Federal Way Public Schools News - August 15, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News August 15, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, It’s an exciting time in Federal Way Public Schools! All our school offices are now open and the countdown to the first day of school has begun. Families, our schools will be hosting back to school activities over the next two weeks, so please keep an eye out for information through ParentSquare about these fun events.    This week also marked the kickoff of K Camp with Green Gables elementary welcoming first-time scholars to class. These incoming kindergarteners explored their school, made new friends, and enjoyed activities like listening to the book, Monstergarten, by Daniel Mahoney, and making their own “monster-garten” during art time. Over the next few weeks, our elementary schools will be providing opportunities for our new scholars to visit their classrooms and become comfortable in their new learning environment.  And over at Star Lake Elementary, volunteers including families, scholars, and Americorps team members, came together to get the school garden ready for students this fall. The team worked hard to lay down weed-suppressing materials and fresh wood chips, creating a welcoming space for learning and exploration. What a great community-building activity!  This Tuesday, our building principals, assistant principals, deans, and district leaders gathered for our All Admin Retreat. This is a powerful time for us to focus on creating even more opportunities for our scholars. We reviewed last year’s data, reflected on the systems we have in place to support both teaching staff and students, and identified where we can strengthen our approach. The energy and collaboration were inspiring, and our school administrators carried this momentum into the rest of the week as they continued planning for a school year full of growth, achievement, and success for every scholar.   Our FWPS Team had a great time visiting with so many of you this past Saturday at Town Square Park for the City of Federal Way Community Festival. We will be at the Federal Way Farmers Market tomorrow, August 16, and next Saturday, August 23, to answer questions and share information about the upcoming school year.   Thank you to everyone who has already completed their  online registration and verification , which opened August 1. This step provides schools with vital student, family, medical, and emergency contact information, and must be completed before your scholar’s first day of school on September 2. Now that school offices are open, families can connect directly with their child’s school for any support needed to get it done.  And finally, if you haven’t had a chance to check out our  Back To School Resource Hub , it is the most up-to-date place to find information like school supplies, bus routes which will be available Aug. 21, childcare options, bell schedules, our updated cell phone and electronic device policy, and so much more. We’ve also added new articles to check out including:   Curbing Curiosity: Q&A about Middle School Do These 5 Things Now to Prepare for Life After High School A Walk Through the First Day of Kindergarten New School Year, New Cell Phone Rules The energy and excitement continues to build, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone back for a fantastic school year! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Enrollment and Verification is Now Open!   Act now to complete this important process by September 2 to ensure your child can start school on time. ONLINE ENROLLMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS ANNUAL VERIFICATION FOR RETURING STUDENTS During enrollment and verification, you will: Add/update family and emergency contact information, medical information, and address verification Review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, which contains several important updates Review FERPA selections And more Remember, starting today, returning families that have not completed annual verification will receive auto-reminders until the process is completed or through September 10.   🚌 NEW: Transportation Registration Families with children eligible for school bus transportation must now opt in during the annual enrollment and verification process to receive a bus assignment. This new step helps ensure accurate routing and efficient use of district resources. To learn more about what’s new this school year, visit www.fwps.org/whats-new-2025-26 . Back to School Resource Hub Now Available! The first day of school for grades K-12 is Tuesday, September 2. Make sure you have all the information needed for a great start to a fantastic year by checking out the  Back to School Resource Hub : Bell Times Bus Routes (Available August 21) Childcare (Before and After School) Enrollment and Verification (Complete by September 2) Getting to School Safely Immunization Requirements ParentVUE (Courses, Grades, etc.) Who to Contact Guide Breakfast and Lunch Menus School Supplies School Year Calendar   You can also find information about what’s new in FWPS, articles to help you prepare for the school year, and more! Explore the FWPS Back to School Resource Hub   Have an incoming kindergartener? Check out this helpful article! Whether your child has attended preschool, childcare, or participated in FWPS Kindergarten Jumpstart, the first official day of kindergarten is a meaningful milestone. It’s an exciting time filled with possibility, new friendships, new routines, and new discoveries. But for many families, it can also come with questions and nervous energy about what to expect.  Read more: A Walk Through The First Day of Kindergarten   Class of 2026 students and families, senior year is here! It’s an exciting time filled with milestones, decisions, and celebrations. But between the fun of senior photos, cap and gown orders, and planning for life after high school, it can also feel a little overwhelming.  That’s why we’ve pulled together this essential guide to help you stay focused, organized, and ready to cross that graduation stage in June 2026.  Read more:   Class of 2026: Navigating Senior Year Silence It. Store It. Stay Focused on Learning: FWPS Launches Updated Cell Phone Policy This school year, Federal Way Public Schools is implementing an updated cell phone policy to help scholars stay focused on learning and build stronger in-person connections throughout the school day.  By reducing distractions, we can create an environment where students are more engaged in class, participate fully in activities, and strengthen relationships with their peers and teachers. For secondary students, cell phone use will be permitted only during designated lunch periods. At all other times during the school day, devices should be turned off, silences or set to Do Not Disturb, and stored away. We've put together an article,  New School Year, New Cell Phone Rules , to help you navigate this shift in practice with your scholars.  We appreciate the partnership in implementing this policy and look forward to the positive, distraction-free learning environments it will create for our scholars. Additional policy details and view answers to frequently asked questions can be found on our Cell Phone Policy page. Middle School Schedule for District-Wide Consistency We're proud to introduce a new daily schedule at all FWPS middle schools, featuring dedicated intervention and learning exploration for increased support and equitable course offerings.   All middle school students will participate in an assigned Intervention or Enhancement which will be called Level Up Time during daily Advisory, enabling increased math and reading targeted instruction and opportunities to engage in above grade-level opportunities.   This mandatory 42-minute daily elective period along with the expansion of how many electives students can take each year, from one or two to three or four, provides more opportunities than ever to explore diverse interests and develop new skills throughout middle school.  We’re excited about the opportunities this new schedule will provide for each middle school scholar while reinforcing our commitment to supporting students through challenging and enriching learning experiences. Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app? FWPS uses ParentSquare, an all-in-one messaging system to share important information with families via email, app, text, and/or voice call. With ParentSquare, families can: Receive all district, school, and classroom communications View the school calendar RSVP for upcoming events Customize notification preferences Receive messages in their home language And more! To get the most out of ParentSquare, families are encouraged to claim their account and/or download the ParentSquare app. In August, families who have not yet claimed their accounts will receive a reminder email prompting them to log in and set their notification preferences. Get ahead and download the app today to get started! Meet Us at the Farmers Market on August 16! We had a great time connecting with our community at the Federal Way Community Festival last week! Keep the conversations going and visit us at the Federal Way Farmers Market tomorrow, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Commons Mall.  Learn about academics, job opportunities, ways to get involved, get support with enrollment/verification, and more. See you there! 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 August 15, 2025

Saturday, Aug 16 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - August 8, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News August 8, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, We are officially in Back to School season! Over the next few weeks, our district will be diving into staff retreats and training, back-to-school events, and final preparations to welcome scholars back to our buildings on Tuesday, September 2.  On Wednesday, our FWPS team had a blast connecting with scholars and families at the City of Federal Way’s Kids Day at Steel Lake Park. When we asked scholars what they were most excited about for the upcoming school year, their answers were full of joy and anticipation. They talked about everything from doing math, seeing friends, and starting third grade to visiting last year’s teacher, enjoying recess, and reading great books. I can tell you we are excited about all those things too. If you missed us at Kids Day, we will be at the Federal Way Community Festival tomorrow at Town Square Park. Stop by and see us!  On Thursday, we hosted our annual Leadership Retreat, bringing together department and program leaders from across the district to strengthen leadership practices, celebrate accomplishments, and reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring every scholar in Federal Way Public Schools has the opportunity to achieve their dreams. It was an energizing time to reconnect and focus on scholar success. Next Tuesday, we’ll gather our building principals and assistant principals for All Admin professional development, centered on equipping every scholar with the support and opportunities they need to succeed. I’m honored to collaborate with such dedicated leaders who are deeply committed to helping each child reach their fullest potential.   As a reminder, Enrollment and Verification are now open! If you haven’t already, please complete this process to ensure your child is ready to start school on time. Our school offices will be open and available for support starting Tuesday, August 12. You can also contact FWPS Enrollment Support at grades@fwps.org, or by phone at  253-945-2100.   Don’t forget to check out our  Back to School Resource Hub on the FWPS website. It’s the best place to start your back-to-school planning. You’ll find:  School Year Calendar Cell Phone Policy Information Childcare Resources Safe Walking Tips Bell Schedules And more! I hope you’ll continue to follow along as we share more information and resources leading up to the first day of school! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Enrollment and Verification is Now Open!   Enrollment and Verification is Now Open!   Act now to complete this important process by September 2 to ensure your child can start school on time. ONLINE ENROLLMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS ANNUAL VERIFICATION FOR RETURING STUDENTS During enrollment and verification, you will: Add/update family and emergency contact information, medical information, and address verification Review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, which contains several important updates Review FERPA selections And more Remember, starting today, returning families that have not completed annual verification will receive auto-reminders until the process is completed or through September 10.   