Family and Community News | March 12, 2023

Families can register now for free Financial Literacy Fair on April 15

Families are invited to attend a free event focusing on the importance of financial literacy. Information about financial literacy education standards and resources to support ongoing financial wellness and sustainability will be provided.

Guests will choose from a variety of breakout sessions based on their interests. 

• Saturday, April 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (check in at 10:45 a.m.) 
• Baker Middle School, 8001 S. J St., Tacoma 

Students are welcome; those in grades 8 and lower must attend with an adult.

This event is hosted in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools’ Academic Equity & Community Partnership offices to provide community engagement and financial education for students and families.

School schedules adjust for conferences this week

Please note the schedule for school conference days next week.

Thursday, March 16, and Friday, March 17:

• High school: Students released at 10:50 a.m.
• Middle school: Students released at 11:30 a.m. (All Wainwright Intermediate students follow this schedule.)
• Elementary school: Students released at 12:15 p.m. (All Bryant Montessori students, including preschool, follow this schedule.)
• Full-day preschool (except Montessori): No school

All week, March 13-17:

• IDEA, SAMi and SOTA: Students released at lunch
• Half-day preschool: No school

March 15, 16, 17

(UPDATED) Peer inclusion, specialized and DHH/LSL preschool students: No school 

Wednesday, March 15

• Head Start full-day preschool: No school

See your school’s online calendar for more details.

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.

Family virtual learning event: Restorative justice practices

Families are invited to join Nicolas Bradford, founder of the Restorative Justice Center of the Northwest, to talk about restorative justice practices. The talk will include tips for talking to your child, tools and resources.  

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

Where: Zoom event; register here

The event is hosted in partnership with the TPS Community Partnership Office. 

Batter up for TPS night with the Rainiers on June 1

Join the fun at Tacoma Public Schools night with the Tacoma Rainiers, Thursday, June 1, at 7:05 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. TPS students can participate in a pre-game parade on the field and then watch the Rainiers take on the Sacramento River Cats with friends and family.

Choose from three ticket options:

• Group Express tickets are $20 and include a reserved seat and ballpark meal
• Group Double Play tickets are $25 and include a reserved seat, ballpark meal and limited edition Rainiers hat.
• Party Deck tickets are $40.50 and include deck seating and an all-inclusive BBQ buffet.

$5 from every ticket will benefit Beyond the Bell and Club Beyond after-school programming offered in partnership with community organizations. Your support will help keep activities affordable and accessible for everyone.

Now is the time to enroll for kindergarten

In-person or online, we work in partnership with parents and community to provide education that is rigorous, individualized and innovative. Grades preschool to 12 are now enrolling for fall 2023.

We encourage families to enroll new students in the spring, which helps with hiring the right number of staff. It also ensures families receive important communications and that students can attend Jump Start in the summer.

Enrollment forms are online in both English and Spanish and allow you to save your progress and complete later. We look forward to serving you and your family! 

Survey to propose renaming McCarver Elementary School

Tacoma Public Schools received requests from community members to consider renaming McCarver Elementary School. The community members expressed concern that the school is named after Morton Matthew McCarver. They provided historical background, including McCarver’s work in the Oregon and California Territorial Legislatures, where he proposed and supported laws to remove and exclude black and mixed-race Americans from living in the territories.

In response to the requests, Superintendent Josh Garcia asked McCarver principal Stephany Wright to follow policy and regulation 6970 and lead the process to consider renaming the school. 

Learn more about the background of this issue.

Tacoma Public Schools | tacomaschools.org | 253-571-1000 | [email protected]

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