Inside this Newsletter
- From the Principal
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Helpful Resources
- Highly Capable Window
- 8th Grade Banquet - Save the Date!
- Counselors' Corner
- The Woodward Beat - Hear What's Happening Around Campus
- PTO News
- Volunteering at WMS
- Calendar
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Dear Wildcat Families & Students,
We’re excited to welcome you to our Woodward Open House this upcoming Tuesday 9/22 from 6:00-8:00pm!
We will start in The Commons at 6pm, followed by time for you to visit your students' classrooms and teachers! This is a chance for you to walk an hour in their shoes–we will have a “6-period Bell schedule” without our Wildcat Time (an Advisory period that meets 3x-week) or our lunch blocks.
Our Open House is a time to provide families with information about each of their students’ classes and learning goals for the year. Toward the end of first semester (January 20, 21, and 22), we will host student/family conferences to provide dedicated time for individual review of student progress, celebrations, and any challenges that need to be supported. If you find yourself in need of a private conversation with a staff member about your student sooner than our planned conference schedule, please schedule time with a teacher individually by email or ParentSquare.
Our Open House evening is designed for parents and guardians–but we encourage you to come with any questions for classes that your students may have in case there is time for Q & A during the 10-minute class periods!
On Monday afternoon (9/21), ask your student for the hard copy of their schedule that we will have them make for you.
We’re looking forward to seeing all of our parents on Tuesday!
In Joy, Love, and Community,
Miranda Joy Smallwood
Principal
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Sept 22: Open House for Parents/ Guardians 6:00-8:00
Sept 25: School Photo Day
Sept 28: Non-Student Staff Development Day - No School for Students
Sept 30: Orange Shirt Day
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SCHOOL HOURS
Mon-Fri: 9:00-3:30
PHONE NUMBERS
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Attendance Message Line: 206-780-4579
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Attendance Direct Line: 206-780-4504
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Main Office: 206-842-4787
HELPFUL LINKS
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Fall Referral Window: September 21–October 9, 2026
BISD’s Highly Capable (HC) referrals are welcome during our fall window for students new to our district (since February 19, 2026) in grades 1–11. (Referrals for Kindergarten and currently enrolled BISD students will open during our spring window.)
If you’d like your student considered for HC services, please visit our BISD Highly Capable page for the timeline, program details, and the referral form.
Previously in HC/Gifted elsewhere?
Please complete the BISD referral and email documentation (e.g., assessment scores, grades, placement letters) to Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.
Deadline: Submit the referral (and any supporting documents, if applicable) by end of day Friday, October 9, 2026.
Questions or need assistance? Contact Drew Crandall at dcrandall@bisd303.org.
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Get ready for an unforgettable night just for our 8th grade students! For one special evening, our school will transform from familiar hallways into festive scenes inspired by a TOP-SECRET theme. |
How Can We Support Our Students? A School Counseling Needs Assessment
Last week we went into social studies classrooms to introduce or reintroduce ourselves and share with students how they can access their school counselor while at Woodward. We also had students fill out a ‘Counseling Needs Assessment’ which helps us to determine how we might best support students for the upcoming school year. Here is a link to our short Google Slide presentation: Beginning of the Year Counseling Presentation
Introducing ‘A Woodward Minute’
Yesterday, during Wildcat Time, we introduced (for 7th grade students) and re-introduced (for 8th grade students) A Woodward Minute.
A Woodward Minute is an all school mindfulness strategy that will be practiced at the start of Wildcat Time and at various times throughout the week based on teacher preference. Research shows that breath awareness is one of the most effective and accessible tools for self-regulation and calming the nervous system. Breathing slowly, while we focus on each inhale and exhale, activates the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” or “calm and connect” system) and allows our sympathetic nervous system (the “fight, flight or freeze” system) to take a step back. The breath can be a powerful vehicle for carrying us through challenging emotions and situations.
Our goal with A Woodward Minute is to create a culture of using mindfulness as a stress reduction strategy as well as create unity and shared purpose in our building through a collective daily experience.
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Read on to hear from coaches, teachers, students, and staff about what is going on inside the halls and out on the fields! |
Congratulations to the Woodward track and field team on an amazing first home meet. We are so proud of our new track and field athletes who successfully navigated their first competition and our returning athletes, especially our 8th grade captains, who led the way.
Fantastic job to those who set Woodward all-time top ten marks in: the girls 4x400 (Mattea D, Vivian G, Lucy M, and Lana E); girls javelin (Ellie R, Lucy M, Ellora L, Evie B, and Avery H-R); boys javelin (Luke M and Connor J); girls high jump (Ellie R). Finally, thank you so very much to all of the parent volunteers; the meet was one of the best run meets we have ever participated in!
— Coach Bryan
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This week Mr. Orness' science students headed out to the field to put their homemade solar ovens to the test, harnessing the sun's power to cook up a delicious experiment. The results were s’more than successful: perfectly gooey midday treats powered entirely by sunshine! |
Spiritwear Store —
Sport that green and grey, and show your wildcat pride with some WMS gear!
WMS Wishlist —
If you are looking to contribute to the school year but don't have the availability to volunteer your time, check out the WMS Wishlist! These items range from basic classroom necessities, like tissues, to student incentives.
Upcoming PTO Meeting Dates —
- October 21 - 9:30am
- November 18 - 6:00pm
- December 16 - 9:30am
- January 20 - 6:00pm
- February 24 - 9:30am
- March 17 - 9:30AM
- April 15 - 6:00pm
- May 20 - 6:00pm
- June 9 - 9:30am
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There will be many opportunities to help around the school whether it's in the classroom or at afterschool events like the Fallapalooza and 8th Grade Banquet. If you're interested in helping out, please check out the BISD volunteer page with steps on how to get cleared.
Not sure if you're still cleared? Email or call Kristin Gellert at the front desk - 206-780-4501.
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SEPTEMBER
21: Home Track Meet
22: Home Softball Game @ BHS
22: Open House for Parents/ Guardians 6:00-8:00pm
24: ELA Field Trip (Kooistra)
24: Home Softball Game @ BHS
24: School Board Meeting
25: School Picture Day
28: Non-student Staff Development - No School
OCTOBER
1: ELA Field Trip (Longridge)
1: Home Softball Game @ BHS
6: Home Track Meet
8: School Board Meeting
12: Indigenous People's Day Celebration
13: Home Softball Game @ BHS
16: Home Softball Game @ BHS
21: PTO Meeting 9:30am
26: Non-student Staff Development - No School
29: School Board Meeting
30: Picture Retakes
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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, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender 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 and provides equal access to Scouting America and other designated youth groups.
The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator & Title IX Coordinator:
Kristen Haizlip, Associate Superintendent
Section 504/ADA Coordinators:
Maria Kuffel
Darren Spencer
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