🚌 NEW: Transportation Registration Families with children eligible for school bus transportation must now opt in during the annual enrollment and verification process to receive a bus assignment. This new step helps ensure accurate routing and efficient use of district resources. To learn more about what’s new this school year, visit www.fwps.org/whats-new-2025-26 . Back to School Resource Hub Now Available! The first day of school for grades K-12 is Tuesday, September 2. Make sure you have all the information needed for a great start to a fantastic year by checking out the  Back to School Resource Hub : Bell Times Bus Routes (Available August 21) Childcare (Before and After School) Enrollment and Verification (Complete by September 2) Getting to School Safely Immunization Requirements ParentVUE (Courses, Grades, etc.) Who to Contact Guide Breakfast and Lunch Menus School Supplies School Year Calendar   You can also find information about what’s new in FWPS, articles to help you prepare for the school year, and more! Explore the FWPS Back to School Resource Hub   🚌 Immunizations All scholars must have be in compliance with the law by providing up-to-date immunization records, a certificate of exemption, or conditional status to attend school. There are special immunization requirements for children starting preschool, kindergarten, and 7th grade. Please take time to read through these requirements so you have time to  prepare! Learn more at www.fwps.org/immunizations .    📝 Building Better Habits for Success Habits have an incredible impact on your life. Whether good, bad, or in-between, habits can impact social, emotional, and physical health, relationships, life opportunities, and self-confidence. They can also impact a child’s ability to perform well in school. Luckily, poor habits can always be changed for the better, and according to psychology experts, there is no better time to tweak habits than at the start of something new to serve as a launching pad. With the 2025-26 school year just around the corner, you have a chance to build better habits that can produce positive outcomes throughout the school year.  Learn about our short list of the most powerful habits students can form and ways to get started, backed up by subject experts. Read the blog:  www.fwps.org/building-better-habits   Updated Cell Phone Policy Launching This School Year Silence It. Store It. Stay Focused on Learning This school year, Federal Way Public Schools is implementing an updated cell phone policy to help scholars stay focused on learning and build stronger in-person connections throughout the school day.  By reducing distractions, we can create an environment where students are more engaged in class, participate fully in activities, and strengthen relationships with their peers and teachers.  For secondary students, cell phone use will be permitted only during designated lunch periods. At all other times during the school day, devices should be turned off, silences or set to Do Not Disturb, and stored away.  You can learn more about the policy details and view answers to frequently asked questions on our  Cell Phone Policy page. Fill the Canoe Backpack Drive is Underway!  🎒 Now through August 15, help FWPS students gear up for a great school year by donating backpacks or making a monetary gift. Every donation is matched dollar for dollar by Red Canoe Credit Union, doubling your impact for local scholars! Together, we can ensure every student starts strong.  Give today: https://www.fillthecanoe.com/donate 2025-26 Choice Post-Lottery Enrollment Application Closes August 29 The Post-lottery Choice enrollment application is open from May 1 – August 29. The application is open to all residents of Federal Way Public Schools and also residents of other districts.  For more information, or to submit your online application, visit www.fwps.org/Choice . Summer Hours The District’s Educational Service Center (ESC) will be open to the public during the summer, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. School Office Hours Elementary and K-8 schools:  Elementary and K-8 school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 12, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with limited support. School offices will be fully staffed and available for support services by August 25. Middle schools:  Middle school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 12, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. High schools:  Starting the week of July 9th, offices will be open on Wednesdays with limited support and diploma pick-up, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (July 9, 16, 23, 30).  High school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 1, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. If you need assistance during the time schools are closed, please contact the district office at 253-945-2000. Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app? FWPS uses ParentSquare, an all-in-one messaging system to share important information with families via email, app, text, and/or voice call. With ParentSquare, families can: Receive all district, school, and classroom communications View the school calendar RSVP for upcoming events Customize notification preferences Receive messages in their home language And more! To get the most out of ParentSquare, families are encouraged to claim their account and/or download the ParentSquare app. In August, families who have not yet claimed their accounts will receive a reminder email prompting them to log in and set their notification preferences. Get ahead and download the app today to get started! FWPS Engages with the Community: Kids Day Recap & See You at the Federal Way Community Festival! We had a fantastic time connecting with our community at Kids Day earlier this week! We’re excited to keep the momentum going and see you all again tomorrow at the Federal Way Community Festival.  Join us on August 9 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Square Park. Come learn about academics, job opportunities, ways to get involved, get support with enrollment/verification, and more. Let’s continue building our future together! 💙✨ 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 August 8, 2025

Saturday, Aug 09 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - August 1, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News August 1, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, I am so excited that we have reached August because it means we are that much closer to welcoming all our scholars back to the classroom. The next four weeks will be full of exciting activities as we greet new to FWPS staff members, finish summer projects, and engage in professional development opportunities that continue to strengthen our ability to support our students and families. I have one very important update for you. Online Enrollment and Verification re-opened for families today! Before the first day of school, all families are asked to log in to ParentVUE to review and verify their child’s information, including contact details, address, medical info, and more. This is also the time to acknowledge the annual Rights and Responsibilities Handbook , which outlines important district policies that support a safe and productive learning environment for scholars and staff. Check out the  Enrollment Page for more information.  I also encourage you to check out the  FWPS Back-To-School Resource Hub, where you will find helpful information related to the school year bell schedules, transportation information, childcare resources, and the school-year calendar. I also encourage you to check out our blog posts:  Get Ahead with This School Year Checklist A Walk Through the First Day of Kindergarten What Parents Need to Know About the Fifth-to-Sixth Transition We will share more information through ParentSquare and social media as the month goes on, so be sure to keep an eye on your email, our website , and our Facebook and  Instagram pages.  Over the next two weeks you’ll see us out at fun community events like the City of Federal Way’s Kid’s Day event at Steel Lake Park on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Community Festival at Town Square Park on Saturday, Aug. 9, and the Federal Way Farmer’s Market on Aug. 9 and 16, where we’ll be sharing information about the new school year, providing support with enrollment and verification, and more. I hope to see you at one of these events before the new school year starts! In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Enrollment and Verification is Now Open!   Act now to complete this important process by September 2 to ensure your child can start school on time. ONLINE ENROLLMENT FOR NEW STUDENTS ANNUAL VERIFICATION FOR RETURING STUDENTS During enrollment and verification, you will: Add/update family and emergency contact information, medical information, and address verification Review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, which contains several important updates Review FERPA selections And more   🚌 Transportation Registration Families with children eligible for school bus transportation must now opt in during the annual enrollment and verification process to receive a bus assignment. This new step helps ensure accurate routing and efficient use of district resources. To learn more about what’s new this school year, visit www.fwps.org/whats-new-2025-26 . Back to School Resource Hub Now Available! The first day of school for grades K-12 is Tuesday, September 2. Make sure you have all the information needed for a great start to a fantastic year by checking out the  Back to School Resource Hub : Bell Times Bus Routes (Available August 21) Childcare (Before and After School) Enrollment and Verification (Complete by September 2) Getting to School Safely Immunization Requirements ParentVUE (Courses, Grades, etc.) Who to Contact Guide Breakfast and Lunch Menus School Supplies School Year Calendar   You can also find information about what’s new in FWPS, articles to help you prepare for the school year, and more! Explore the FWPS Back to School Resource Hub   🚌 Immunizations All scholars must have be in compliance with the law by providing up-to-date immunization records, a certificate of exemption, or conditional status to attend school. There are special immunization requirements for children starting preschool, kindergarten, and 7th grade. Please take time to read through these requirements so you have time to  prepare! Learn more at www.fwps.org/immunizations .  📝 10 Tips for the School Year The school year is right around the corner. To prepare, we’ve compiled some important items to check off your list before the first day of school. Check out the blog post Get Ahead with This School Year  Checklist to learn more! https://www.fwps.org/school-year-checklist Introducing SchooLinks! ✌  Say good-bye to MaiaLearning and hello to SchooLinks!  👋 FWPS is proud to join other school districts across Washington to implement SchooLinks, an online college and career readiness platform, to prepare students for what comes after graduation and support completion of the High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) and other graduation requirements. SchooLinks will help students in grades 6-12 discover their interests, skills, and strengths, explore careers and colleges, and create an individualized career and academic plan to prepare them for post-secondary goals. Learn more about what’s new this year at www.fwps.org/backtoschool . Fill the Canoe Backpack Drive is Underway!  🎒 Now through August 15, help FWPS students gear up for a great school year by donating backpacks or making a monetary gift. Every donation is matched dollar for dollar by Red Canoe Credit Union, doubling your impact for local scholars! Together, we can ensure every student starts strong.  Give today: https://www.fillthecanoe.com/donate 2025-26 Choice Post-Lottery Enrollment Application Closes August 29 The Post-lottery Choice enrollment application is open from May 1 – August 29. The application is open to all residents of Federal Way Public Schools and also residents of other districts.  For more information, or to submit your online application, visit www.fwps.org/Choice . Summer Hours The District’s Educational Service Center (ESC) will be open to the public during the summer, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. School Office Hours Elementary and K-8 schools:  Elementary and K-8 school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 12, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. with limited support. School offices will be fully staffed and available for support services by August 25. Middle schools:  Middle school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 12, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. High schools:  Starting the week of July 9th, offices will be open on Wednesdays with limited support and diploma pick-up, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (July 9, 16, 23, 30).  High school offices will reopen to serve scholars and families beginning August 1, Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. If you need assistance during the time schools are closed, please contact the district office at 253-945-2000. Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app? FWPS uses ParentSquare, an all-in-one messaging system to share important information with families via email, app, text, and/or voice call. With ParentSquare, families can: Receive all district, school, and classroom communications View the school calendar RSVP for upcoming events Customize notification preferences Receive messages in their home language And more! To get the most out of ParentSquare, families are encouraged to claim their account and/or download the ParentSquare app. In August, families who have not yet claimed their accounts will receive a reminder email prompting them to log in and set their notification preferences. Get ahead and download the app today to get started! Join Federal Way Public Schools at upcoming community events this August! Connect with us to learn about enrollment and verification support, back-to-school resources, job opportunities, and ways to get involved. 📍 Kid’s Day – August 6 at Steel Lake Park 📍 Federal Way Community Festival – August 9 at Town Square Park 📍 Farmers Market – August 16 at The Commons Mall We look forward to seeing you there! 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 August 1, 2025

