Special Recognition Awards (again, based on 2-year averages)
Language Arts (reading & writing combined)
Math
Science
Extended Graduation Rate
Improvement
Closing Achievement Gap

BISD schools were awarded as follows:

BHS - Overall Excellence and Extended Graduation Rate (2009, 2010, 2011)
EHHS - Extended Graduation Rate (2011)
WMS - Overall Excellence (2010 & 2011)
Odyssey Multiage - Overall Excellence (2010 & 2011)

The state’s top-performing schools are identified through the Achievement Index, a joint venture of the Washington State Board of Education (SBE) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  The Achievement Index identifies the highest-achieving schools over a 2-year period.

http://graphicsweb.wsj.com/documents/NILF1111/#term=

Earlier this year, Bainbridge Island Schools Foundation pledged a record $1 million to hire back nine teachers, provide professional development, classroom grants and other programs.  “The need is huge,” foundation Executive Director Vicky Marsing said. “Every year, we get a more dismal forecast of budget cuts from the state.”  Though it differs for every district, recent budget woes have motivated school foundations and parent-teacher organizations to redouble fundraising efforts.

North Kitsap Schools Foundation this year has set a goal of raising at least $75,000, nearly twice what it did last year, said foundation board member Terri Gleich.  “Now, after so many years of cuts, we’re seeing an effect,” said Gleich, who has two sons in the district. “Class sizes are going up, librarians and counselors are being let go.”

The foundation plans to fund extended learning opportunities like before- and after-school math and reading programs or clubs devoted to arts, science of foreign languages.

The Suquamish Tribe recently presented $85,400 to North Kitsap School District — and hopes to provide more in the future — for a wide variety of programs including transportation, athletics and math books.  “We focus on education and we want our kids to succeed,” tribal council member Irene Carper said.

For most districts, though, donations are likely to remain a tiny fraction of their budgets. In Kitsap, donations have accounted for one-tenth to one-half of 1 percent of revenue for all districts except Bainbridge Island, where last year they accounted for more than 2 percent.

Knowing that, some organizations remain focused on things like classroom grants to provide teachers with materials to try out new lessons.  “The schools are trying hard to provide the basic things,” said Jane Chapin, president of Central Kitsap’s Linder Foundation. “But when teachers want to try something new, this is an opportunity for them to access money to do that.”  The Linder Foundation raises between $4,000 and $10,000 a year for grants for teachers and students.

Bremerton Schools Foundation expects to see more requests this year from teachers and has discussed making those grants more of a priority this year, said foundation President Mark Hughes. The foundation also awards students scholarships.  They’ve just started the budgeting process for the year, but already know they’re likely to shift the types of fundraisers from dinners to a bicycling event and estate planning.  “Raising funds has been harder and harder the last five years,” Hughes said.  Many families have felt the economic pinch.  In Bremerton, the number of families requesting free or reduced-price lunches has increased nearly 30 percent in the past four years.

Though donation totals fluctuate from year to year, one trend has emerged: more organizations are asking about helping with things outside of school that are hindering students’ ability to go to school, like warm coats and weekend meals, said Bremerton schools spokeswoman Patty Glaser.  More frequently, schools have turned to their stalwart supporters, parent-teacher organizations. The National PTA estimated last year that its affiliated organizations raised more than $1 billion.

The donations at the school level are often very situational with amounts each year depending on the needs of a school, said Marcia Wentzel, South Kitsap School District’s director of business services. 
One school community might rally around an effort to buy new playground equipment while another maintains its slate of family nights and staff appreciation events. 

At Sidney Glen Elementary, parents this spring organized a walk-a-thon and coin drive to raise enough to buy laptops, nearly doubling what they raised last year, said PTA President Samantha Nachbar. The effort has been motivated by a desire to get their kids better access to technology, and the group’s next goal will be to fill a mobile cart with laptops that classrooms can share.  “I think its helpful for parents if we can say, ‘Hey, we have this goal,’” Nachbar said.  What has remained steady have been active volunteers, and “that’s a real value to us,” Wentzel said.

While the donations have been welcome, when school district leaders and school board members are asked in public meetings how people can help, they’ve had this response: Call your legislator.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/nov/14/schools-foundations-help-fill-in-the-cracks-in/#ixzz1dmgvf1at

This campaign has encouraged 53 new families to donate over $20,000!  We still have $20,000 left in matching money.  If you are a family who has never given to the Bainbridge Schools Foundation, here is your opportunity to double your donation.  Help us reach our goal!  It is not too late to support our schools with your donation.  Please go to www.bainbridgeschoolsfoundation.org and “Click for Kids”.

Thank you so much for your support.  Your donations rehire staff, maintain a variety of classes and services, and keep class sizes reasonable.  Without this extra funding, our students would not be receiving the caliber of education that BISD offers today.