Webucator is a weekly publication produced by the Tacoma Public Schools Public
Information Office for district staff members. To submit story ideas or inquire about a
published story, contact Pam Thompson at pthomps@tacoma.k12.wa.us or call the Public
Information Office at 253-571-1015. Please note: When submitting photos of students
with a story, please include their names and make sure the students have no photo
restrictions.
May 7, 2010
Images of the week
Race to the Top signing
Dates to remember
May 7–8: Mount Tahoma H.S. production of “The Importance of Being Earnest,” 7 p.m.
May 8: World Red Cross Day
May 10-16: National Children’s Book Week
May 12: National School Nurse Day
May 12: Queer and Allied Educators Network, 4 p.m., Shakabrah Java, Tacoma
May 13: School board meeting, 6 p.m., CAB auditorium
May 15: First Creek M.S. Health and Safety Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
May 15: Armed Forces Day
May 16-22: National Educational Bosses Week
May 19: New Paradigm Recognition Ceremony, 6 p.m., Stadium H.S.
May 20: Indian Education graduation, Mount Tahoma H.S., 5 p.m.
May 27: District retirement event, 4 p.m., CAB auditorium
May 27: School board meeting, 6 p.m., CAB auditorium
May 31: Memorial Day
June 1–30: Great Outdoors Month
June 1: Tacoma School of the Arts graduation, 6 p.m., Pantages Theater
June 9: Oakland H.S. graduation, 6 p.m., CAB board room
June 5: World Environment Day
June 5: East Side Clean Sweep project, 9 to 11:30 a.m.; celebration noon to 1:30 p.m.
June 14: Stadium H.S. graduation, 4:30 p.m.; Lincoln H.S. graduation, 8 p.m., Tacoma
Dome
June 15: Wilson H.S. graduation, 2:30 p.m.; Mount Tahoma graduation, 5:30 p.m.; Foss
H.S. graduation, 8:30 p.m., Tacoma Dome
June 13: Race Unity Day
June 14: Flag Day
June 15: Last day of school
June 21: 10-hour, 4-day work weeks begin for staff through Aug. 13
Special event
Governor Chris Gregoire, second
from left, was one of the signers
on the district’s commitment to
Race to the Top for federal
education dollars.
SOTA student draws Paulson
Miranda Gust, a SOTA student,
drew a picture of Jennifer Paulson
for the Birney bike team
participating in a fundraiser for
St. Leo’s Food Bank. The
illustration will go on T-shirts for
the team. Birney Principal Chris
Hinds accepts the illustration.
Stewart wins writing prize
District signs commitment to the Race to the Top
Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Superintendent Randy Dorn joined officials and
education leaders from Tacoma Public Schools on Friday, May 7, at the Central
Administration Office to announce their participation in Washington state’s Race to the
Top application for federal education dollars.
For more information on Race to the Top, click here to link to the OSPI Web site.
Upcoming events
Emergency personnel to conduct exercise at Giaudrone May 8
Emergency personnel will conduct a routine exercise, Saturday, May 8, at Giaudrone
Middle School. The purpose of the exercise is to practice communication and
coordination of a rescue process. Giaudrone Middle School is a designated landing
zone for rescue operations, and the exercise will include landing a helicopter on
campus, setting up a triage center and staging evacuation operations. There will be no
Stewart M.S. student Tess
Warren won first place in the
seventh- and eighth-grade
category in a library contest for
staged victims, sirens or other potential disruptions. If you should have any questions,
please call the Public Information Office at 253-571-1015.
her short story, “Helium.”
Meeker speaks Spanish
Lincoln to stage musical farce ‘Anything Goes’ May 13-21
Lincoln High School’s first full production play in more than 15 years is a musical farce
called "Anything Goes." Lincoln's Drama Club production group is called ETC for
Eastside Theatre Circle. The play will be May 13, 14, 15, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. each
night.
“Julie Somers, director and drama teacher, is revitalizing the drama program at
Lincoln,” English teacher Char Davenport said. “This year, the interest has really
boomed! Last fall, we presented ‘You Can't Take It With You’ and it was our first
attempt on the big stage. ‘Anything Goes’ is a full stage musical with more than 30 cast
members and will be performed in the auditorium at Lincoln.
