Federal Way Public Schools News - January 10, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News January 10, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT                           Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! Welcome to 2025!  This week, I had the pleasure of visiting Star Lake and Camelot elementary schools, welcoming scholars back from winter break, connecting with staff, and seeing students dive right into their learning. It is always rewarding being in schools observing our talented teachers and brilliant students in action.  What a way to kick off 2025! Earlier today, you received an update from us about our Portrait of a Graduate initiative and the opportunity to share your voice. Please  complete the survey to help the Portrait of a Graduate Design Team complete this important work. Also, January is School Board Recognition Month, and I want to take a moment to thank our incredible board members for their dedication and leadership. Their commitment to our scholars, staff, and community is inspiring—be sure to check out the  School Board Corner below to learn more about their work. I also want to acknowledge all the hard work completed over winter break on the Illahee Middle School construction project. These efforts are paving the way for an incredible learning environment for our scholars. If you haven’t had a chance to see the progress, check out the pictures below. Thank you to everyone who is working so hard to complete the final project of the 2017 Bond.  Finally, please take a moment to watch my welcome back message to learn more about our successes and celebrations, areas of focus, key priorities, and all the exciting events, activities, and learning that will take place as we continue the school year. You can also read the entire message on our website at www.fwps.org/24-25-winter-welcome-back . In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent School Board Corner: January 2025 On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful start to the new year and provide a report on the important activities of the district and board during the past several weeks. The district held the second informative Portrait of a Graduate Design Team meeting on Dec. 5 with enthusiastic community member support. Dir. Morris participated in engaging discussions that support collaborative efforts around Goal Five of our Strategic Plan, Persistence to Graduation. The Board attended a thorough work study meeting on December 10, where members were able to view the Ends 1 presentation also with a focus on the District’s activities around Persistence to Graduation. We learned about areas of success and focus and are excited to see this work continue.  On December 11, Dir. Phillips and Dr. Pfeiffer attended the South King County Leadership Holiday event sponsored by Councilmember Pete Von Reichbauer which also included an opportunity for FWPS high school students to ask questions of former Governor Christine Gregoire.  In the last week before the winter break, Dir. Davis visited Rainier View Elementary on December 17 and enjoyed observing teachers and students actively engaged in their learning activities. Also on December 17, the last school board meeting of 2024 was held at Todd Beamer High School where we heard from Principal Travis Savala and watched a fantastic performance by the school’s AFJROTC.  There are several exciting events and activities we are looking forward to this January. This weekend, we will be attending the WSSDA legislative session and conference, then on January 17, there will be a special tour and award presentation to Federal Way Public Schools from United Way of King County for the 2024 Closing the Hunger Gap Award. Our next board meeting will be January 28 at Adelaide Elementary, and the third Portrait of a Graduate Design Team meeting will be held on January 30. Again, we hope everyone had a restful winter break, and we wish you all the best for a successful start to the new year. Respectfully, Dr. Jennifer Jones President, Federal Way School Board Construction Update: Illahee’s New Building and Campus Is Nearing Completion! At the new Illahee Middle School construction site, most items are either marked completed or are in their final stages, so it’s no surprise we are elated with the tremendous progress the team has made since our last update! Concrete sidewalks at the bus and car drop-off loops are over 70% complete, while the hardscape and wood deck in the Courtyard are halfway done In the main building, all doors and hardware, interior painting, light fixtures, markerboard, tack boards, display screens, carpet, resilient flooring, and more are close to being marked off the list – and the building is all set to go with permanent power and functioning internet! The gym update has been incredible! Along with fresh paint, installation of the wall panels, wall pads, light fixtures, doors and hardware, and the wood flooring are complete Plus, so much more Check out some photos of the school which will open to students in Fall 2025 below! Snow Make Up Day on May 23, 2025 Due to inclement weather and school closure on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, FWPS will make up this day on  Friday, May 23, 2025 . This is the first weather make-up day included on the calendar.  Making up this day will ensure our scholars have access to the learning and instructional time needed to support their academic success. An updated 2024-25 school calendar is available in our top languages at www.fwps.org/calenda r Choice Enrollment Open February 3 – March 17, 2025 The 2025-26 Choice Enrollment Registration will be available for all grade levels February 3 – March 17.   For more information, or to submit your online application visit  www.fwps.org/Choice .   All Choice Enrollment applications are due by 4:30 p.m., March 17, 2025.   The Choice Lottery will take place on April 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Please see the website for location details.   Existing Choice families: You are not required to reapply except for non-resident students who are transitioning between grade spans, such as elementary to middle to high school. Please see our website for more information regarding the Choice timeline.  Reminders and Upcoming Events Early Release: January 17, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  January 17 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   High School Planning Nights Save the date! Eighth-grade scholars and families are invited to attend High School Planning Nights, happening at each of our high schools between February 4-12, 2025. At these events, families can gain information to help their child successfully navigate the transition to high school, learn about course and program offerings, and connect with school staff and students. Learn more at www.fwps.org/hsplanningnight   CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar January 10, 2025

Saturday, Jan 11 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - December 6, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News December 6, 2024 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! Winter’s chill is in the air and learning and collaboration across the district are as vibrant as ever! This week, we saw many wonderful activities that showcased the power of partnerships in supporting scholar success, from classroom learning to community engagement.  This week, TAF@Saghalie eighth graders took their learning outside the classroom with a visit to the Aquarium at the MaST Center. After exploring marine remote-operated vehicles (ROVs) during a lesson, students put their knowledge into action by building their own ROVs from scratch and testing them underwater. It was a fantastic hands-on experience that blended creativity, engineering, and problem-solving!  On Wednesday, I had the privilege of presenting at the annual FWPS State of Education   to the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. Centered on the theme, Better Together, the presentation highlighted the incredible work happening in our district and the essential role of our community partners. I invite you to watch the presentation to learn more about how these partnerships are transforming opportunities for our scholars. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this important work!  Also on Wednesday, 700 FWPS third graders attended a theater performance of Frindle at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center. This unforgettable experience was made possible through our partnership with the Federal Way Arts Foundation Arts4Youth program, which has opened the door for more than 3,000 students to engage with the arts in meaningful ways.  On Thursday evening, we hosted our second Portrait of a Graduate Design Team Meeting at the Star Lake Elementary/Evergreen Middle School campus. Together, participants continued shaping a vision for equipping every scholar with the skills and mindsets they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Building on feedback from the first session, the team began defining the key competencies that will guide this important work.   Next week, we’re hosting our second Family Academy, focusing on wellness topics that empower families to support their children in all aspects of life. This free event offers valuable insights for families with children of all ages, from PreK to 12th grade. Don’t forget to  register —we’d love to see you there!   These moments remind us of the power of partnerships—with families, community organizations, and local businesses. Together, we create opportunities that enhance the academic experience of our scholars and strengthen our community. Thank you for being a part of this important work!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent FWPS School Board Corner On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, I would like to report on the activities of the district and board during the past several weeks.  