Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter December 5, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News December 5, 2025   Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, It is hard to believe how quickly this school year is moving as we approach the winter season. I am proud to say our schools continue to be filled with meaningful learning and connection. This week, Olympic View K-8 fourth grade students welcomed their families in for the annual Day of Learning. Families sat with students during instructional time for two-digit multiplication, enjoyed lunch together, then headed out to the playground for recess. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to see what their students do on a daily basis.  One of the highlights of my week was joining the inaugural light rail ride into Federal Way. We stopped at the beautiful new Star Lake Station and continued into the heart of Federal Way. It was exciting to celebrate this milestone for our region. I am grateful to the many partners whose dedication brought this project to life. It will be a tremendous resource for our community for years to come.  Today, I participated in the Gates Foundation Roundtable, where we focused on defining post-secondary success and explored how schools and higher education are using technology to keep students connected and prepared for the future. I was especially proud to join the discussion alongside three FWPS scholars who represented our district by sharing their insights.  As you know, Federal Way Public Schools is asking voters to approve an Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on February 10, 2026. This measure provides 10% of our district’s budget, supporting academics, extracurriculars, essential staff, and operational costs not fully funded by the state. This week, I had the opportunity to share information about the levy with the City of Federal Way Council, alongside Board President Dr. Jennifer Jones, and I appreciate the council’s time and engagement. I also joined former Federal Way mayor Mike Park on our community’s Korean radio station to share levy information and answer questions.  Next week, I’m looking forward to my upcoming school visits, our December Parent Advisory and our second Family Academy of the year, Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success. Check out the section below for more information!  Have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to all that next week will bring!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Board of Directors Corner On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, I am pleased to share an update on the work the Board and district leadership have engaged in over the past several weeks, as well as a look ahead to upcoming meetings and activities.  In late November, the Board held its regular meeting at Enterprise Elementary, where we completed the second public reading and approval of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Renewal Levy resolution. Later in the month, Board Directors attended the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) Annual Conference in Seattle. We were honored to be recognized as a School Board of Distinction for the 10th consecutive year, a reflection of our shared commitment to supporting scholar success across FWPS. The district then observed the Thanksgiving holiday break.  As we move through December, the Board will continue its focus on district governance and monitoring. Our monthly work study session was held at the Educational Service Center, and our regular Board meeting will be held at Mark Twain Elementary on Dec. 9. This meeting will include updates on Ends 1, progress on the High School Master Schedule, the swearing-in of Directors for Districts 1 and 4, and the annual election of Board officers. Later this month, schools and district offices will observe Winter Break, and all school activities will pause until early January.  As a Board, we strongly encourage members of the Federal Way community to support the EP&O Levy Renewal when it is presented for a vote on February 10, 2026. This Educational Programs and Operations Levy provides funds needed for many important programs and services, including special education, health and public safety, counseling, Career and Technical Education, music, drama, and athletics.  Our community has continually supported the EP&O Levy since 1980. This is a direct and powerful way for voters to show their support for our scholars and the educators who work with the young people in our schools!  Respectfully,  Dr. Jennifer Jones  President, Federal Way School Board    Because of You Nominations Now Open! Students in grades 3-12 are invited to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively impacted them, their school, and/or their community for the “Because of You” award! Students should fill out a nomination form on the district’s website at www.fwps.org/BecauseOfYou.  All nomination forms are due by the end of every month.    Coming Up Soon! Family Academy on December 11 Have you registered yet?! Attend Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success to learn how you can support your child’s physical, mental, digital, social, and emotional health.  📅 Thursday, December 11, 2025  🕕 from 6-7:30 p.m.  📍 Star Lake Elementary (or through Zoom)  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Dinner, childcare, and interpreter services are available. Families who pre-register to attend in person will also be entered in a drawing to win one free week of childcare for one elementary-aged child. At the event, choose two of the following workshops:  The A-B-C's of Raising Resilient Kids: Your Simple Guide to Emotional, Social & Digital Wellness  Empowering Healthy Choices: Talking to Your Child About Vaping   Window to Wellness: Growing Fresh Food at Home for Healthier Families  Healthy Habits: The Health Effects of Screen Time  Life on the Other Side: Breaking Cycles by Becoming the Parent YOU Needed  Empower and Elevate: Supporting Mental Health for Scholars with Disabilities  Heart to Heart: Nurturing Mental Health for Our Scholars  Healthy Habits: Device-Free Moments  Growing Math Minds: Building Confidence Through Family Connections  Every Day Matters, Every Future Counts: Partnering with Families for Student Success  ✨ Plus: Financial Aid and College Application Drop-In Sessions    Learn more about the event and register at www.fwps.org/familyacademy/register.   Winter Weather: Is Your Contact Information Up-to-Date? When weather impacts our normal school schedule, one way we communicate with you is through ParentSquare Alerts. To ensure you are receiving messages according to your preferences, please: Ensure your contact information in your ParentVUE account is up to date. You can update your account by visiting https://grades.fwps.org/ . If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school. Update your notification preferences in ParentSquare. You can edit message delivery settings according to your preference for voice, email and/or app notification as well as language preference. Please leave the option for "School Alerts" on to ensure you receive these important updates. More information is available on the FWPS website and in ParentSquare support. For more information about weather-related school closures or delays, please visit our website: https://www.fwps.org/departments/communications/school-closure-and-delay   ParentSquare Important Update: Streamlining Notifications for Posts ParentSquare is excited to announce an improvement to how you receive notifications for posts from our schools. Soon, if you use the ParentSquare app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll receive post notifications through the app, with text notifications sent only as a backup when needed. This smart delivery system will simplify and streamline how you receive your schools’ communications. What's changing? Currently, you might receive duplicate notifications for posts via both the app and text message. With this update: App-first delivery, with text as fallback: When a post is shared, you'll receive a notification through the app first, with a backup text notification only if needed. This applies to posts, post digests, and updates to posts. No change for time-sensitive messages: Direct Messages and alerts will continue to be delivered via your preferred methods. Why it’s changing This change streamlines how you receive post notifications. By reducing the number of notifications sent to your device for each post, it will be easier for you to keep track of school updates in one place. What do you need to do? No action is required from your side! If you already use the app and have both app and text notifications turned on, you'll automatically benefit from this smart notification delivery. If you haven’t downloaded the ParentSquare app or turned on app notifications, now is a great time to do so. This gives you the best way to access and customize classroom communications on your mobile device. To learn more about this change, see ParentSquare's Help Article.   Every Day Builds Confidence Consistent attendance helps scholars feel confident in their learning. Each day in class strengthens skills, builds routines, and keeps students connected to their teachers and peers.  Find attendance tips and supports at www.fwps.org/attendance.    Early Release: December 12, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, December 12 is an Early Release day. Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time. View the bell schedules at: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 12/5/2025

Saturday, Dec 06 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter November 26,...

Federal Way Public Schools News November 26, 2025   Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, As we approach the long weekend and close out the month of November, I want to pause and reflect on the deep gratitude I feel for every member of our Federal Way Public Schools community. This year has already brought so much learning, growth, and connection, and I continue to be inspired by the dedication and heart I see across our schools each day.  To our FWPS Families:   Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your child’s learning. Whether you’ve volunteered at a school, attended Scholar-Led Conferences, Family Academies or Life After High School, your involvement matters. You play an essential role in your child’s success, and we are grateful for your trust and partnership.  To our Community Partners:  Your support strengthens our schools in countless ways. From providing food and clothing to offering mentorship, mental health services, and academic support, you continue to show up for our students and families. During this season especially, your generosity has made a real difference, and we are truly thankful.  To Team Federal Way:  You are the foundation of our district. Every day, you bring care, expertise, and unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.  Teachers: Thank you for creating dynamic, welcoming classrooms and for believing in every student who walks through your door.  Principals and Assistant Principals: Your leadership sets the tone for strong school communities rooted in equity, belonging, and high expectations.  Paraeducators: You are essential connectors, offering individualized support that helps students build confidence and succeed.  School Support Staff: From libraries to health rooms to intervention spaces, your work ensures scholars have the resources they need.  Office Teams: You are the first point of contact for so many families and play a vital role in helping them feel supported and informed.  Maintenance, Operations, and Custodial Staff: Thank you for keeping our buildings clean, safe, and ready for learning every day.  Central Office and ESC/SSC Staff: Your behind-the-scenes work, from family engagement to payroll, technology, enrollment, communications, and more, keeps our system running.  Security Staff: Thank you for your dedication to keeping our campuses safe and for your partnership with school teams and first responders.  Nutrition Services: Thank you for ensuring all students have access to free, healthy meals that help them learn and thrive.  Family Liaisons: Your work strengthens the bridge between home and school, partnerships that fuel student success.  Transportation Team: You safely transport thousands of students to and from school and to their activities each day. We appreciate the care and professionalism you bring to this responsibility.  Nurses and Health Staff: Thank you for safeguarding the health of our students and supporting families with care and compassion.  Counselors and Mental Health Teams: Your guidance helps scholars navigate academic, social, and emotional challenges and build the confidence they need to succeed.  And to our FWPS Students:  You are the reason we do this work. Thank you for your curiosity, your resilience, and your willingness to learn and grow. Every day you show us your potential, your dreams, and your brilliance, and we are honored to support you on your journey.  As a reminder, schools and district offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving break. Whether you celebrate the holiday or simply enjoy a few days of rest, I hope this time gives you an opportunity to recharge, reconnect, and take care of yourself and those you love.  In partnership,   Dr. Dani Pfeiffer  Superintendent    Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 11/26/2025

Thursday, Nov 27 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter November 21,...