Saturday, Aug 02 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - July 25, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News July 25, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, It’s hard to believe we celebrated the completion of summer learning yesterday! I’ve been inspired by the students and staff who have continued to engage in meaningful learning experiences over the past month, including reading, math, art, music, and so much more. Student athletes are also participating in summer practices and camps right up until the first day of school. Our scholars are making the most of their summer and I couldn’t be prouder. This summer, our staff has been busy connecting with our community. At the Federal Way Farmers Market on July 19, we spoke with more than 100 community members about school enrollment, job openings, and available family supports. Some of us also had the pleasure of joining the Rotary Club’s annual Speed Croquet fundraiser, which raised over $2,000 in scholarship funds for local students. We were also honored to attend a dinner hosted by Celebrate18!, an organization that supports young women transitioning out of foster care. These moments remind us of the strength and care that define our Federal Way community. We also have big news to share: construction is complete at Illahee Middle School! This is the final school project from the 2017 construction bond, and we are excited to begin this next chapter. Staff have started moving into the new building, and we look forward to welcoming families and community members for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour this fall. Stay tuned for more details! Meanwhile, our district departments have been hard at work behind the scenes to ensure we’re ready for a strong start on September 2. Our Maintenance and Operations team is replacing school kitchen floors, the Transportation department is tuning up buses and preparing for annual trainings, and the ITS team is upgrading more than 20,000 student laptops with support from 12 FWPS high school interns. Their work is critical to supporting teaching and learning in every classroom. Key Reminders: Online Enrollment and Verification opens August 1 for all new and returning students. Information can be found at www.fwps.org/enrollment. Summer meals are available through August 8 at schools and FRED Bus stops.  Details: www.fwps.org/summermeals Starting Friday, August 1, our newsletters will return to their normal weekly schedule. Upcoming community events: Kid’s Day at Steel Lake Park on August 6 Federal Way Community Festival at Town Square Park on August 9 Thank you for your continued support and engagement this summer and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events.   In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Save the Date! Online Enrollment and Verification Opens August 1 Families, online enrollment for new students and annual verification for existing students opens next Friday, August 1.   Be sure to complete this important task before the first day of school – Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Here are a few things to note: Enrollment and verification process must be completed for each child attending a FWPS school in the 2025-26 school year For new FWPS students, you need to submit documentation to complete the process, including address verification, age verification, and more. Learn more. For both new and existing FWPS students, you must review the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, emergency contact information, and All supporting documentation, including immunization records, health plans, medication forms, and accommodation requests should be submitted to your child’s school before the first day of the school year. Remember, only family members with custody or educational rights will receive school and district communication. Be sure to double-check permissions and contact information to remain informed. Daily auto-reminders will be sent to existing families starting August 8-September 10 until the verification process has been completed. If you need enrollment or verification support, please reach out to your child’s assigned school . For additional support, you can: Email grades@fwps.org Call 253-945-2100 Schedule an on-site appointment at the ESC Helping Your Scholar Prepare for FWPS’ New Cell Phone Policy  As we continue preparing for the launch of our new cell phone and electronic device policy in the 2025–26 school year, we’re offering families more tips for building healthy phone habits at home. In our last enewsletter, we shared ideas for setting routines and using screen time tools. Here are four more strategies to guide your scholar toward balance and success: 5. Talk openly about technology Instead of leading with “too much screen time,” try asking: “How do you feel after you’ve been on your phone for a while?” Open-ended conversations build trust and self-awareness. 6. Practice short phone-free sessions Try 30-minute or one-hour blocks without phones and slowly build up. These practice runs help prepare scholars for full class periods without devices. 7. Invite your scholar to notice habits Encourage them to pause before unlocking their phone and ask: “Why am I checking this right now?” Building mindfulness helps reduce automatic use. 8. Celebrate the wins When your scholar sticks to new boundaries, let them know you see the effort. A little encouragement goes a long way in forming long-term habits. Here’s Your Checklist to Prepare for the School Year The school year is right around the corner. To prepare, we’ve compiled some important items to check off your list before the first day of school. Check out the blog post Get Ahead with This School Year Checklist to learn more! https://www.fwps.org/school-year-checklist Immunization Requirements for School Did you know there are immunization requirements set by WA state law for children to attend school? Ensure your child can start the upcoming school year on time. To attend school, your child’s school must have a current record of immunizations, a Certificate of Exemption on file, or qualify for Conditional Status.   Learn more about these requirements at www.fwps.org/immunizations . 2025-26 Choice Post-Lottery Enrollment Application Closes August 29 The Post-lottery Choice enrollment application is open from May 1 – August 29. The application is open to all residents of Federal Way Public Schools and also residents of other districts. For more information, or to submit your online application, visit www.fwps.org/Choice . Keep Learning All Summer with the KCLS Summer Reading Challenge! There’s still time to dive into new stories and keep your mind sharp! 📚 The King County Library System Summer Reading Challenge runs through the end of August, and they’ve got Curious Creatures -themed booklists for kids and teens to help you reach your reading goals. Explore the lists and join the challenge at  kcls.org/summer ! Made possible by the King County Library System Foundation. You're Invited: FWPS Career Fair — July 30, 2025 Looking to make a meaningful impact? Join Federal Way Public Schools at our upcoming Career Fair on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 , and explore how you can be part of the most diverse school district in Washington State. Discover opportunities to support and inspire scholars as they learn, thrive, and succeed. Whether you're an experienced educator or just starting your journey in education, we want to meet you! 🔗 Register now: www.fwps.org/hiringevents Have you downloaded the ParentSquare app? FWPS uses ParentSquare, an all-in-one messaging system to share important information with families via email, app, text, and/or voice call. With ParentSquare, families can: Receive all district, school, and classroom communications View the school calendar RSVP for upcoming events Customize notification preferences Receive messages in their home language And more! To get the most out of ParentSquare, families are encouraged to claim their account and/or download the ParentSquare app. In August, families who have not yet claimed their accounts will receive a reminder email prompting them to log in and set their notification preferences. Get ahead and download the app today to get started! Join Federal Way Public Schools at upcoming community events this August! Connect with us to learn about enrollment and verification support, back-to-school resources, job opportunities, and ways to get involved. 📍 Kid’s Day – August 6 at Steel Lake Park 📍 Federal Way Community Festival – August 9 at Town Square Park 📍 Farmers Market – August 16 at The Commons Mall We look forward to seeing you there! 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 July 25, 2025

Saturday, Jul 26 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - July 11, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News July 11, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, We’re now in the second half of summer learning, and our schools are filled with hands-on activities, academic exploration, and exciting learning experiences. At the same time, our district staff have been working hard checking off summer tasks to ensure everything is ready for the upcoming school year. This week, we visited Camp Invention at the Nautilus K-8 summer learning site, where elementary scholars participated in a Native Education gardening activity, continued building their reading and writing skills, and showcased their creativity through a fun art project with berries. It’s been incredible to see so many scholars engaged across grade levels. The last day of summer learning is July 24, and we encourage families to make the most of these final two weeks. You can find all the details, schedules, and additional learning opportunities by visiting our  Summer Learning Resource Hub .  Our FRED buses continue to make their rounds across the community, bringing learning kits, books, and engaging activities to various neighborhood sites. We also want to remind our scholars that reading every day is one of the best ways to stay sharp over the summer. Every FWPS student has free access to the King County Library System’s digital collection, just log in with your student credentials, find a book that excites you, and start reading. If you need a great book recommendation, check out our 2025 Scholar Recommended Book List . Plus, be sure to participate in the KCLS Summer Reading Challenge to earn great prizes. This week, we checked in with our IT department and 12 summer interns who are helping re-image and update over 20,000 laptops with Windows 11 for students and staff before the next school year. These current and former FWPS high school students shared how this intern opportunity is helping them gain work experience to support their career goals. Jayden, a rising junior at Decatur High School, is happy to get the experience saying, “I'm learning a lot from it. It’s helping me build off the knowledge that I already have.” I’m proud that we’ve been able to continue offering summer internships like this to scholars, helping them become career-ready. And finally, enrollment will remain offline through July for our annual system updates and will reopen on August 1. All new and returning families must complete enrollment and verification before school begins on September 2. Please plan ahead and schedule any required immunizations to help ensure a smooth start to the new school year. Please remember, we’ve shifted this newsletter to every other week during July, so look for your next update on Friday, July 25. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we hope your summer is off to a great start. In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent This Week in Summer Learning, Elementary Scholars Explored Nature, Culture, and Creativity This week at Nautilus K–8, our elementary summer learning scholars built on their math and ELA skills while diving into hands-on, nature-based learning. They explored ecosystems and the food chain by learning about producers, consumers, and decomposers, and studied insect habitats by creating their own “bug hotels.” Scholars also explored Native American traditions by reading  The First Strawberry , identifying native plants around campus, and learning about the connections between place, community, and local Washington tribes. Creativity was a key part of the week, from painting with berries to crafting lavender sachets. To wrap up the week, scholars harvested carrots and garlic from the school garden to take home, bringing their learning to life in a meaningful, tangible way. Check out photos from the classroom and art activity below! Helping Your Scholar Prepare for FWPS’ New Cell Phone Policy  As we move toward implementing our updated cell phone and electronic device policy this fall, we’re asking families to partner with us over the summer. Helping your scholar practice healthy habits with technology now can make the transition smoother when school begins. Here are four simple ways to get started: Create phone routines and expectations by developing shared rules about when and where phone use is okay. Have clear guidelines at home, for example, “no phones at dinner” or “devices go on the charger at 9 p.m.” Make time for screen-free moments  with   specific times of day to unplug, even for fifteen minutes. These quiet moments support rest, conversation, and connection. Use phone tools to monitor use  with built-in features like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing to review how much time is spent on certain apps. Use this data together to make intentional choices.  Lead by example  by putting away your phone to be present during these set times. They’re more likely to follow your lead. Try tech-free walks, game nights, or reading time.  With the launch of the updated cell phone policy, FWPS is taking an intentional step to support scholar learning, well-being, and a focused, positive school environment. We appreciate your support in starting with small habits at home this summer. Summer Learning Opportunities Summer is just around the corner. It’s important to think about how to bridge school years with fun summer learning opportunities. Luckily, FWPS is continuing “Summer Learning for All” with a variety of offerings for K-12 scholars, including: Summer Learning Packets   Download your child's printable Summer Learning Packet or pick up a hard copy at schools. Hard copies for rising 1-12 grade levels packets are also available to families at the ESC. Video Lessons  K-5 scholars can access video learning available on FWPS’ YouTube channel and our website. Online Learning Access online learning resources like SORA, iReady, Lexia, and Mathia by logging in to Launchpad to Learning to sharpen academic skills. Summer Reading Challenge How many books can your scholar read before the 2025-26 school year? Join thousands of other students in King County by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at: www.kcls.org/summer . FRED Bus and Free Summer Meals Visit FRED, the big green school bus that brings healthy meals, learning, and fitness activities to Federal Way students this summer. FRED helps scholars keep their academic skills growing at no cost to families! Be sure to visit one of the locations Monday - Thursday, June 24-July 31. FWPS will also be providing free summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Find our list of locations and times at: www.fwps.org/SummerMeals . Programs by Registration Scholars who have already registered will participate in a variety of summer academic programs designed for grades K-12. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about how to engage in summer learning. For more information, visit www.fwps.org/SummerLearning . ParentSquare Account Update for Families with Multiple Students  ParentSquare is updating its account system to improve the user experience for families with students at multiple schools and or also staff members. As part of this change, any previously merged accounts will be unmerged. Parents and guardians will now have one account per verified email address or phone number, with the ability to easily switch between roles or schools using the new "Switch User Account" dashboard. To learn how to manage and switch between accounts, please view the following guides:  Switch Accounts in ParentSquare How to Switch Between User Accounts Summer Office Hours The District’s Educational Service Center (ESC) will be open to the public during the summer, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For a list of school summer office hours, visit the district website here:  https://www.fwps.org/summerhours . If you need assistance during the time schools are closed, please contact the district office at 253-945-2000. Is Your Child Up to Date on Immunizations? Before the school year begins, make sure your child’s immunization records are current. Immunizations are required for students entering preschool , kindergarten , and 7th grade . You can view the list of required immunizations by age and download a school immunization chart available in multiple languages at www.fwps.org/immunizations .  Let’s work together to keep all scholars healthy and ready to learn! Illahee Middle School: A New, Expanded Campus The newly rebuilt Illahee Middle School is officially complete! Furniture has arrived and staff are already moving in!   We recently toured the expansive campus, which features a brand-new main building and a beautifully renovated gym. Every detail was thoughtfully designed—from the courtyard that preserves original campus trees, to specialized classrooms with equipment tailored to support student needs. The new common area serves as both a cafeteria and an auditorium, and the classrooms are built to support high-quality learning. The outdoor spaces saw upgrades, too. Illahee, known for its strong athletics programs, now includes the district’s second mini-pitch soccer court, along with enhanced playfields, a track, and a football field. It’s a campus built for students and the surrounding community, and a proud addition to our district. Stay tuned for ribbon-cutting and community tour details. We can’t wait for you to see it in person! 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 July 11, 2025

Saturday, Jul 12 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - June 20, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News June 20, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, This week marked the close of the 2024–25 school year, and there was so much to celebrate!  As you know, the FWPS Class of 2025 took the stage this past weekend, with Employment Transition Program, Internet Academy and Career Academy, Open Doors, and TAF@Saghalie ceremonies on Friday and our comprehensive high schools, Todd Beamer, Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way, and Decatur, on Sunday. Be sure to check out our highlight video to feel the excitement as we celebrated along with nearly 1,600 graduates and their families. I also want to share some amazing information about this class:  187 are the first in their family to graduate from high school 333 are the first in their family to attend college 396 earned at least one industry recognized credential 776 participated in the Guaranteed Admissions Program And they earned nearly $11 million in scholarships! Congratulations, FWPS Class of 2025, we can’t wait to see what you do next!  On Tuesday, scholars across the district wrapped up their final day of school. Thank you to our families, staff, and community partners who have been with us on this incredible journey. This year has been full of amazing scholar accomplishments in academics, music, theater, and athletics. It has been so fun sharing each achievement with you every week. Check out our 2024-25 Highlights section below for just a sample of what this year held!  On Wednesday, district and school leaders came together for our annual Strategic Planning Summit. We reflected on the year’s successes and set goals for the work ahead. As we reviewed our 2024-25 progress, it was powerful to see the commitment of our staff, the partnerships of our families, and the achievements of our scholars. We are truly better together.  Tomorrow, June 21, will mark our first Federal Way Farmers Market of the year, so be sure to come down and see us between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.! Next week, 1,750 scholars from all levels will kick off their summer learning, participating in opportunities focused on academics, acceleration, college and career readiness and enrichment at several schools across the district. We also have online learning resources, home learning packets, and video lessons available on our website, and our FRED Bus will be visiting multiple locations across the district this summer with meals, learning activities, crafts, games, and books for scholars! Be sure to check out our Summer Learning website for all the details!    And as we begin looking towards fall, I want to make sure you don’t miss an important update. Next school year, FWPS will launch a newly updated cell phone and electronic device policy. This change is based on extensive input from families, scholars, staff, and school leaders, and is designed to support academic success and social-emotional well-being. You can read more about this below.  Thank you again for your continued support. Together, we’ve made this a year to remember and I look forward to what we’ll accomplish next.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Celebrating the Federal Way Public Schools Class of 2025! From June 13 to 15, nearly 1,600 student-scholars proudly received their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across our district. We also celebrated 26 transition scholars in the Employment and Transition Program. Together, the Class of 2025 achieved remarkable success, securing close to $11 million in scholarships and preparing to take their next steps—whether that’s college, the workforce, apprenticeships, or the military.  We are incredibly proud of your achievements and excited to see where your journeys take you next. 🎓 Watch our graduation recap video and relive the celebrations. You can also rewatch full ceremonies, view photo galleries, and hear directly from graduates about how FWPS prepared them for what's ahead at  www.fwps.org/graduation2025 . Let’s give the Class of 2025 one more round of applause! Let's celebrate this incredible milestone together!   #FWPSProud: Celebrating Every Step — Milestone Moments Across FWPS  From preschool to high school graduation, our FWPS scholars celebrated big milestones and bright futures ahead! Check out how we marked the end of the 2024–25 school year with joy, pride, and unforgettable moments: 👉 Read the blog post: #FWPSProud: Celebrating Every Step — Milestone Moments Across FWPS   2024-2025 Highlights Our scholars, staff, schools, and departments accomplished so many amazing things this year. Please take a few moments to watch the highlight video or read through the list of achievements from the 2024-25 school year!                   Over 4,200 people attended our STEAM Exploration Night, a 600-person increase from last year, with the arts formally included for the first time.  We hosted the 2nd annual All District Music Festival at the PAEC, showcasing middle and high school talent.  Nearly 700 attendees joined our second annual CTE Scholar Showcase.  We marked the 25th anniversary of the beloved Battle of the Books competition.  Our Kinders to College program gave 1,500 kindergarteners the opportunity to explore a college campus.  5th graders visited CTE courses at our middle and high schools to support early career exploration.  Todd Beamer and Decatur launched the NAF Academy of Biomedical Sciences, including white coat ceremonies.  AFJROTC electives added drone curriculum, and we expanded industry-recognized credentials available through CTE.  We implemented the Since Time Immemorial Native American curriculum and Garden programs expanded across schools, including the new Medicine Wheel Garden at Todd Beamer, created with the Puyallup Tribe and Native partners.  We launched peer mentorship groups, WEB and Link Crew, and held key grade transition celebrations for kindergarten, 5th, and 8th grade scholars.  Nutrition Services served over 3.3 million meals, expanded Breakfast in the Classroom to seven schools, and launched second chance breakfast at five sites.  Transportation supported 1,780 field trips and activities and logged over 1.6 million miles bringing scholars to and from school.  IT Services completed over 21,000 support tickets and supported 239 AV events.  Maintenance and Operations completed nearly 10,000 work orders. Capital Projects advanced Illahee Middle School construction and completed the TJHS Play Fields for full athletic use.  Business Services rolled out online forms for timesheets and mileage via Informed K12.  Human Resources hired 166 paraeducators and 124 guest teachers, and launched a new partnership with PSESD and Highline College to support paraeducators in earning teaching credentials.  Seven schools received State Board of Education recognition for growth and achievement.  FWPS earned the United Way’s Closing the Hunger Gap Award, the Washington Wellness Zo8 Award, and the WSSDA School Board of Distinction for the ninth year in a row.  