Director Davis visited Mirror Lake Elementary on November 12 and was impressed by the rapport between the principal and the staff, as well as by the energy and enthusiasm of the dedicated teachers and their students. The emphasis on school safety was clear as staff checked students and parents in at the door. The morning visit included seeing 3rd graders reading and studying vocabulary, watching preschoolers engaged in independent learning, and having paraeducators work one-on-one with students.  On November 18, I visited Meredith Hill Elementary and was able to observe several classrooms where teachers and young scholars in grades 1-5 were engaged in their lessons—particularly math activities and reading at advanced levels.  There was also intensive one-on-one phonics work being conducted with individual students by specialists.  It was clearly evident that these classrooms were in active pursuit of Goal Four of our Strategic Plan—content-area competence, and mastery of all subjects.  The district held the first of several Portrait of a Graduate Design Team meetings on November 18 with over 160 interested community members. Director Phillips, Director Davis, Director Murphy, and Director Morris participated in the discussions. This is in support of Goal Five of our Strategic Plan—persistence to graduation. I would like to thank all of those who are part of the Design Team.  On December 4, District Superintendent Dr. Pfeiffer delivered the annual 2024 FW Chamber of Commerce State of Education report. Director Davis, Director Morris, and Director Murphy were in attendance, as well as business leaders, parents, students, and other community members. Two of our Scholar Representatives to the Board, Yandel Barron-Toledo and Izzy Owens also attended the event. The theme of the event was Better Together. Dr. Pfeiffer shared information related to district improvement efforts as well as the partners that are critical to our collective work.  Finally, the members of the Board and Superintendent participated in the WSSDA Annual Conference in Spokane from November 21-23. This conference of the Washington State School Directors Association brought together school board members from across the state for several days of informative workshops and presentations. Director Davis, as a member of the WSSDA nominating committee, introduced newly elected officers and committee members as well as the WA State Education Board at the General Assembly. Director Phillips conducted several onboarding and training sessions for the conference, and I participated in a panel discussion. It was a great learning opportunity for our governance team. During the conference, FWPS also received the Board of Distinction award at the President’s Dinner in recognition of the work done during the past year in support of the students and families in our schools. The district was commended for our focus on mental health and well-being, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support).  On behalf of our Board, I wish you a happy holiday season. Respectfully,  Dr. Jennifer Jones President, Federal Way School Board State of Education 2024     A heartfelt thank you to the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce for hosting the annual State of Education event!  As part of Dr. Pfeiffer's presentation, our Scholar Representatives to the School Board shared a powerful message that “We are Better Together” when it comes to supporting our students and schools. Dr. Dani Pfeiffer also shared exciting updates on Federal Way Public Schools, highlighting how community partnerships strengthen opportunities for every scholar. From progress toward our strategic goals to a glimpse of the important work ahead, this event underscored the collective impact we create when we unite for our students' success. Together, we’re building a brighter future for Federal Way!  In case you missed the event, watch the video to see how we are better together in supporting our students and schools Coming Up Soon! Family Academy: Healthy Minds, Healthy Families on December 12 💭  Did You Know? Family health and wellness play a BIG role in student success! Join us at  Healthy Minds, Healthy Families for tools to support your child’s mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 🗓️ Thursday, December 12  ⏰ 6–7:30 p.m.  📍 TAF@Saghalie or via Zoom ✨ Free childcare, dinner, and interpreters (at the in-person event only) 👉 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER! Some workshops include: Window to Wellness: Growing Fresh Food at Home for Healthier Families Mindful Moments: Family Yoga and Breathwork Empowering Healthy Choices: Talking to Your Child About Vaping Growth Mindset Around Mathematics Heart to Heart: Nurturing Mental for Our Scholars Click Safe, Act Brave: Navigating Digital Safety and Anti-Bullying Everyone is Welcome: Supporting LGBTQIA+ Scholars at School Seniors and their families can also learn about ways to pay for college, get FAFSA support, and connect with high school counselors at dedicated support rooms! Browse all workshops at  www.fwps.org/healthymindshealthyfamilies .  👉 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER Because of You Nominations 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 the Better Together Nomination Form, which is also available on the FWPS website at www.fwps.org/BecauseOfYou . All nomination forms are due by the end of the month.  Every Day At School Matters! Did you know? Every day at school is an opportunity for growth and learning! 🧠✨ Showing up unlocks a world of resources that support your path to success. It's not just about attending classes—it's about building a brighter future, one day at a time. Visit www.fwps.org/attendance to learn how regular attendance makes a difference. Explore the World of Coding During Computer Science Education Week! Federal Way Public Schools is thrilled to celebrate the 12th annual Hour of Code from December 9–13! 🎉 Scholars at every school will dive into exciting computer science and programming activities for at least one hour.   Whether your scholar is a coding pro or exploring computer science for the very first time, this engaging STEM event sparks creativity and opens doors to endless possibilities.   Looking for grade-level activities? Visit the FWPS Hour of Code online Canvas course by CLICKING HERE   or explore specific resources for:   ·       Grades PreK-2 ·       Grades 3-5 ·       Grades 6-8 ·        Grades 9-12 Let’s inspire the next generation of innovators, one line of code at a time! Updates and Reminders NEW! Automated Grade Notifications for Secondary Students At Federal Way Public Schools, we are committed to partnering with families to support scholar success.  Starting Sunday, December 8, families will receive automatic email updates via ParentSquare if their child has a grade of C, F, or IE in any class. These messages will include the current grade, the number of missing assignments, and resources to help support your child’s learning. For a more detailed look at grades and assignments, you can log in to ParentVUE at grades.fwps.org . Additional ParentVUE support is available at  fwps.org/technology-resources . By working together, we can help every scholar reach their full potential. Thank you for being an essential part of your child’s educational journey! REMINDER! Early Release December 13! This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  December 13 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 CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar December 6, 2024

Saturday, Dec 07 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - November 27, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News November 27, 2024 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! As we approach the final days of November, I am taking time to reflect on how much we’ve accomplished together this fall. From learning and growth in the classroom to meaningful connections in our community, this has been a season of success. I’m so thankful for all members of our Federal Way Public Schools community who make it all possible.  To our FWPS Families: Your involvement has been invaluable. From attending Family Academy and Student-Led Conferences to providing valuable feedback in our recent Family Survey and Portrait of a Graduate, your partnership enriches your children’s education and strengthens our schools. Thank you for your dedication and support.  To our Community Partners: Your contributions make a significant difference for our scholars and families. Whether it’s providing turkey dinners for our families, like JTM Construction and We Love Our City Federal Way, to mentors and business partners volunteering for student programs like INCubatorEdu and our CTE programs, your support builds a stronger, more connected community. We are deeply thankful for you.  To Team Federal Way: You are the heart of our district, and your hard work is noticed and appreciated every day.  