Family and Community News | April 17, 2022

Celebrate the many roles of school libraries and teacher librarians

The role of the school library has changed a lot since the days of the stern, shushing librarian, but libraries are important as ever. April is School Library Month, and to celebrate, watch what happened on a recent school day in the bustling, vibrant library of Hilltop Heritage Middle School with teacher librarian Dawn Baughman.

As teacher librarians, Baughman and her colleagues across Tacoma Public Schools are trained educators who help students make sense of the modern information environment. They teach strategies for managing information overload and for determining the validity of online claims.

Apply now for preschool for the

2022-23 school year

People can now submit an application for preschool in the 2022-2023 school year.

State, federal, and local funding allows TPS to offer half-day (AM or PM) and school-day programs across the district. Please note:

• Children must be three or four years old by Aug. 31.
• Income eligibility is required for some programs.
• Space is limited and applying does not guarantee enrollment.



Thanks to new grant funding, Montessori preschool will be tuition-free beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Children must be four by Aug. 31, and TPS will prioritize students living in the Bryant and Geiger neighborhoods, where the programs are offered. 

Families interested in TPS preschool programs for the 2022-2023 school year should complete the preschool application. The information provided helps us determine your child’s eligibility; we review address, age, and household income. Families can expect to hear from our team within four weeks. If eligible, you must also complete a TPS enrollment application.

School Board honors TPS teachers who earned National Board Certification

Congratulations to the 11 Tacoma Public Schools teachers who recently earned their National Board Certification. They join another 20 teachers who renewed their certification this year, bringing the total number of TPS teachers who hold this certification to 242. 

The newly certified teachers and those renewing their certification this year were honored at the April 14 School Board meeting. 

National Board Certification is an advanced and voluntary teaching credential that complements a state's teaching license. Teachers pursuing this certification engage in a rigorous process including demonstration of content knowledge, differentiation in instruction, effective teaching practice and being a reflective practitioner. 

Show your spirit on Music Day, April 22

Friday, April 22 is Music Day across TPS. District spirit days are for students and staff to have fun and continue to learn more about each other.

Music has always been an important form of creative self-expression and social engagement. Staff and students can wear t-shirts showcasing their favorite band, dress like their favorite musician, or even like their favorite instrument. The creativity of our staff and students is limitless!

Please remember that school policies on appropriate attire still apply.

Tours available for eight local colleges

From April 21 through May 24, Tacoma Public Schools is sponsoring in-person tours of eight outstanding local colleges. We will provide transportation to and from each institution, or people may use their own transportation and meet us at the college. 

Tours are open to all TPS students and their parents or guardians.

Each visit includes a customized tour and presentation from college staff on the admissions process, financial aid and scholarships and college life unique to each school. Two of the tours will be held virtually (Bates Technical College and Clover Park Technical College).

Join in the solar celebration at Hilltop Heritage Middle School April 22

The ambition and drive of three middle school students led to the first solar panel installation in Tacoma Public Schools - and now it’s time to celebrate.

Join now-high school juniors Gwendolyn Newport, Samantha Firkins and Annie Son, teacher Kathy Hall and others for tours of the solar panel system, information booths and refreshments.

Where: Hilltop Heritage Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Ave.

When: Friday, April 22, 3:30 p.m.

The Hilltop Heritage solar panels offset about 10% of the building’s energy use. 

Free back-to-school immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines at Lincoln High School April 21

In partnership with MultiCare's Center for Health Equity & Wellness, Tacoma Public Schools invites students and families to participate in free immunization events.  

The next event is from 3:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 at Lincoln High School. 

The free back-to-school immunizations are available for students ages 4 and up.

COVID-19 vaccines are available for students ages 5 and up, TPS families, and community members. COVID-19 boosters are available for students ages 12 and up, TPS families, and community members. Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be offered. 

Vote on cultural programming in your community

People who live, work, go to school, or have kids who go to school in East Tacoma or South Tacoma can help decide how to spend $100,000 to support community health and well-being.

Tacoma Creates is partnering with Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s Public Health Centers for Excellence to engage community members in a participatory budgeting process to spend the money. They gathered more than 3,000 ideas and worked with community members to choose the finalists in these areas:

• Arts
• Culture
• Heritage
• Science services, experiences, or projects widely accessible in the community

If you live, work, go to school or have children who go to school in the 98404 or 98409 zip codes, vote here.