GATES Family Newsletter
December 2023
Important Dates
Early Release Days: December 6th and 13th
Updates From Principal Jones
Dear GATES High School Community,
We are thrilled to have successfully completed our first learning cycle for the year. This means that students have already completed an entire semester of learning. For students who passed all five of their classes, they should have earned a minimum of 2.5 credits or more. Student transcripts are in the process of being updated and will be sent home soon.
We also welcomed several new Gators to our learning community which is always exciting. We appreciate the energy and enthusiasm all our students bring to our school and look forward to building new relationships with our new gators and their families.
GATES is emerging as a mastery-based learning school. What this means for our students is that they will be able to earn credit and progress in their courses based on demonstration of learning and application of knowledge rather than seat time. This allows our students to advance in their learning at their own pace, facilitated by their teachers and in collaboration with their peers. Instruction is focused on culturally relevant opportunities where students can explore and collaborate within their own community. Franklin Pierce Schools believes that every graduate should be able to:
Contribute toward healthy and just communities,
collaborate effectively,
connect across difference,
learn with curiosity and humility,
create solutions, and
nurture self, others, and community.
I would like to give a BIG shout out to Resurrection Church in Tacoma. This is the third year that this lovely congregation of generous members has made sure that every student receives a personalized gift for the holidays. These gifts will be distributed on December 19th, which is the last day before we leave for winter break. In preparing for our winter break, we recognize that this may be a time of challenge for some of our families. If your family has any need for support, please contact our Family Engagement Coordinator, Kristina Levendoski. Mrs. Levendoski is a tremendous support to our students and is very well connected to resources in the community.
I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday season and look forward to seeing you all in 2024.
Introducing Seed Teachers Program
Franklin Pierce Schools is delighted to announce a new partnership with Degrees of Change and Pacific Lutheran University to host the Seed Teachers Program! This program is designed to high school graduates attend PLU to obtain a teaching degree with the hope that they will return to teach in their home school district. Seed Teachers offers Franklin Pierce Schools graduates a debt-free, supportive pathway to earning their college degree in order to become teachers in their home communities. The program allows cohorts of students to obtain scholarships to earn a degree at PLU with mentoring and paid work experience at Franklin Pierce Schools throughout their college career. When program participants have completed their degree, they are guaranteed interviews at Franklin Pierce Schools to be hired as full-time staff.
GATES High School
Email: klevendoski@fpschools.org
Website: https://gates.fpschools.org/
Location: 4608 128th Street East, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GATESHSgators