Classroom Teachers : Thank you for showing up every day with unwavering dedication to providing scholars with the tools they need to thrive. Your work directly impacts their success, and we are so grateful for your efforts. Principals and Assistant Principals : Your leadership shapes the culture of our schools, creating spaces where students and staff feel safe, valued, and supported. Thank you for setting a high standard of equity and excellence while fostering positive learning environments. Paraeducators : You bridge gaps and ensure every scholar has the support they need to succeed. Your connection with students makes a lasting and critical impact—thank you for all you do! Transportation Team : Rain or shine, you ensure our scholars arrive safely at school and back home. Thank you for your commitment to their safety and well-being. School Support Staff : Whether helping in classrooms, assisting with logistics, or providing guidance, your contributions are essential to scholar success. Thank you for your dedication and care in supporting our students. Security Team : Your work keeps our campuses safe and secure for learning and during our afterschool and weekend events. Thank you for collaborating with local responders and ensuring our schools and events remain safe spaces for all. School Office Staff : You are the welcoming face of our schools, answering questions, resolving issues, and connecting families with the support they need. Thank you for being a vital resource for our community. Maintenance and Operations Team : Your hard work keeps our buildings running smoothly, safe, and ready for learning every day. Thank you for ensuring scholars have the best possible environments to thrive. Custodians : Your dedication to keeping our schools clean and sanitized is appreciated beyond words. Thank you for creating safe spaces for students and staff alike. Family Liaisons : You are the connection between families and schools, fostering partnerships that strengthen student success. Thank you for your dedication to building bridges and supporting our families. Central Office and SSC Staff: Your behind-the-scenes work is the backbone of our district, from supporting initiatives to providing technical and administrative expertise. Thank you for your commitment to scholar success. Nutrition Services Team : Ensuring scholars have access to healthy meals every day is no small feat. Thank you for your efforts to keep our students nourished and ready to learn. Nurses : Your support ensures our schools remain safe and healthy environments for learning. Thank you for being a trusted resource for students, families, and staff. Counselors: Your role is critical in supporting the emotional and academic needs of scholars. Thank you for helping students reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom.  And to our scholars: Your curiosity, perseverance, and dreams inspire us all. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to your goals— You are why we are here every day. We are here to support you every step of the way.  As we head into the long Thanksgiving break, I want to extend warm wishes to all. For those who celebrate, may your holiday be filled with gratitude, joy, and connection. For those who don’t observe, I hope you enjoy a well-deserved break to relax, recharge, and spend time with loved ones.  Thank you all for being part of the FWPS community. Have a wonderful and restful break!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU! Please enjoy the holiday break and we will see you on December 2! CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar November 27, 2024

Thursday, Nov 28 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - November 22, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News November 22, 2024 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! This week’s windstorm and power outages brought challenges, and we hope that everyone was able to stay safe. We are thankful power is returning to the affected areas, and that here in Federal Way we were still able to enjoy a productive week of learning. Thank you for your flexibility as we prioritized scholar safety across our 35-square-mile district. A special shoutout goes to our road and transportation teams, who start as early as 3 a.m. in inclement weather to assess conditions, and our maintenance and operations staff, who ensure parking lots and walkways are safe and clear —your efforts are deeply appreciated! On Monday evening, we welcomed over 160 parents, community members, and staff to the Star Lake/Evergreen campus for our first Portrait of a Graduate design meeting. Participants explored how changes in education, technology, and the workforce impact scholars and discussed ways to empower them for the future. Below are some questions that were answered by our participants. We’d love to hear your thoughts— leave your responses to these guiding questions in the comments! Our next Portrait of a Graduate meeting is December 5 at 5:30 p.m., and we are looking forward to another great night of collaboration and planning.  How do we create experiences that foster student  perception of their ability to shape their own outcomes and future? How do we help our students develop the ability to emotionally connect with others, understand their perspectives, and act accordingly? How do we help students prioritize and navigate all the information  that’s at their fingertips? On Tuesday, we held our second Scholar Advisory, where scholars explored career pathways and provided valuable feedback on improving the  FWPS Course Catalog . The course catalog is available on our website and is a useful resource for families and scholars in planning out their schedules, providing the most up-to-date information on academic programs, graduation requirements, and how each course fits into our career pathways.    As a reminder, next week, we have early dismissal on Wednesday, November 27, before the holiday break — when we come back it will be December! This year is flying by fast, but we have 2 more major events before the year closes.  On December 4, I will share our State of Education presentation with the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. Our business leaders and community partners will learn all about how we are working to achieve our five strategic goals in support of students. And lastly, I invite you to attend our Family Academy: Healthy Minds, Healthy Families on December 12. Sessions will explore the mental, physical, digital, social, and emotional well-being of scholars, including topics about exercise and breathwork, digital safety and anti-bullying, growing fresh foods at home, vaping, and more. It is truly an event with information for families of scholars in every grade. Learn more and register on our  Family Academy page. I hope to see you there.  Again, I hope that everyone is staying safe during these unpredictable weather conditions, and I encourage you to reach out to your schools if you need additional support. We are here to help in any way we can.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Highlights  Education Support Professionals Day! Earlier this week, we celebrated our dedicated classified employees on Education Support Professionals Day. These exceptional team members are essential to our district’s success, working behind the scenes and on the front lines in roles like technical support, maintenance, front office, and classroom assistance.  Their commitment to supporting our scholars’ success is truly appreciated, and we’re grateful for their ongoing contributions that help our students thrive.  Please join us in recognizing and thanking our Education Support Professionals for all they do! 🌟  Substitute Educators Days! Today, we recognize and appreciate the incredible certified and classified substitute teachers who dedicate their time and service to our students, staff, and families at Federal Way Public Schools.    From early morning calls to stepping into classrooms, our substitute educators maintain high standards of learning every day. We also deeply value our classified substitutes, who provide essential support to roles like clerical staff, bus drivers, and nutrition services. Their commitment ensures smooth operations across our schools and district.    Thank you to all our guest staff — your dedication makes a difference! Interested in joining us? Learn more at www.fwps.org/careers .  A Peek Inside the New Illahee! We recently visited the Illahee construction site to see the progress first-hand. The expansive campus will offer middle school students thoughtfully designed spaces conducive to the highest levels of learning. After gearing up in personal protective equipment (PPE), FWPS Capital Projects team members including Michael Swartz, Mike Kwaske, Paula Benz, and Mayela Perez led our team through the main building and gyms while providing details about the building features. One thing to note is that Illahee’s framework is completely wood, unlike the other schools that have been rebuilt thanks to the last passed school construction bond.  Here are some recent progress updates: The ADA ramp and stairs from the football field are complete Emergency vehicle access road received asphalt The main building siding is 95% complete The wood ceiling in the Commons is 50% complete Gym doors and hardware are 50% complete   Last Chance: Parent Survey Closes November 27! Please check your inbox for an email with a link to the parent survey to help us improve your scholar’s educational experience. The survey will be available through November 27, 2024. Calendar Events Early Dismissal November 27, No School November 28 and 29 Please remember that November 27, 2024, 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 28–29, 2024 due to Thanksgiving Break.    We’re excited to share that JTM Construction and Garner Construction WBE have generously donated approximately 250 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 23 at Decatur High School.    Event Details:  📍 Location: Decatur High School, 2800 S.W. 320th Street, Federal Way WA 98023  📅 Date: Saturday, November 23  ⏰ Arrival Time: 10:45 a.m.  🚗 Drive-Through Distribution Begins: 11:00 a.m. (first-come, first-served, while supplies last)    FWPS families are encouraged to arrive promptly at 10:45 a.m. to help ensure a smooth traffic flow during this drive-through event. We look forward to supporting our community and spreading holiday cheer!  Please Join Us! 📢 Join us for Family Academy: Healthy Minds, Healthy Families! Join us at the second Family Academy event of the year, Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success to explore ways to support your child's overall well-being, a major contributing factor to achieving academic success. 📅 When: Thursday, December 12, 6–7:30 p.m.  📍 Where: TAF@Saghalie or via Zoom  Learn how to: 🌱 Grow fresh food for your family  🧘 Practice mindfulness together  💬 Talk to your child about vaping  📊 Foster a growth mindset in math  🛡️ Navigate digital safety  (View all workshop information at www.fwps.org/healthymindshealthyfamilies )  💖  Free childcare, learning lab, dinner, and interpreters are provided in person with pre-registration! Plus, get your passport – attend all 2024-25 Family Academy events and receive a special gift at our end-of-year celebration event!  👉 Reserve your spot today! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER       Fall Early Learning Gathering: December 4, 2024 Calling all early learning professionals and caregivers! Join us in person or on Zoom for the Early Learning Gathering on Wednesday, December 4, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.    This is an opportunity to explore early learning in Federal Way, gather new ideas, and build community connections. The theme is “Creating a Culture of Belonging in Early Learning Spaces.” RSVP with FWPS Early Learning at  preschool@fwps.org or call 253-945-5875. The Zoom link will be emailed to you.  Please feel free to download our Early Learning Gathering Flyer Petition to City Regarding FWHS  Upper Parking Lot Bus Loop Federal Way Public Schools recently submitted a petition requesting that the City of Federal Way vacate the area west of and adjacent to Federal Way High School next to Pacific Highway S. and Jiffy Lube. As many of you know, the school community has been using that area as a bus turnaround and for parking for several decades. However, during the process of constructing Memorial Field, we discovered that the area is technically owned by the City.      There will be no proposed changes to the existing use of the area. We have been working in partnership with the City of Federal Way and are anticipating a positive outcome. We will continue to provide updates as we work through the process with the City of Federal Way.     If you have any questions, concerns, feedback, or would like more information, please reach out to Michael Swartz, Executive Director of Capital Projects at mswartz@fwps.org .  CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar November 22, 2024

