THE VIEWS | May 2025

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Dear FPS Community:

We’re nearing the finish line—with fewer than 20 school days left, the calendar is full of celebrations, field days, graduations, playoff games, concerts, and end-of-year festivities!

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a panelist for senior interviews. These interviews offer students a chance to reflect on their school experiences and how those experiences will shape their futures. I always walk away inspired for two key reasons:

1. I’m reminded that every student’s journey is unique, and
2. I gain insight into how students’ lives outside of school—family, culture, hobbies, interests, language, and more—deeply influence how they show up each day.

Supporting the needs and aspirations of 7,000 students and 1,000 staff, navigating shifts in state education law, and managing a complex budget can be challenging. But sitting across from soon-to-be graduates who speak passionately about the staff who made them feel seen, classes that sparked their curiosity, and extracurricular activities that brought them joy makes it all worthwhile!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 (and to the Classes of 2026 through 2038 for that matter). Let’s finish the year strong!

With gratitude,

Lance Goodpaster

Franklin Pierce Schools

Superintendent

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

• Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders Heritage Month May 1-31
• Jewish American Heritage Month May 1-31
• Mental Health Awareness Month May 1-31
• Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9
• Health Professional Appreciation Week May 5-9
• Educational Bosses Week May 19-23

Wednesday, May 28th | 3:00-6:00pm

The Farm at Franklin Piece Schools

9516 Waller Rd E

In honor of Cindy Ainsworth, a teacher at Ford Middle Shool who is currently fighting cancer, FMS is hosting a blood drive during their Cultural Fair family event on May 29th! The Bloodworks Northwest bloodmobile will be parked in the parking lot. Please consider signing up to donate blood and save lives.

Thursday, May 29th | 12:00-6:00pm

Ford Middle School (parking lot)

1602 104th St E

Click here to sign up

Sponsor code: 224C

The Native Indigenous Culture Clubs invite you to help us celebrate our rich cultural heritage and promote unity within our community! Expect to see dancers dressed in beautiful regalia, to hear powerful drums, and to learn about cultures that span this continent we call home. We will have Grand Entry at the start of the Powwow and an Arena host will MC the event. There will be Native vendors selling art, beads, handmade products, supplies, and more along a variety of Indigenous food from our N.I.C.C. club students for you to enjoy!

Saturday, May 31 | 1:00-7:00PM

Franklin Pierce High School

11002 18th Avenue East

Graduation is right around the corner! Join us on Saturday, June 7 to celebrate our 2025 graduates at the Washington State Fairgrounds. Each graduate will receive six (6) tickets at the graduation rehearsal on June 6th. Additional tickets may be purchased at the school front office until June 6 at 12pm (WHS and GATES) or 1:30pm (FPHS). Tickets will also be sold (cash only) at the Red gate fairgrounds entrance beginning 30 minutes prior to the start of the graduation ceremony.

Saturday, June 7 - 10:00am FPHS | 1:30pm WHS | 4:00pm GATES

Washington State Fairgrounds

110 9th Ave SW, Puyallup, WA 98371

FPS has engaged in an extensive, community-driven effort over the past eight months to reimagine the future of early learning. Through the formation of a 50-member Early Learning Advisory Committee, over 20 listening sessions with families and stakeholders, and visits to exemplary programs across the state, the district has worked to build a vision rooted in inclusion, accessibility, and quality instruction. Although funding constraints at the state and federal levels prevent the immediate implementation of school-day and school-based programs, the district remains committed to advancing early learning opportunities that reflect the community’s needs and priorities.

Franklin Pierce Schools recently hosted our first annual District Luau, bringing students, staff, and family together to embrace their rich cultural heritage.

Students and staff from Franklin Pierce High School, Washington High School, Keithley Middle School, Ford Middle School, and Christensen Elementary performed traditional songs and dance from Aotearoa/Maori, Cambodia, Guam, Hawaii, Laos, the Philippines, Tahiti, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Samoa. We also saw a special performance from the Asian Pacific Cultural Center, whose support in this event was pivotal.

The event not only showcased the immense talent of our Pacific Islander students but also represented the extraordinary diversity within the Asian American Pacific Islander community.

Interested in purchasing a Luau T Shirt? We still have some left!

Contact Sue Finnigan at afinnegan@fpschools.org or by calling 253.298.4312!

Washington High School: Kwesi Amoah will serve as the Principal at Washington High School. Mr. Amoah has served as a teacher, dean and assistant principal at Washington over the past 8 years. He has established trusting relationships with students, staff and families, and leads in a way that centers students, quality instruction, equity and partnering with families and caregivers.

Christensen Elementary: Mr. Jordon Al-Kaabi will serve as the Principal at Christensen Elementary.

Mr. Al-Kaabi grew up in the Christensen community and has dedicated his professional career to supporting student achievement and eliminating opportunity gaps for students and families. Grounded in personal values around community and perseverance, he has served in numerous education positions as an educator with Federal Way, Tacoma and University Place Schools.

Welcome Mr. Amoah and Mr. Al-Kaabi!

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!

This summer, Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound will be hosting a youth late night program at Keithley Middle School. The program will take place June 24-July 24 Monday-Thursday from 5-9pm. Participants will be able to access free dinner, games and activities and programming offered by various local community partners. This program is open to all students entering grades 6-12 in the fall. Stay tuned for additional information!

All children (ages 0-18) are welcome to join us for lunch at our summer meal sites! Meals will be available June 24 through August 14. Meals will not be served on Friday, July 4.

Terravista Apartments

10:25am - 10:43am
416 111th St Ct E

Summit Apartments
10:50am - 11:07am
11016 Waller Rd E
(Crosswalk by Playground/Cruce peatonal junto al parque infantil)

Conventry Court Apartments
11:15am - 11:36 am
908 76th St E

Lakeshore Apartments
11:45pm - 12:01pm
9702 18th Ave S
(By Office/Junto a la oficina)

Briarstone Apartments
12:05pm - 12:23pm
1809 105th St Ct S
(By Office/Junto a la oficina)

James Sales
12:26pm - 12:41pm
1301 113th St S

Summer is right around the corner and Right at School is hosting this year's Summer Camp at Brookdale Elementary! Summer Camp offers a hassle-free option for busy families while ensuring your kids are engaged in enriching activities.

From deep-sea habitats to distant planets, students will explore it all through hands-on experiments, building challenges, creative projects, team competitions, and more — all while making fun and friendship our number one priority! Each week of camp will feature a different themed adventure, we can't wait for your student to join us!

Ensure your child has access to nutritious food when school lets out with SUN Bucks!

We are excited to announce a new federal nutrition program that will provide families with $120 per eligible child to purchase food during the summer months, providing a boost in grocery budgets when school meals are unavailable.

Please join us along with your neighbors to learn about the budget process and share your priorities for the 2026-2027 budget.

Wednesday, June 11 | 6:30pm

Ford Middle School

1602 104th St E

How it works:

• Get started: It’s free and easy to join the fun! Sign up for Beanstack online or visit your Pierce County Library to pick up a reading log.
• Track your reading: Whether you love stories in books, audiobooks or e-books, keep track of your daily reading. The more stories you explore, the more chances you’ll have to earn rewards!
• Earn prizes: Reach milestones in your reading journey and unlock fun prizes! Keep reading and earn more prizes!