We celebrated the Class of 2025 with nearly 1,600 graduates, including 187 first-generation high school graduates, 333 the first in their family to attend college, and over $10 million earned in scholarships.  And so many more accomplishments and celebrations!  We are so excited to see what the 2025-26 school year will hold for our scholars, staff, and families! Coming This Fall: Updated Cell Phone and Electronic Device Policy  There is an important change coming next school year that supports our commitment to creating a focused, respectful and engaging learning environment for all students that we want to keep you informed about. Beginning September 2025, we will implement a newly updated cell phone policy and procedure for all of our schools.  Cell phones and the use of smart devices has increased in society and amongst youth. Research clearly points to the fact that limiting the use of cell phones in class improves student learning, mental health, physical health and reduces pressures that are caused by social media. OSPI (Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) has directed all school districts in the state of Washington to determine a path for restricting cell phone and smart device use in class by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.      This spring, Federal Way Public Schools formed a committee to review feedback and input that families, scholars and staff provided via survey as well as from voices that serve on both the parent and scholar advisories to the superintendent. In total, there have been over 2,000 voices included in this work. The input was used to inform revisions and procedures as the committee reviewed current policy and OSPI guidance and helped craft communication that will support the launch of new cell phone and electronic device procedures in the 2025-2026 school for all schools’ pre-k through 12th grade.     By limiting the use of phones during school we will encourage more active participation in class, face-to-face interactions and fewer distractions and/or disruptions during the school day. In addition, scholars will get a research-supported break from social media and screen time, helping them to stay present during their school day.     We will be sharing more detailed guidelines and procedures as we get ready to launch the 2025-2026 school year. We appreciate your partnership as we make this transition together. Our shared goal is to support your child’s academic success, personal growth and well-being.  Summer Learning Opportunities Summer is just around the corner. It’s important to think about how to bridge school years with fun summer learning opportunities. Luckily, FWPS is continuing “Summer Learning for All” with a variety of offerings for K-12 scholars, including: Summer Learning Packets   Download your child's printable Summer Learning Packet or pick up a hard copy in schools. Hard copies for rising 1-12 grade levels packets are also available to families at the ESC. Video Lessons  K-5 scholars can access video learning available on FWPS’ YouTube channel and our website.  Online Learning  Access online learning resources like SORA, iReady, Lexia, and Mathia by logging in to Launchpad to Learning to sharpen academic skills. Summer Reading Challenge How many books can your scholar read before the 2025-26 school year? Join thousands of other students in King County by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at: www.kcls.org/summer . FRED Bus and Free Summer Meals Visit FRED, the big green school bus that brings healthy meals, learning and fitness activities to Federal Way students this summer. FRED helps scholars keep their academic skills growing at no cost to families! Be sure to visit one of the locations Monday - Thursday, June 24-July 31. FWPS will also be providing free summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Find our list of locations and times at: www.fwps.org/SummerMeals . Programs by Registration Scholars who have already registered, will participate in a variety of summer academic programs designed for grades K-12 Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about how to engage in summer learning. For more information, visit www.fwps.org/SummerLearning . Summer Office Hours The District’s Educational Service Center (ESC) will be open to the public during the summer, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. For a list of school summer office hours visit the district website here:  https://www.fwps.org/summerhours If you need assistance during the time schools are closed, please contact the district office at 253-945-2000.   Please note: The district office is closed on July 4 in observance of Independence Day. See You At The Farmers Market! Visit us at the Federal Way Farmers Market this Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Commons Mall to learn about academics, job opportunities, ways to get involved, and more. See you there! 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 June 20, 2025

Saturday, Jun 21 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - June 13, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News June 13, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, Today, we proudly celebrated the Class of 2025 from the Employment Transition Program (ETP), Career Academy, Internet Academy, Open Doors, and TAF@Saghalie! These graduates have overcome challenges, embraced new opportunities, and demonstrated resilience and dedication throughout their academic journeys. Whether through alternative pathways, online learning, or specialized programs, each of these scholars found a route that worked for them, and they made it to graduation. Congratulations to our scholars and their families on this tremendous achievement! I am so proud of each of you and honored to celebrate alongside you. The celebration continues this Sunday as we cheer on the graduating seniors from Todd Beamer High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, Federal Way High School, and Decatur High School. If you’re unable to attend the ceremonies in person at the ShoWare Center, we invite you to join us virtually at  www.fwps.org/watchgraduation2025 to view the livestream of each graduation. Throughout this week, our district has been filled with joyful celebrations marking important milestones. From preschool and kindergarten promotions to fifth and eighth grade moving-up ceremonies, senior breakfasts, signing days, and award nights, there’s so much to be proud of across our schools. And the celebrations aren’t over yet, they’ll continue right up to the last day of school. On Tuesday, we wrapped up our final school board meeting of the school year by recognizing eight scholar groups through Good News Announcements for their outstanding achievements in attendance, academics, athletics, and more. I’d like to give a special shoutout to our 14 Attendance Cup winners, schools that led the way in overall or most improved attendance. With summer break in sight, it takes real determination to stay focused, and these schools and scholars have set a strong example. You’ll find the full list of winners below. Just yesterday, I had the privilege of joining the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Hanwoori Korean Garden at 550 Campus Drive in Federal Way. “Hanwoori” means “we are one,” a fitting name for this beautiful new space that symbolizes unity and inclusion, values we hold close in FWPS. A highlight of the ceremony was the moving performance by Decatur High School’s Asian Student Association. As our seniors prepare for the next chapter, we still have two important days of school remaining for all other FWPS scholars. Let’s continue to show up, stay focused, and finish strong through the last day of school on Tuesday, June 17. I can’t wait to see everyone back on Monday as we close out the year together.  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent It's time to celebrate with the Class of 2025! Graduation is an exciting time for our seniors and families, and we're excited to celebrate the Class of 2025 at our upcoming commencement ceremonies! You can view the full schedule on our website, and on the day of graduation, you can watch online at  www.fwps.org/WatchGraduation2025 . 📧 Friendly reminder: Check your email for important information specific to your school’s graduation, including arrival times, parking, and more.   We are #FWPSProud of their accomplishment and their bright futures ahead! Read more about graduation, and hear our graduates share how FWPS prepared them for their future at  www.fwps.org/graduation2025 . Let's celebrate this incredible milestone together! 📅 Early Dismissal: Last Day of School, June 17, 2025 As a reminder, there will be early dismissal on the last day of school. The dismissal time for your school is available below and on our website at  www.fwps.org/BellTimes . 9:55 AM: Decatur High School, Employment Transition Program, Federal Way High School, Thomas Jefferson High School, Todd Beamer High School, TAF@Saghalie 10:30 AM: Evergreen Middle School, Illahee Middle School, Kilo Middle School, Lakota Middle School, Sequoyah Middle School 10:45 AM: Career Academy, Open Doors 11:00 AM: Federal Way Public Academy 11:05 AM: Adelaide, Brigadoon, Camelot, Lake Grove, Lakeland, Mark Twain, Mirror Lake, Nautilus K-8, Sacajawea, Sherwood Forest, Silver Lake, Star Lake, Twin Lakes, Wildwood, Woodmont K-8 11:40 AM: Enterprise, Green Gables, Lake Dolloff, Meredith Hill, Olympic View K-8, Panther Lake, Rainier View, Sunnycrest, Valhalla 🎉  Congratulations to the 2025 Attendance Cup Champions!  🎉 We’re excited to announce the final overall champions of the 2025 FWPS Attendance Cup Challenge! Over the past eight weeks, our scholars and staff have shown outstanding commitment to being present and engaged each day, and their efforts have truly paid off. Schools competed in seven cluster groups, with two winners from each group:  🏆  Overall Attendance Rate Champion — the schools with the highest average attendance  📈  Most Improved Attendance Champion — the schools that showed the greatest improvement over time. Overall Attendance Rate Champions These schools had the highest average attendance in their group: Group A: Federal Way High School Group B: Sacajawea Middle School Group C: Lakeland Elementary Group D: Twin Lakes Elementary Group E: Woodmont K-8 Group F: Sunnycrest Elementary Group G: Federal Way Public Academy Most Improved Attendance Champions These schools made the largest gains in attendance in their group: Group A: Federal Way High School Group B: Illahee Middle School Group C: Panther Lake Elementary Group D: Twin Lakes Elementary Group E: Nautilus K-8 School Group F: Lake Dolloff Elementary Group G: Employment Transition Program 👏 Congratulations to all our winners and to every school that participated! Your commitment to attendance excellence supports FWPS Goal 2, focused on the whole child. 📲 Check out the full challenge details and weekly results at  www.fwps.org/attendancecup 🎉 Good News Announcements: June 10, 2025 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 and ESC Closed on Juneteenth: June 19, 2025 As a friendly reminder, in observance of Juneteenth, schools and the Educational Service Center (ESC) will be closed to the public on Thursday, June 19, 2025 .  School and district operations will resume on  Friday, June 20, 2025 .  Start Thinking About Summer Learning Opportunities Summer is just around the corner. It’s important to think about how to bridge school years with fun summer learning opportunities. Luckily, FWPS is continuing “Summer Learning for All” with a variety of offerings for K-12 scholars, including: Summer Learning Packets   Download your child's printable Summer Learning Packet or pick up a hard copy in schools. Hard copies for rising 1-12 grade levels packets are also available to families at the ESC. Video Lessons  K-5 scholars can access video learning available on FWPS’ YouTube channel and our website.  Online Learning  Access online learning resources like SORA, iReady, Lexia, and Mathia by logging in to Launchpad to Learning to sharpen academic skills. Summer Reading Challenge  How many books can your scholar read before the 2025-26 school year? Join thousands of other students in King County by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at: www.kcls.org/summer . FRED Bus and Free Summer Meals  Visit FRED, the big green school bus that brings healthy meals, learning and fitness activities to Federal Way students this summer. FRED helps scholars keep their academic skills growing at no cost to families! Be sure to visit one of the locations Monday - Thursday, June 24-July 31. FWPS will also be providing free summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Find our list of locations and times at: www.fwps.org/SummerMeals . Programs by Registration Scholars who have already registered, will participate in a variety of summer academic programs designed for grades K-12 Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about how to engage in summer learning. For more information, visit www.fwps.org/SummerLearning . Get Started on These Health-Related Summer Tasks for Your Child It’s almost summer break, but before you put next school year’s tasks on the back burner, we’d like to remind you about a few health-related items to plan for now.    Read more about which tasks you can check off the list this summer to ensure your child can start the 2025-26 school year on time (Hint: school immunizations are major!): https://bit.ly/4epOw34 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 June 13, 2025