Tickets will be $6 for adults; $4 with ASB; $5 without ASB; $16 for a family of four; and
$20 for a family of five.
Every day Meeker M.S. eighth
graders can speak only Spanish
when they sit at a special lunch
table hosted by a Spanishspeaking Meeker parent. Andrea
Sutton is the host for this day.
Food Services bowls for JA
First Creek health and safety fair set for May 15
The First Creek Health and Safety Fair will be Saturday, May 15, from 9 a.m.–3
p.m. Students in Donna Chang’s sixth- and seventh-grade science classes are planning
the fair and will serve as hosts as part of a service learning project.
MultiCare is the big sponsor and MultiCare will be joined by health and safety educators
from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, the University of Washington,
FISH Food Bank, Metro Parks Tacoma, Pierce County AIDS Foundation, Wilson High
School Key Club and others.
The sixth and seventh graders will share the results of their health and safety research
projects. “Booths will provide lots of great information and interactive displays,” Chang
said. “There will be entertainment and door prizes as well. Everyone is welcome.”
The Rolling Pins bowling team
from Food Services raised
pledges for a Junior Achievement
bowling classic May 1.
Truman jazz band to be featured at arthritis walk May 22
Wilson learns about frogs
Truman Middle School’s Jazz Ensemble will be the featured entertainment at the
Tacoma Arthritis Walk on Owens Beach in Point Defiance Park Saturday, May 22, at 9
a.m. David Cripe, Truman band director, said, “Come experience ‘Jazz on the Beach’
and sign up for the arthritis walk.”
District retirement reception May 27
The district’s annual retirement reception will be held at 4 p.m. May 27 in the CAB
auditorium to honor those employees retiring this school year and others who retired
after the reception in 2009. For those retiring this year, please RSVP to Kirsten
Anderson-Connolly in Human Resources at 253-571-1252.
Clean Sweep to be June 5
Wilson High School Principal Dan
Besett holds the science room’s
bullfrog. Students were doing live
observations of the frogs.
Clean Sweep will be Saturday, June 5, from 9 to 11:30 a.m., with the celebration and
lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Sheridan Elementary School.
Schools participating are Lincoln High School, Stewart and First Creek middle schools
and Roosevelt, McKinley, Blix, Lister, Sheridan, Fawcett, Boze and Lyon elementary
schools. For more information, contact Kari Reed at 253-571-1087.
Birney puts together bike team for June 6 St. Leo fundraiser
Birney Elementary School is putting together a bike team to participate in the “Wheels
to Meals” fifth annual fundraiser for St. Leo’s Food Bank on June 6. The ride is being
dedicated to Jennifer Paulson, and Tacoma School of the Arts students were asked to
help by providing a sketch of Jennifer’s photograph. The sketch will be part of a special
T-shirt designed for all bike team participants (and anyone else who would like to order
one).
A Wilson H.S. student pretends to
kiss a bullfrog in science class.
Tom Fergin’s class was making
live observations, and this frog
met a lot of students through
hands-on experiences.
Manitou Park reads
Miranda Gust, a former Birney student in the deaf and hard of hearing program and
now a SOTA student, presented her drawing to the Birney staff recently. The money
raised by Birney for the St. Leo’s fundraiser will be used to fund programs such as the
backpack program that provides two days of food every Friday to 345 students at nine
Tacoma schools who are at-risk of hunger on the weekend, and the summer meals
program that serves lunch to children on week days throughout the summer.
Anyone who would like to donate to this effort may contact the Birney office at 253-5714600 for more information.
News and updates
City of Destiny Awards to recognize two TPS students
At the Manitou Park E.S. RRR
(reading, writing and arithmetic)
event, a parent reads aloud.
Mayor Marilyn Strickland and the City Council will recognize Tacoma’s top volunteers—
six individuals and four groups—at the 24th annual City of Destiny Awards ceremony at
7 p.m. May 11. This event, which is free and open to anyone who is interested in
learning more about the volunteer experience, will be in the Stadium High School
auditorium.
