Inside this Newsletter
- From the Principal
- Special Request: Keep Squishies & Fidgits at Home
- PTO Happenings
- Conference Sign-ups
- Unity Day
- Grab & Go Lunches
- Pictures are Ready!
- Apple Crunch Day
- Last Week of October Schedule
- Attendance: Build Habits & Routines
- Calendar
- Helpful Information/Links
- Community Events
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Dear Orca Families,
We have a long newsletter today, but there is lots of important information. Be sure to read to the end!
Our Move-a-thon made a big splash and our Orcas had so much fun! This event is a highlight of our year, and this year again did not disappoint! Our Orca Superpod is truly amazing!
Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU for your generosity! We are so thrilled to have reached our fundraising goal. We had a wonderful few weeks leading up to our Move-a-thon—watching our donation thermometer climb every couple of days, enjoying an early morning Orca sighting at drop-off, and choosing the name for our newest mascot. Your students were so proud to share how they and their families contributed!
On Thursday, we joined millions across Washington in the Great ShakeOut earthquake drill. Students practiced Drop, Cover, and Hold On inside the classroom, as well as safe outdoor positioning—moving away from structures, getting low, and protecting their heads.
Finally, on Wednesday, October 21 we will celebrate Unity Day by wearing orange to send a visible message of togetherness, kindness, and inclusion. We talk about what it means to be an upstander—someone who steps in, speaks up, and supports others to ensure our school remains a safe, welcoming place for everyone.
Halilts would not be the joyful, safe, and connected community it is without you. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for everything you do to support our school!
Full of gratitude and joy,
Rhonda
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We are asking for your help in keeping all fidgets and squishies at home starting this week. While we know these items are popular, they have recently caused significant distractions and conflicts in the classrooms, including issues with students trading, giving away, taking back, and items going missing.
To help ensure a smooth, focused, and positive learning environment for everyone, please make sure your student leaves these items at home before coming to school each morning.
If your student has a need for a fidgit, teachers have theese in their classrooms to support students. Individual classroom teachers will manage any items brought to school as appropriate for their classroom setting.
Thank you so much for your support and partnership in helping our school day run smoothly!
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On behalf of the PTO, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your incredible generosity and support during our recent fundraiser. Thanks to your donations, active participation, and enthusiasm, we officially reached our goal!
We simply could not have done this without you. Your support is a true reflection of the wonderful community we have here, and it is what makes our school such an amazing place for our students to grow and learn.
Thank you once again for your partnership, generosity, and unwavering support of our school community!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Lisa Sipprell & Kristen Inman
PTO Co-Presidents
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Join Operation Orcas!
Operation Orcas meets after school on Wednesdays and discovers how numbers can power everything from cool puzzles and logic games to creative challenges. This is about exploring, collaborating, and building skills. Whether you already love math or just want to get better and have fun doing it, this is your chance to challenge yourself, make new friends, and find out how math makes magic.
Please be sure to inform the school of your student's change to their after school transportation plan by emailing halbus@bisd303.org.
Club Information:
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Day: Wednesday
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Dates: November 4 to December 16 (5 week session - no session on 11/11 and 11/25 )
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Club time: 2:20-3:45 pm
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Location: Halilts Room 243
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Pick-up: 3:45 pm on the Plaza
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Open to: 3rd - 4th graders (20 participants max)
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Cost: Free
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Registration Closes: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Registration Link HERE!
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Join Culture Club!
Culture Club is a space where students can explore the language of belonging and learn how to advocate for themselves and others in a safe and supportive environment. Through engaging activities, students will:
- Develop tools to express their experiences and perspectives with confidence
- Learn ways to create and respect personal space and boundaries
- Build connections with peers who share similar experiences while learning from those with different perspectives
- Explore resources and practices that encourage self-advocacy and strengthen a sense of inclusion and community
- Our goal is to create an environment where every child’s identity—cultural, personal, and familial—is recognized and respected. By participating, students will deepen their appreciation for the diversity that enriches our community and grow as compassionate, globally-minded individuals.
