page background

THE VIEWS | September 2024

THE VIEWS | September 2024

Click the "translate" icon on the top of the page for additional languages

Haga clic en el icono "traducir" en la parte superior de la página para idiomas adicionales

September 25, 2024

Dear FPS Community:

School is in full swing and fall is officially here! Students are settling into their classes, sports teams are well into their seasons, student clubs are up and running, and student-led conferences are just around the corner.


I can’t quite put my finger on all of the factors, but it really feels like our year is off to a great start! There is a contagious vibe among students, staff are energized and families are engaged across our community. People are asking thoughtful questions, raising constructive ideas and bringing their skills and energy to make Franklin Pierce Schools a stronger learning environment.


I hope that we can carry this energy into student-led conferences in the beginning of October. We set up student-led conferences in an intentional way. At the core, we believe that educators, students and families are all integral parts of students’ education. Student-led conferences bring these parties together, highlighting strengths, opportunities, areas of celebration and areas where additional support might be helpful. We hope that you will take the opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher(s) and welcome your feedback on ways that we can make this time more accessible and meaningful.


I hope that your year is off to a wonderful start and we look forward to connecting in the weeks and months ahead!


Dr. Lance Goodpaster

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

Upcoming Recognition & Awareness

  • Attendance Awareness Month September 1-30
  • Deaf Awareness Month September 1-30
  • Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month September 15-October 15
  • Learning Disability Acceptance Month October 1-31
  • Bullying Prevention Month October 1-31

Upcoming School Dates

  • October 2 90-minute Early Release (K-12)
  • October 7 No School, Professional Development Day
  • October 8-11 Conferences for all schools, 3.5-hour early release

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

September 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. We celebrate and lift up the countless rich and diverse cultures within the Hispanic and Latinx community and we are proud to support our Hispanic and Latinx students!


El 15 de Septiembre marca el inicio del Mes de la Herencia Hispana/Latinx. Celebramos y elevamos las innumerables culturas diversas y ricas dentro de la comunidad Hispana y Latinx y estamos orgullosos de apoyar a nuestros estudiantes Hispanos y Latinxs!

FPS in King 5 News

Pierce County schools take extra steps to protect kids from unseasonably high heat

The Franklin Pierce School District advised school principals on Thursday to give indoor options to students to avoid extended periods of time in the hot weather.


Watch the news story.

U.S. Army partners with schools to help fund programs

Grants for band instruments, jerseys, books and more are available to all WA schools.


Watch the news story.

Conferences

Franklin Pierce Schools Student-Led Conferences are right around the corner! During the week of October 8-11, 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.


Please note that there is no school on Monday, October 7 for Professional Development and schools will be released 3.5 hours early Tuesday, October 8 - Friday, October 11 for conferences.

Athletics Schedules

Fall sports are in full swing at the middle school and high school levels! To learn more about schedules for the T-Birds, Kolts, Cardinals and Pats, visit the athletics schedule webpage at: https://www.fpschools.org/departments/athletics/athletics-schedules.


Be sure to check schedules prior to the scheduled events as some schedules and locations change due to field availability, referee availability and transportation.

Back to School Guide

Still have questions about getting back to school? Check out our guide for information on bus routes, before and afterschool care, meal menus, and more!

Viewing Secondary Student Grades

This year, Franklin Pierce Schools has changed our student grade system from TeacherEase to Qmlativ Grades. Information about how to access information about assignments and student grades can be found at www.fpschools.org/grades. At this time, this system is open for middle and high school students only. Elementary grades will be reported through this system at the end of the first trimester.

Become an Interpreter with Franklin Pierce Schools

Do you speak two or more langauges? Join our team of interpreters and translators! We are always working to strengthen our language access services. We encourage all bilingual persons who speak our top six languages to join our group of interpreters and translators.


Please complete our Interpreter Interest Form at fpschools.org/interpreters and a staff member will connect with you about current opportunities.


FPS TOP SIX LANGUAGES:

• Spanish/Español

• Russian/русский

• Cambodian/Khmer/ខ្មែរ

• Ukrainian/українська

• Vietnamese/tiếng việt

• Samoan/Samoa

Family Resource Center at Franklin Pierce

Community Spotlight: The Family Resource Center at Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce YOUTH FIRST's mission is to mobilize community members and resources to support families and provide an environment in which youth will grow up emotionally and physically healthy, safe and alcohol and drug free. FPYF prevention programs and strategies are coalition and community based, striving to meet the cultural needs and engage all sectors in prevention.
Franklin Pierce Schools
fpschools.org | (253) 298-3000 | info@fpschools.org | 315 129th St S, Tacoma, WA
Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to Brandy Marshall, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws at bmarshall@fpschools.org;Dr. Julien Pollard, Title IX Officer at jpollard@fpschools.org; or John Sander, 504/ADA Coordinator at jsander@fpschools.org or at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253) 298-3000. Requests for accommodation of a disability for a staff member should be directed to Human Resources.