Blakely Families,

It is with great pleasure that I write to welcome you and your student(s) to the 2016-2017 school year at Blakely Elementary. How quickly summer concludes and our thoughts turn to eagerly preparing for the commencement of another school year. This is always one of my favorite times of the year! I love the excitement of beginning each new school year and eagerly wait to welcome all families to Blakely Elementary.

Being that this is my seventh year as the principal of Blakely Elementary I feel fortunate to have met many of you, but am always excited to meet new families to our community. For those of you I have not had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Reese Ande. This will be my 20th year in education, ten of which were spent teaching first and fourth grade and the final nine have been in administration.

I am the proud father of my daughter Grace, who is a sophomore at Bainbridge High School. Grace is a member of the Bainbridge Island swim team and actively involved in rowing and skiing. My wife, Elizabeth, is the Ceramics teacher at Bainbridge High School. We thoroughly enjoy being members of the Bainbridge Island community.

Working with children has always been my passion and is what keeps me motivated and driven to provide students with an educational experience that prepares them to be successful citizens in a global society. Our goal is to challenge your children intellectually, grow them socially, and guide them toward independent thinking and problem solving. As we strive to promote healthy development in all aspects of each student's life we also strive to develop a student body of good character; students who make good choices and decisions resulting in successful and healthy outcomes. We encourage students to demonstrate the best of themselves every moment of everyday and to make positive contributions to the groups and organizations to which they belong. We strive to instill within our student body a sense of personal pride as well as collective pride and love of and for our school.

I am anxious to see all of the wonderful students and families that attend Blakely Elementary. We have an amazing staff that has a reputation of excellence, kindness and collaboration. The following are staffing changes made for the 2016-2017 school year.

  • Meghan FernaldKindergarten
  • Christine MarionFirst Grade
  • Erin SheehanFirst Grade
  • Teresa Ball/Kathleen PoolSecond Grade
  • Lisa McCasseySecond Grade
  • Victoria HayashiThird Grade
  • Kelli OlsenThird Grade
  • Jennifer Ledbetter/Diane BedellFourth Grade
  • Whitney SkarbekDifferentiation Specialist
  • Krista SodtSpecial Education
  • Milo ZeneskiPsychologist
  • SLPBronson Foster
  • Night CustodianBryan Kavanaugh

School is quickly approaching and I am anxious to fill the halls with children, laughter and learning.

Regards,

Reese Ande, Principal