Saturday, Jun 14 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - June 6, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News June 6, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, Each day brings us closer to the end of the school year and with it, exciting celebrations and meaningful moments across our district. From the 28 seniors completing our Pre-Apprenticeship Program at Federal Way High School, leaving high school with industry certifications and career-ready skills, to the inspiring athletes honored at our annual FWPS Athlete of the Year celebration, our scholars continue to show what’s possible through hard work and leadership. A special congratulations to Federal Way High School’s Meeghan Meagher and Austin May, this year’s Athletes of the Year! We also came together for moments of reflection and connection. At Todd Beamer High School, I had the privilege of joining students, staff, and community for the dedication and blessing of the new Medicine Wheel Garden. This student-led project is rooted in creating what has already become a place of learning and healing. Thank you to community partners, the Marine Hills Garden Club and the Southwest Carpenters Union, for their generous contributions, which helped bring this project to life.  I encourage you to take a look when you have the chance. In another moment of appreciation, we gathered at the Federal Way Community Center to celebrate our 2025 retirees. Hearing the contributions of each staff member throughout their career in FWPS filled me with gratitude for the profound impact they have had across decades of service. Their legacy lives on in the lives of the students, families, and colleagues they’ve served.  And please don't forget to take our  annual family survey . This is a key opportunity for you to let us know what’s working well and to offer solutions where we can grow. I encourage you to take 3–5 minutes to complete the survey because your voice truly matters in planning for the year ahead.  Next week brings one of the most anticipated moments of the year, graduation! We’ll kick off celebrations on Friday with ceremonies for our Employment and Transition Program, Internet Academy, Career Academy, Open Doors, and TAF@Saghalie. Then on Sunday, we’ll gather to honor the graduates of Todd Beamer, Thomas Jefferson, Federal Way, and Decatur high schools. I can’t wait to celebrate each member of the Class of 2025 and all they’ve achieved.  Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. Let’s finish the school year strong—together. In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent School Board of Directors Corner On behalf of the Federal Way School Board, we would like to report on some of the activities the Board participated in during the past several weeks.  Throughout May, our Board of Directors had the privilege of attending School Board Recognition Nights across the district. These events, recognizing scholar and staff achievements in support of our Strategic Plan were a true celebration of the hard work going on in our schools. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to each student and staff member who was recognized and thank our families for helping make these moments possible.   Board members also spent time visiting classrooms and campuses this month, engaging with students and educators as part of our ongoing commitment to Goal Three of the Strategic Plan: active engagement in learning. Director Murphy visited Todd Beamer High School and FWPA, Director Morris visited Woodmont K-8, Mark Twain Elementary, and together with Director Phillips visited Federal Way High School, and Director Jones visited Sunnycrest Elementary. These visits offered a firsthand look at the energy and effort scholars bring to their education every day.   We held two Board meetings, this month, at Lakota Middle School and Lake Grove Elementary, and enjoyed hearing from both school principals during their school updates, and received updates on key topics such as standards-based grading, district communications, capital project progress, and summer programming. These meetings also included moments of celebration, from recognizing the TJ Math Team, Sequoyah’s standout drumline, and the AFJROTC scholars, to honoring the accomplishments of our Decatur Jazz Band and the young Kilo scholar athlete heading to the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. We also celebrated twelve graduating seniors who received $1,000 scholarships from the Federal Way Rotary Club and took time to express our gratitude to our Scholar Representatives to the Board for their insight and service throughout the year.   To round out May, Dr. Jones participated in the State Audit Exit Conference and Director Morris had the opportunity to attended the Native Graduation Celebration, recognizing our graduating native scholars, and those transitioning from fifth to sixth grade and eighth to ninth grade. Most recently, we held a Work Study session focused on the 12th-grade civics curriculum adoption process and reviewed upcoming budget considerations for the 2025–26 school year. As always, the Board remains dedicated to uplifting the academic goals and aspirations of every scholar in our district. Federal Way Public Schools is a place where all scholars and families are welcomed and supported, and we are proud to be part of this important work. Dr. Jennifer Jones FWPS School Board President Celebrating Our 2025 FWPS Retirees Federal Way Public Schools recently honored our 2025 retirees at a heartfelt celebration featuring performances by Uptown Square ECEAP scholars and the Decatur High School Jazz Quintet. Retirees include educators, support staff, and leaders who have made a lasting impact on generations of scholars. We thank each retiree for their service and wish them a joyful retirement. 🔗 Read more and view the full gallery FWPS Survey to Families Closes June 13: Make Your Voice Heard! Your voice matters and we want to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete our short 3–5 minute survey  by  June 13 . Your thoughts, feedback, and solutions will directly inform our planning for the 2025–2026 school year and help us better support your child’s success. 2024-25 Survey to Families Thank you for partnering with us, your feedback truly makes a difference! Graduation Reminders Graduation is an exciting time for our seniors and families, and we're excited to celebrate the Class of 2025 at our upcoming commencement ceremonies! You can view the full schedule on our website, and on the day of graduation, you can watch online at  www.fwps.org/WatchGraduation2025 .   We are #FWPSProud of their accomplishment and their bright futures ahead! Read more about graduation, and hear our graduates share how FWPS prepared them for their future at www.fwps.org/graduation2025 . Get Ready to Return Technology Devices The end of the school year is near, which means it’s almost time to turn in checked-out technology devices.   All checked-out technology devices, which include any loaner laptop, Wi-Fi hotspot, and associated power adapters, must be returned for inventory and updating.   All scholars must return their technology equipment to their school of residence  between June 6 and June 13.   Families that have devices checked out after June 13 will receive notification of fines due for the equipment.  Scholars will not be able to check out any additional equipment until the equipment is returned or fines have been fully paid to the scholar’s school.   Families, please ensure your child returns their device to school between June 6-13. Start Thinking About Summer Learning Opportunities Summer is just around the corner. It’s important to think about how to bridge school years with fun summer learning opportunities. Luckily, FWPS is continuing “Summer Learning for All” with a variety of offerings for K-12 scholars, including: Summer Learning Packets   Download your child's printable Summer Learning Packet or pick up a hard copy in schools. Hard copies for rising 1-12 grade levels packets are also available to families at the ESC. Video Lessons  K-5 scholars can access video learning available on FWPS’ YouTube channel and our website.  Online Learning  Access online learning resources like SORA, iReady, Lexia, and Mathia by logging in to Launchpad to Learning to sharpen academic skills. Summer Reading Challenge  How many books can your scholar read before the 2025-26 school year? Join thousands of other students in King County by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at: www.kcls.org/summer . FRED Bus and Free Summer Meals  Visit FRED, the big green school bus that brings healthy meals, learning and fitness activities to Federal Way students this summer. FRED helps scholars keep their academic skills growing at no cost to families! Be sure to visit one of the locations Monday - Thursday, June 24-July 31. FWPS will also be providing free summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Find our list of locations and times at: www.fwps.org/SummerMeals . Programs by Registration Scholars who have already registered, will participate in a variety of summer academic programs designed for grades K-12 Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about how to engage in summer learning. For more information, visit www.fwps.org/SummerLearning . Get Started on These Health-Related Summer Tasks for Your Child It’s almost summer break, but before you put next school year’s tasks on the back burner, we’d like to remind you about a few health-related items to plan for now.    Read more about which tasks you can check off the list this summer to ensure your child can start the 2025-26 school year on time (Hint: school immunizations are major!): https://bit.ly/4epOw34 Calling All Families With Incoming Kindergarteners! Give Your Kindergartener the Gift of Bilingualism! Did you know that Olympic View K-8 will have two new Dual Language kindergarten classrooms opening this fall? One will be Spanish/English and one will be Korean/English, and enrollment is now open! This is in addition to our Spanish/English Dual Language program at Sunnycrest Elementary.  Enrollment is now open, and we encourage to you to explore the opportunity to give your scholar to gift of bilingualism! What is does a Dual Language Classroom Look Like? Students in the Dual Language program receive instruction in both English and the partner language (Korean or Spanish). They learn to read, write, and communicate fluently in both languages through a carefully structured curriculum.  Does my child need to speak Korean or Spanish to join?  No. Dual Language programs are designed for both native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language (Korean or Spanish). Students learn together in a balanced, immersive environment that supports all language levels.  What are the benefits of Dual Language education?  Bilingualism & Biliteracy: Students develop fluency in two languages, which strengthens communication skills. Stronger Academic Achievement: Research shows Dual Language students perform as well or better than their peers in reading, math, and problem-solving. Cultural Awareness: Students gain a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. Future Career & College Opportunities: Bilingual graduates have more career pathways and access to college scholarships. Where are these programs offered?  Olympic View K-8: New Korean/English and Spanish/English Dual Language programs (starting in kindergarten). Sunnycrest Elementary: Long-standing Spanish/English Dual Language program (starting in kindergarten). Evergreen Middle School (6-8) & Thomas Jefferson High School (9-12): Students from these programs can continue their bilingual education through middle and high school. Apply Now! Apply today and learn more at:   www.fwps.org/duallanguage Submit your application at:   www.fwps.org/enrollment/choice-enrollment 📅 Reminder: Early Release on Friday, June 13, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  June 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 June 6, 2025

