Bainbridge Island School District is set to welcome more than 3,600 students for the first day of school Sept. 7, while kindergarten students begin Sept. 12.
It’s been a busy summer for the district.
Twenty-five new teachers have joined the staff — some are new to teaching while others are returning to the classroom after exploring different career paths.
Crews are completing installation of new turf and are refurbishing the track at the Bainbridge High School Memorial Field in time for the first football game Sept. 2.
A new sidewalk between Ordway Elementary School and the district office is under construction to incorporate Dana’s Trail into the city’s trail system and speed bumps have been installed in the district office and aquatic center parking lots.
Wilkes, Ordway and Blakely elementary school teachers will meet with students Sept. 2 from 9-10 a.m.
Sakai Intermediate School is hosting an ice cream social Sept. 2 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
BHS’s Spartan Start Up orientation and pizza lunch for freshmen and new students is Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon.
The BHS and Eagle Harbor High School class schedule has changed; Monday and Tuesday students will attend three 85-minute periods, while Wednesday through Friday there are six 55-minute classes. School starts at 8:45 each day; classes end at 1:45 Mondays and 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
Orientation days
Bainbridge High School will host the Spartan Start Up Sept. 6 for incoming 9th-graders and those new to BHS from 9 a.m. to noon for an orientation and pizza lunch.
Woodward Middle School’s orientation was Aug. 30 to learn about class schedules, photos, student fees, health screening and spirit wear.
Student Check-in
BISD is asking families to complete the annual back-to-school check-in process for new and returning students and calling on volunteers to complete their application process.
Guardians of returning students may access their Skyward account to update and verify information and emergency contacts. Families with new BISD students may enroll for the 2022-23 school year on the district’s New Student Enrollment page or may contact the Student Records coordinator, Carol Laiche, for assistance at 206-780-1354 or by email at studentrecords@bisd303.org.
Supply lists
School supply lists are posted on each school website; visit www.Bisd303.org.
Helpline House offered free supplies through Project Backpack, which provides supplies with a new backpack for Pre-K through 12th graders students preparing to attend a BI public or private school.
Free backpacks were available Aug. 26.
School meals
Free and reduced-price meals may be obtained by any student — at any time during the school year — whose family income falls within the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Families must reapply each school year.
Those who qualify may also qualify for additional benefits such as waived class fees and athletics, ASB and testing fees. For details call 206-780-1844.
Volunteers
For the 2022-23 school year, all volunteers must follow BISD mitigation measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, all volunteers must verify their COVID vaccinations are completed before being approved to volunteer. The process can take up to two weeks.
For details go to www.bisd303.org.
COVID protocols
In accordance with guidance from state Secretary of Health Umair A. Shah, the district is shifting from an all-encompassing approach to the realization that COVID is part of our daily lives.
BISD believes that in-person instruction is best for students and staff, and will strive to mitigate the impact of COVID as best it can to ensure continuation of in-person instruction and will continue to follow the guidance as outlined by the state Department of Health.
Key points for 2022-23:Staff and volunteers must provide proof of vaccination.
Students and staff who have symptoms of COVID are required to stay home and should get tested.
Students and staff who test positive for COVID are required to follow isolation protocols.
Students or staff returning from five days of isolation should wear a well-fitted mask from days six to 10.
If students or staff continue to test positive for COVID after day five, they must isolate for 10 days.
Schools are no longer required to notify high-risk students and staff of exposure but must continue to inform the community of cases or outbreaks in the district. BISD will continue using the COVID calendar to communicate daily cases to the public.
Kitsap Public Health District, if there are suspected outbreaks, may require additional safety measures for impacted classrooms, schools and activities.
COVID mitigation strategies will continue this year to include; increased ventilation in buildings and school buses; assigned seating on buses; frequent hand washing; cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces; and the availability of outdoor eating spaces.
Courtesy Photo