Club Informaiton:
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Day: Wednesdays
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Dates: November 5 to December 17 (6 week session: No club on Nov. 26)
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Club time: 2:20-3:45 pm
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Location: Room 234 (Ms. Pellegrino's Room)
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Pick-up: 3:45 pm on the Plaza
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Open to: Kinder - 4th graders
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Cost: Free
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Registration Closes: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Registration Link HERE
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Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, students will have the chance to work on a Unity Day Banner as well as participating in an obstacle course.
We need you! If you are a BISD registered volunteer, please sign-up to help us provide the fun activity.
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Conference week is busy for our teachers and staff! We want to treat our incredible teachers & staff. Help fuel their long days and show our appreciation for all they do by signing up to bring something.
Thank you for supporting our amazing team!
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WEAR ORANGE ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21!
October is here, and it is National Bullying Prevention Month! We support bullying prevention work year-round, but we will unite for the cause this month with our annual Unity Day on Wednesday, October 21st. On this special day, we ask all students, staff, and families to participate by wearing ORANGE as we send a visible message that we are building comm UNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
In addition, students will contribute to our school-wide Pod Power mural by writing a word that means belonging to them. In the morning on Unity Day (October 21st), we will also enjoy an annual Taproot Theatre production that is sponsored by our hardworking and incredible PTO. Thank you, PTO!
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Conference Sign-ups are open via Skyward Family Access. Conferences are an essential time to build a collaborative partnership between home and school, allowing parents/guardians and educators to align on each student's academic progress, social growth, and individual needs.
We will close the conference sign-ups on Friday, October 23rd. If you need any assistance please reach out to your student's teacher or Sheila Jakubik at sjakubik@bisd303.org.
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Does your student need lunch on our upcoming half days? During conference week, BISD is offering Grab & Go lunches for students. To ensure our kitchen staff prepares the correct amount and to prevent any delays with bus dismissal, we are using a streamlined online sign-up system.
Meal Details:
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What’s Included: Sandwich, fruit, vegetable, snack, and beverage
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Cost: Charged directly to your student’s regular lunch account
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Classroom Delivery: Lunches will be delivered directly to classrooms before dismissal so students can take them home or onto the bus
How to Order: Please submit your order using the this Link by October 22nd at 5:00 PM.
Please note: To prevent dismissal delays, all half-day lunches must be pre-ordered using the link above rather than purchased after the bell.
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School Pictures Are Ready!
- View and order at: https://shop.jostenspix.com/login
- School Name: HALILTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
- Event Code: FE74526
- Student Identifier: Is not working. Just click that you do not have this information and you will be approved.
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Families, please mark your calendars! The last week of October will look very different this year for our K-6 students due to Professional Development and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Week at a Glance:
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Monday, Oct. 26: NO SCHOOL (Staff Professional Development)
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Tuesday, Oct. 27 – Friday, Oct. 30: HALF DAYS (Parent-Teacher Conferences)
Key Reminders for Half Days (Oct. 27–30):
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Dismissal Time: Students will be dismissed at 10:50 AM. Please ensure pickup or transportation arrangements are set.
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Conferences: Sign-up for a conference in Skyward Family Access starting today at 3:00 pm.
Thank you for partnering with us!
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OCTOBER
21: Unity Day - wear orange
26: No School - Professional Development Day
27-30: Half Day - school release at 10:50 am
27-30: Conferences
NOVEMBER
11: Veterans Day - No school
13: PTO Meeting at 9:00 am
25-27: Thanksgiving Break - No school
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SCHOOL INFORMATION
K-4 School Hours
Preschool Hours
Tuesday-Friday
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AM: 7:45-10:15
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PM: 11:45-2:20
Phone Numbers
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Main office: 206-842-4411
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Attendance: 206-780-3050 or halattend@bisd303.org
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After-school Transportation: 206-780-3002 or halbus@bisd303.org
Helpful Links
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Looking for things to do around town?
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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, Director of Student Services
Darren Spencer, Assistant Director Student Services
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