Federal Way Public Schools News November 21, 2025   Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, As we approach the end of our third month of school, I’m grateful for the momentum and partnership that continue to move our scholars and staff forward each day.  November is National Native American Heritage Month, and FWPS is celebrating the stories, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous communities. This week, third graders at Green Gables Elementary made Native American–inspired fry bread with support from their teachers, our Native Education Department, and Decatur senior Amani (Choctaw), a wonderful hands-on way to connect culture and learning. Check out the Facebook post or visit www.fwps.org/NNAHM2025 to learn more!  This Tuesday, our middle and high school Scholar Advisory students joined us at the ESC to share reflections on Scholar-Led Conferences and how we can strengthen partnerships between students, families, and teachers. They also provided feedback on the high school class schedule as we examine how to make the most of instructional time to support student success and well-being. With input from students, staff, and families, including a survey that closed today, we will now evaluate the results to help guide our next steps.   Our school board meeting at Enterprise Elementary opened with a wonderful kindergarten dance performance to the song, El Baile del Sapito. We also proudly recognized the Thomas Jefferson High School RAID Robotics team for their championship win at the 2025 Washington Girls’ Generation robotics competition, an impressive achievement against top teams from across the region.   At the meeting, the Board of Directors also unanimously approved placing a four-year Renewal Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on the February 10, 2026 Special Election Ballot. This is not a new tax, it is a renewal of the current levy that has been supported by our community since 1980. The levy represents 10% of our district’s budget and helps fund day-to-day operations and essential programs not fully funded by the state. It supports student academic and extracurricular classes and programs, staffing like teachers, paraeducators, special education support staff, college and career specialists, safety and security staff, athletic coaches, and daily operations cost for transportation, nutrition services, facility maintenance, and utilities. In the section below, we share more detailed information about the levy, so please be sure to check it out and you can also learn more about the EP&O Levy at www.fwps.org/Levy2026.   This week, we also took time to honor both Educational Support Professionals Day and Substitute Educator Day. From our front offices and classrooms to our buses, kitchens, playgrounds, and every space in between, our classified staff and substitute educators help create the safe, welcoming, and supportive environments where students can learn.  I also want to give a huge thank you to JTM Construction and Garner Construction WBE for their generous donation of 400 turkeys and holiday meal packages to support FWPS families this season. Distribution will take place tomorrow at Decatur High School so be sure to check out additional details below. We've also continued to update our Community Resources page as we've heard of events and organizations in the community.     I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and as always, thank you for your continued   partnership in supporting every scholar in Federal Way Public Schools.      In Partnership,   Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Board of Directors Corner On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, I’m pleased to share an overview of the work the Board and district leadership have engaged in over the past several weeks.  Throughout October, the Board focused on key areas of district planning and oversight. We reviewed our District Legislative Priorities during a work study session and received updated presentations on the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Renewal Levy, which will appear on the February 10, 2026 ballot. Board members also participated in several community and district events, including the Local Government Entity Meeting and the MSC Helps Luncheon.  Our October school visits included stops at Brigadoon Elementary, Adelaide Elementary, Sequoyah Middle School, and Valhalla Elementary, where Board Directors joined Dr. Pfeiffer to observe teaching and learning in action. We also had the opportunity to visit the Korean Dual Language Program at Olympic View K–8. Later in the month, the Board held a retreat to reflect on our work and continue planning for the year ahead.  During our late October regular meeting at Kilo Middle School, the Board received an enrollment update, reviewed legislative priorities, and held the first public reading of the EP&O Levy renewal resolution.  In early November, the Board continued its focus on instruction and operations, receiving updates on the High School Master Schedule work and collaborating with district staff to draft community-friendly FAQs to help explain key elements of the EP&O Renewal Levy.  And this week, the Board held its regular meeting at Enterprise Elementary, which included the second public reading and unanimous approval of the EP&O Levy renewal resolution. Board Directors is currently attending the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) Annual Conference in Seattle, with school board directors from across the state gathering to collaborate and strengthen school governance.  As a Board, we strongly encourage members of the Federal Way community to support the EP&O Levy Renewal when it is presented for a vote on February 10, 2026. This Educational Programs and Operations Renewal Levy provides funds needed for many important programs and services, including special education, health and public safety, counseling, career and technical education, music, drama, and athletics.  Our community has continually supported the EP&O levy since 1980. This is a direct and powerful way for voters to show their support for our scholars and the educators who work with the young people in our schools!  As we look ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Board extends warm wishes to our community and deep gratitude for your continued partnership.  Respectfully,  Dr. Jennifer Jones  President, Federal Way School Board    Educational Support Professionals Day On Wednesday, we celebrated our amazing classified staff at Federal Way Public Schools! From the front office to the lunchroom, the bus stop to the classroom, their dedication builds and maintains safe, welcoming spaces where our scholars thrive. Substitute Educators Day Today we honored and thanked the incredible certified and classified substitute educators who support our students, staff, and families at Federal Way Public Schools, in recognition of Substitute Educators Day!   Good News Announcements Congratulations to the Thomas Jefferson High School - FWPS Raider Artificial Intelligence Division (R.A.I.D.) robotics team for their outstanding victory at the 2025 Washington Girls' Generation robotics competition at Tahoma High School! The team competed against some of the best teams in the Pacific Northwest, including last year's world champion. First-time driver Quinn Mountry led the team through 12 qualifying matches, 5 playoff matches, and a best-of-three final—emerging victorious after a nail-biting tie-breaker! Schools Can't Do It Alone Watson's Nursery has donated thousands of seed packets over the past three years, with special thanks to Heather Ebner at the Puyallup location for coordinating these donations. Gardensphere has been a dedicated partner for the past five years, donating seeds and providing generous discounts on essential garden items like potting soil, cover crop, and plants. Together, their generous donations of thousands of dollars in seeds and supplies, support more than 18 school gardens, giving students hands-on learning in plant science, sustainability, and healthy eating.   Free Turkeys and Meals for FWPS Families in Need Tomorrow November 22 🦃✨ As a reminder, we’re excited to share that JTM Construction and Garner Construction WBE have generously donated approximately 400 turkeys and holiday meal packages to support Federal Way Public Schools families during the holiday season. These will be distributed to families in need on a first-come, first-served basis this Saturday, November 22, at Decatur High School. Event Details: 📍 Location: Decatur High School, 2800 S.W. 320th Street, Federal Way, WA 98023 📅 Date: Saturday, November 22 ⏰ Drive-Through Distribution Begins: 9:00 a.m. (first-come, first-served, while supplies last) FWPS families are encouraged to arrive early at 8:30 a.m. to help ensure a smooth traffic flow during this event. For safety and efficiency, this will be a drive-through-only event. Families must be lined up in vehicles to participate. Please see the aerial map and follow all driving laws and directions from event staff and security to help ensure safe traffic flow throughout the distribution. We look forward to supporting our community and spreading holiday cheer! For additional food and meal assistance resources, visit our website here.   Save the Date for Family Academy on December 11 Are you curious about how you can support your child’s physical, mental, digital, social, and emotional well-being — inside and outside of the classroom? Well, you’re in luck! The second Family Academy event of the year is on December 11, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success 📅 December 11, 2025 🕕 6-7:30 pm 📍 Star Lake Elementary (26812 40th Ave S, Bldg B, Kent, WA 98032) or Zoom CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Event highlights: 📚 Participate in up to two workshops to learn how to support your child 🎓 Access special support for your college-bound student to navigate the journey to post-secondary education. 🤝 Connect with other FWPS families to share experiences and learnings. 🥡 Enjoy a free dinner for your family for a stress-free evening. 🧮 Activities for children while you learn: Childcare for elementary children, age 5 and older; Learning Lab for older children to explore STEAM concepts   Learn more about the event and register at www.fwps.org/familyacademy/register.   Please Complete the Panorama Survey by Wednesday, November 26. Help us improve our scholar’s learning and school experiences.  Each year we provide surveys to our students, staff and parents to understand areas where we’re succeeding and act upon areas where we can make improvements. Please check your inbox for an email with a link to the parent survey. The survey will be available through November 26, 2025. Parent feedback is critical to helping us improve, and we’re aiming for 100% participation. Completing this survey should take a total of approximately 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your participation!   Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on the February 10 Ballot The Federal Way School Board has unanimously approved placing a four-year Renewal Educational Programs and Operations Levy on the February 10, 2026, Special Election Ballot. This measure would renew the expiring levy and continue funding essential staff, programs, and services that support scholars across all FWPS schools. The current levy represents 10% of the district’s overall budget and funds day-to-day operations. This levy is not a new tax, but a renewal of the previously approved levy, and has been continuously supported in our community since 1980. If approved by voters, the levy would continue to fund: Academics – Advanced Learning (AP, IB, Cambridge), STEM programs, Career & Technical Education, college and career readiness, up-to-date curriculum, and staff professional development. Enrichment Opportunities - Art, music, and theater classes, field trips, clubs, pep and marching band, and theater productions. Athletics - 100% of our athletics programs including middle and high school competitive sports, 6th grade flag football, high school unified sports, and our no-cut intramural basketball, soccer, and volleyball teams. This also includes coaching staff and supervision, transportation costs, and operations costs for Memorial Field. Staff – Teachers, paraeducators, guest staff, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, physical therapists, audiologists, nurses, counselors, mental health staff, and safety and security staff. Operations – Transportation, nutrition services, utilities, and facility maintenance that keep schools running smoothly and safely every day. Learn more about the proposed levy and what it supports at www.fwps.org/Levy2026   Free Immunization Clinic, November 22 Does your child need school-required vaccines? Federal Way Public Schools is hosting a free Immunization Clinic through King County Best Starts for Kids and Bird’s Eye Medical on November 22, from 10 am –2 pm at Federal Way High School (30611 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003).  Here’s what you need to know:  Pre-registrations are prioritized and encouraged. Walk-in patients are welcome based on open availability.  Bring your child’s vaccination record, if available, especially if vaccines were received outside of Washington State.  Uninsured patients welcomed! Vaccines are provided at no cost, regardless of insurance status, for those 18 years and younger. Please bring your insurance card if you are insured.  Some vaccines are also available for uninsured adults! CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER    Community Resource Fair, December 5 Black Equality Coalition and Lori’s Closet, in partnership with other local organizations, will be hosting several resource fairs through June 2026 to support the community, and the first fair is right around the corner!  Community Resource Fair  December 5, 2025  5-7 pm  Family Life Center (32275 32nd Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98001)  At the event, find:  Free clothes, including 100+ pairs of brand-new men’s jeans  Free cell phones (for families receiving state assistance)  Youth support and programs information  Employment and job resources  Food bags  And more!  View the flyer for more information!  Reminders Food and Meals Assistance We know families may be facing extra challenges right now. To support our families and community, we’ve added additional local food banks, community meal sites, and support services to the FWPS Community Resources webpage for families, all in one easy-to-access place. Whether you need urgent help or want to plan ahead, our goal is to help connect you with the resources you need. VIEW FOOD AND MEALS RESOURCES   And as a reminder, in Federal Way Public Schools, every student is guaranteed free breakfast and lunch during the school day, including Second Chance Breakfast and Breakfast in the Classroom at several schools. Together, we can help ensure every family in our community is fed.   Early Dismissal November 26, No School November 27-28 Please remember that November 26, 2025, is an early dismissal day. Dismissal times vary, so please visit this webpage to see what time your child’s school gets out. Also, there is no school, and the Educational Service Center is closed November 27–28, 2025 due to Thanksgiving Break.   Are your contact preferences up to date? When weather impacts our normal school schedule, one way we communicate with you is through ParentSquare Alerts. To ensure you are receiving messages according to your preferences, please: Ensure your contact information in your ParentVUE account is up to date. You can update your account by visiting https://grades.fwps.org/ . If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school. Update your notification preferences in ParentSquare. You can edit message delivery settings according to your preference for voice, email and/or app notification as well as language preference. Please leave the option for "School Alerts" on to ensure you receive these important updates. More information is available on the FWPS website and in ParentSquare support. For more information about weather-related school closures or delays, please visit our website: https://www.fwps.org/departments/communications/school-closure-and-delay   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 11/21/2025

