any of your students’ teachers for quick questions you may have regarding your student in their class.

 On Monday, January 5th, your student(s) received the scheduling instructions which are located in their 4th period Seminar Google Classroom.  Your student needs to register with your guidance;  please sit down with them tonight and select a time that works for all of you. 

Our Student Led Conferences are an excellent opportunity for students to share their strengths, goals and take leadership and ownership in their own learning.  They also teach students to set goals, share their accomplishments and prepare for high school.  You will enjoy participating in this excellent learning experience for students!

Thank you for your continued support,
Jeannie Donoghue 

What I’m reading now: The Berry Pickers, Amanda Peters
 

Woodward Girls' Basketball

Tryouts are scheduled for NEXT WEEK: 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
 

New Payment Option Now Available in the Office!

We are excited to share that our school office now has a credit card machine! Families can now conveniently pay fees, fines, and—most importantly—lunch balances right at the Attendance Office!

Keeping lunch accounts current helps our food services staff source local ingredients, and this new payment option makes it easier than ever. We encourage families to check their child’s lunch account and take care of any outstanding balance. As always, families can pay online and we still accept cash and checks, but at school credit card payments provide another quick and secure way to take care of school-related costs.

Feel free to stop by the office anytime to make a payment or check on your child’s account balance. We’re happy to help!
 

Save the Dates: 2026–27 School Year Information Nights & Events

The 2026–27 school year will be here before we know it! We look forward to welcoming families to a series of information nights and transition events this winter and spring. Please save the dates below—February & March events will include additional details and times in our upcoming Community Newsletters.

Commodore K–8 Information Night
Tuesday, January 27 | 6:30 p.m. @ Commodore Options School

Incoming Woodward Middle School 7th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night
Tuesday, February 3rd @ Woodward Middle School

Eagle Harbor High School Information Night
Tuesday, February 10 @ Eagle Harbor High School

Future Freshman Night (BHS & EHHS)
Wednesday, February 11 @ Bainbridge High School

New-to-BISD (Grades 9–12)
Monday, February 23 @ Bainbridge High School
** Sign-up information will be shared in mid-January

Incoming Sakai 5th Grade Parent/Guardian Information Night
Tuesday, March 24 @ Sakai Intermediate School

Additional details, reminders, and links will be shared in district publications as we get closer to each event. We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your student’s transition into the 2026–27 school year!
 

Kindergarten Information Nights & Choice Program Dates

Families with a rising kindergartener are invited to learn more about kindergarten options in Bainbridge Island School District. Join us for our general kindergarten information night and program-specific events to explore both neighborhood schools and choice programs.

General Kindergarten Information Night
Thursday, January 22 | 6:00 p.m.
Blakely Elementary
4704 Blakely Ave NE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Learn about kindergarten from representatives of all BISD elementary schools and get answers to your questions. More information at www.bisd303.org/kindergarten. Let us know about your rising kindergarten student by completing this form.

Enrollment will open in early January 2026.

Choice Program Information Nights
Along with traditional kindergartens at BISD neighborhood schools, BISD offers choice programs (meaning families choose to enter them through a lottery). Attend these program-specific information nights to learn more!

Odyssey Multiage and Mosaic Home Education (COS)
Tuesday, January 27 | 6:30 p.m.
Commodore Options | 9530 High School Road
Kindergarten Information Night

El Velero (Spanish Immersion)
Wednesday, February 4 | 6:00 p.m.
Ordway Elementary School | 8555 Madison Ave North
Kindergarten Information Night

* Lottery note: Applications for Odyssey and El Velero are due Thursday, February 12 at 9:00 a.m.
 

Young People's March for Peace and Kindness on MLK Day, January 19th, 2026

The Young People’s March for Peace and Kindness, an opportunity to practice service in the spirit of MLK and Day will happen this year on Monday, January 19th. Children of all ages, their families, and community members, are invited to gather for letter writing between 10:30-11:15 at the Bainbridge Island Library. At 11:15, we will march together to the Winslow post office to mail our letters. Bring signs, banners, friends, and your own stamp. Addresses and inspiration provided. Dress appropriately for the weather. We will joyfully be walking rain or shine!

This event is held with thanks to Bainbridge Island School District, Kitsap Regional Library, the BISD Multicultural Advisory Council and with support from our sponsor, Charter Real Estate.

The Woodward Beat

Step inside the Woodward Beat and hear directly from our students!

Winter Spirit Assembly

Just before we went into Winter Break, Woodward’s Leadership class and ASB planned out and ran a spirit assembly. ASB ran some fun competitions, like a snowball relay and hot chocolate relay with student and staff participation. Leadership performed a skit with a competition between the top monthly trends of 2024 and 2025. The seventh and eighth grade band students performed various holiday songs. It was a great way to kick off the holiday season!! - Reilly Carl, 8th Grade

PTO News

Follow Us!

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

Thank You!

Hot Cocoa and Cool Jazz was a hit thanks to Brett Irick (WMS kitchen manager extraordinaire who made all the drinks!), Samantha at Bainbridge Event Rentals for sponsoring a beverage dispenser, and Diane Landry from ZeroWaste for loaning us extra beverage dispensers.  

Thank you to all the PTO volunteers who showed up to make sure the line ran smoothly and quickly so everyone could enjoy the sweet serenade of the WMS band.
 
Calendar

Upcoming Events at Woodward

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 Student Led Conferences - No School for WMS
26: Start of 2nd Semester
27: Commodore Options School (K-8) Information Night @ COS
28: PTO Meeting 6:00
29: School Board Meeting 5:45

FEBRUARY
3: Incoming 7th Grade Parent/ Guardian Info Night @ WMS
10: Eagle Harbor High School Information Night @ EHHS
11: Future Freshman Night (BHS & EHHS) @ BHS
11: PTO Meeting 6:00
12: School Board Meeting 5:45
16: Presidents' Day - No School
17-20: Mid-Winter Break - No School
23: New to BISD (Grades 9-12) @ BHS
26: 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