Saturday, Nov 23 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - November 15, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News November 15, 2024 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! It’s been another great week here in Federal Way Public Schools. On Tuesday, School Board Director Trudy Davis (District 4) and I spent the morning at Mirror Lake Elementary School. We visited early learning classrooms where they were practicing letters and sounds, and 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms to observe reading practice and turn and talks. We also sat in on an English Language Arts lesson that included an impactful veteran’s story. It was amazing to watch these young scholars so focused on their academics. Keep up the great work, Hawks!  At Tuesday’s school board meeting, we recognized Decatur High School senior Natalia Martin, the recipient of the $5,000 Dave Henderson Education Scholarship from Toys for Kids. Did you know the Class of 2024 earned over $12 million to support their post-graduation goals? There is so much funding available for life after high school, I encourage you to connect with our high school college and career specialists, who can support scholars in scholarships and financial aid applications.  I’m excited for the first Portrait of a Graduate Design Team meeting on Monday, November 18! More than 160 FWPS stakeholders have volunteered their time to help us shape a vision to equip every student with the skills and mindsets needed to thrive in the 21st century. This portrait will be used to inform our education strategy for scholars in grades PreK-12.   I look forward to updating you on the process and sharing the outcomes with you in the spring. A huge shout-out to the Decatur and Federal Way High School football teams for making it to postseason play! DHS faces Mount Tahoma tonight at 7 p.m. at Federal Way Memorial Stadium, and FWHS takes on Roosevelt tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Seattle. Best of luck to both teams! We’re proud of all our fall scholar-athletes for their dedication, teamwork, and sportsmanship on and off the field. We look forward to a great winter sports season. This Saturday, I will be attending the annual Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Gala and Impact Awards! I look forward to celebrating the businesses and community groups that support our scholars through mentorship and entrepreneurship opportunities.  I hope you have a wonderful weekend! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Nine Consecutive Years: FWPS School Board Earns Prestigious Board of Distinction Recognition Congratulations to the FWPS Board of Directors on receiving the Board of Distinction 9 YEARS IN A ROW!  This demonstrates the strong collaboration, dedicated leadership, and a commitment towards closing opportunity gaps and increasing our scholars’ success. Read more about this distinction here.   Celebrating Our School Psychologists: Sparking Discovery and Growth From November 11 to 15, we celebrate National School Psychology Week! A heartfelt thank you goes out to our committed team of school psychologists, who play an essential role in addressing the social and emotional needs of our students. This year's theme “Spark Discovery” highlights the importance of new ideas, affecting change, and expanding horizons for children and youth. Within the school environment, there is so much discovery to spark our scholars! School psychologists assist students while they’re learning, and empowering them to become thriving, confident, and responsible individuals   FWPS Parent Survey Now Open: Help Us Improve Learning for Scholars! Please Complete the Panorama Survey by Wednesday, November 27. Please check your inbox for an email with a link to the parent survey to help us improve your scholar’s educational experience. The survey will be available through November 27, 2024.   📢 Join Us for Family Academy: Healthy Minds, Healthy Families! Join us at the second Family Academy event of the year,  Healthy Minds, Healthy Families: Empowering Families for Scholar Success to explore ways to support your child’s overall well-being, a major contributing factor to achieving academic success. 📅  When: Thursday, December 12, 6–7:30 p.m.  📍  Where: TAF@Saghalie or via Zoom Learn how to: 🌱 Grow fresh food for your family 🧘 Practice mindfulness together 💬 Talk to your child about vaping 📊 Foster a growth mindset in math 🛡️ Navigate digital safety (View all workshop information at  www.fwps.org/healthymindshealthyfamilies )  💖  Free childcare, dinner, and interpreters provided in-person with pre-registration!  Plus, get your passport – attend all 2024-25 Family Academy events and receive a special gift at our end-of-year celebration event! 👉 Reserve your spot today!  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER   School Board Of Directors Recognition: Good News Announcements and Schools Can't Do It Alone 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 Now more than ever, schools can’t do it alone. Thank you to our incredible community partners, Saba Williams and Amazon, for their contribution of 300 backpacks filled with school supplies, to support our scholars, staff, and families in our district. Your commitment to supporting our students and schools is making a meaningful difference in their educational journeys and strengthening our entire community. We truly appreciate your dedication to making a positive impact!   Because of You Award Nominations Now being Accepted! 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 Nominations are due by the end of each month.  Be Present, Be Powerful: Attendance Matters! Every school day counts! Each day your child attends, they gain knowledge, build confidence, and strengthen connections with teachers and peers. When they’re absent, it’s not just lessons they miss—it's opportunities to grow. If you need assistance with attendance, we're here to support you. Connect with your school for guidance, and discover helpful tips at  www.fwps.org/attendance . Let’s work together to ensure every student’s success! Early Release: November 22 This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  November 22 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   As a reminder, all scholars in grades 4-12 can access Tutor.com through Launchpad to Learning. This free supportive resource provides one-on-one tutoring 24 hours per day, seven days per week through a digital platform. Scholars can use text or voice-to-text to work with their tutor.   Please note that this partnership with Tutor.com includes a limited number of tutoring hours. Encourage your student to take advantage of this valuable opportunity for additional support!   Watch this short video to learn more: Tutor.com Overview .   We’re excited to share that JTM Construction and Garner Construction WBE have generously donated approximately  250 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 on Saturday, November 23 at Decatur High School.   Event Details:  📍  Location: Decatur High School, 2800 S.W. 320th Street, Federal Way WA 98023  📅  Date: Saturday, November 23  ⏰  Arrival Time: 10:45 a.m.  🚗  Drive-Through Distribution Begins: 11:00 a.m. (first-come, first-served, while supplies last) FWPS families are encouraged to arrive promptly at 10:45 a.m. to help ensure a smooth traffic flow during this drive-through event. We look forward to supporting our community and spreading holiday cheer! CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar November 15, 2024