Saturday, Nov 22 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter November 14,...

Federal Way Public Schools News November 14, 2025 This e-newsletter has been updated to remove content that was repeated from last week’s Note from the Superintendent and includes new information regarding the Turkey Giveaway. Thank you!   Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, This week offered a meaningful opportunity for our schools to pause, reflect, and honor the service of local veterans. Many of our schools held assemblies and special activities to show their appreciation.  We hosted our second Parent Advisory meeting of the year on Wednesday evening, where families shared input on Scholar-Led Conferences and our Cell Phone Policy, helping us understand what is working well and where we can improve. I also shared an overview of the upcoming Educational Programs and Operations, or EP&O Levy, which helps fund the essential programs, services, and staff that make a real difference in our scholars’ day-to-day experience. The levy bridges the gap between what is provided by the state and what is actually needed to operate a school district. The renewal levy will be on the February 10, 2026, ballot and we will be sharing more information with families in the coming weeks.  Two of our high schools opened their fall theater productions this week, showcasing our students’ talent and creativity. Decatur High School is now performing The Curious Savage through November 21, and Federal Way High School debuted The Diary of Anne Frank, which runs November 14–22. We encourage you to come enjoy the hard work of our actors, technicians, and creative teams. These opportunities are also made possible in part through local levy funding.  I had the opportunity to visit three schools this week, Wildwood Elementary, Lakota Middle School, and Todd Beamer High School. I observed a variety of lessons, including English Language Arts, math, and world history, where I was excited to see scholars deeply engaged in their learning. Across all three schools, I saw strong examples of small group instruction, with teachers tailoring lessons to meet students’ individual needs and providing targeted support to help every learner grow.  And before I close, I want to remind our families that as we enter the winter months, you are not alone. This time of year can bring both joy and added stress, and it’s important to know that support is available. On our district website, you will find resources for families seeking assistance with food, and other essential needs, as well as information for those navigating immigration-related questions or concerns. Our goal is to ensure every scholar and family in Federal Way Public Schools feels cared for, connected, and supported.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Please Complete the Panorama Survey by Wednesday, November 26. Help us improve our scholar’s learning and school experiences.  Each year we provide surveys to our students, staff and parents to understand areas where we’re succeeding and act upon areas where we can make improvements. Please check your inbox for an email with a link to the parent survey. The survey will be available through November 26, 2025. Parent feedback is critical to helping us improve, and we’re aiming for 100% participation. Completing this survey should take a total of approximately 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your participation!   Turkey Giveaway - Saturday, November 22! Hello Federal Way Public Schools Parents and Families,  We’re excited to share that JTM Construction and Garner Construction WBE have generously donated approximately 400 turkeys and holiday meal packages to support Federal Way Public Schools families during the holiday season. These will be distributed to families in need on a first-come, first-served basis this Saturday, November 22, at Decatur High School.    Event Details:  📍 Location: Decatur High School, 2800 S.W. 320th Street, Federal Way, WA 98023  📅 Date: Saturday, November 22  ⏰ Drive-Through Distribution Begins: 9:00 a.m. (first-come, first-served, while supplies last)  FWPS families are encouraged to arrive early at 8:30 a.m. to help ensure a smooth traffic flow during this event. For safety and efficiency, this will be a drive-through-only event. Families must be lined up in vehicles to participate. Please follow all driving laws and directions from event staff and security to help ensure safe traffic flow throughout the distribution.  We look forward to supporting our community and spreading holiday cheer!    Because of You Award Students in grades 3-12 are invited to nominate any Federal Way Public Schools staff member in the district they believe has positively impacted them, their school, and/or their community for the “Because of You” award!  Students should fill out a nomination form on the district’s website at www.fwps.org/BecauseOfYou.  All nomination forms are due by end of month!   Save the Date for Family Academy on December 11 Are you curious about how you can support your child’s physical, mental, digital, social, and emotional well-being — inside and outside of the classroom? Well, you’re in luck! The second Family Academy event of the year is on December 11, and it’s one you won’t want to miss! Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success 📅 December 11, 2025 🕕 6-7:30 pm 📍 Star Lake Elementary (26812 40th Ave S, Bldg B, Kent, WA 98032) or Zoom CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Event highlights: 📚 Participate in up to two workshops to learn how to support your child 🎓 Access special support for your college-bound student to navigate the journey to post-secondary education. 🤝 Connect with other FWPS families to share experiences and learnings. 🥡 Enjoy a free dinner for your family for a stress-free evening. 🧮 Activities for children while you learn: Childcare for elementary children, age 5 and older; Learning Lab for older children to explore STEAM concepts   Learn more about the event and register at www.fwps.org/familyacademy/register.   Catch An Upcoming Musical Performance! Get ready to be entertained! FWPS high school theater productions are gearing up for their opening nights, with several opportunities for the community to come to witness their incredible talents! Federal Way High School presents: The Diary of Anne Frank November 14-22 30611 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003 Click Here for Dates and Tickets Decatur High School presents: The Curious Savage November 12-21 2800 SW 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98023 Click Here for Dates and Tickets   What is an Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy? An EP&O levy is a voter-approved property tax that provides local revenue for schools. Washington state provides funding for basic education, but not all services and programs are fully covered. School levies allow districts to continue providing student programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities, staffing, and operational expenses beyond what the state provides. The 2026 EP&O levy is a renewal levy, which means it would continue funding rather than create a new tax.    Free Immunization Clinic, November 22 Does your child need school-required vaccines? Federal Way Public Schools is hosting a free Immunization Clinic through King County Best Starts for Kids and Bird’s Eye Medical on November 22, from 10 am –2 pm at Federal Way High School (30611 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003).  Here’s what you need to know:  Pre-registrations are prioritized and encouraged. Walk-in patients are welcome based on open availability.  Bring your child’s vaccination record, if available, especially if vaccines were received outside of Washington State.  Uninsured patients welcomed! Vaccines are provided at no cost, regardless of insurance status, for those 18 years and younger. Please bring your insurance card if you are insured.  Some vaccines are also available for uninsured adults! CLICK HERE TO PRE-REGISTER  Reminders Food and Meals Assistance We know families may be facing extra challenges right now. To support our families and community, we’ve added additional local food banks, community meal sites, and support services to the FWPS Community Resources webpage for families, all in one easy-to-access place. Whether you need urgent help or want to plan ahead, our goal is to help connect you with the resources you need. VIEW FOOD AND MEALS RESOURCES   And as a reminder, in Federal Way Public Schools, every student is guaranteed free breakfast and lunch during the school day, including Second Chance Breakfast and Breakfast in the Classroom at several schools. Together, we can help ensure every family in our community is fed.   Belonging Matters for Scholar Success Students who feel connected to their school are more motivated to attend, engage, and succeed. Supporting your child’s sense of belonging helps them show up every day and build strong relationships with peers and staff. Learn more about how you can support good attendance at www.fwps.org/attendance   Early Release Friday, November 21, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, November 21 is an Early Release day. Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time. View the bell schedules at: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease   Early Dismissal November 26, No School November 27-28 Please remember that November 26, 2025, is an early dismissal day. Dismissal times vary, so please visit this webpage to see what time your child’s school gets out. Also, there is no school, and the Educational Service Center is closed November 27–28, 2025 due to Thanksgiving Break.   Traffic Safety Action Plan Feedback Needed The City of Federal Way is developing a new Traffic Safety Action Plan. They are asking residents to share feedback around safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transport users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. This survey asks about how you get around and your traffic safety concerns and priorities. Your responses will be used to better understand current traffic safety conditions across the city and to inform plan recommendations. The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Please complete this survey by November 30, 2025. Take the Survey! Visit the Federal Way Traffic Safety Action Plan website for additional information!   Are your contact preferences up to date? When weather impacts our normal school schedule, one way we communicate with you is through ParentSquare Alerts. To ensure you are receiving messages according to your preferences, please: Ensure your contact information in your ParentVUE account is up to date. You can update your account by visiting https://grades.fwps.org/ . If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school. Update your notification preferences in ParentSquare. You can edit message delivery settings according to your preference for voice, email and/or app notification as well as language preference. Please leave the option for "School Alerts" on to ensure you receive these important updates. More information is available on the FWPS website and in ParentSquare support. For more information about weather-related school closures or delays, please visit our website: https://www.fwps.org/departments/communications/school-closure-and-delay   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 11/14/2025

