Family and Community News | March 19, 2023

Thank you, classified teams!

March 13-17 was Educational Support Professionals Week - a great chance to toot some horns about the amazing work our teams are doing in schools.

Who are ESPs? They are our dedicated classified team members. You see them every day, driving kids to school, cooking breakfast and lunch, working one-on-one with students to improve their academic skills, making sure they’re known and supported.

Get to know more about how some of our classified team members are caring for Tacoma’s kids.

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. 

Congratulations to our 2023 Daffodil princesses

The Daffodil Festival has been celebrating our community for the past 90 years. The annual parade will travel through Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting on Saturday, April 1.

Five high school seniors represent our district on this year's Daffodil Royal Court. Throughout the year, these students gain public speaking skills, self-confidence, and more while interacting and giving back to their community. 

• Foss High School: Mariya Startseva
• Lincoln High School: Kaitlyn Nguyen
• Mt. Tahoma High School: Breannah Bartlett
• Silas High School: Kyona Fox-Flores
• Stadium High School: Emma Holmes

Foss teachers transform science curriculum to engage and empower their students

Foss High teachers Trevor Kagochi and Tashi Langton are working to transform the way they teach science, driven by two simple ideas: 

• Students learn, remember and care more when they understand how a curriculum relates to them. 
• Students should hear the stories and voices that have traditionally been excluded from science instruction.



The results of the teachers’ efforts were on display March 7, when several dozen of their ninth graders gathered in the cafeteria of Foss High School to demonstrate to their parents, neighbors and other community members what they had learned about COVID 19, protein synthesis and the function of MRNA vaccines. The presentations included videos, posters, slideshows, and even a board game. 

Student leadership opportunities available for high schoolers

Opportunities for students to engage in leadership are all around us. Take a look at these three and consider sharing with a teen in your life.

• The Puget Sound Educational Service District Board of Directors is seeking student representatives to serve on the board. This role, which includes a stipend, is for current sophomores. Get more information: PSESD Student Board Representative Application and Process - Puget Sound Educational Service District 121

• The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association invites students entering their junior year to apply for its student leadership group, focused on WIAA events, meetings and community projects. Get more information: WIAA | Washington Interscholastic Activities Association

• Tacoma’s Community Policy Advisory Committee seeks a 16 to18-year-old TPS student to fill its youth seat. Get more information: Community's Police Advisory Committee - City of Tacoma

Feedback on grading informs policy recommendations

Student grades are a standard measurement for understanding where a student is on their learning journey and a way to provide feedback to students. Ensuring our grading practices are equitable and consistent is critical to student success.

Last year the Teaching & Learning team began to develop a plan to examine the district’s 20-year old policy (2420) and regulation (2420R) that guides grading practices across all schools. Any policy changes must be approved by the School Board, but the Teaching & Learning team is working to provide recommendations for the Board to consider before next school year.



Gathering feedback from all stakeholders

Through in-person meetings and online surveys the team has worked to gather feedback from students, teachers and families. District leadership, including Board members attended listening sessions with students to hear first-hand their feedback and perspective on grading. In-person sessions were also conducted with teachers, in addition to an online survey for staff. And an online survey was sent to all parents/guardians, including translation in five additional languages.

Safety reminders and tips for students traveling to and from school

The Office of Safety and Security would like to provide some reminders and safety tips for families.

Safety reminders for students as they travel to and from school:

• Students should use the buddy system and walk in groups of two or more. 
• Do not walk alone in the dark—ride to and from school with a trusted friend or relative. 
• Remain on school grounds during school hours. 
• Immediately tell responsible adults about any suspicious activities or people encountered to or from school.
• Never accept candy or gifts from a stranger.
• Never go anywhere with a stranger, even if it sounds like fun. 
• Be aware of your surrounding and cross streets at corners or marked crosswalks.
• Make sure younger kids know their names, address, phone number including area code, and who to call in case of an emergency. Review how to use 911.

Resources for walking maps and safety tips

Tacoma Public Schools has partnered with the City of Tacoma to provide walking maps for all elementary schools. These maps help to identify well-lit routes with sidewalks and crosswalks.

See Something. Say Something.

Tacoma Public Schools launched a joint campaign with law enforcement a few years ago called, “See Something, Say Something.” We encourage everyone in our community who sees or hears anything that could be a safety concern at any of our schools to immediately notify our school staff or call 911.  

Give your feedback on new English Language Arts curriculum for grades K-5

Our Tacoma Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction Department has been leading a team of educators, including teachers and administrators, to adopt new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum for grades K-5 that aligns with state English Language Arts Learning standards. Feedback is essential in this process and there are upcoming in-person and virtual opportunities for staff, families, and community members to review materials and provide feedback.

Find opportunities for in-person feedback and upcoming virtual sessions.

Tacoma Housing Authority to open low-income housing waitlist April 3-17

Tacoma Housing Authority will open its low-income housing waitlist for eligible households April 3 though April 17. This is the first time THA has opened the waitlist to all household sizes since 2015.

There are three ways to apply April 3-17:

• In person from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• By calling (253) 448-2738 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Online

Get more information, including an FAQ and in-person application locations.

Survey on McCarver name change proposal closes March 20

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

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