Saturday, Nov 16 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - November 8, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News November 8, 2024 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! Greetings Families, Staff and Community, What wonderful fall weather we have been enjoying! This week our schools hosted Student-Led Conferences, a time for scholars to share their academic goals and progress with families, and a chance for families to connect with teachers. Thank you to our families for taking the time to participate.  This week, schools held special assemblies and activities, honoring the contributions of veterans and their families in our community. Rainier View Elementary invited local veterans to attend their assembly on Wednesday, which included performances of The Star-Spangled Banner and The March of the Armed Forces by the Sequoyah Middle School Middle School Band. As a reminder, there is no school on Monday, November 11, in observances of Veterans’ Day.  Last evening, scholars in the first class of Todd Beamer High School’s Academy of Health Science were presented with their white coats, marking the start of their journey to become doctors, nurses or physician assistants. They recited the Pledge of Professionalism, which is similar to the Hippocratic Oath, and shared about their aspirations in the health sciences field. We are so proud of these dedicated scholars who represent the first class in the Todd Beamer High School Academy of Health Science.  We are excited to announce that the 2025 graduation dates, locations, and times have been shared with FWPS seniors and their families. Information about specific schools and programs can be found on our graduation webpage:  FWPS Graduation Information . We look forward to watching our graduates receive their diplomas next June.  I want to give a big congratulations to the Federal Way School Board of Directors, who received the WSSDA Board of Distinction Award for the ninth year in a row. This award recognized the efforts of our school board in the areas of professional development, reducing the opportunity gap, and setting high expectations centered around our Strategic Plan goals.  And lastly, be sure to check out our Parent Survey information below. Your feedback allows us to understand areas where we’re succeeding and act upon areas where we can make improvements. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in our scholars' success.    In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent School Board Corner: November 2024 Greetings FWPS Families and Community, On behalf of the Federal Way School board, I would like to report on the activities of the district and board during the past several weeks.  It has been was a busy October and the first week of November for our School Board filled with opportunities to connect with our students, staff, families and community with school visits and attending district events.   Dir. Davis and Dir. Murphy had a very informative visit to Panther Lake Elementary visiting classrooms, interacting with students and learning about Breakfast in the Classroom. Dir. Morris and Dir. Davis also had the opportunity to visit Sacajawea Middle School, visiting AVID and math classrooms. It is always such a pleasure to visit our schools. In October, FWPS launched the first of five Family Academy events. Dir. Davis and Dir. Murphy dropped in on several sessions covering topics like preparing for the SBA, iReady Math support, language access, digital citizenship and connecting positive behavior structures to the home environment. Additionally, Dir. Phillips attended the annual MSC Multiservice Center fundraising luncheon at the PAEC and was gratified to see all of the support for our community. Dir. Phillips and I had the opportunity visit with representatives from the USDA at Olympic View Elementary. They toured the school’s expansive community garden, observed hands-on lessons and nature activities with the young scholars, and had the amazing opportunity to see the foods the students had harvested from their garden being served in the cafeteria at lunch. It was a wonderful experience for all and was evidence that scholars were engaged and creative thinkers as outlined in Goal Three of our Strategic Plan. The district held a very well received Life After High School event that focused on College and Career next steps with over 1000 participants! The Board is impressed to see this emphasis on Goal Five—Persistence to Graduation.  On November 1, representatives from the Puyallup Tribe visited three schools and were impressed by how the district has creatively integrated Native American cultural elements into learning activities.  At Valhalla Elementary, they saw scholars engaged in Alaskan Native games; at Federal Way High School they learned how Indigenous culinary elements were integrated into the school curriculum; and at Lakota Middle School, the group saw scholars make mint tea from native plants gathered from the school garden. The Board recognizes the work of all the educators who support our scholars in such creative ways and are thankful for our partnership with the Puyallup Tribe. Additionally, the Board would also like to acknowledge that for the ninth year in a row, FWPS Board has been selected to receive the Board of Distinction award from WSSDA--the Washington State School Board Association. The award recognizes the work done during the past year to support students and families in our schools, especially in the areas of mental health and well-being, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support). The award will be presented at the upcoming WSSDA conference in Spokane later this month.  Finally, Scholar Led Conferences have begun this week, and families are hearing about the learning that has taken place with their scholars in support of Goal Two—guiding scholars to become thriving, confident, responsible individuals.  Respectfully,  Dr. Jennifer Jones President, Federal Way School Board   Upcoming School Schedule Reminders NO SCHOOL: Monday, November 11, 2024  In observance of Veterans Day, there will be no school, and the Educational Service Center will be closed to the public, on Monday, November 11, 2024. School and district operations will resume on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.  EARLY RELEASE: Friday, November 15, 2024 As a reminder, Friday, November 15 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: Wednesday, November 27, 2024 Please remember that November 24, 2024, is an early dismissal day. Dismissal times vary, so please visit the  FWPS Bell Schedule webpage to see what time your child's school gets out. Also, there is no school, and the Educational Service Center will be closed on November 28 and 29 for Thanksgiving Break.      FWPS Parent Survey Now Open: Help Us Improve Learning for Scholars! Please Complete the Panorama Survey by Wednesday, November 27. 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 received an email with a link to the survey on Monday, November 4. The survey will be available through November 27, 2024. 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!   Winter Weather Preparation 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   2024-2025 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 Showing Up Matters - Attendance is Key to Success! Every day counts! When students show up, they grow, learn, and thrive. Together, we’re building a culture of attendance that supports each student’s success. Showing up today builds the confidence and skills for tomorrow. Learn more about our attendance policy at  www.fwps.org/attendance CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar November 8, 2024

Saturday, Nov 09 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - November 1, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News November 1, 2024 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! We are now entering the third month of the school year. By this point, our school and district teams have had the opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of our current strategies and identify necessary adjustments to meet every child's unique needs. This process of continuous improvement is a core commitment of FWPS and reflects our dedication to fostering growth in our scholars.   Continuous improvement can take many forms, ranging from small to significant changes. For instance, today we welcomed our tribal partners from the Puyallup Tribe to explore how Native culture, traditions, and history are integrated into our schools. At Valhalla Elementary we watched fifth-grade students try the one-foot high kick and the kneel jump in PE, then visited FWHS where we sampled minty nettles tea created by culinary students, and lastly explored the native plants grown in Lakota Middle School’s garden, as part of the Tend, Gather, Grow curriculum. This was an exciting way to kick off National Native American Heritage Month!   Additionally, on Wednesday, Nutrition Services hosted a taste test at Truman Campus, allowing high school students to share their thoughts on a new taco beef seasoning. Small steps like this not only give students a voice in their educational experience but also enhance their sense of belonging, as they see that their opinions and needs are valued.   We also held the first Parent Advisory to the Superintendent of the school year on Wednesday. I had the pleasure of meeting with a group of parents and guardians representing each school across the district. During our time together, I discussed the launch of this school year, including our continued implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in classrooms. Families provided valuable feedback, which will help us improve. I genuinely appreciate everyone’s input, and I want to share several opportunities for more families, students, and community members to get involved in supporting our continuous improvement efforts:  Join the Portrait of a Graduate Design Team!  Help shape our graduates' future skills and competencies. Over four sessions, staff, students, families, and community members will create a guiding Portrait of a Graduate document for our Strategic Plan. Food, interpreters, and childcare provided.  Sign Up Here!  Attend Scholar-Led Conferences next week!  Meet with your child and their teacher to discuss goals and progress. No school on November 7-8 for conferences. Haven't scheduled? Contact your child's school!  Share feedback through the Parent Survey.  On November 4, share your thoughts on our support in academics, social-emotional health, and more. Watch your inbox and complete the survey by November 27!  It’s important to note that each of you – staff, scholars, families, and community – are valuable partners within the FWPS ecosystem. Together, we can achieve continuous improvement. Whether you are a student attending math tutoring or creating an academic plan to improve your grades at SLCs, or a parent or community member providing input to guide our district’s future decisions, your involvement matters. Thank you for joining us in this work.    