Two Tacoma Public Schools high school students will receive awards, according to a
City of Tacoma press release.
Youth Award: Jamie Colson, a senior at Stadium High School, is an achiever. Like
many achievers her age, she is evaluating her options and trying to map out how life
will look after high school. With several university acceptance letters and scholarship
incentives already in her back pocket, she has not made any snap decisions. What
really distinguishes Jamie from other achievers, however, are the types of activities she
chooses to spend her time on—such as fundraising with her school’s Sparrow Club,
helping bag groceries for My Sister’s Pantry and volunteering at the Tacoma Humane
Society and other organizations.
Manitou Park students work on
book making at the annual RRR
Roundup event.
Youth Leadership Award: When asked what she wanted to do when she was older,
Bethany Rogers—a 16-year-old Wilson High School junior—did not skip a beat. She
plans to be a doctor. She would love to be a pediatrician or a neonatologist, which is a
subspecialty of pediatrics that consists of the medical care of newborn infants. When
asked why, she says that it is because she is generally interested in children, in their
unique needs and in their unusual ability to maintain their grip on things, even under
extreme duress.
For more information on the awards and other winners, visit the Web site at
cityoftacoma.org/DestinyAwards.
2010-2011 uniform/dress codes and supply lists needed
A Manitou Park student plays the
bongo drum at a recent school
event for families.
The Public Information Office is preparing to post the 2010-2011 schools’ uniform/dress
code information and supply lists to the district’s Web site. We will also send the
information to local vendors.
Each school should send their 2010-2011 uniform/dress code and supply lists to Nikol
Cartledge in the Public Information Office via e-mail at ncartle@tacoma.k12.wa.us.
Please provide in either a Word or in “pdf” format no later than Friday, June 11. If at all
possible, please provide all grades/teachers’ lists in one document.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact Nikol Cartledge
in Public Information at 253-571-1015.
Meeker parents host Spanish-only lunch table
Meeker Middle School eighth-grade Spanish students have a chance to practice their
language skills at lunch at the Spanish-only table. Spanish-speaking parents take turns
hosting the table and helping the students work on their conversational Spanish.
A young girl gets instruction on
how to play a Celtic harp at a
recent family event.
Marvelous Mentors program successful
Crescent Heights Elementary School’s Marvelous Mentors is a program where
academically solid and kind third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students are matched with
peers who have some academic need, such as needing someone to read with or
practice their basic math skills.
“Crescent Heights included its primary students in this program, as early intervention is
critical to the future success of our young readers,” Lynn Thurston, teacher-librarian,
said. ”We have 94 students participating in this four-days-a-week program from 8 to
8:45 a.m. Of course, our school has amazing parent support, so all of these kids are
transported or carpooled by these fantastic parents. This has been an incredible
experience to be a part of, and watching these kids work together and support one
another is a wonderful thing to see.”
A student works with traced
hands at the recent RRR event at
Manitou Park.
Treakle sports gold medal
Building use forms updated
Starting in September the only Building Use Request forms that will be accepted must
have a revision date in the lower left corner. The latest version says Rev. 02/2010. This
is because the rules on the back have been updated.
If you don’t have any of these, please make sure to request some for anyone asking to
use the facilities for the next school year. Old forms will need to be destroyed. If an old
copy is filled out, please have the requestor fill out a new form.
If you have any questions, contact Kasey Kelley, building use/custodial secretary, at
253-571-3313. Click here to see procedures for doing volunteer projects.
Free conservation materials offered
The district Food Services office has free energy conservation materials available for
teachers. Schwan's Food Service has donated 8,000 Energy Saving Checklists for
Teens, 1,200 Save Energy coloring sheets and hundreds of Carbon Footprint posters. If
you would like any quantity of these materials for your students, please contact Anita
Lee at 253-571-3378 in Food Services. Click here to see a copy of the checklist and
coloring sheet.
Nina Treakle, a student in Mount
Tahoma H.S.’s multi-ortho
program, won a gold medal in
the recent Special Olympics.