Saturday, Jun 07 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - May 30, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News May 30, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, I hope you enjoyed the long weekend and took time to rest and recharge! With the school year coming rapidly to a close, it is truly the season of celebrations and this week was packed with them!  We returned on Tuesday with a board meeting full of Good News Announcements and Because of You staff recognitions!   Federal Way High School’s AFJROTC program for their achievements at the 2024-25 Northwest JROTC Dril and Rifle Conference Championships. Decatur High School Jazz Band for their impressive performances at the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival , 12 2025 Federal Way Rotary Scholarship recipients, who were each awarded $1,000 to support their postsecondary goals. Jordynn Koria, a middle school scholar selected to represent the island nation of Samoa at the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco this fall. And our incredible “Because of You” staff honorees, Susan Bergman, Rene Recato , Mike Minahan, Dana Henry, and Chris Andrews. Congratulations to all!  On Wednesday, we celebrated our amazing guest staff members at the ESC. These dedicated professionals, our substitute teachers and support staff, step in whenever and wherever they’re needed to keep learning moving forward. We are so grateful for their flexibility, commitment, and impact on our schools.  Thursday brought a very special celebration: our annual Native Graduation ceremony. The celebration was a time for connection and enjoyment as the community came together to honor our Native 5th, 8th and 12th grade scholars for their accomplishments. Be sure to check out our post with photos from the event on our Facebook page!  I want to give a huge shoutout to our incredible spring sports athletes many of whom have advanced to state-level competitions as both teams and in individual events! Your hard work, dedication, and teamwork have truly paid off. I'm also looking forward to celebrating our outstanding student-athletes at the upcoming Athlete of the Year Banquet this Monday evening, where we'll recognize all of this year’s nominees for their remarkable achievements.  This coming Wednesday, we will celebrate the incredible careers of 41 retiring FWPS team members as they prepare to step into the next chapter of their lives. Their dedication has left a lasting impact on our scholars, schools, and community and we are so grateful for their service.   And we’ve launched our  annual family survey . This is a key opportunity for you to let us know what’s working well and to offer solutions where we can grow. If you haven’t yet had a chance, I encourage you to take 3–5 minutes to complete the survey—your voice truly matters and helps guide our planning for the year ahead.  Before I close, I want to bring your attention to my message below, which focuses on the 2025-26 budget. I want to acknowledge the length of the message as I believe the information is important to share. I appreciate you taking the time to read it, as transparency and continued communication are key to navigating these challenges together.  I’m looking forward to all that next week brings and want to thank you for your support as we finish this school year strong!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent Budget Message to Families Dear Federal Way Public Schools Families and Community,    As the end of the school year quickly approaches, I’m reflecting on the many moments of celebration we’ve shared, and I am grateful for your continued partnership in supporting our students.     Looking ahead, I want to share some important information about our budget planning for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.     What’s happening?   The Washington State Legislative Session ended on April 27. Unfortunately, as the state grappled with its own budget shortfall, the K-12 education budget included only minimal increases in funding. Despite strong advocacy efforts from districts across the state, including ours, the state budget continues to fall short of what is needed to fully fund districts and close the growing funding gaps.     As a result, budget challenges persist for Federal Way Public Schools and many other districts in our region and across the state. Just like a household budget, we must align our spending with what we receive.    For the 2025-26 school year, we are working to close our budget gap by $10 million.     With no state funding improvements in sight, we anticipate that future years will bring even more difficult reductions. The gap between rising operational costs and stagnant funding continues to widen, and the steps we are taking now – while significant – will not be enough to avoid deeper, more challenging decisions in the years ahead.     Why Is This Gap Occurring?    Here are some key challenges contributing to the growing gap between what it costs to run our schools and the funding we receive:  Rising Operation Costs: Like groceries, gas and utilities, the costs of running schools have increased significantly. State funding hasn’t kept pace with inflationary pressures. For example, our insurance premiums have more than doubled in the past five years and will increase by 14% (just shy of $1 million) next year. Ongoing and Underfunded Mandates: Services like special education and transportation for students experiencing homelessness are critical, but the state does not fully fund them. This year, our special education gap is expected to exceed $7 million and our transportation gap for students experiencing homelessness is approaching $6 million. Reduced Fund Balance Reserves: In recent years, we have relied on our financial reserves - our “rainy day fund” to help bridge budget gaps. These reserves are intended to provide a financial cushion for emergencies and serve as a cash flow buffer to ensure that district can meet its obligations during times of uncertainty. However, we are now nearing the minimum reserve level required by school board policy and can no longer depend on these funds to address ongoing budget shortfalls moving forward. What Are We Doing?   Despite these challenges, we have - and will continue to - take proactive steps to reduce spending and identify savings. These include:  Spending reductions to central office budgets of more than $10 million over the past two years. Phasing out $14 million in one-time federal pandemic relief funding last year. Rightsizing our staffing through attrition to align with current enrollment. Strategically using our financial reserves to help bridge budget gaps and sustain services for students. Carefully reviewing hiring for open positions and reducing non-essential spending where possible. Continuing to identify cost-saving opportunities across department budgets and programs.  Advocating with state leaders for adequate and equitable school funding. Ensuring maximum utilization of grant funds and exploring one-time revenue opportunities to help protect and support classroom needs. Moving Forward   I understand that budget conversations can create uncertainty. Please know we are approaching this process with care, transparency, and a focus on student success. My top priority is to ensure financial stability while continuing to protect classrooms and minimize the impact on scholars as much as possible.     I will keep you informed of our progress. Your engagement and dedication are a vital part of what makes Federal Way Public Schools a strong and vibrant community for our scholars to learn and thrive.    In partnership,    Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent  Because of You and Good News Announcements: May 27 Congrats to Staff Nominated and Awarded by Scholars with a “Because Of You” Award! Congratulations to all our FWPS educators who received the Because Of You Award at our board meeting for going above and beyond in supporting our scholars and/or positively impacting our community. We’re #FWPSProud of you all. Nominate a FWPS staff member for the award at  www.fwps.org/becauseofyou   Good News Announcements: May 27, 2025 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 Guest Teacher Celebration: Thank you to Our FWPS Guest Staff Federal Way Public Schools recently honored our incredible certificated and classified guest staff at the annual Guest Staff Celebration!  These dedicated professionals play a vital role in supporting our scholars and ensuring learning continues every day. Thank you to all our guest staff for your ongoing commitment to FWPS and the success of our students! Celebrating Pride Month: Honoring Identity, Belonging, and Progress In June, we recognize LGBTQ+ Pride Month, to take time and celebrate the diverse identities that contribute to the strength and richness of our district. This month highlights the importance of creating space for our scholars, staff, and community to show up as their authentic selves. When students feel comfortable and accepted, they are empowered to do their best learning. Our district is dedicated to maintaining safe and welcoming environments that foster a sense of belonging across all our schools. We are proud to share LGBTQ+ resources, recognize the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals, and celebrate the progress made toward equal rights and acceptance in both our community and the world. Learn more about how we support our LGBTQ+ community this month at www.fwps.org/pride2025 . Get Ready to Return Technology Devices The end of the school year is near, which means it’s almost time to turn in checked out technology devices.   All checked out technology devices, which includes any loaner laptop, Wi-Fi hot spot, and associated power adapters, must be returned for inventory and updating.   All scholars must return their technology equipment to their school of residence  between June 6 through June 13.   Families that have devices checked out after June 13 will receive notification of fines due for the equipment.  Scholars will not be able to check out any additional equipment until the equipment is returned or fines have been fully paid to the scholar’s school.   Families, please ensure your child returns their device to school between June 6-13. Start Thinking About Summer Learning Opportunities Summer is just around the corner. It’s important to think about how to bridge school years with fun summer learning opportunities. Luckily, FWPS is continuing “Summer Learning for All” with a variety of offerings for K-12 scholars, including: Summer Learning Packets  Download your child's printable Summer Learning Packet or pick up a hard copy in schools starting Friday, June 7. Hard copies for rising 1-12 grade levels packets will also be available to families at the ESC starting June 10. Online Learning Access online learning resources like SORA, iReady, Lexia, and Mathia by logging in to Launchpad to Learning to sharpen academic skills. Summer Reading Challenge How many books can your scholar read before the 2025-26 school year? Join thousands of other students in King County by participating in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at: www.kcls.org/summer . Video Lessons K-5 scholars can access video learning available on FWPS’ YouTube channel and our website.  FRED Bus and Free Summer Meals Visit FRED, the big green school bus that brings healthy meals, learning and fitness activities to Federal Way students this summer. FRED helps scholars keep their academic skills growing at no cost to families! Be sure to visit one of the locations Monday - Thursday, June 24-July 31. FWPS will also be providing free summer meals through the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Find our list of locations and times at: www.fwps.org/SummerMeals . Programs by Registration  Scholars who have already registered can join in a variety of summer academic programs designed for grades K-12 Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about how to engage in summer learning. For more information, visit www.fwps.org/SummerLearning . 🏆 Congratulations to the Week 7 Winners of the FWPS Attendance Cup!  🏆 🏆 Congratulations to the Week 7 Winners of the FWPS Attendance Cup!  🏆 We are thrilled to announce the winners of Week 6 (May 19-23) Attendance Cup! These schools have shown unwavering dedication to attendance excellence, and we couldn't be prouder!  🎉 Congratulations to the following schools for most improved attendance from the previous week and the highest 5-day attendance in their challenge group: 🌟 Most Improved Winners: Thomas Jefferson High School Evergreen Middle School Adelaide Elementary Mirror Lake Elementary Valhalla Elementary 🌟 Highest 5-Day Attendance Rate Winners: Thomas Jefferson High School Sacajawea Middle School Lakeland Elementary Twin Lakes Elementary Nautilus K-8 Sunnycrest Elementary Federal Way Public Academy Let's continue this fantastic work and strive to attend school every day! Together, we are shaping a brighter future for all our students. Learn more about the FWPS Attendance Cup and view our weekly leaderboard at www.fwps.org/attendancecup . Know Someone Moving to Federal Way in 2025-26? Enrollment for new to FWPS families is now open for all grade levels!  If you are planning to enroll your child in Federal Way Public Schools for the first time or are returning after time away, visit  www.fwps.org/enrollment to learn more and get started. If you have questions about the enrollment process, please contact your school directly. You can find your neighborhood school using the search tool at  www.fwps.org/SchoolBoundary . For support outside of school hours, please contact the district’s Educational Service Center at 253-945-2000.   