Saturday, Nov 15 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter November 7, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News November 7, 2025 Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, Despite the short school week, learning was in full swing across our schools. Scholars explored new concepts, built upon their skills, and showed incredible curiosity and perseverance. Here’s a glimpse of what our scholars have been engaged in over these past few days: First and second graders from Adelaide, Green Gables, and Panther Lake enjoyed the musical play 123 Andrés at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center Lake Grove first graders launched into a fantasy writing unit — a popular genre among young scholars Sequoyah Middle School eighth graders in Band were preparing to perform at Rainier View’s Veterans Day event next week Twin Lakes third graders practiced multiplication strategies, focusing on order and grouping. I’m confident some will go on to join other FWPS students at our annual math competition events, like the Math Bonanza event happening this weekend at TJHS, and December’s Battle of the Math Brains!  We also learned that the FWPS Board of Directors has earned the 2025 WSSDA Board of Distinction, making ten years in a row! This year, the board’s leadership in adopting MTSS as a district-wide framework leading to improved math and ELA outcomes in over 20 FWPS schools, among other highlights, led to this state-wide recognition. We’re grateful for their strong collaboration, dedicated leadership, and commitment to scholar success. Scholar-Led Conferences (SLCs) also took place this week — an important checkpoint for students, families, and teachers to connect around academic progress and goals. I've heard lots of positive conversations happening during these conferences. For example, at Decatur High School, parents shared how proud they were to hear their child reflect on their learning and pinpoint their strengths, challenges, and next steps. Thank you to everyone who participated — your partnership and show of support means so much! For those who couldn’t attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher about their progress.  The annual parent and family survey also launched on Monday and is open through November 26. Your feedback helps shape how we support students and families, so please take a few minutes to share your thoughts. As we head into fall, we’re excited for upcoming musical and theater productions! Federal Way and Decatur high schools debut their fall shows next week, and concerts across all grade levels are coming soon. As the days grow shorter, our scholars’ creativity in music and the arts will surely brighten the season — I hope you’ll attend a performance! A few reminders: Next week, class is in session on Monday, but there is no school on Tuesday for Veterans Day as we recognize the brave individuals who served our country. We’ll resume our school week on Wednesday. Don’t forget to browse and share the FWPS Community Resources web page, which shares food and meal help during the continued pause in SNAP benefits, and other resources like rental assistance. I also want to give a shoutout to our school communities for organizing food drives — your care for families is deeply appreciated! Daily on-time attendance is important! For middle and high school scholars, that also means on-time arrival to each class. Parents, please help your child build strong attendance habits that promote long-term learning success. I hope you enjoy your weekend — see everyone soon! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   🎉 A Decade of Excellence! 🎉 We're FWPS Proud to announce that our Board of Directors has been named a 2025 WSSDA Board of Distinction for the TENTH consecutive year! This prestigious recognition honors school boards across Washington that demonstrate exceptional leadership in closing opportunity gaps and prioritizing student success. Our board's dedication to ensuring all 21,500+ scholars have a pathway to success continues to make a meaningful difference. Thank you to our Board of Directors for your unwavering commitment to our scholars, families, and community!   2025-26 Annual Notifications to Families At Federal Way Public Schools, we are committed to keeping families informed. Our Annual Notification publication provides essential information and updates required by state and federal law to support our scholars’ education. Please review this important resource and reach out using the contacts provided if you have questions about any sections. Thank you for partnering with us in your scholar’s success! Learn more: www.fwps.org/AnnualNotifications   National Native American Heritage Month: Honoring Our Indigenous Communities This November, Federal Way Public Schools celebrates National Native American Heritage Month—honoring the contributions, cultures, and histories of our nation's Indigenous peoples. FWPS stands on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup and Muckleshoot Tribes, and we're committed to meaningful relationships with our local tribal communities. Through our Native Education Program, we're working to ensure every scholar who identifies as Native American feels seen, valued, and supported. Heritage months are more than dates on a calendar—they're opportunities to strengthen our understanding and celebrate the diversity that makes our community strong. When our scholars learn about all cultures, their educational experience becomes richer and more meaningful. Let's uplift Indigenous voices—not just this month, but all year long. Learn more about how FWPS honors Native American Heritage Month, access educational resources, and discover ways to support Indigenous histories and cultures in our schools at www.fwps.org/nnahm2025   Catch An Upcoming Musical Performance! Get ready to be entertained! FWPS high school theater productions are gearing up for their opening nights, with several opportunities for the community to come to witness their incredible talents! Decatur High School presents: The Curious Savage November 12-21 2800 SW 320th St, Federal Way, WA 98023 Click Here for Dates and Tickets Federal Way High School presents: The Diary of Anne Frank November 14-22 30611 16th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003 Click Here for Dates and Tickets   What is an Educational Programs and Operations Renewal Levy? An EP&O levy is a voter-approved property tax that raises local revenue for schools. Washington state provides funding for basic education, but not all services and programs are fully covered. School levies allow districts like Federal Way to continue providing student programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities, staffing, and operational expenses beyond what the state provides. How is a levy different from a bond?  Levies and bonds serve different purposes.  Levies fund learning and operations: staffing, classroom programs, student services, and daily school functions.  Bonds fund buildings and construction: new schools, modernizations, and major capital projects.  An easy way to remember the difference is that levies focus on operations, while bonds address facilities.  Reminders Food and Meals Assistance We know families may be facing extra challenges right now. To support our families and community, we’ve added additional local food banks, community meal sites, and support services to the FWPS Community Resources webpage for families, all in one easy-to-access place. Whether you need urgent help or want to plan ahead, our goal is to help connect you with the resources you need. VIEW FOOD AND MEALS RESOURCES   And as a reminder, in Federal Way Public Schools, every student is guaranteed free breakfast and lunch during the school day, including Second Chance Breakfast and Breakfast in the Classroom at several schools. Together, we can help ensure every family in our community is fed.   Scholar Success Begins with Attendance Every day in school matters! When scholars show up consistently, they build confidence, stay connected, and achieve more. Learn how regular attendance supports your child’s success and review our attendance policy at www.fwps.org/attendance   No School On Veterans Day Thank you veterans for your sacrifice and service. In observance of Veterans Day, FWPS schools and district office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.   Early Release Friday, November 14, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, November 14 is an Early Release day. Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time. View the bell schedules at: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease   Traffic Safety Action Plan Feedback Needed The City of Federal Way is developing a new Traffic Safety Action Plan. They are asking residents to share feedback around safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, public transport users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators. This survey asks about how you get around and your traffic safety concerns and priorities. Your responses will be used to better understand current traffic safety conditions across the city and to inform plan recommendations. The survey should take about 5-10 minutes to complete. Please complete this survey by November 30, 2025. Take the Survey! Visit the Federal Way Traffic Safety Action Plan website for additional information!   Are your contact preferences up to date? When weather impacts our normal school schedule, one way we communicate with you is through ParentSquare Alerts. To ensure you are receiving messages according to your preferences, please: Ensure your contact information in your ParentVUE account is up to date. You can update your account by visiting https://grades.fwps.org/ . If you have not activated your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school. Update your notification preferences in ParentSquare. You can edit message delivery settings according to your preference for voice, email and/or app notification as well as language preference. Please leave the option for "School Alerts" on to ensure you receive these important updates. More information is available on the FWPS website and in ParentSquare support. For more information about weather-related school closures or delays, please visit our website: https://www.fwps.org/departments/communications/school-closure-and-delay   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 11/7/2025

