2 BISD hires
Bainbridge Island School District has selected Amii Pratt to serve as Elementary Executive Director of Teaching and Learning and Kristen Haizlip to serve as Secondary Executive Director of Teaching and Learning.
Both begin their new roles July 1.
Pratt has served as principal of Wilkes Elementary for six years and has also worked as an associate principal at Sakai Intermediate School. Pratt has also taught first and second grades.
For the past four years, Haizlip has served as principal at Bainbridge High School. Prior to that, she worked as an associate principal there. She also has served as an instructional coach and curriculum developer and taught social studies and language arts at the secondary level.
The first step in the hiring process for replacements in their previous positions is to survey the school communities on the qualities that they would like to see in their next principal. Links to the surveys can be found at www.bisd303.org. Surveys close March 19.
Downtown signs
Fourteen new signs went up in downtown Bainbridge Island this week, directing people to businesses, parks and museums, and facilities like government buildings and public restrooms.
The signage will help pedestrians reach destinations efficiently, city engineering project manager Mark Epstein said, and boost visibility for businesses and attractions. The signs can be found on Winslow Way, Bjune Drive, Olympic Drive and Harborview Drive. The project was awarded partial funding of $12,000 in October 2019 by the city’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. The Council approved additional funding of $24,000.
The signs were designed, built and installed by Blackmouth Design of Bainbridge Island. The BI Downtown Association and BI Chamber of Commerce approached the city about it in 2019. The four entities developed the designs and sign locations. The signage features the same green and gray palette found in the city logo.
Meier named
Mary Meier is the new executive director of the Bainbridge Island Parks Foundation.
Meier, who lives on BI, served as Community Education coordinator for the past six years at IslandWood. She has previously worked as an educator, docent and ranger with such organizations as the Seattle Aquarium, National Audubon in Wisconsin, the Dennison Pequotepos Nature Center (Conn.) and Tennessee State Parks.
“The pandemic has really emphasized the important role our parks play in our lives and community. I am excited to help build on the Foundation’s legacy of supporting this thriving system of parks and trails, and creating a shared sense of stewardship for these special spaces,” Meier said.
She succeeds Barb Trafton, who has served as executive director since 2014. Trafton will move into the newly created position of projects director.
New COVID dates
Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday a new projected timeline for making more Washingtonians eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
By March 22, workers in certain congregate settings like agriculture, transit, corrections and first response will be eligible. People age 16+ who are pregnant or who have a disability that puts them at higher risk will also become eligible then.
By April 12, anyone over the age of 50 with two or more comorbidities is expected to be eligible.
By April 26, anyone over age 16 with two or more comorbidities is expected to be eligible. People living in congregate settings or people experiencing homelessness will also be eligible then.
Learn more about the state’s vaccine progress at doh.wa.gov.
Library director
Bainbridge Public Library’s Board announces that Jim Fox has joined its organization as a director.
Board president Carol Schuyler said, “He brings with him not only expertise, but a history of volunteering his skills in the community.”
Fox and his wife retired to Bainbridge Island in 2015 from the San Francisco Bay Area. Fox has served in volunteer positions with a children’s camp in Northern California, and with Burning Man at various locations. He enjoys woodworking, hiking and biking.
Board members serve a three-year term and can serve a maximum of two-consecutive terms.
For details, go to BainbridgePublicLibrary.org.
Teen Night
March 26 and May 7 from 8-10 p.m. will be a free Teen Night from your own home, put on by BARN.
Breakout rooms with hands-on crafts and games are planned. You won’t need any special materials except typical things around the house.
For details: bainbridgebarn.org/youth
Honor rolls
Biola University: Poulsbo – Grace Hansen and Derek Patterson. Bainbridge Island – Emma Sellers.
UW-EAU: Kingston – Alexander Winn
Hartford: BI – Grace Smith.
RIT: BI: Gavriel Miles.
Virginia Tech: BI – Jacob A. Odermat