McKinley takes the train
Historic Tacoma publishes architectural primer on schools
Historic Tacoma is a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization dedicated to preserving Tacoma’s
architectural legacy through education and advocacy. The organization published
“Tacoma’s Historic Schools: An Architectural Primer” in March. Click here for a preview.
For more information on preserving Tacoma’s architectural heritage, go to the Web site
at www.historictacoma.net. Memberships are available starting at $30 for an individual.
Whitman Wildcats kick it with the Tacoma Tide
The Tacoma Tide players ran a free soccer clinic and signed autographs at Whitman
Elementary School on May 5. Forty Whiteman students enjoyed the fun soccer skills
clinic and meeting their local semi-pro athletes.
McKinley E.S. students gather at
the Tacoma Amtrak station
before taking a free train ride to
Portland, provided by the Keep
Our Schools Safe program. Of the
28 students who earned a free
train ride to Portland, 24 were
ELL students.
Anyone interested in having Tacoma Tide soccer players come to their school for a
clinic can contact Tacoma Tide at 253-564-9329 or e-mail the team at
www.TacomaTideSports.com.
Applause
Point Defiance hosts Survivor Night for parents
Point Defiance Elementary School had a Survivor Fun Night where parents went to
different stations to learn about the Measurement of Student Progress (MSP). Parents
learned about the changes from the WASL to MSP and were able to try practice items
released by OSPI. There were sample papers showing the different points and how
students will score. Parents left with a “passport” giving testing strategies for parents
and testing dates. Students had fun showing their parents how to do the prompts. It was
Six chaperones accompanied
McKinley students on the train
ride from Tacoma to Portland and
back. Principal Anita Roth said
there were so many deserving
students that they had to use a
lottery system to choose 28.
a successful night, thanks to our staff.
—Principal Olga Lay, Point Defiance E.S.
Treakle earns gold medal at Special Olympics
Nina Treakle won a gold medal at the Southwest Regional Special Olympics. Nina, a
multi-ortho student at Mount Tahoma High School, won the medal for the "25-meter
assisted walking” competition. Nina is a part of Tacoma's Metropolitan Parks Team.
The Southwest Regional Special Olympics event was April 24.
Teachers to test pilot math project
The teachers are Margaret Patterson (algebra/intervention) at Lincoln High School and
John Solberg (seventh-grade math) and Dylan Moyer (sixth- to eighth-grade TLC) at
First Creek Middle School. Joshua Mayer at Mason Middle School will use the pilot
program when the tech infrastructure is in place in his classroom.
McKinley students gather outside
the Amtrak station in Portland
before returning to Tacoma.
Tacoma Public Schools has implemented a pilot program using the DimensionM™
immersive educational video games created by Tabula Digita, the leading developer of
content-rich, educational video games. The teachers are testing the compelling games
in pre-algebra and algebra classes with the hope of both stimulating and engaging
students in navigating the complexities of learning and mastering math.
Thanks for helping students
A huge thank you goes to all Hearts for Kids staff members at Mann, McCarver and
Stafford elementary schools for doing such an amazing job with all our students. Great
big high-fives to Stafford Principal Cynthia Evans, Mann Principal Patricia Kennedy and
McCarver Principal Scott Rich for an awesome job in leading a great team of staff in
helping our students succeed in class and for partnering with Hearts for Kids. Thank
you very much from the bottom of our hearts.
—Ala Talo, Stafford site coordinator, Hearts for Kids
McKinley boys eat lunch in
Portland before riding the train
back to Tacoma. They are
identified by their KOSS T-shirts.
Thanks to Mason Booster Club
A big thank you to the Mason Booster Club for treating the Mason Middle School staff
this week for teacher/staff appreciation. All that you do for us does not go unnoticed.
We are thankful for all that you do for us.
—Mason M.S. staff members
Running Start students earn associate degrees
The following Tacoma Public Schools high school students have participated in
Running Start and are earning their associates degree this year at Tacoma Community
College. Congratulations to all these excellent students!
—Cynthia Endicott, counselor, Mount Tahoma H.S.