Saturday, Nov 08 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter October 31, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News October 31, 2025 Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, This week showcased the great momentum across Federal Way Public Schools as we continue advancing our district priorities and celebrating the hard work happening in every building.   Before I share the wonderful things taking place, I’d like to take a moment to recognize that many of our families may be facing extra challenges right now. Below, we've shared local food and meal resources. Please reach out to them if you need support or are looking to donate in support of others. I also want to remind families that our scholars receive free breakfast and lunch at each of our schools. It is through our strong community partnerships that we can help ensure families are taken care of.  On Monday, we held our first All Admin meeting of the school year, where school and district leaders came together to review our district priorities for 2025-26 including High-Quality, Rigorous Instruction and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for both academics and social-emotional learning. This shared focus ensures every scholar receives the personalized support they need to thrive.  On Tuesday, our regular School Board meeting took place at Kilo Middle School, where we recognized the outstanding accomplishments of Decatur High School’s FFA for their exceptional showing at the 2025 Washington State Fair, and extended gratitude to the Life After High School planning and support team for making this year’s event such a success.   The Board also held its first reading of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy Renewal, which will appear on the ballot on February 10, 2026. This local measure helps FWPS fund academic, support, and extracurricular programs. and daily operating costs, not funded or underfunded by the state. These include music, art, and theater programs, 100% of our athletic opportunities for middle and high school student-athletes; and vital student support roles such as counselors, college and career specialists, and security staff. We’ll continue to share more information about this important renewal in the weeks ahead.  This week, I also had the opportunity to visit two wonderful schools, Valhalla Elementary and Sequoyah Middle School. At Valhalla, 3rd graders worked through the writing process using checklists to reflect on progress, while 4th graders engaged in small-group ELA interventions. At Sequoyah, I observed Level Up time with vocabulary and collaborative math. It was great to see students showing responsibility and time management during passing periods, arriving on time and ready to learn! Next week, our schools will host Scholar-Led Conferences, an opportunity for scholars to lead their learning and families to partner in their success. And as October comes to an end, I want to extend one more heartfelt thank-you to our principals for their dedication and leadership. Their commitment to our schools and communities makes a difference every single day.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Schedule Your Scholar-Led Conferences Today! Families, don’t forget—there will be no school on November 6 and 7 for Scholar-Led Conferences! This is a valuable opportunity to hear directly from your child about their learning progress and goals. ✅ Haven’t scheduled yet? Log into ParentVUE today to secure your spot! 🎯 Our goal is 100% family participation—let’s make it happen! Visit www.fwps.org/SLC for more details and helpful resources. We look forward to seeing you there!   FWPS Launches Yearlong Cultural Appreciation Video Series Federal Way Public Schools is proud to launch the first installment of our Cultural Appreciation Month Video Series, featuring one video each month that uplifts student voices tied to each cultural recognition month. Each video shows how students see themselves and their cultures reflected in what they learn and experience at school. The series celebrates belonging, learning, and pride in who our students are—supporting FWPS’s commitment to equity and helping every scholar thrive. Our first video features two Decatur High School scholars sharing what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them, how they’ve found belonging through their LatinX Club, and why celebrating all cultures brings our community closer together. Stay tuned for upcoming videos celebrating Disability History and Awareness Month in October and Native American Heritage Month in November!   FWPS Parent Survey Coming Soon! Each year we provide surveys to our students, staff and parents to understand areas where we’re succeeding and act upon areas where we can make improvements.  FWPS families will receive an email with a link to the survey when it opens on Monday, November 3. The survey will be available through November 26, 2025. Parent feedback is critical to helping us improve, and we’re aiming for 100% participation. This survey should take a total of approximately 5-10 minutes. Thank you for your participation!   Food and Meals Assistance We know families may be facing extra challenges right now. To support our families and community, we’ve added additional local food banks, community meal sites, and support services to the FWPS Community Resources webpage for families, all in one easy-to-access place. Whether you need urgent help or want to plan ahead, our goal is to help connect you with the resources you need. VIEW FOOD AND MEALS RESOURCES   And as a reminder, in Federal Way Public Schools, every student is guaranteed free breakfast and lunch during the school day, including Second Chance Breakfast and Breakfast in the Classroom at several schools. Together, we can help ensure every family in our community is fed.   What is an Educational Programs and Operations Renewal Levy? An EP&O levy is a voter-approved property tax that raises local revenue for schools. Washington state provides funding for basic education, but not all services and programs are fully covered. School levies allow districts like Federal Way to continue providing student programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities, staffing, and operational expenses beyond what the state provides. How is a levy different from a bond?  Levies and bonds serve different purposes.  Levies fund learning and operations: staffing, classroom programs, student services, and daily school functions.  Bonds fund buildings and construction: new schools, modernizations, and major capital projects.  An easy way to remember the difference is that levies focus on operations, while bonds address facilities.    Good News Announcements and Schools Can't Do It Alone We’re #FWPSProud of our phenomenal scholars, staff, and community members and love recognizing them during the Good News Announcements at board meetings! Read more about their accomplishments at www.fwps.org/GoodNews Schools Can't Do It Alone A huge thank-you to the Korean Consulate General in Seattle and the Korean Education Office for their generous grant supporting the Korean Dual Language Program at Olympic View K–8, the first of its kind in Washington state! Representatives visited Olympic View K–8 on October 15 to see the program in action, joining scholars for a phonetics lesson in the new Korean Dual Language classroom. Their support strengthens our partnership and helps scholars deepen their language skills, cultural understanding, and global connections through learning. We’re grateful for this incredible collaboration and the shared commitment to expanding opportunities for FWPS scholars!   Reminders Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 2 Remember to set clocks back one hour as Daylight Saving Time ends. This year the clock falls back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2025.   Stay Safe on the Way to School: Walking and Driving Tips As days grow shorter and visibility decreases, student safety remains our top priority. We ask everyone—students, families, drivers, and community members—to take extra care on the roads and sidewalks near our schools. Low light can make it harder for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists. Please remind your child to use crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and wear bright or reflective clothing. Drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert, and avoid distractions, especially during school arrival and dismissal times. Together, we can help ensure all scholars travel to and from school safely. Find more safe walking and driving tips in our blog post: Getting to School Safely: Everyone Plays a Part.   Make Your Voice Count! Vote by November 4th In Federal Way Public Schools, civics education is an important part of our scholars’ learning about our government and civic participation.   Please remember to vote in the upcoming election. Mail in your ballot by November 4, 2025, or you may choose to drop off your ballot in a ballot drop-off location such as Federal Way City Hall, 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal Way. Your ballot must be returned to a ballot drop-off location by 8 p.m. on November 5, 2024, to have your vote count.   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 10/31/2025

