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Ordway Weekly Newsletter - April 13, 2026

Posted Date: 04/13/26 (03:08 PM)
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Ordway News
rainbow

Monday April 13, 2026

Inside this Newsletter
  • Principal's Note
  • Author Visit - Nora Nickum
  • Science & Maker Fair
  • ABC Process
  • Ordway Calendar Events
 

Principal's Note

Dear Ordway Families,

Hoping Spring Break brought you time to catch your breaths and enjoy time with family and friends. In addition to last week’s gorgeous weather here, the journey of Artemis ll was an amazing opportunity for me and my grandchildren to monitor. I mention this here as each of the four astronauts aboard were products of public school - something for which to be especially proud. Congratulations to the crew for a safe, successful journey to the moon and back - hope your little Space Nerds also enjoyed this amazing space voyage! 

Gratitude abounds to our PTO volunteers for countless special opportunities for our children!! Introducing a Stuffie Sleepover was a huge success - especially when it all went live and children at home were posting their reactions - cannot adequately thank that small group of parent volunteers for bringing sheer joy to our Otters. In addition, PTO 'elves painted our lobby and front hallway over vacation - be sure to see how much a little paint can transform a school space. A new and improved Lost & Found area; Family Bingo night; Pacific Science Center planetarium; not to mention, upcoming author visits and Science/Maker Faire - so much appreciation to our very busy PTO. Your love and support of our children is incredible.

Lastly, be sure to check the Ordway calendar and also take a look at the important ABC Process information included in this newsletter. I am looking forward to all of the learning and activities ahead of us this Spring!

Best,
Debra
 
whales

Ordway Author Visit This Friday

Bainbridge Island author Nora Nickum is visiting Ordway on Friday, April 17th with her new children’s book, Twelve Daring Grays! The book tells the true story of a dozen gray whales that take a high-risk, high-reward 170-mile detour off the usual migration route—coming right here into Puget Sound. 
If you’d like to order a signed copy of this book, and any of Nora's other children's books, visit this link. Note: Any books ordered after April 8th may not be available at the time of the school visit but will still be signed by Nora and available for pick-up at Eagle Harbor Books.
 

Science and Maker Fair

Science and Maker Fair will be held on Thursday, April 23rd. 

Free Tri-fold boards will be distributed to students or picked up by parents/guardians starting April 15th. Please fill out the online form at the link to receive a tri-fold board.

  • Drop off projects in the Ordway Gym on April 22nd between 6:30-8:00 pm or bring to school on April 23rd between 7:15-8:30 am.
  • Families are invited to attend the Science and Maker Fair Open House on April 23rd from 5:00-7:30pm. Please take home projects after or pick in the Gym up the following morning.
  • Please sign up at the link if you'd like to volunteer. We will need your help!
 

It’s ABC time! Register for the 2026-27 School Year

Please help us plan for next year!
 
If you know your student will not attend BISD in the fall, please let us know by contacting the Ordway office, sdunstan@bisd303.org or by sending an email to: studentrecords@bisd303.org with your educational plan so that we may adjust our records accordingly.
 
Our Annual Back to school Check-in process (ABC) is now open and is available by logging in to your Family Access account. Look in the left menu and choose: ABC 26-27 to move through the steps to complete this process ASAP.
It should take about 15 minutes (or less!) to complete the process for each child in your household.

This data collection allows BISD to gather information regarding your students’ plans for the upcoming year. Having an accurate understanding of the number of expected students helps us determine staffing needs, class size and building capacity to better serve our students. In addition to this valuable information, it allows BISD to fulfill its annual notification requirements for public schools in Washington state.
The ABC 26-27 process must be completed for ALL students in the district whether they are brand new to the district or returning. If your student will be enrolled in Running Start, the process must be completed for them as well.

*NOTE: For students with more than one family, ONLY the Primary Family will have access to complete the ABC’s. Guardians of Non-Primary Families will have “read-only” access. If this is a hardship for your family, please contact the school office for guidance, or send an email to studentrecords@bisd303.org. All families have the ability to make changes to their specific demographic information at any time via Family Access>Student Info>Change Requests link (in the top right corner).
TIPS: 
  • Use a desktop or laptop computer (if trying to use a mobile device, open up a browser and login to Family Access directly. Or, depending on your device you may be able to choose the “Desktop” version of the mobile app for this purpose).
  • Use the “View Full Screen” buttons when available.
  • Each step has a “Complete Step and Move to….” button. You must click that on each step to mark it as complete.
  • Optional steps: PTSO and Bainbridge Schools Foundation steps are there as informational only. Donations are appreciated, but NOT required!
  • IF you make a change request that needs to be approved by the district you can still Complete the Step and move on to the next step.  
  • If you think you have completed the process, but it is not showing as complete, look in the right column menu and look for the step(s) that do not have a check mark next to them. Click the link and you’ll either need to sign and date and/or merely click the “complete step” button….then Submit.
  • The LAST step – takes 2 clicks. “Complete ABC 26-27” followed by “Submit ABC 26-27”. As soon as you “Submit” you will get a notice and email that the process has been completed.
  • Forgot or did not receive your Skyward username and/or password? Go to the BISD web
 
Calendars

Ordway Calendar

Did you know that these dates are on Ordway Parent Square and the Ordway Website? And you can subscribe to the Ordway Calendar?

APRIL
06: SPRING BREAK
13: PTO MEETING
17: NORA NICKUM AUTHOR VISIT
23: SCIENCE & MAKER FAIR

MAY
04: PTO MEETING
06: KINDERGARTEN TOUR
15: BIKE TO SCHOOL DAY
25: MEMORIAL DAY (NO SCHOOL)
28: ARTS & MUSIC NIGHT
 
local events

Community Events

This page on the BISD Website publicizes information about community events as a service to non-profit community organizations. These events are perceived as appropriate for students, parents, and families. Interested in submitting news and events? Learn how to do so by visiting our webpage, Distributing News & Events.

 

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