Family and Community News | March 26, 2023

Port, Tacoma Public Schools announce partnership on new maritime skills center and port maritime center project

This week, the Port of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools entered into an interlocal agreement to provide a framework to engage in a master planning and site assessment process to support the development of a port-owned property that will include a new maritime skills center and a port maritime center to meet the business needs of the port. 

In the spring 2022, TPS began a focused effort to study the feasibility of establishing a maritime skills center to support not only Tacoma high school students but students from school districts throughout Pierce County. The port also considered how to move forward with constructing a new maritime center to conduct official business as well as provide improved public access for commission meetings and other key port activities. 

“In conversations with Superintendent Garcia, we realized there was a natural synergy between our plans and locating the new skills center at the port would be a great fit,” said Port Executive Director Eric Johnson. “Working to prepare future generations to fill jobs in the port, maritime and skilled trades industries is a key priority in both our Strategic Plan and Workforce Development program.” 

Spring break is April 3-7; find activities for your child

There’s no school Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 7 for spring break.

Please note SAMi, SOTA and IDEA are also closed for spring break the week of March 27.

District offices will be closed Friday, April 7. See your school’s online calendar for more details.

Find spring break camps and activities

Tacomalearns.org offers families an easy way to find activities for their children during school breaks. Take a look at this database of community organizations offering programming for students in elementary through high school. 

Beyond the Bell, Club Beyond registration opens April 3

Get an early look at this session's programs

Tacoma Public Schools and community partners are once again offering Beyond the Bell activities for students in grades K-5 and Club Beyond activities for students in grades 6-8.

Registration opens Monday, April 3. Sessions run from May 1 to June 16. 

Fan favorites - including Bricks 4 Kidz and cooking - are back at some schools, while others will get new programs like crafts and baking, and Let Me Run.

Take a look at session 4 program activities.

Grades K-5: Flexible pricing

When you register, you will see three payment options per session. If you are not sure what your family is qualified for, please select what you have qualified for in the past or select the best option based on your family’s current need.

• $96 per activity
• Qualify for reduced-priced lunch: $48 per activity
• Qualify for free lunch: $0 per activity

Grades 6-8: free programs

Club Beyond programs are FREE for middle school students thanks to funding from community partners including City of Tacoma, Greentrike, Metro Parks Tacoma, Pierce County, Tacoma Creates, Tacoma Public Schools and private philanthropy.

Free local college tours for families

For many students, attending a two- or four-year college, university or vocational school is a crucial next step on their path to fulfilling their career and life dreams. Help your child meet their higher education goals by joining our annual College Tours for Families, April 11 - April 27.

• (VIRTUAL EVENT) Bates Technical College and Clover Park Technical College: Tuesday, April 11th – 6:30 p.m.
• University of Puget Sound: Tuesday, April 18 – 6:15 p.m.
• Evergreen College, Tacoma: Thursday, April 20 – 5:30 p.m.
• Pacific Lutheran University: Monday, April 24 – 6 p.m.
• Tacoma Community College: Tuesday, April 25 – 6:30 p.m.
• University of Washington, Tacoma: Thursday, April 27 – 6:15 p.m.

Register and learn more here.

9th and Broadway building hosts open house celebration

Students and staff, along with neighbors and other community members, celebrated the newly renovated 9th and Broadway building during an open house March 22. Located in the heart of downtown Tacoma, the building houses Willie Stewart Academy (WSA), Tacoma Online (TOL), Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) and the TPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) team.

Innovative and creative learning spaces - including a dance studio, recording space and adaptable classrooms and furnishings - make the building unique. The location also offers convenient access to cultural organizations, transportation and community partnership programs.

Your child may be eligible for services from Developmental Disabilities Administration

At an upcoming virtual event, families of students with a disability can explore whether their child may be eligible for services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Services include early intervention, respite care, nursing and peer mentoring. 

To be considered eligible, your child must:

• Be a Washington resident
• Have evidence of a qualifying developmental disability that began before age 18 AND
• Have evidence of substantial limitations

Please complete this form by April 18 to pre-register for the DDA Eligibility virtual event. During the event, DDA counselors will be available to meet one on one with families to support applying for services. 

Event details: 

• Thursday, April 20
• 4-6 p.m. (Drop in any time during this window)
• Interpreters are available

Questions? Contact Aimee Dunlap at adunlap@tacoma.k12.wa.us or (253) 571-1045. 

Dual credit: Get a head start on college and career

Now is the time secondary students are selecting classes for next year. Across Tacoma Public Schools there are opportunities for students to earn dual college credits. Not all courses are offered at every school, talk with your counselor to understand what’s available and what’s the best fit.

Get more information on how to earn dual credits.

Looking to teach or work in Tacoma? Register now for job fair

Are you looking to teach or work in Tacoma? Know somebody looking for a new part-time or full-time commitment? Tacoma Public Schools will be at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center on Tuesday, March 28, participating in the WA Educator Career Fair. Registration is $25 online until March 27 or $40 onsite.

Event details:

• Where: Greater Tacoma Convention Center, 1500 Commerce St., Tacoma
• When: March 28, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Register online: 2023 Washington Educator Career Fair (online registration closes March 27 at 3 p.m.)

Participants should:

• Bring their resume.
• Be prepared to be interviewed, virtually (laptops will be provided for interviews)

Benefits package for qualifying employees includes medical, dental, vision, retirement. Visit tacomaschools.org/jobs for a complete list of open positions and apply today.

Windows 11 update for all student laptops starts March 31

All student laptops will start upgrading to Windows 11 Friday, March 31. The update will run in the background to ensure the least amount of disruption. 

Students who take their laptop home will need to plug it into power, keep it turned on and connected to Wi-Fi from Friday, March 31 through Monday, April 3. This will ensure the update is downloaded and installation is complete. Laptops stored at school will automatically receive the update during spring break.

Any laptop not connected to power or Wi-Fi during this time will receive the updates once they are turned on and connected to Wi-Fi at home or school. Updates will finalize overnight to ensure the least amount of disruption.

Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 253-571-4357 or StudentHelp@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

When is your child too sick for school?

School attendance is a powerful predictor of school success and on-time graduation. The Department of Education says children who miss less than 9 days a year generally perform better in school. 

Use these tips to tell when your child is too sick for school.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, follows these steps.

Questions? Contact your school's nurse.

Students should register their ORCA card online for free public transit use

Tacoma Public Schools | tacomaschools.org | 253-571-1000 | info@tacoma.k12.wa.us

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