Saturday, Nov 01 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter October 24, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News October 24, 2025 Greetings FWPS Families, Staff, and Community, Fall has definitely been in the air this week with the cool mornings and beautiful changing leaves around our school campuses. This week has been one I’ve especially looked forward to, as we launched two important advisory groups on Tuesday: our Scholar Advisory, made up of more than 60 secondary students from across the district, and our Parent Advisory, which met later that evening. Both groups shared thoughtful reflections about the start of the school year and offered valuable ideas on how we can continue to grow together. I’m always grateful for the partnership, insight, and leadership these groups bring to our district. Our annual Life After High School College and Career Fair took place at Thomas Jefferson High School on Wednesday evening, giving hundreds of students and families the opportunity to explore universities and trade programs, meet local employers, and attend financial aid and career workshops. It was wonderful to see so many scholars taking active steps toward their goals. A huge thank-you to our partners, presenters, and attendees for making this event such a success! This week, I also visited Adelaide Elementary, where I observed small group instruction in ELA, math activities, and student goal-setting. It was inspiring to see teachers personalizing learning and empowering scholars to take ownership of their growth. I also joined the Transportation Department’s staff celebration, to honor their work getting scholars to and from school safely each day. It was a joy to celebrate their years of service and hear stories that reflect their deep commitment to our scholars and families. On Thursday evening, the first Early Learning Gathering of the year was held at the Truman Early Learning Center. Educators and caregivers came together to explore the role of play in early brain development. These sessions are part of our continued efforts to strengthen early learning partnerships, with the next gathering scheduled for Thursday, January 22, focusing on language development and early steps to success. Tonight, we’ll celebrate the incredible work of the B.A.G. (Bridging a Gap) organization at their annual Chopped event. Their commitment to providing weekend meals for scholars in need ensures that no student goes hungry and truly embodies the care and compassion that make FWPS so special. As I’ve shared in previous messages, FWPS will ask voters to approve a renewal Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy on February 10, 2026. This levy represents about 10% of the district’s budget and continues local funding for programs, services, and staff not fully funded by the state—including curriculum, college and career readiness, special education, early learning, professional development, athletics, arts, student wellness, nurses, counselors, and custodial and maintenance services. More information will be shared in the weeks ahead. I hope you have great weekend! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Life After High School Helps Scholars Plan Their Future This week, we held our annual Life After High School where middle and high school scholars and their families gathered college and career information and resources to better prepare for high school graduation and beyond. In addition to the booths, engaging workshops and panels offered deeper insights into post-secondary options. Families also received hands-on support with financial aid applications, college essays, and the High School and Beyond Plan during open lab sessions. Read more about the event on our blog: www.fwps.org/LAHS2025.   What is an Educational Programs and Operations Renewal Levy? An EP&O levy is a voter-approved property tax that raises local revenue for schools. Washington state provides funding for basic education, but not all services and programs are fully covered. School levies allow districts like Federal Way to continue providing student programs, services, and extracurricular opportunities, staffing, and operational expenses beyond what the state provides. The 2026 EP&O levy is a renewal levy, which means it would continue funding rather than create a new tax.    It's Digital Citizenship Week! In Federal Way Public Schools, digital citizenship is woven into our curriculum to help scholars build healthy, balanced, and responsible relationships with technology. Students learn how to use media and tech tools thoughtfully, developing awareness, empathy, and responsibility online. This year, we’ve also introduced an updated cell phone policy to reduce distractions and improve engagement, and we’re already seeing positive results! 📱✨ But our work doesn’t stop there! Scholars explore topics like responsible AI use, online safety, and tech balance, while families can join Digital Citizenship workshops at every Family Academy event to learn strategies for supporting their children in a digital world. Learn more! Explore our web resources for elementary and middle and high school families. Scholar-Led Conferences November 6 & 7 It’s time to sign up for your child’s Scholar-Led Conference! These conferences are a valuable opportunity for students to share their academic goals, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their growth. We hope to see every family participate! To view available times and schedule your conference, log in to ParentVUE and select “Scholar-Led Conferences.” Step-by-step guides and short how-to videos are available at www.fwps.org/SLC to help you through the process. Please note, there will be no school on November 6 and 7 to allow time for conferences. Our goal is 100% participation and we strongly encourage you to attend with your child and take part in this meaningful conversation about their learning journey. Families play a vital role in each scholar’s success. For ongoing updates, visit ParentVUE to check your child’s attendance, grades, report cards, and schedule throughout the year.   Highly Capable Program Referral Window is Open Through Nov. 26, 2025 FWPS staff, families, community members and scholars may refer a K–11 scholar for consideration during the referral period of October 1, 2025 – November 26, 2025, for the 2026–27 school year. The FWPS Highly Capable Program provides services to identified scholars (both Math and/or English Language Arts) within the general education classroom at their current home school. For more information, visit: www.fwps.org/highlycapable.   Families + Schools = Success Families play a powerful role in supporting attendance, and when families and schools partner together, students thrive. By communicating regularly, building routines, and addressing challenges early, we can help students stay engaged and ready to learn. At FWPS, we are committed to working alongside families to ensure every scholar is here today and prepared for tomorrow’s success. Learn more about attendance supports at www.fwps.org/attendance.   Early Release: Friday, October 31 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, October 31 is an Early Release day. Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time. View the bell schedules at: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 10/24/2025

Saturday, Oct 25 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter October 17, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News October 17, 2025 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, This week brought a wonderful mix of connection, learning, and celebration across our schools.  On Tuesday, I had the joy of participating in the Twin Lakes Career Fair, where I shared my love of science and my experience as a former science teacher before becoming superintendent. It was inspiring to see so many young scholars dressed for the careers they dream about, like firefighters, teachers, YouTubers, scientists, veterinarians, marine biologists, and more. Their excitement for the future was contagious!  Later that day, we held our regular school board meeting at Brigadoon Elementary, where we were treated to beautiful poems written by students describing who they are as people and scholars. We also celebrated the City of Federal Way Diversity Commission for their generous donation of books to our elementary libraries, and we welcomed our 2025-26 Scholar Representatives to the School Board, Yandel, Izzy, and Sophia, back for another year of representing the voices and experiences of our students.  On Wednesday we were honored to welcome Korean Consul General Seo Eun-ji, representatives from the Korean Education Office, and members of the Korean community for a special visit to Olympic View K–8 where they toured the brand-new Kindergarten Korean Dual Language classroom and joined in a phonetics lesson with our scholars. Our guests also presented FWPS with a generous grant in support of our Korean Dual Language Program!  On Thursday evening, we hosted our first Family Academy of the school year at Olympic View K–8. Families joined both in person and online to learn about grade-level curriculum, district support, and ways to partner with schools in helping scholars thrive. Thank you to everyone who attended and to our staff for creating such an engaging, collaborative evening of learning.  Next week, I’m looking forward to welcoming our 2025–26 Scholar Advisors for their first meeting of the year at the Educational Service Center. That same evening, our Parent Advisory will also meet. Both groups provide invaluable insight into the work we do to support all scholars and strengthen our partnership with families.  Finally, over the past few weeks, I’ve shared updates about the school board’s work around the upcoming Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy. I encourage you to read more in the section below about how the levy supports our schools, students, and staff. We anticipate asking voters to consider a renewal EP&O Levy on the February 10 ballot, and we’ll continue sharing information in the weeks ahead.  I am so proud of the learning, collaboration, and community partnership happening all across Federal Way Public Schools and I’m grateful for the continued support of our families and community as we work together for every scholar’s success.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Next Week: Life After High School College and Career Fair on October 22 It’s never too early to plan for the future! Get a jumpstart next Wednesday! Federal Way Public Schools invites middle and high school scholars and families to attend the annual Life After High School College and Career Fair: 📍 Wednesday, October 22, 2025 🕕 6–8 p.m. 🏫 Thomas Jefferson High School   At this event, students can: ✅ Visit booths to speak with reps from colleges, universities, local businesses, and training programs ✅ Attend engaging workshops and panels about paying for college, healthcare careers, playing sports in college, and more ✅ Complete key portions of the High School and Beyond Plan   This event supports Goal 5 of our strategic plan: High School Graduation through Successful Transitions. Don’t miss this valuable evening of planning, preparation, and opportunity!   📎 Visit fwps.org/LAHS for workshop details and resources.   FWPS Educational Programs and Operations Renewal Levy: February 10, 2026 Federal Way Public Schools seeks to renew the expiring Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy on the February 10, 2026, ballot which voters have supported in previous elections and helps preserve the programs, opportunities, and staff that make our schools a place where every student thrives.     The renewal of the EP&O Levy helps Federal Way Public Schools provide essential student supports and opportunities not fully funded by the state, including classroom support teachers, para educators, custodians, health room staff, technology support, and mental health services like counselors and social workers.      Levy funds also sustain art, music, drama, and 100% of our athletics programs. Our day-to-day operational costs including utilities, classroom materials, security, and facility maintenance are also supported by levy funds. This is not a new tax, but a renewal of the current levy set to expire at the end of 2026.      We will continue to provide additional information over the coming months leading up to February 10.   Good News Announcements We’re #FWPSProud of our phenomenal scholars, staff, and community members and love recognizing them during the Good News Announcements at board meetings! Read more about their accomplishments at www.fwps.org/GoodNews School’s Can’t Do It Alone Now more than ever, schools can’t do it alone. Thank you to the City of Federal Way Diversity Commission for their generous donation of books to our school libraries. The Commission identified 15 titles that celebrate resilience, and belonging, and donated one copy of each to every elementary school across the district. These books reflect the unique experiences of our scholars and help foster understanding and empathy in our classrooms.   Celebrate Your Scholar’s Language Skills—Earn Credits & Recognition! If your scholar is bilingual or multilingual, their language skills can translate into credits and statewide recognition. By taking the World Language Competency Test, they can: Earn credits toward graduation Be honored with the Seal of Biliteracy, a credential recognized by colleges and employers Tests are in November (grades 9–12) and March (grades 8–12). Complete the interest form now and support your scholar’s success!   Scholar-Led Conferences November 6 & 7 It’s time to sign up for your child’s Scholar-Led Conference! These conferences are a valuable opportunity for students to share their academic goals, reflect on their progress, and celebrate their growth. We hope to see every family participate! To view available times and schedule your conference, log in to ParentVUE and select “Scholar-Led Conferences.” Step-by-step guides and short how-to videos are available at www.fwps.org/SLC to help you through the process. Please note, there will be no school on November 6 and 7 to allow time for conferences. Our goal is 100% participation and we strongly encourage you to attend with your child and take part in this meaningful conversation about their learning journey. Families play a vital role in each scholar’s success. For ongoing updates, visit ParentVUE to check your child’s attendance, grades, report cards, and schedule throughout the year.   National School Lunch Week: A Tasty Trip Around the World! This week, Federal Way Public Schools celebrated National School Lunch Week with the theme “Taste the World: Your School Lunch Passport!” It’s been a fun and flavorful week recognizing the importance of nutritious, balanced meals and the incredible work of our school nutrition teams. Throughout the week, students explored global flavors, learned about healthy eating, and enjoyed delicious meals that fuel their learning and growth. A big thank you to our Nutrition Services team for their continued commitment to providing free, healthy meals that keep our scholars nourished and ready to succeed every day! Explore the many tastes on our menus at www.fwps.org/SchoolMenus   Early Release October 24 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, October 24 is an Early Release day. Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time. View the bell schedules at: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 10/17/2025