In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Announcements Scholar-Led Conferences are November 7-8. Schedule Your Child's Conference Time! This time is dedicated to hearing about your child’s academic goals and progress, and we hope to see each one of you there. To view the available times and schedule your child’s conference, log in to ParentVue and click on “Scholar Led Conferences”. If you have any questions about this process, there are helpful “How To” guides and videos on our website at  www.fwps.org/SLC. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school.  Due to Scholar Led Conferences,  there will be no school on November 7 and 8 . Our goal for these conferences is 100% participation from students and families, and we strongly encourage you and your child to attend. Our families are critical partners in each scholar’s learning. Parents, visit our website for helpful resources:   www.fwps.org/SLC. Throughout the year, be sure to check ParentVue and frequently monitor your child’s progress including attendance, grades, report cards, and schedules at https://grades.fwps.org .     Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month:  Honoring Indigenous Histories, Cultures, and Contributions in FWPS November is National Native American Heritage Month, a time our district and schools celebrate the significant and countless contributions, rich and diverse ancestry, cultures, traditions, and histories of our nation’s first people.   Throughout the month, we’ll be spotlighting stories of our schools to raise awareness and share stories, knowledge and resources and about Indigenous histories, cultures, and traditions throughout our yearly curriculum toward honoring and inviting the truth. We’ll be spotlighting Indigenous stories, traditions, and knowledge across our district. Through curriculum, resources, and shared experiences, FWPS is committed to raising awareness and fostering an understanding of Indigenous histories, cultures, and tradition. Let’s take this time to celebrate and learn together.   Join FWPS in using this time to raise awareness and share stories, knowledge and resources and about Indigenous histories, cultures, and traditions throughout our yearly curriculum toward honoring and inviting the truth.     Would You Like To Help Us Build Our Portrait of a Graduate? This school year, we’re engaging staff, families, scholars, and community members to develop a Portrait of a Graduate in Federal Way Public Schools. A Portrait of a Graduate is a collective vision that articulates our community’s aspirations for every student we serve. Over the next few months, the Portrait Design Team - a group of 100+ staff, families, scholars, and community members – will meet four times and explore the following questions: What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our families, students, staff, and community have for our young people?  What are the skills and mindsets that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?  What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences —and equitable access to those experiences—we provide in our school systems?  Our Portrait Design Team will meet four times, starting in November, to design the Portrait of a Graduate, and each meeting builds upon the other. In the Spring, we’ll take the information generated by the Portrait Design Team and create a common Portrait of a Graduate, which will support our district’s Strategic Plan.     Are you interested in joining the Portrait Design Team?  Please complete this short registration form to learn more:   https://forms.office.com/r/1UDmaNU2P2   Daylight Saving Ends November 3 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 3, 2024. With student safety as our top priority, we remind everyone—students, families, drivers, and community members—that darker mornings and afternoons increase safety risks for all. Low visibility can be hazardous for both pedestrians and drivers, especially near schools. We encourage everyone to stay alert, slow down, and help create a safe environment for everyone.   Take a moment to review safe walking and driving tips with your child to ensure the safety of scholars as they are walking to and from school. Find these tips in our blog post Getting to School Safely: Everyone Plays a Part at  www.fwps.org/everyone-plays-a-part .   2024-2025 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   Make Your Voice Count! Vote by November 5th 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 5, 2024, 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. Remember, Every Day Counts! Attending school every day helps scholars build strong habits, make connections, and reach their goals. Here are some key reminders: Start good attendance habits early – even in preschool! Just 1-2 missed days a month can add up and lead to chronic absence, impacting over 10% of the school year. Mentorship and afterschool programs are proven to help scholars show up more consistently. FWPS is kicking off the Attendance Quest: 100 Days of Excellence challenge next week – encouraging all scholars to show up every day, connect, and achieve their best! For more support visit:  www.fwps.org/attendance .   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 links to the surveys when they open on Monday, November 4. The surveys will be available through November 27, 2024. 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! CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar November 1, 2024

Saturday, Nov 02 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News - October 25, 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News October 25, 2024 Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! This week was filled with several examples of how our district supports scholars and families both in and outside of the classroom!  At the Tuesday night school board meeting at Sacajawea Middle School, Principal Dominique Dennis had students in Mr. Derek Higgins’ 8th-grade math classes demonstrate Building Thinking Classrooms, in which teachers build a classroom community of thinking teams, where each student is involved in the experience of learning math. Strategic routines are designed to support math exploration and curiosity using evidence-based instructional practices, highlighting the importance of student voice.  On Wednesday, we hosted our annual Life After High School event for middle and high school students and families to explore future options. Nearly 1,000 individuals attended the event which featured workshops, covering topics like How to Earn College Credit in High School and Exploring a Career in the Trades, as well as booths representing colleges, military, trades, scholarships, and more.  Last night, families attended our first Family Academy of the year at Sequoyah Middle School which focused on empowering families with tools and resources to support their child’s academic success. It was an evening of collaboration and learning, with sessions on Strategies to Help Your Scholar Succeed on State Exams and Navigating Language Access at FWPS. We look forward to more events like this, with the next one happening on Thursday, Dec. 12 at TAF@Saghalie.  These events would not be possible without the support of our community partners. Thank you for showing up to ensure our scholars and families have the resources they need to succeed!   As a reminder, it’s time for parents to sign up for student-led conferences! If you have any questions about this process, there are helpful videos on our website at  www.fwps.org/SLC . Conference time is dedicated to hearing about your child’s academic goals and progress, and we hope to see each one of you there.   In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Announcements Scholar-Led Conferences are November 7-8. Schedule Your Child's Conference Time! This time is dedicated to hearing about your child’s academic goals and progress, and we hope to see each one of you there. To view the available times and schedule your child’s conference, log in to ParentVue and click on “Scholar Led Conferences”. If you have any questions about this process, there are helpful “How To” guides and videos on our website at  www.fwps.org/SLC. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school.  Due to Scholar Led Conferences,  there will be no school on November 7 and 8 . Our goal for these conferences is 100% participation from students and families, and we strongly encourage you and your child to attend. Our families are critical partners in each scholar’s learning. Parents, visit our website for helpful resources:   www.fwps.org/SLC. Throughout the year, be sure to check ParentVue and frequently monitor your child’s progress including attendance, grades, report cards, and schedules at https://grades.fwps.org .     Would You Like To Help Us Build Our Portrait of a Graduate? This school year, we’re engaging staff, families, scholars, and community members to develop a Portrait of a Graduate in Federal Way Public Schools. A Portrait of a Graduate is a collective vision that articulates our community’s aspirations for every student we serve. Over the next few months, the Portrait Design Team - a group of 100+ staff, families, scholars, and community members – will meet four times and explore the following questions: What are the hopes, dreams, and aspirations that our families, students, staff, and community have for our young people?  What are the skills and mindsets that our children need for success in this rapidly changing and complex world?  What are the implications for the design of the learning experiences —and equitable access to those experiences—we provide in our school systems?  Our Portrait Design Team will meet four times, starting in November, to design the Portrait of a Graduate, and each meeting builds upon the other. In the Spring, we’ll take the information generated by the Portrait Design Team and create a common Portrait of a Graduate, which will support our district’s Strategic Plan.     Are you interested in joining the Portrait Design Team?  