Family and Community News | Jan. 29, 2023

Let's celebrate Whole Child Champions!

January is Whole Child Month. We are so happy to take this time to celebrate educators helping every student feel safe, healthy, engaged, challenged and supported. That’s our Whole Child mission.

Champions provide extraordinary social, emotional and academic support in ways that benefit students, staff, families and the community. They create a positive school culture that we can all feel, and they make an incredible impact in the lives of students. 

Champions are everywhere in our schools. They’re teachers, bus drivers, nutrition staff, counselors and office staff - and everything in between. Our 2023 Whole Child Champions were nominated for this honor by their students, parents of their students, and school staff. 



Congratulations, Champions! 

We're hiring; check out upcoming job fairs

Tacoma Public Schools will host a series of job fairs with interviews on-site to recruit education support professionals (formerly called paraeducators) who specifically work in special education classrooms. ESPs help certified teachers with instructional and personal care needs for students with a broad range of disabilities.

Interested candidates should be ready to interview with TPS representatives.

Get more information on hiring fair dates, qualifications and benefits.

Tell us what you think about school meals

We want to provide students healthy, delicious breakfast and lunch items at school every day. As the supply chain improves and we continue to improve our meal offerings, we want to know what foods students enjoy, and what families would like to see in the future. 

Please complete this survey to help us better understand your child’s food preferences, and also let us know the best way for you to receive information about daily food items.

High school students can apply to be academic tutors

We are looking for sophomores, juniors and seniors to serve as paid after-school tutors for elementary school students.

At their neighborhood elementary school, tutors will help small groups of students in grades 3-5 with reading and math.

Tutors will earn $500 after completing a semester of work.

Sessions run from 3-5:30 p.m. or 4-6:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tutors must participate in orientation and training to learn how to facilitate tutor and mentor practices and learn the professional expectations of the tutor/mentor role.

Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 3.



Questions? Amanda Sims at asims@tacoma.k12.wa.us or (253) 571-1040.  

Basketball night at University of Puget Sound for TPS students, families

Families and students of Tacoma Public Schools are invited to a free night of Logger mens and womens basketball Friday, Feb. 3.

The women's basketball team plays at 6 p.m. The men's team plays at 8p.m.

In between games, at 7 p.m., families can learn more about the University of Puget Sound experience, get information on admission and financial aid, and collect some swag.

Virtual family gathering: Warning signs of eating disorders

Families are invited to a virtual gathering to learn about the warning signs of eating disorders in children.

Licensed mental health counselor Sally McDaniel will speak at the event, which is hosted by the TPS Community Partnership Office.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Online event. Register here.

Check February school calendar updates

Please note the upcoming schedule for students, including no school for students in grades 6-12 on Feb. 3.

• Friday, Feb. 3: No school for students in grades 6-12 due to semester break
• All grades in Bryant and Wainwright will have school Feb. 3, as they follow the elementary schedule
• IDEA/SAMi/SOTA families should view their school calendar for additional days off
• Thursday, Feb. 16: Regular school day for all students and staff
• Friday, Feb. 17: No school for all students; staff report for Data Day
• Monday, Feb. 20: Schools and district offices closed for Presidents Day.

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

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