Back to School News for 2024-2025

✅ Action Required - Skyward Annual Verification and Acknowledgement

Each year, South Kitsap School District asks families to complete the Annual Verification & Acknowledgement process to review and update information for each of their students.

Completing this process electronically through Family Access allows us to achieve:

• Accuracy of vital student information, including emergency contacts
• Gathering any changes to student's health and medical information

Link to Skyward Family Access

Step-by-Step Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

School supply lists for 2024-2025 have been shared with local stores and posted on school websites. Essential supplies will be provided at Title I schools thanks to federal funding (East Port Orchard, Hidden Creek, Manchester, Orchard Heights, Sidney Glen, Cedar Heights, and Marcus Whitman). They will not be provided at the other sites due to budget restrictions.

Burley Glenwood

East Port Orchard - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

Hidden Creek - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

Manchester - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

Mullenix Ridge

Olalla

Orchard Heights - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

Sidney Glen - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

South Colby

Sunnyslope

Cedar Heights - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

John Sedgwick

Marcus Whitman - essential supplies provided with Title I funding

South Kitsap High School - many of the supplies needed are specific to classes and information will be provided by teachers during start of school. Students will need a 3 ring binder with dividers and pocket inserts, 2+ blue/black pens, sharpened pencils, college ruled notebook paper, and at least one highlighter.

✅ School Benefit Application - Action Required

All families are asked to complete a School Benefit Application regardless of income level to guarantee they receive their maximum level of support through federal programs like the Free & Reduced Meal program. South Kitsap School District also receives funding for funding for critical programs based on returned applications.

⭐No Cost School Meals will be available at all South Kitsap Elementary Schools and at Cedar Heights Middle School, Marcus Whitman Middle School, and Discovery High School for 2024-2025⭐

✅ LINQ Connect is a one stop shop to complete the Free and Reduced Meal application and add money to school meal accounts.

1. Register
   Create an account at https://linqconnect.com and select Register.
2. Verify your Account
   Verify your account by clicking on the email verification link sent to your email address.
3. Sign In
   Now you can sign in at https://linqconnect.com using your email and password.

Please contact Food & Nutrition Services with questions 360-443-3664.

Middle school and high school students should use FinalForms to sign up fall athletics. The purchase of an ASB card is required but additional participation fees for athletics are waived again for the 2024-2025 school year. Please note a current sports physical is also required.

Visit FinalForms site to register a student athlete

The South Kitsap Transportation Department is hard at work preparing bus routes for the coming school year. The routes should be posted by August 16. Please note the routes and times may be adjusted in the first few weeks of school so it is a good idea to keep checking back. Thank you for your patience.

Click here to view bus stop look up

ParentSquare is the tool used for routine and emergency communication. Users are able to set preferences for how and when they receive information. All families automatically receive messages in ParentSquare and the contact information is pulled directly from Skyward. The free app makes it easy to keep track of messages from your mobile device. Messages may be sent via text, email, phone, and app notification. Please ensure your contact information is up to date!

• Learn more
• Find the app in the Apple Store or Google Play Store

We appreciate the partnership and support of community volunteers. If you would like to offer the gift of your time, please ensure you have a current volunteer background check. Volunteer clearances are valid for two years and are processed through the Washington State Patrol Criminal History System and National Sex Offender Database. Applications are available at the district office or school office and photo ID is required. Please contact Amy Miller at the District Office with questions 360-874-7005.

2024

August 27- First Day of School for grades 1-12

August 30- No School for Students

September 3- First Day of Kindergarten (slow start, see website)

September 10- First Day of Developmental Preschool

September 11- Late Start Collaboration Wednesdays begin

October 11 - Early Release 1/2 Day

October 14 - No School for Students, Indigenous Peoples Day

October 21-25- Conference Week

November 11- Election Day

November 10 - No School, Veterans Day

November 27 - Early Release 1/2 Day

November 28-29- Thanksgiving Break

December 20 - Early Release 1/2 Day

December 23-January 3 - Winter Break

2025

January 20- No School, MLK Jr Holiday

January 24- No School for Students

February 17-21- No School, Mid Winter Break

March 7- Early Release 1/2 Day

April 7-11- Conference Week

April 14-18- Spring Break

May 26- No School, Memorial Day

June 13- Last Day of School, Early Release

*emergency make up days may be added after the last day of school if necessary

Attendance rates are an important indicator of student success and South Kitsap School District is committed to partnering with families to support positive student attendance. Communication and clear expectations are vital for the partnership to be successful.

Attendance Expectation

Students must attend all classes each day because there is always something new to learn. The school records all absences and requires a note or call from parents/guardians to explain any absences within five school days. If the school does not receive information about the absence within 5 school days, the absence will be designated as unexcused.

Excused Absences

The principal or a designated staff member decides if an absence is excused based on specific criteria in SKSD policy 3122. However, if a student misses more than 4 days in the first 45 school days, more than 8 in the first 90, more than 12 in the first 135, or more than 16 in the first 150, parents/guardians must provide a note from a school or community health professional to excuse further absences. Some absences can be excused if they are related to religious instruction, bereavement, and/or a family member's military deployment.

Required Conference

If a student misses more than 4 excused days or 3 unexcused days in a month, the school will arrange a meeting with the student and parents/guardians to work together to improve attendance.

Unexcused Absences

A student absent from school without a valid reason or without informing the school is marked as unexcused. The school will contact parents/guardians after the first few unexcused absences to address the issue.

Consequences for Unexcused Absences:
After 5 unexcused absence days, the school will take steps to understand and reduce absenteeism, possibly involving assessments and interventions. If absences continue, the school may refer the student to a building attendance board or file a petition in juvenile court.

Additional information on unexcused absences and consequences for unexcused absences are outlined in the Student, Family & Staff Handbook

The South Kitsap School District provides equal educational and employment opportunity without regard to race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation – including gender expression or identity, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Equal access to activities, facilities and program is provided to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. District procedure complies with all applicable state and federal laws.

The Title IX Officer, Section 504 Coordinator, and Gender Inclusivity Officer with the responsibility for monitoring, auditing and ensuring compliance with this policy are:
Compliance/ADA/Title IX Coordinator Will Sarett, Executive Director of Human Resources, 2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366. 360-874-7071, sarett@skschools.org. Section 504 Coordinator Kimberly House, Director of Special Services, 2689 Hoover Avenue SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366. 360-443-3648, house@skschools.org. Gender Inclusivity Compliance Officer Dr. Tom Edwards, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, 2689 Hoover Ave SE, Port Orchard, WA 98366. 360-874-7003. edwards@skschools.org.