2025-26 Choice Post-Lottery Enrollment Application Now Open The Post-lottery Choice enrollment application is now open from May 1 – August 29. The application is open to all residents of Federal Way Public Schools and also to residents of other districts. For more information or to submit your online application, visit www.fwps.org/Choice . Washington SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program This summer, the state of Washington will again operate the SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program.  The program will provide families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy food when school is out. SUN Bucks will be issued beginning mid-June through the end of August 2025. Read more here . For more information about the Washington SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program, please visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks Calling All Families With Incoming Kindergarteners! Give Your Kindergartener the Gift of Bilingualism! Did you know that Olympic View K-8 will have two new Dual Language kindergarten classrooms opening this fall? One will be Spanish/English and one will be Korean/English, and enrollment is now open! This is in addition to our Spanish/English Dual Language program at Sunnycrest Elementary.  Enrollment is now open, and we encourage to you to explore the opportunity to give your scholar to gift of bilingualism! What is does a Dual Language Classroom Look Like? Students in the Dual Language program receive instruction in both English and the partner language (Korean or Spanish). They learn to read, write, and communicate fluently in both languages through a carefully structured curriculum.  Does my child need to speak Korean or Spanish to join?  No. Dual Language programs are designed for both native English speakers and native speakers of the partner language (Korean or Spanish). Students learn together in a balanced, immersive environment that supports all language levels.  What are the benefits of Dual Language education?  Bilingualism & Biliteracy: Students develop fluency in two languages, which strengthens communication skills. Stronger Academic Achievement: Research shows Dual Language students perform as well or better than their peers in reading, math, and problem-solving. Cultural Awareness: Students gain a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. Future Career & College Opportunities: Bilingual graduates have more career pathways and access to college scholarships. Where are these programs offered?  Olympic View K-8: New Korean/English and Spanish/English Dual Language programs (starting in kindergarten). Sunnycrest Elementary: Long-standing Spanish/English Dual Language program (starting in kindergarten). Evergreen Middle School (6-8) & Thomas Jefferson High School (9-12): Students from these programs can continue their bilingual education through middle and high school. Apply Now! Apply today and learn more at:   www.fwps.org/duallanguage Submit your application at:   www.fwps.org/enrollment/choice-enrollment 📅 Reminder: Early Release on Friday, June 6, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  June 6 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 📅 Upcoming Events Athlete of the Year Celebration, June 2 Join FWPS on Monday, June 2, from 5-6:30 pm at Federal Way High School as we celebrate 16 phenomenal scholar-athlete nominees at the 2025 Federal Way Mirror Athlete of the Year Celebration! At the event, we'll highlight each scholar's accomplishments on and off the field, and announce the male and female Athlete of the Year, as determined by votes from the Federal Way community.   + Click to view more events on the district's calendar. 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 May 30, 2025

Saturday, May 31 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News - May 23, 2025

Federal Way Public Schools News May 23, 2025 FWPS WEBSITE CAREERS CALENDAR CONTACT   Greetings Families, Staff, and Community, With just under a month to go until the last day of school, we’re quickly approaching the finish line! Each day is packed with meaningful end-of-year activities like testing and final projects, to celebrations and special events. I encourage all scholars to be at school, on time, every day, to make the most of these final weeks of learning and connection.  On Monday evening, we held our second annual CTE Scholar Showcase at Federal Way High School. The CTE Showcase gave families and community members a firsthand look at the innovation and skill-building happening in our middle and high school classrooms. From hydraulic hands and forensic science displays to pottery, photography, and digital design, the projects highlighted the wide range of talent across our six CTE Programs of Study. It was exciting to see current scholars share their passions and younger students get inspired about what’s ahead. Be sure to check out our  photos and videos from the event on Facebook. A big thank you to our scholars and CTE teachers for proudly sharing your learning and creativity with the FWPS community!  Tuesday marked the final School Board Recognition Night of 2025! We proudly celebrated scholars and staff from Area 2, who embody the values of our Strategic Plan. Across each event, we witnessed incredible examples of determination, growth, and care, with students striving for success and staff going above and beyond to create supportive, inclusive learning environments. We are so proud of their accomplishments and grateful to have them in our FWPS community. This week was also our last Scholar and Parent Advisory meetings of the school year. Our scholar advisory shared where they've seen evidence of their feedback and input reflected in improvements and changes in their school experience. Our parent advisory spent time reviewing the successes and growth we’ve seen over the last year and took time to focus on priorities for the 2025-26 school year. I’m so grateful to everyone who shared their time and insights each month to help strengthen our schools, and I look forward to launching our advisories again this fall.  On Thursday morning, our Adaptive PE scholars took to Memorial Field for the annual track, field, and cycling day. The morning kicked off with a parade of schools followed by javelin, 50-meter hurdles, long jump, shot put, and cycling. Students also enjoyed lawn games and lunch, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere for all. Congratulations to our athletes for their accomplishments!   And lastly, if you haven’t had a chance, please vote for the 2025 Federal Way Mirror male and female  Athlete of the Year ! Our 16 nominated scholar-athletes have shown dedication, academic commitment, and pride in representing their schools and district in competition this year. Voting ends on May 25, so be sure to get your votes in soon!  As a reminder, there is no school this Monday in observance of Memorial Day. I hope you’re able to enjoy the long weekend with rest, reflection, and time with loved ones. We’ll see everyone back on Tuesday, recharged and ready for another great week of learning!  In Partnership, Dr. Dani Pfeiffer Superintendent No School on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26 As a friendly reminder, in observance of Memorial Day, there will be no school, and the Educational Service Center (ESC) will be closed to the public on  Monday, May 26, 2025 . School and district operations will resume on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 🏆 Congratulations to the Week 6 Winners of the FWPS Attendance Cup!  🏆 We are thrilled to announce the  winners of Week 6 (May 12-16) Attendance Cup ! These schools have shown unwavering dedication to attendance excellence, and we couldn't be prouder! 🎉 Congratulations to the following schools for the most improved attendance from the previous week and the highest 5-day attendance in their challenge group: 🌟 Most Improved Winners: Todd Beamer High School Illahee Middle School Enterprise Elementary Green Gables Elementary Mark Twain Elementary Sunnycrest Elementary Employment Transition Program 🌟 Highest 5-Day Attendance Rate Winners: Federal Way High School Sacajawea Middle School Enterprise Elementary Green Gables Elementary Nautilus K-8 Sunnycrest Elementary Federal Way Public Academy Let's continue this fantastic work and strive to attend school every day! Together, we are shaping a brighter future for all our students. Learn more about the FWPS Attendance Cup and view our weekly leaderboard at www.fwps.org/attendancecup . Know Someone Moving to Federal Way in 2025-26? Enrollment for new to FWPS families is now open for all grade levels!  If you are planning to enroll your child in Federal Way Public Schools for the first time or are returning after time away, visit  www.fwps.org/enrollment to learn more and get started. If you have questions about the enrollment process, please contact your school directly. You can find your neighborhood school using the search tool at  www.fwps.org/SchoolBoundary . For support outside of school hours, please contact the district’s Educational Service Center at 253-945-2000.   2025-26 Choice Post-Lottery Enrollment Application Now Open The Post-lottery Choice enrollment application is now open from May 1 – August 29. The application is open to all residents of Federal Way Public Schools and also to residents of other districts. For more information or to submit your online application, visit www.fwps.org/Choice . Washington SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program This summer, the state of Washington will again operate the SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program.  The program will provide families with $120 for each eligible school-aged child to buy food when school is out. SUN Bucks will be issued beginning mid-June through the end of August 2025. Read more  here . For more information about the Washington SUN Bucks Summer EBT Program, please visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sunbucks Now Open: Kindergarten Dual Language Enrollment!                                                                                                                 If you have a child entering kindergarten in the 2025–26 school year, now is the time to consider one of the most impactful educational opportunities Federal Way Public Schools has to offer: our Dual Language Program.  We asked current students and their parents to share their experiences in the program! New this fall, we are launching  brand-new Korean/English and Spanish/English Dual Language Programs at Olympic View K-8, while continuing the well-established Spanish/English Dual Language Program at Sunnycrest Elementary, now in its 15th year. In Dual Language programs, students receive instruction in both English and the partner language, developing bilingualism, biliteracy, academic excellence, and cross-cultural understanding. Students who complete the Dual Language pathway graduate with advanced language proficiency—ready for college, career, and a globally connected world. Dual Language education isn’t just about speaking two languages—it’s about unlocking your child’s full potential. Apply today and learn more at:   www.fwps.org/duallanguage Submit your application at:   www.fwps.org/enrollment/choice-enrollment 📅 Reminder: Early Release on Friday, May 30, 2025 This is a friendly reminder that Friday,  May 30  is an Early Release day . Schools are let out 75 minutes early in support of staff professional learning and collaboration time.  🔗 View the updated 2024-25 school calendar in our top languages: www.fwps.org/calendar 🔗 See your school’s early release schedule: www.fwps.org/earlyrelease 🏅 Cast Your Athlete of the Year Vote by May 25 🏅  Sixteen incredible FWPS scholar-athletes are in the running—but only one male and one female will earn the title of 2025 Federal Way Mirror Athlete of the Year! 🏆 Now it’s your turn, Federal Way! Cast your vote and help celebrate the hard work, talent, and dedication of our student-athletes. 🙌 🗓️ Voting is open from Monday, May 19 through Sunday, May 25, 2025. 🖱️ Vote at: www.fwps.org/AOTY   Let’s show up for our scholars and make our voices heard! 💙 📅 Upcoming Events Spring Early Learning Gathering, May 29 Calling all early learning professionals and caregivers! RSVP for the in-person Early Learning Gathering on Thursday, May 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Truman Early Learning Center, 31457 28th Ave S, Federal Way, WA 98003; or via ZOOM. This is an opportunity to explore early learning in Federal Way, take home ideas, and build community connections. The focus will be “An Early Educator’s guide to Whole Child Development & Learning.” RSVP to FWPS Early Learning Department at  preschool@fwps.org   or call 253-945-5875. The Zoom link will be emailed to you. Download the flyer.   Athlete of the Year Celebration, June 2 Join FWPS on Monday, June 2, from 5-6:30 pm at Federal Way High School as we celebrate 16 phenomenal scholar-athlete nominees at the 2025 Federal Way Mirror Athlete of the Year Celebration! At the event, we'll highlight each scholar's accomplishments on and off the field, and announce the male and female Athlete of the Year, as determined by votes from the Federal Way community. + Click to view more events on the district's calendar. 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 May 23, 2025

Saturday, May 24 2025