We have plenty of “Lost” and not nearly enough “Found” in our missing-items corner. If your student has misplaced a hoodie, lunch box, or random shoe, it might be in our Lost and Found! Come check it out in the Commons while you're here for conferences and hopefully you can reunite with some lonely belongings.

As we begin the new year, we know that getting to school isn’t always easy for every 7th and 8th grader. Changes in routines, academic pressure, social challenges, or anxiety can make attendance feel overwhelming at times—and many families experience this.

When students are able to attend school regularly, it helps them stay connected to caring adults and peers, keep up with coursework, and build confidence and routines that support a smoother transition to high school. Even small steps toward consistent attendance can help reduce stress from missed work over time.

Regular attendance also helps school staff recognize early when a student may need extra support, so families and schools can work together to address concerns before they grow. If your child is having a hard time getting to school, please reach out. You’re not alone, and we’re here to partner with you in finding supportive and manageable solutions.

Together, let’s make this a year of growth, reassurance, and progress for our students. 

@ Bainbridge High School

@ Bainbridge High School

Join Bainbridge Schools Foundation for our annual Gala event on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Kiana Lodge. This fun and impactful evening includes dinner, an inspiring program featuring student speakers, a live auction, raffles, and more!

Funds raised during the event directly support all BISD schools and help build strong, connected learning communities for students and educators. Registration closes January 22; gather your friends and register today at bsfgala.org.

Nurse Maribel and Nurse Rose checking in! It is that time of year where there are several viruses circulating in the community and we are seeing consistent trends within the schools. A sick student cannot learn effectively and is unable to participate in classes in a meaningful way. Keeping a sick student at home allows the student the opportunity to rest, recover and prevent the spread of illness in the school community. Here is a friendly reminder of the BISD policy for when to keep your child at home:

- Fever of 100.4°F – keep your child home until they are fever-free, and have not received fever-reducing medication within the last 24 hours

- Two or more episodes of diarrhea and/or one or more episodes of vomiting within the last 24 hours (can return to school 24 hours AFTER last vomit or diarrhea episode)

- Uncontrolled cough

- Strep-Throat – your child may return to school 24 hours after the start of antibiotics

-  Contagious pink eye (conjunctivitis) with drainage or redness- stay home until a healthcare provider evaluates; antibiotics for bacterial cases AND 24 hours on meds before returning to school, or being symptom-free before returning to school

- Earache – consult your child’s health care provider – left untreated, an ear infection may adversely affect hearing

You can visit https://www.bisd303.org/35259_3 for more information.

Thank you for your help in keeping the students and staff healthy!

Sincerely,

Nurse Maribel and Nurse Rose

WMS Choir students performed a concert in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior last Friday. The songs included Gospel Songs, Spirituals and Protest Music from the Civil Rights Era and beyond.

A huge shout out to Ms. Gibbs for her unwavering energy towards this program, and to all the students for their passion and outstanding performance.

Conferences are this week, and we’d love your help showing our appreciation for our amazing teachers! During long conference days, snacks and meals make a big difference.

Please consider signing up to contribute—every item is greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting our teachers and helping make these days a little brighter.

Join us for the next PTO Meeting!!

January 28, 2026 - 6:00 pm, Conference Room

Online meeting: https://meet.google.com/rhc-poeu-zvn

Phone access: 1 262-682-3694‬ PIN: ‪337 801 443‬#‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

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

The 8th Grade Banquet team is seeking volunteers! Whether you are eager to provide ideas, lock in sponsors, manage the social media pages, or just work with a great group of other 8th grade parents, they would love your help!

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.

Tuesday, January 27 | 6:30 p.m.

@ Commodore Options School

@ Commodore Options School

@ Woodward Middle School

@ Eagle Harbor High School

@ Bainbridge High School

@ Bainbridge High School

@ 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 registration is open! Go to www.bisd303.org/kindergarten to enroll your new student!

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.

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.

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!

Commodore Options | 9530 High School Road

Kindergarten Information Night

Kindergarten Information Night

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

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