Please complete this short registration form to learn more:   https://forms.office.com/r/1UDmaNU2P2   Schools Can't Do It Alone Now more than ever, schools can’t do it alone. Thank you to our incredible community partner, the Turner & Townsend Heery team for their generous support of Federal Way Public Schools through a $1,500 donation for back-to-school backpack supplies. Your contribution helps equip our scholars with the tools they need to succeed, setting them up for a fantastic school year ahead. We truly appreciate your dedication to making a positive impact. Early Release: Friday, November 1 This is a friendly reminder that Friday, November 1 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 . National Pedestrian Safety Month As daylight decreases in the coming weeks, it’s crucial to remind everyone how we can work together to keep our FWPS community safe as they walk, bike, or roll to and from school.  We're proud to continue our safety light distribution for scholars who don’t receive school transportation, a practice we started last year to improve student visibility in neighborhoods and along main roads.  To learn more about our safety efforts, visit our School Safety and Security page , and watch the FWPS Pedestrian Safety Video !  Attendance Awareness Be Present! Be Powerful! Every day counts in building scholar success!   Attending school regularly helps scholars stay on track, build their skills, and strengthen their sense of connection and belonging. When students attend consistently, they won’t miss out on fun educational opportunities, and they’re better prepared for future learning and success. Learn more about how to support your scholar’s attendance journey at www.fwps.org/attendance . Let’s keep the momentum going—make every day count!      👏  Good News Announcements: October 22, 2024 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. News Stories FWPS Scholars Explore Life After High School at Wednesday's College and Career Fair On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) hosted its annual Life After High School College and Career Fair at Federal Way High School, continuing its commitment to ensuring scholars are college and career-ready. The fair, designed for middle and high school scholars, has traditionally drawn hundreds of attendees, and this week’s event was no different with almost 1,000 individuals in attendance. Scholars and their families were able to connect with representatives from over 50 post-secondary institutions including 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, apprenticeships , trade schools, military, and other options to pursue following high school graduation. READ THE STORY   Deep Engagement at Family Academy It feels so good to be back! Yesterday, we held our first Family Academy event of the school year, Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families at Sequoyah Middle School and on Zoom. During the event, families gathered information on topics ranging from SBA assessments, artificial intelligence, Scholar-Led Conferences, and more.    Thanks to all who came! We’re #FWPSProud to offer these types of events for collaboration and connection among schools and families and look forward to providing more opportunities for genuine family engagement over the year and beyond. Evergreen MS IGNITE Students Visit F5 On Tuesday, October 8th, 2024, scholars from Evergreen Middle School embarked on an exciting STEM career exploration field trip to the F5 Tower in Downtown Seattle. This event, organized by IGNITE and Evergreen counselor Gil Simmons, was part of DiscoverU week and designed to inspire students about careers in technology while connecting them with a dedicated team of F5 volunteers. Following the visit, 75% of the students shared they gained perspective and felt more hopeful about the future. READ THE STORY Illahee Middle School Construction Updates The crews at Illahee are making steady progress on the new school - and these last couple of weeks show there is no slowing down! Here are the latest updates: At the site, parent and bus drop-off loops are now paved, the softball grass is starting to grow, and 50% of the concrete stairs from the football field to the building are poured. At the main building, sheetrock is complete throughout, interior painting and wall coverings are about 90% complete, and 90% of roof solar panels have been installed. And finally, at the gym, wall pads and panels are 90% complete, as are the restroom floor tiles, and the mat hoist in the aux gym has been installed. Stay tuned for a video update in the next couple of weeks! CONTACT Federal Way Public Schools 33330 8th Avenue S Federal Way, WA 98003 253-945-2000 comments@fwps.org LINKS AND RESOURCES Language Access Plan Employment ParentVUE School Year Calendar School Menus STAY CONNECTED Facebook Instagram X (Formerly Twitter) YouTube Peachjar October 25, 2024

Saturday, Oct 26 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News: October 18, 2024

    Federal Way Public Schools News   |    October 18, 2024            Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! Fall is in full swing with cooler weather, turning leaves, and shorter days. That means it's also time for homecoming—a special tradition for our high schools. Today at 4 p.m., Todd Beamer High School hosted Federal Way High School for their homecoming football game, with the homecoming dance set for tomorrow night. We’re excited for the memories our scholars will create with friends during these fun and meaningful activities. On Wednesday, we hosted our first Scholar Advisory of the year at the Educational Service Center—an event I always look forward to because it allows us to hear directly from our scholars and gather valuable feedback. Scholars from grades 6-12 meet monthly to discuss important topics and learn about district achievements, such as the implementation of our social emotional curriculum, Character Strong, and the record number of scholars earning the Seal of Biliteracy in 2024. This week, their insights  focused on the new WEB and Link Crew programs, which were introduced to support incoming 6th and 9th graders. Their feedback will be instrumental in shaping next year’s transition plans, and I’m eager to continue learning from their experiences. I want to encourage our middle and high school families, whether your scholar is still exploring options or has a clear vision for life after high school, to attend our  Life After High School event at Federal Way High School next Wednesday evening. There will be booths showcasing 2- and 4-year colleges, military academies, apprenticeships, and trade schools. Join workshops and listen to panel discussions. Scholars will also have the opportunity to get help with their High School and Beyond Plan. This event has guided thousands of FWPS scholars toward their future so don’t miss out! And lastly, our first  Family Academy of the year is taking place next Thursday evening at Sequoyah Middle School from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. These events are open to all FWPS families and feature different topics centered around supporting student success. The focus of this session is creating an in-depth understanding of grade-level curriculum, assessments, and district resources to support academic success. We hope you will join us for this opportunity to connect with other parents, school staff, and community organizations. Have a wonderful weekend!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Next Week, Plan Your Future at Life After High School! Next Wednesday, October 23, join us at the annual Life After High School College and Career Fair from 6-8 p.m. at Federal Way High School!  At the event, middle and high school scholars can explore post-secondary options by talking to various college, apprenticeship, military, and trade school representatives. Several workshops and panel discussions will also be available to help students learn more about paying for college, college applications, direct college admission programs, working in the trades, playing sports in college, and so much more!  If you would like help with the High School and Beyond Plan or creating your Federal Student Aid (FSA) account, a staffed open lab will be available to support the completion of this list of important items. Don’t miss the opportunity to plan for life after high school! View the full program, including participating booth partners, workshops, and panels at www.fwps.org/LAHS WATCH THE PROMO VIDEO !                         Last chance to register for Family Academy!  The first Family Academy event of the school year is next Thursday, October 24! We invite all FWPS families to join us to foster a deep understanding of the tools and resources available in the district that can promote your student's academic success! Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 6-8 pm  Sequoyah Middle School (or Zoom!)  3425 S 360th St, Auburn, WA 98001 Here’s what’s included!  A range of workshops about SLCs, artificial intelligence, language access, individual education plans, assessments, and more!  Dinner, childcare for children ages 5 and older*, a STEM Lab*, and interpreter services*  Save your seat by registering today: REGISTER NOW *Requires pre-registration. Early Release: October 25, 2024   This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  October 25, 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 Each day you show up matters: Attendance is part of the scholar success equation! Building a habit of regular attendance sets scholars up for success! Each day at school builds their skills, knowledge, and confidence. Explore ways to support your scholar’s attendance journey at www.fwps.org/attendance . Let’s make every day count!  FWPS HIGHLIGHTS: Stories You Don't Want to Miss! Check out this great articles from our schools! National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month Recap: Meredith Hill and TJHS Celebrate “La Hispanidad” Disability History and Awareness Month Spotlight: ETP scholars share dreams and experiences with Wildwood Functional Core Program DiscoverU Week Was a Success! USDA’s FNCS Tours Olympic View’s Garden to Cafeteria Program Scholar-Led Conferences November 7 and 8 Sign up for your child's conference time!  