Tacoma Specialists
news & updates
January 2021 Vol. 22 View previous issues 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Speak Up for SPECIALISTS
What's the Plan?
This week buildings are planning for the return of students to the classroom. A swirl of contingency plans and what ifs are driving the process. No doubt you have been, or will very soon be in a meeting discussing the myriad details of moving instruction forward while keeping students and staff safe.

Due to our very stretched staffing levels and the tangle of multiple school assignments, many issues are arising around specialist schedules, instructional delivery logistics, and workload. Hopefully your situation is on your principal's mind, as guidance from district administration has not been helpful in many instances.

Please take a moment to look over the information available and to add your own information, questions and concerns to the discussion. Tacoma Specialists will be working to advocate for reasonable solutions, but it is extremely important that both the union and the district hear from each of us so that they can gauge the impact of their decisions. Situations and solutions are varied. Let us know the plan at your building.

Regardless of our job safety (we are home until everyone is back face-to-face), if you think it is too soon to return, please express that as well.

Click the link to see the published information and to add your voice to the discussion.
Roxane Hreha Goes the Extra Mile--Literally!
 Whitman and Franklin Music Teacher, Roxane Hreha goes the extra mile to bring music to her students. With her trusty piccolo and homemade light suit, she joined friends from local arts organization Puget Sound Revels in a light-filled parade through the Whitman neighborhood. Her students got first-hand experience of what real-life musicians add to the world outside of the classroom. And Roxane got some exercise.
In addition to the Whitman neighborhood, Roxane and the Revelers visited neighborhoods near Manitou Park, Stanley, and Lister Elementary Schools.
Tech Tips for Specialists

Share resources so that we don't have to do it all on our own!




If you'd like to Celebrate a Specialist, send us a picture, video, article, drawing, song, limerick... whatever at


Submissions will go out in the newsletter and be posted on tacomaspecialists.org on our new page. Infect someone with positivity, or blow your own horn!