Superintendent Message
Dr. John Polm
As you are aware, the Governor has enacted new restrictions through at least Dec. 14 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Although childcare, K-12 schools, and the courts are exempt from these new restrictions, we have taken the opportunity to re-evaluate our process for indoor gatherings throughout our schools and facilities.
What this means for students:
We will continue to provide services to students who are currently on campuses, but we will not be increasing in-person support to additional groups of vulnerable students at this time – at least through Dec. 14. Buildings remain open for these small groups of students receiving services onsite.
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What this means for staff:
Through labor discussions, we have agreed to allow for work flexibility when COVID-19 activity levels for Pierce County are high. This is currently defined as >75 cases/100K/14 days on the DOH’s Decision Tree for Provision of In-Person Learning. While activity levels are high, we are allowing employees to work from home, permitted their job responsibilities can be performed remotely. When in this high activity level, limited staff will be onsite. As such, phase 2 and 3 on the District’s Reopening Dial has been updated from ‘staff onsite’ to ‘limited staff onsite.’
Limited staff onsite will begin immediately and will continue until a change is announced based on DOH activity levels returning to moderate.
We continue to focus on serving students in-person as soon as we can under the State and County health and safety guidelines. Thank you for your patience as we do our part to stay healthy and well while serving students and families.
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District COVID-19 Data
It is our goal to keep families informed of positive COVID cases impacting schools and district facilities, while protecting the privacy of individuals.
When we are notified of a positive COVID case, we contact Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) so contact tracing can immediately be conducted. Based on the guidance provided by TPCHD and the school COVID-19 case response tool kit, notifications are sent to impacted staff, students and families.
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Thank You, Voters
Although general election results are not certified until Nov. 24, preliminary results show that our Supplemental EP&O Levy is passing by 58.63%. Thank you, voters! Your support will help sustain school district operations during this difficult time.
The passage of this supplemental levy is critical to the Puyallup School District. Although this supplemental levy will not eliminate our budget deficit, it will certainly lessen the impact to the classroom. The district will be reviewing its financial outlook over the next few months to determine what reductions, if any, will need to be made for the coming years.
This election was unprecedented, for many reasons. Nationally, it caused us to pause and reflect on who we are and what we believe in. We are grateful that our community believes in education. Your support reaffirms hope, trust, and appreciation and ensures that our tradition of excellence will continue to extend well beyond our classrooms.
This video is a virtual token of our appreciation.
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Honoring Veterans
Although Veterans Day has passed, our schools are virtually honoring Veterans all throughout the month of November. This is a time to solemnly celebrate and recognize those who have served, are serving, or will serve to protect and preserve our liberties as a nation.
Frankie J. Topasna
Captain Army Reserve
PSD Capital Projects
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New! Evening Academic Support for Elementary Families
We’ve heard from families that resources are needed to support learning at home. As such, evening academic support will be available for elementary families beginning Nov. 19. Evening support will be available every weekday, 5:30-7:30 p.m. This offering is an opportunity for families to meet with a certificated teacher for academic assistance in core subject areas like English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Evening support events will be structured as follows:
5:30-6 p.m. – Group session to accommodate general questions via Microsoft Teams
6-7:30 p.m. – Individual 15-minute appointments for personalized support via Bookings.
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Curriculum Review for Grades 4 through 9
Families of elementary and junior high students in grades 4 through 9 are invited to preview Human Growth and Development & HIV/AIDS Curriculum in Schoology. This preview opportunity replaces the yearly in-person preview night held each fall.
Curriculum preview for all grade levels can be accessed through Schoology by joining the “Human Growth and Development Preview” group.
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Made from Scratch: New Food Items
New entrees have been added to the free 5-Day Meal Packs available to all children 18 years or younger. The Heat-N-Eat menu items are made from scratch at the Central Kitchen and Bakery and are easily warmed in a microwave.
Food and Nutrition Services staff are preparing and packaging:
Chili with Dinner Roll – Homemade chili paired with a whole grain dinner roll, scratch-made in our district bakery.
Macaroni and Cheese – Scratch made cheese sauce cooked with elbow pasta and topped with cheddar cheese.
Penne Pasta with Meat Marinara Sauce – Homemade meat marinara on top of penne pasta and sprinkled with mozzarella cheese.
Turkey Gravy with Mashed Potatoes and Dinner Roll – Homemade turkey gravy, with turkey roasted in-house, served over mashed potatoes with whole grain dinner roll (served as a holiday special).
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Reopening FAQ Updated
We’ve been busy updating commonly asked questions on reopening schools. A comprehensive list of questions asked this summer, to those recently asked by families during our Reopening Town Hall event Oct. 14 have been recently updated on the District website.
Information changes rapidly. As our work evolves, we will continue to publish additional questions and answers. If you have a question that is not addressed on the Reopening Schools FAQ, please contact your child's school or email communications@puyallup.k12.wa.us for assistance.
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School Board Highlights: Nov. 16
Board Policies Update:
Reports:
Board Action:
Upcoming Meetings (virtual):
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Puyallup School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
• Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator: Char Krause, krauseca@puyallup.k12.wa.us, (253) 435-6295
• 504/ADA Coordinator: Char Krause, krauseca@puyallup.k12.wa.us, (253) 435-6295
• Title IX Coordinator Staff: Amie Brandmire, brandmah@puyallup.k12.wa.us (253) 841-8666
• Title IX Coordinator Students: Char Krause, krauseca@puyallup.k12.wa.us, (253) 435-6295
All individuals may be reached at this address:
Puyallup School District 302 2nd Street SE Puyallup, WA 98372
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