Saturday, Oct 18 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter October 10, ...

Federal Way Public Schools News October 10, 2025 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, This week, our schools were buzzing with curiosity and inspiration as we celebrated DiscoverU Week, with opportunities for scholars to explore their dreams, interests, and future career pathways.    At Adelaide Elementary, scholars welcomed guest speakers, including a firefighter, author, social worker, police officer, and airplane pilot, who shared insights about their professions and the many ways to serve our community. At Camelot Elementary, students explored the school garden and discovered STEAM careers in agriculture, horticulture, irrigation engineering, and sustainability, connecting science, problem-solving, and the natural world. At the secondary level, Todd Beamer High School scholars wrote letters to their future selves, reflecting on who they hope to become, while Decatur High School students connected with visiting U.S. Marines to learn about pathways in leadership and service.     I also want to invite you to our first Family Academy session of the 2025-26 school year, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families, on Thursday, October 16, at Olympic View K–8. This event is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to engage in learning around grade-level curriculum, assessments, and the academic supports available to help every scholar thrive. And on October 22, we will host our Life After High School College and Career Fair at Thomas Jefferson High School. It’s a great opportunity for both middle and high school students to explore two- and four-year colleges and universities, apprenticeship programs, military academies, and trade schools. In addition, there will be several workshops and information sessions available that will help scholars make informed decisions.    And as we look ahead, our school board is currently reviewing plans for a renewal of the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy, which helps fund important academic programs, classroom supports, safety measures, and staff positions not fully funded by the state. Once the Board takes action, we’ll share more information with our families and community about what this means for Federal Way Public Schools and how it supports scholar success.    As always, I am proud of the dedication, creativity, and collaboration happening every day across FWPS. Together, we are helping scholars see the possibilities ahead and preparing them for success in school, career, and life.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   Family Academy is Next Thursday, October 16. Don’t Forget to Register! Have you signed up yet?! Help your child tackle the school year by attending our first event, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families on Thursday, October 16, from 6-7:30 pm at Olympic View K-8 or through Zoom. At the event, you’ll attend up to two workshops to foster an in-depth understanding of grade-level curriculum, assessments, and district resources to support academic success. REGISTER NOW Workshops include: ·        Mapping the Journey: Understanding Your Child’s Progress ·        Stronger Together: A Family-School Approach to Bullying Prevention ·        How to Support Your Scholar with Grade-Level Writing ·        Tech Habit Challenge, Part 1: What Roles Do Media and Tech Play in My Life? ·        IEP Essentials: Navigating Special Education for Your Scholar’s Success ·        Guiding Your Scholar to Success: Making the Most of SLCs ·        And more Plus: Financial Aid and College Application Drop-In Sessions Interpreters are available at the in-person event only. Families who pre-register to attend in person can also enjoy a free hot dinner, childcare for children age 5 and older, a STEAM Learning Lab for older children, and a chance to win a free week of childcare for one FWPS elementary student. Click here for more details.   K-12 Scholars Envisioned Their Bright Futures During DiscoverU Week We had an amazing DiscoverU Week! Throughout this week, scholars expressed their enthusiasm for their bright futures.   This has been an incredible week of college and career exploration, and it was a joy to see our scholars learn about how to make an impact in their community, find careers of interest, and plan for their futures.   From elementary to high school, students across our district explored their futures in exciting ways: Elementary students met professionals, visited their school gardens to learn about careers in agriculture and STEAM, and dressed up as their dream job or wore college gear. Middle schoolers played the Game of Life, envisioning their financial futures and also explored college options. High school students got hands-on with real-world experiences and connected with local business reps. So much inspiration, learning, and dreaming packed into one amazing week! 💡🌱   Check out the full recap on our website at www.fwps.org/DiscoverU2025.   Do you have photos from DiscoverU Week? Send us your photos to socialmedia@fwps.org, and we’ll share them in our Instagram and Facebook stories next week!   Save the Date: Explore College and Career Options at Life After High School – October 22 Federal Way Public Schools’ annual Life After High School College and Career Fair is coming up soon!   📍 Wednesday, October 22, 2025  🕕 6–8 p.m.  🏫 Thomas Jefferson High School   At the event, middle and high school scholars are invited to explore college and career options from various booths representing two- and four-year colleges and universities, apprenticeship programs, military academies, and trade schools. In addition, there will be several workshops and information sessions available that will help scholars make informed decisions, including: ·        Apprenticeship Panel: Exploring a Career in the Trades ·        Careers in Healthcare: The Zombie Outbreak Challenge ·        Private Colleges are Affordable ·        NCAA and Playing Sports in College ·        HBCU Panel: The Historically Black College Experience ·        How to Earn College Credit in High School Through CTE ·        College Application Drop-In Session (Interpreters Available) ·        And more! There will also be High School and Beyond Plan and Financial Aid account setup support during the night. 📎 Visit www.fwps.org/LAHS for workshop details and resources.   Celebrate Your Scholar’s Language Skills—Earn Credits & Recognition! If your scholar is bilingual or multilingual, their language skills can translate into credits and statewide recognition. By taking the World Language Competency Test, they can: Earn credits toward graduation Be honored with the Seal of Biliteracy, a credential recognized by colleges and employers Tests are in November (grades 9–12) and March (grades 8–12). Complete the interest form now and support your scholar’s success!   FWPS Parents and families,   Have you checked ParentVUE yet this school year? If you haven’t logged in recently, now is a great time to re-familiarize yourself with this important tool. You can find helpful tutorials on our website here.  ParentVUE continues to be the place where you’ll find quick access to your child’s attendance, grades, list of courses, teacher information, and more! Have a new email address or phone number? ParentVUE is also where you’ll update your contact information to ensure your child’s school knows how to reach you!   What’s the difference between ParentVUE and ParentSquare?   ParentSquare is a communications tool that syncs with the contact information you enter in ParentVUE during enrollment and verification each year. Through this tool, you’ll:  ·        Receive district, school, and classroom communications via email, text, voice call, and/or app notification  ·        View the school calendar and upcoming events for your child’s school  ·        Customize your notification preferences  ·        Receive messages in your home language  ·        And more!  ParentVUE is your one-stop-shop for your child’s information about their personal academic progress. In ParentVUE, you’ll have quick access to your child’s:  ·        Grades  ·        Attendance  ·        Course Schedule  ·        Teacher Information  ·        And, you’ll use ParentVUE to schedule your child’s Scholar-Led Conferences!    Log in to ParentVUE today!   Highly Capable Referral Window Now Open The Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) Highly Capable Program referral window is now open through Nov. 26, 2025. FWPS staff, families, community members and scholars may refer a K–11 scholar for consideration during the referral period of October 1, 2025 – November 26, 2025, for the 2026–27 school year. The FWPS Highly Capable Program provides services to identified scholars (both Math and/or English Language Arts) within the general education classroom at their current home school. For more information, visit: www.fwps.org/highlycapable.   As a friendly reminder, there will be an early release on Friday, October 17.     Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 10/10/2025

