THE VIEWS | March 2025

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Dear FPS Community:

Whether I’m checking in with other superintendents, sharing a meal with my adult children or having a side conversation at a high school sporting event, everyone asks a version of the same question: How is the state of the world impacting Franklin Pierce Schools? My response is pretty simple: We are paying very careful attention to what is happening, and we are remaining focused on who we are and what we do.

Last week, federal leaders took steps to dismantle the Department of Education. We are watching these moves carefully, working closely with OSPI, our state agency, to make sure that resources in our community are protected. We receive resources from the Department of Education to support students experiencing homelessness, students impacted by poverty, breakfast and lunch programs, Special Education programs, supports for multilingual learners and more. At this point, these resources will continue to come to our district through different channels.

I am more convinced than ever that we are on the right path and should not waiver in our commitment to students and families, rooted in Equity and Social Justice, Family and Community Partnerships and Instruction. We will continue to center each student, their experience, and their unique approach to learning.

We will continue to offer supports for students’ whose housing situation is unstable, who have unique intellectual, physical and emotional abilities, who speak a broad array of languages and who benefit from school breakfast and lunch to be ready to learn each day. We will stay true to our vision that we want each of the 7,000 students in our care to experience belonging, joy and the opportunity to thrive on their path to graduation and beyond.

Sincerely,

Lance Goodpaster

Franklin Pierce Schools

Superintendent

FPS Mission: Every student thrives on their path to graduation and beyond

• Women's History Month March 1-31
• Irish American Heritage Month March 1-31
• Music in Our Schools Month March 1-31
• Youth Arts Month March 1-31
• Classified Instructional Support Appreciation Week March 3-7
• Professional Technical Staff Appreciation Week March 17-21
• Panorama Family Surveys March 25-April 18
• Student-Led Conferences April 1-4
• Spring Break April 7-11
• State of Education Listening Session April 23 from 5:30-6:30pm

A reminder that Spring Break will take place April 7-11. All school offices will be closed, however district offices will remain open Monday-Thursday from 7:30am-3:00pm and will be closed Friday, April 11.

We will be offering a State of Education Listening Session on Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30-6:30 at the FPS District Office (315 129th St. South) to address questions and concerns that you might have about the ways that federal and state education changes are impacting Franklin Pierce Schools.

Each year, Franklin Pierce Schools invites families to fill out the Panorama Survey to help us plan, learn and change. This year’s family survey will be open from Tuesday, March 25 – Friday, April 18. Responses to these anonymous surveys are viewed by school and district staff to aid in planning efforts and to highlight areas of celebration and concern. Surveys are available in multiple languages.

Student-Led Conferences are right around the corner! From April 1-4 families of students in grades K-12 will have the opportunity to connect with their child's teacher(s). Student-Led Conferences allow students to facilitate the conversation, inviting caregivers and educators to work together to explore students' unique strengths, interests and areas for support.

Language support is available for conferences by request. Please contact your school's Office Manager to schedule your conference and request an interpreter.

Did you know that March is Music in Our Schools Month? This past month the district was filled with music thanks to the District Honor Choir and Elementary Honor Choir concerts!

On March 8th, students from Ford Middle School, Perry G. Keithley Middle School, Franklin Pierce High School, Washington High School Patriots, and 4th and 5th graders from our district's eight elementary schools participated in the District Honor Choir Concert in the beautiful FPS Performing Arts Center. It was a great event filled with music, joy and celebration of our students.

Then the next week, students from all eight of our elementary schools gathered for the Elementary Honor Choir Concert at Trinity Lutheran Church. It was wonderful to see these students join together and use their collective voice. We are so proud of our students and their dedication to music!

Special thanks to the families of our students, these ensembles would not be possible without their support.

This past week JROTC cadets from Washington High School competed in the northwest region JROTC championship. The group competed in three categories; unarmed drill, marksmanship, and fitness. The unarmed drill team placed 6th, Marksmanship team placed 3rd, and individual awards went to Adam Mangas, taking 4th place in Ironman competition, and Sean Lepinski, taking 2nd place in Marksmanship.

Congratulations to Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Thompson for his leadership of the JROTC program and for his work to host this event in our district! Lieutenant Colonel Thompson has worked hard to build the JROTC program with over 90 student participants, raising visibility, updating the curriculum, facilitating regular training and increasing parent involvement.

Read about what's happening at The Farm at Franklin Pierce this growing season!

The 2025-26 academic calendar is now available. Important dates include:

• First day of school for grades 1-12: Aug. 26, 2025
• First day of school for Kindergarten: Sept. 2, 2025
• Winter break: Dec. 22, 2025 - Jan. 2, 2026
• Mid-Winter break: Feb. 16-20, 2026
• Spring break: April 6-10, 2026
• Last day of school for all students: June 16, 2026

Calling all incoming Kindergarten families, enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open!

Our enrollment process starts online. If you don’t have access to a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, or the internet, you may visit your child's new school to enroll directly with the office staff.

We can't wait to meet you and your student!

Right at School is hosting Spring Break Camp this year at Brookdale Elementary! Spring Break Camp offers a hassle-free option for busy families while ensuring your kids are engaged in enriching activities.

This year's Spring Break Camp theme is...Weird Wonders! Campers will spend their days exploring unusual art, science, and games. With endless hands-on activities, they'll learn that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction! They'll dive into optical illusions, wacky animal adaptations, and mind-bending puzzles.

Did you know that Franklin Pierce Schools operates a Family Resource Center in our Administration Complex? The Family Resource Center at Franklin Pierce (FRC) serves as a community hub that strives to empower families through resources, trainings, and comprehensive supports that lead to a thriving community.

We are community-driven, strengths-based, family-focused and honor the experiences, cultures and perspectives of all who enter our doors.

All are welcome! Please make an appointment to visit us - Call (253) 298-3073. We are open 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday at 315 129th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444.

Homeownership can be a possibility in your future! Partnering with Habitat for Humanity can help you achieve your goals of stability and security for your family. Attend a Homeowner Orientation to see if Habitat Homeownership is the right fit for you.

• Mortgage payments as low as $1,600/month
• 3-4 bedroom + 1.5-2 baths
• 1,200 sq ft - 1,400 sq ft
• Energy efficient, with all new appliances
• Single-family homes and town homes