Family and Community News | June 4, 2023

Congratulations to TPS Indian Education Program graduates!

Seniors enrolled in our Indian Education Program were recognized in a special ceremony May 23. Superintendent Josh Garcia, Deputy Superintendent Lisa Nolan and Indian Education Program Director David Syth presented students with a certificate, a woven blanket, and a drum – each painted and signed by artist George Zantua.

The senior celebration gives graduating students a chance to speak to their families and peers about their plans and hopes for the future.

We are incredibly proud of the TPS Indian Education Program Class of 2023! View more photos on our graduation photo page.

Teens have a place to hang out with friends and get dinner all summer long

Middle school and high school students will have a free place to get dinner and hang out with friends every weeknight this summer. 

Starting June 26, Summer Late Nights opens across Tacoma, with schools, community centers and non-profits opening their doors to keep teens safe and engaged. Tacoma Public Schools middle and high schoolers can get dinner every night and participate in open gym, art and music activities, and hang out with friends. 

Where: Variety of schools, community centers and other sites across Tacoma. Visit your school's website under "Programs & Activities" to find your site.

When: Monday-Friday, 5-10 p.m., June 26-Sept. 1

It’s a drop-in program; students can attend as often as they like. Students can go to the site assigned to them or the location nearest their home. Take a look at your school's website under the Programs & Activities tab to find your site.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to register their child online on the Compass/Family App.

This is a community effort. TPS continues to be grateful for the support of our partners Metro Parks Tacoma YMCA-Pierce & Kitsap Counties, Greentrike and Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound. 

Register your child here.

Prepare for the last week of school with this schedule

Please note schedule changes during the last week of school: 

Monday, June 19: No school in honor of Juneteenth; district offices are also closed

Tuesday, June 20: Last day of school for students in ECSE/Peer Inclusion preschool

Wednesday, June 21: No late start for students

Wednesday, June 21: Last day of school for students in Head Start and ECEAP

Friday, June 23: Last day of school and early release for students

• High school releases at 10:50 a.m.
• Middle school releases at 11:30 a.m. (Wainwright Intermediate follows the middle school schedule)
• Elementary releases at 12:15 p.m. (Bryant Montessori follows the elementary schedule)

The last day of school for IDEA, SAMi and SOTA is Friday, June 16. 

During June 8 meeting, Board will hear proposal to change name of McCarver Elementary to Dr. Edna Travis Elementary

During the June 8 board meeting, the Tacoma Public Schools’ Board of Directors will hear a proposal to change the name of McCarver Elementary School to Dr. Edna Travis Elementary. The proposal is the culmination of a months-long process lead by community members and TPS staff.

Read more about name change proposal.

Peace Bus brings laptops to Mt. Tahoma High School

Tacoma humanitarian Kwabi Amoah-Forson brought his bright blue 1988 Mitsubishi van, best known as the Peace Bus, to Mount Tahoma High School last week to give some deserving seniors a boost as they get ready to start life after high school.

That boost came in the form of free laptops! Read the full story.

Willie Stewart Academy offers hope, belonging and a second chance

At Willie Stewart Academy, it’s all about building students’ confidence, connecting and creating a concrete plan for what comes next.  

For the last decade, the school has offered a second chance for students who are at risk of not graduating or who dropped out of high school at some point.  

In its new space at the corner of 9th and Broadway in downtown Tacoma, the school continues to pursue its mission of helping them regain their educational footing and walk out the door with either a diploma or GED - and a plan.  

It’s working. Since 2016, Willie Stewart Academy has steadily increased the percentage of its students earning a diploma or GED. Many of those students are fifth- or sixth-year seniors.  

Even when it takes longer than planned, it’s worth it,” said WSA principal Renee Froembling. 

Read more about how WSA supports and engages its students.

Celebrate Juneteenth at festival at Stewart Heights Park

The community is invited to join in the Juneteenth celebration at Stewart Heights Park in Tacoma from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 19.

At the celebration, five students representing Tacoma Public Schools will compete in the Miss Juneteenth Pageant & Scholarship Program.

In addition, the festival will include performances, speakers, a kid zone, facepainting and playground. Vendors from trade associations, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and finance organizations will attend. The goal is to create an opportunity for economic growth and set a path for financial stability in the BIPOC community – and celebrate!

Get more information.

Find summer activities for your child

Looking for fun, engaging summer activities for your child? Take a look at Tacoma Learns, an online directory of youth programs throughout Tacoma and Pierce County (pre-K through 12th grade). 

Families and students can search by grade level, cost, interest, location, and more. Explore the directory for upcoming summer activities and beyond.

#Summer253

Start your search here.

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

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