Saturday, Oct 11 2025

Federal Way Public Schools E-Newsletter October 3, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News October 3, 2025 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, This week has brought the first hints of fall weather, and with it, a wonderful energy across our schools.  On Tuesday, we held our first board meeting of the school year at Star Lake Elementary. The Board recognized Red Canoe Credit Union, We Love Our City Federal Way, and several other community partners for their donations of backpacks and school supplies that helped our scholars start the school year prepared and ready to learn. We celebrated the achievements of 169 scholars who earned the Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating high levels of proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a second language. In addition, District leadership shared Back to School presentations highlighting summer work and the successful launch of the school year, and the Board heard a presentation on the upcoming renewal of the four-year EP&O Levy, which provides essential funds that support educational programs and operations across FWPS.  Out in our classrooms, scholars have been hard at work!  At Evergreen Middle School, eighth graders in Ms. Shain’s math class dove into their geometry unit on rigid transformations, sharpening their understanding of how objects move and change shape. Their next unit on dilations will continue to strengthen these skills.  At Meredith Hill Elementary, first graders participated in a digital citizenship lesson, learning how to protect their privacy and stay safe online, an important foundation for responsible technology use.  At Olympic View K–8, the school hosted a National Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly filled with student performances, including folkloric dances, a beautiful rendition of the Mexican folk song “La Llorona” by fourth grader Dayanara, and “Cucurrucucú Paloma” performed by second graders in Ms. Cortes’ class with guidance from FWHS teacher Mr. Guzman.  This morning, I joined three FWPS scholars at the Gates Foundation Roundtable. Together with student leaders and educators from across the region, we worked to define postsecondary success, identify strategies grounded in student voice and data, and build solutions that will help more young people thrive in their futures. I was incredibly proud of the thoughtful insights our scholars contributed to this important work.  And finally, October is a month of gratitude and recognition.  National Principals Month: We are grateful for our principals’ leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to scholars and staff every day.  Custodial Appreciation Day: Our custodians are true unsung heroes who ensure our schools are safe, welcoming, and ready for learning.  National Physical Therapy Month: We celebrate the important role our physical therapists play in supporting our scholars' success and well-being.  Please join me in appreciating these incredible professionals who make FWPS such a special place for scholars to learn and grow.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent   School Board Corner From Dr. Jennifer Jones, President, Federal Way School Board On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, I am pleased to share highlights from the past several months as we launched into another school year together. During the summer months, the Board remained active in preparing for the year ahead. On July 22, we held our final regular meeting of the 2024–25 school year at the ESC. In August, Board members participated in several important gatherings, including the New to Federal Way Breakfast at the PAEC (August 19), where we had the opportunity to welcome our newest educators alongside Superintendent Dr. Pfeiffer and community leaders. On August 22, we held our annual Board Retreat, where we reflected on the past year and mapped out priorities for the 2025–26 Board Calendar. At our August 26 regular meeting, we looked ahead to the new school year and celebrated the launch of the new Korean/English dual language program by recognizing one of the staff members who helped bring it to life. The start of September brought excitement as we welcomed scholars back into classrooms on September 2. A few days later, on September 4, Director Davis joined Dr. Pfeiffer to visit several schools and see learning in action. Mid-September was focused on School Improvement Plan (SIP) presentations (September 15–19). Board members attended in person and virtually to hear directly from principals about their schools’ goals, celebrations, and areas of focus for the year. At our Work Study session on September 16, the Board received a presentation about the upcoming 2026 Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy, which will appear on the February ballot. Board leadership also joined colleagues from across the state at the WSSDA General Assembly on September 20, where Director Davis and Dr. Pfeiffer represented Federal Way. One of the highlights of September was the Illahee Middle School Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 22, where Directors Murphy and Phillips joined community members, alumni, and scholars to celebrate the opening of the new campus. Dr. Pfeiffer and I were honored to share remarks at this special event. And on September 23, Director Phillips also joined Dr. Pfeiffer in visiting Brigadoon Elementary to connect with scholars and staff. Our first regular board meeting was held on September 30 at Star Lake Elementary, where we continued our focus on student achievement, family engagement, and equity. As a Board, we remain committed to supporting the educational goals and aspirations of every scholar in our district. We affirm that FWPS welcomes all scholars and families and that we are stronger together as a community. Respectfully, Dr. Jennifer Jones President, Federal Way School Board   DiscoverU Week: October 6-10 Next week, our scholars from PreK to grade 12 have the opportunity to explore college and career interests during the annual DiscoverU Week, October 6-10! School and community partners will lead a week of college and career exploration activities for scholars to expand their interests and identify career path options. They will also learn about the education and skills needed to reach their career goals. The week of themes include: ·   Monday: Discover Local Jobs ·   Tuesday: Lead Your Community ·   Wednesday: Classroom to Career ·   Thursday: College Gear Day ·   Friday: Flash Forward Friday *Please note, there is no school on Friday due to professional development. Schools will incorporate this theme throughout the week. To learn more about the week of events, visit our website or reach out to your school to learn how to participate.   Celebrating Disability History and Awareness Month October is Disability History and Awareness Month, a time to build awareness, encourage respect, and celebrate the contributions of individuals with disabilities while fostering pride within the community. Join FWPS in uplifting voices and sharing stories that promote inclusive school environments. As part of this work, FWPS scholars recently wrapped the 4th year of the KBTC Public Television Ability Awareness Video Series, where they share their experiences and perspectives on problem-solving, relationships, and workplace readiness. The series highlights their voices while helping promote understanding and inclusion in our schools and beyond. Explore more stories and watch the series here: https://www.kbtc.org/watch-on-demand/kbtc-originals/ability-awareness/   Don’t miss it! Join us at Family Academy on October 16 to connect, learn, and grow together. The Family Academy series is back! Help your child tackle the school year by attending our first event, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families on Thursday, October 16, from 6-7:30 pm at Olympic View K-8 or through Zoom. At the event, you’ll attend up to two workshops to foster an in-depth understanding of grade-level curriculum, assessments, and district resources to support academic success. REGISTER NOW Workshops include: ·        Mapping the Journey: Understanding Your Child’s Progress ·        Stronger Together: A Family-School Approach to Bullying Prevention ·        How to Support Your Scholar with Grade-Level Writing ·        Tech Habit Challenge, Part 1: What Roles Do Media and Tech Play in My Life? ·        Every Day Matters, Every Future Counts: Partnering with Families for Scholar Sucess ·        Guiding Your Scholar to Success: Making the Most of SLCs ·        And more Plus: Financial Aid and College Application Drop-In Sessions Interpreters are available at the in-person event only. Families who pre-register to attend in person can also enjoy a free hot dinner, childcare for children age 5 and older, a STEAM Learning Lab for older children, and a chance to win a free week of childcare for one FWPS elementary student. Click here for more details.   Celebrate Your Scholar’s Language Skills—Earn Credits & Recognition! If your scholar is bilingual or multilingual, their language skills can translate into credits and statewide recognition. By taking the World Language Competency Test, they can: Earn credits toward graduation Be honored with the Seal of Biliteracy, a credential recognized by colleges and employers Tests are in November (grades 9–12) and March (grades 8–12). Complete the interest form now and support your scholar’s success!   Save the Date: Explore College and Career Options at Life After High School – October 22 It’s never too early to plan for the future! Federal Way Public Schools invites middle and high school scholars and families to attend the Life After High School College and Career Fair:   📍 Wednesday, October 22, 2025 🕕 6–8 p.m. 🏫 Thomas Jefferson High School   At this event, students can:  ✅ Speak with reps from colleges, universities, and training programs  ✅ Attend engaging workshops on financial aid, college apps, and career prep  ✅ Complete key portions of the High School and Beyond Plan   This event supports Goal 5 of our strategic plan: High School Graduation through Successful Transitions.   Don’t miss this valuable evening of planning, preparation, and opportunity!   📎 Visit www.fwps.org/LAHS for workshop details and resources.   Highly Capable Referral Window Now Open The Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) Highly Capable Program referral window is now open through Nov. 26, 2025. FWPS staff, families, community members and scholars may refer a K–11 scholar for consideration during the referral period of October 1, 2025 – November 26, 2025, for the 2026–27 school year. The FWPS Highly Capable Program provides services to identified scholars (both Math and/or English Language Arts) within the general education classroom at their current home school. For more information, visit: www.fwps.org/highlycapable.   Good News Announcements We’re #FWPSProud of our phenomenal scholars, staff, and community members and love recognizing them during the Good News Announcements at board meetings! Read more about their accomplishments at www.fwps.org/GoodNews Schools Can't Do It Alone Thank you to Red Canoe Credit Union and We Love Our City Federal Way for leading the 16th annual Fill the Canoe Back to School Drive, joined by our many community partners. Together, they made a remarkable impact by collecting a record 1,668 backpacks and more than 3,125 pounds of school supplies through donations, matching, and community support.   As a friendly reminder, there will be no school on Friday, October 10 due to Teacher Professional Development Day. This provides valuable time for our educators to enhance skills and prepare to provide our scholars high levels of learning and support throughout the school year. Schools will resume normal hours on Monday, October 13. We thank you for your support.   Federal Way Public Schools, 33330 8th Avenue S, Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 FWPS Website Careers Calendar 10/3/2025

Saturday, Oct 04 2025