THE VIEWS | February 2025
Dear FPS Community:
A lot of people talk about “Education is the great equalizer”. This phrase doesn’t fully ring true for me. Schools are a part of a broader community that helps mold, shape, develop and strengthen young people. While I don’t think that we are “the great equalizer”, I hope that we are “great stabilizers”.
Our world feels a bit unstable right now. National politics. News headlines. Immigration rhetoric. Stated concerns about equity. Flu bugs going around. State budget shortfalls. Shoot, even the weather feels a bit unstable this month! It is not reasonable to think that schools are supposed to equalize each of these factors. However, I do believe that our schools can and should provide a safe, welcoming, affirming and predictable environment where students sense connection, support and stability.
That is always our goal. We don’t get it right every time, but I am continually amazed by the ways that we band together as educators, students, families and a broader community to show up and care for one another. While the world feels a bit unstable out there, I continue to witness the strength and stability of our local community, of our schools and of our students.
With deep respect and gratitude for our community,
Lance Goodpaster
Superintendent
Franklin Pierce Schools
- Black History Month February 1-28
- Career & Technical Education Month February 1-28
- 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
These programs emphasize hands-on, experiential learning, providing students with opportunities to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
Franklin Pierce Schools is home to a wonderfully diverse group of students, families, community members and staff.
As a school district, we support each individual in our care and strive to promote a safe, welcoming, affirming and honoring space where individuals representing every race, religion, national origin, and immigration status can thrive. As stated in FPS Board of Directors Resolution 24-R-09: Affirming the Provision of Safe, Welcoming, and Inclusive Schools for All Students Without Regard to Race, Religion, National Origin, or Immigration Status, we seek to provide safeguards from individuals and organizations that undermine this commitment.
If you would like to show your support through a button or a sticker, please contact your child's front office.
Each year, Franklin Pierce Schools partners with Panorama Education to administer stakeholder input surveys to families, staff, and students that will help us identify strengths and opportunities for growth. We need your feedback. Your voice matters as we consider how we can make meaningful changes in schools. The parent/guardian survey will begin on March 25. The student survey will begin on May 19.
Join Communities in Schools (CIS) Lakewood and Ford Middle School as we cut the ribbon on the new CIS space! This is an open-house style event with snacks, raffles, and plenty of family fun.
Thursday, February 27
4:00-7:00 pm
Ford Middle School Portable 1
104th Street East, Tacoma, WA
Join Innovative Changemakers for a night of painting and vibes! This event is filled with fun for the whole family. Food will be served and there are many prizes to win! Guest speakers will include the Trufant brothers, who all played in the NFL. You don't want to miss this family-oriented event.
Saturday, March 1
5:00-9:00pm
FPS Annex
813 129th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444
Franklin Pierce Schools has transitioned using ParentSquare as our primary communication tool! If you haven't already, you can activate your account by going to www.parentsquare.com/signin or look for your activation email.
ParentSquare helps to increase communication with your student's classroom teacher, school and our district as a whole. It allows families to select when and how they prefer to be contacted.
Attention families with third and fourth graders: This year the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAt) will be administered to all third-grade and fourth-grade students as a universal screening in March, please contact your student’s school for their test date. The CogAt is one tool for identifying highly capable students and measures general reasoning abilities in three domains: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal.
For continued assessment and placement consideration, the referral form, provided below and available in English and Spanish, is due at the end of February. Families of fourth graders may also refer their students and should contact their school to be scheduled for the CogAt.
There are several illnesses are on the rise right now, including a respiratory illness and a stomach virus is making its way through some households, too. If you’re wondering when your child is too sick for school, take a look at this guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department:
The Black Family Health and Wellness Expo aims to bring together local healthcare providers, community organizations, and residents to create an environment of health awareness, education, and engagement. Through this event, we strive to address various health-related concerns, raise awareness about preventive measures and facilitate access to essential resources that contribute to overall well-being.
Black Family Health and Wellness Expo
Saturday, March 15
10:00am - 2:00 pm
STAR Center
3873 S 66th St, Tacoma, WA