This time is dedicated to hearing about your child’s academic goals and progress, and we hope to see each one of you there. To view the available times and schedule your child’s conference, log into ParentVue and click on “Scholar Led Conferences.” If you have any questions about this process, there are helpful “How To” guides and videos on our website at  www.fwps.org/SLC . If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s school. Due to Scholar Led Conferences, there will be no school on November 7 and 8. Our goal for these conferences is 100% participation from students and families, and we strongly encourage you and your child to attend.   Our families are critical partners in each scholar’s learning. Parents, visit our website for helpful resources:   www.fwps.org/SLC . Throughout the year, be sure to check ParentVue and frequently monitor your child’s progress including attendance, grades, report cards, and schedules at https://grades.fwps.org . TURF, TURF, AND MORE TURF! Thomas Jefferson’s athletic fields are still receiving improvements. The latest focus has been getting the softball field complete, which includes an abundance of turf and groundwork to invite grass to the area. We’ve captured the progress in pictures: Turf installation is complete at the softball field batting cage Grading work around the batting cage is almost finished and ready for landscapers to hydroseed Turf installation at the bullpen is just about done Along with the work at the softball field, crews continue working on the stormwater system with backfilling around the underground injection control (UIC) wells. We’re happy to know the softball field will be ready for play by the spring and know that the Raider softball team will appreciate the enhancements! Thank you, voters, for giving our scholars a top-notch school and fields. National School Bus Safety Week! October 21 through 25 marks the start of National School Bus Safety Week! Help prepare your scholar to be safe, responsible, and respectful on the bus. View our safety tips at www.fwps.org/BusSafety . Continuing Digital Citizenship As we wrap up Digital Citizenship Week, we’d like to remind you of resources available to your family to help you navigate and manage the many online and technological influences that saturate our daily lives. Our partner Common Sense Media, offers a robust library of articles and guides that touch on everything including online bullying, building character with media, gaming, protecting your online privacy, and more. Here are some links to get you started: Parents’ Ultimate Guides Family Tech Planners App Reviews Game Reviews To learn more about our district’s commitment to supporting safe, legal, and ethical digital use at https://www.fwps.org/programs-and-services/technology-resources/social-media-resources-for-families . October 18, 2024

Saturday, Oct 19 2024

Federal Way Public Schools News: October 11, 2024

    Federal Way Public Schools News   |    October 11, 2024            Greetings Families, Staff, and Community! This week, scholars and staff across FWPS participated in DiscoverU Week, an annual regional event that supports college and career exploration. Each day of the week focused on a different way for scholars to think about their futures. I had the opportunity to host a booth at Twin Lakes Elementary’s career fair, alongside police officers, dentists, concrete masons, musicians, and nurse practitioners. Listening to the dreams our scholars have for their futures is truly inspiring, and I was happy to share the role a superintendent has in their education.  Be sure to check out our social media pages for pictures and stories highlighting how our schools participated in DiscoverU Week.  Earlier this week, Olympic View K-8 welcomed USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services (FNCS) Deputy Under Secretary Cindy Long and her team to observe the School Garden to Cafeteria program. The visit showcased how the program is being implemented, with students planting, tending, and harvesting produce that is then shared in the cafeteria. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the work of Olympic View staff and students, and the district’s commitment to classroom learning centered around real-world applications in agriculture, sustainability, and food science. We also had a lot to celebrate this week! Did you know we have a School’s Can’t Do It Alone section of our School Board of Directors meetings, where we recognize community partners and organizations that have supported our scholars? At the Tuesday night board meeting at Wildwood Elementary, we recognized Red Canoe Credit Union, We Love Our City Federal Way, FORMA Construction, and King County Green Schools Program for their contributions of school supplies, dishwashers, and reusable lunch trays. And on Wednesday, we celebrated TAF@Saghalie, as they received a Schools on the Rise Award from the Association of Washington School Principals. The award recognizes the school’s work in creating student-adult collaboration opportunities that have led to a positive school culture. Congratulations to Principal Christina Spencer, Assistant Principal Alanna McCorkle, staff, and scholars at TAF@Saghalie for your amazing work.    We look forward to what next week will bring! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent 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 Now more than ever, schools can’t do it alone. Thank you to our incredible community partners, Red Canoe Credit Union, We Love Our City Federal Way, FORMA Construction, and King County Green Schools Program for their contributions to support our scholars, staff, and families in our district. Read more about their contributions here . Early Release: October 18, 2024   This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  October 18 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 Attendance Awareness:  Regular attendance helps scholars feel more connected and boosts their confidence! Discover strategies to support your scholar in building strong attendance habits at www.fwps.org/attendance . Remember, every day counts! #AttendanceMatters #SchoolEveryDay DiscoverU Week Was a Success! This week, PreK-12th grade FWPS scholars participated in DiscoverU Week! Each day offered a different theme to allow scholars to explore college and career opportunities in our region and beyond. It was a joy to see our scholars plan for their bright futures!  Check out all the ways our schools celebrated DiscoverU Week in the full recap at www.fwps.org/DiscoverUWeek2024 Upcoming Events College & Career Fair, October 23   Life After High School: October 23 It’s important to provide scholars with a chance to explore college and career options before high school graduation. To support Goal 5 of our strategic plan, Persistence to Graduation: High School Graduation Through Successful Transitions, we are proud to invite middle and high school scholars and their families to the annual in- person college and career fair.   Mark your calendar to attend the Life After High School college and career fair Wednesday, October 23, from 6-8 p.m. at Federal Way High School. Scholars can visit booths featuring two- and four-year colleges and universities, military academies, apprenticeship programs, trade schools, and more.   There will also be workshops and panels, including: Get Money for College (English and Spanish) Getting Ready for Post-Secondary Private Colleges Are Affordable NCAA and Playing Sports in College How to Earn College Credit in High School Through CTE Get Money for College (English and Spanish) Exploring a Career in Healthcare The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Experience  and, more!   In addition, an open lab will be available to support scholars and families in completing the High School and Beyond Plan and creating a Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID.   Learn more at www.fwps.org/LAHS .  Family Academy, October 24 Family Academy: October 24 Do you want to learn about the resources available in FWPS to support your child’s academic success?   Join us in person or through Zoom at the first Family academy event of the year to foster an in-depth understanding of grade-level curriculum, assessments, and district resources. Free childcare, dinner, and interpreter services are available for those who attend in person!   Innovate, Collaborate, Educate: Learning Beyond the Classroom for Future-Ready Families Thursday, October 24, 2024 6-7:30 pm Sequoyah Middle School 3425 S 360th St Auburn, WA 98003   REGISTER NOW!   During the event, attend up to two of the following workshops: Guiding Your Child to Success: Making the Most of SLCs Artificial Intelligence: Is It Plagiarism? Solving Together: Building Mathematical Thinkers at Home From Barriers to Bridges: Navigating Language Access at FWPS Test Ready: Strategies to Help Your Child Succeed on State Exams How to Use Media and Tech to Build Life Skills in Young Kids From School to Home: Extending PBIS Beyond the Classroom IEP Essentials: Navigating Special Education for Your Child’s Success Learn more and register at www.fwps.org/familyacademy/register .    2024 National School Lunch Week, October 14-18 Digital Citizenship Week, October 14-18 Digital Citizenship Week is next week! Look out for resources to help promote safe, responsible use of technology and social media for your child. We'll be sharing tips and resources you can use all year long. 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:   https://www.fwps.org/programs-and-services/technology-resources/#fs-panel-35562   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!  Construction Update: Illahee Middle School Each week brings us closer to a completed Illahee Middle School! Updates are plentiful - so much has been done since our last update! The parent and bus drop-off bus loop and courtyard have been graded and prepped for asphalt Hardi plank siding on the main building is 75% complete Solar panels on the roof have been installed and are 50% complete All interior sheetrock is installed and nearly done being mudded Interior painting and wall coverings are halfway done Lockers have been installed at the gym And, so much more! We can't wait to finally see the new building and know everyone will be thrilled with the final result! 10.11.2024

Saturday, Oct 12 2024