Foss High School
Brittany Bonning- Associate of Arts and Sciences Degree (AAS) with honors
Kathryn Haney- AAS
Jessica Maxwell- AAS with high honors
Tatyanna Martynova- AAS with high honors
Leah Heise- AAS
Clayton Wiebe- AAS with with high honors
Lisa Chanthavisay- AAS with high honors
Eugene Montgomery began the
Keep Our Schools Safe (KOSS)
program to reward students for
good behavior. This is the first
year Tacoma has participated.
McKinley students enjoyed the
train trip.
Lincoln to stage musical
Phuqui “Quincy” Pham- AAS with honors
Lincoln High School
Emily Daily- AAS
Cassaundra Myers- AAS with high honors
Samantha Strother- Associate of Business
Mount Tahoma High School
Anna Nguyen- AAS with honors
Lincoln is revitalizing its drama
program and will stage a musical
farce “Anything Goes” in May.
Grant’s lady pirates
Sergey Lukin- AAS with high honors
Shaunece Jordan- AAS
Stadium High School
Aimee Ward- Associate of Business
Joshua Morrison- AAS
Chelsea Wood- AAS
Joanna Farmer-AAS
Wilson High School
Juliana Chase- AAS with honors
Joella Ortega- AAS
Emily Parker- AAS with high honors
Elle Zimmerman-AAS
Grant Center for the Expressive
Arts students perform Captain
Bree and her Lady Pirates.
Home schooled
Rosemary Arnold- AAS
Mount Tahoma constructs Daffodil float
Thank you to all the Mount Tahoma High School students and staff who helped with the
Daffodil float and parade. You did a great job. Click here for the link to the online video
of the float construction.
TPS Video on Demand
To see more videos of Tacoma Public Schools events and school board meetings, click
here. You can see videos about First Creek Middle School’s service learning projects,
the glassblowing programs at Wilson High School and Jason Lee Middle School,
Wilson’s Scintillation Show Choir performing at the Blue Mouse, staff on local TV
programs, among other subjects. Keep checking to see new additions to the list
highlighting district students and staff members.
Grant’s performance of Captain
Bree and Her Lady Pirates was at
Tacoma Little Theater. Stay
tuned to the district’s Web site
Video on Demand to see the
production.
Teen writer takes first place in library contest
Stewart Middle School student Tess Warren was chosen as one of the 16 finalists in the
14th annual Our Own Expressions teen writing and art contest conducted by the Pierce
County Library. Tess won first place in the seventh- and eighth-grade category for her
short story, “Helium.” Her language arts teacher, Anastasia Church, encouraged her
students to participate in the writing contest. Tess will be honored along with other
winners on June 2 at 7 p.m. at Pacific Lutheran University. Congratulations, Tess.
Lister library gets grant and more books
Grant actors perform on stage at
the Tacoma Little Theater.
The Lister Elementary School library was awarded a grant through the “We the People”
Bookshelf national grant project. The Lister library was one of 4,000 libraries across the
country selected to receive a “We the People” Bookshelf grant, which provided free
hardcover editions of 17 classic books on the theme of “A More Perfect Union.” The
library also received bonus materials, including a DVD edition of “The Civil War,” the
award-winning documentary by Ken Burns. The grant was awarded by the National
Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in cooperation with the American Library
Association.
In addition, the Lister library was gifted more than $1,000 worth of books (slightly used,
mostly new) from Readersoutlet.com. An additional donation was also received from
Lakewood Friends of the Library, which has now donated more than 200 books to the
Lister library this school year. A huge thank you to Readersoulet.com and Lakewood
Friends of the Library.
—Janet Caldon, Lister office coordinator
Hot shop artists make Lister creations
The mobile hot shop from the Museum of Glass set up shop at Lister recently. Students
enjoyed watching the artists in action. Several students participated in the “Kids Design
Glass” contest and drew pictures for the artists to re-create into glass objects.
Colorful pirates captivate
audiences in Grant’s recent
production.
Grant performs at TAM
Winners are:




Alex Lloyd, a fifth grader in Christine Koukles’ class, designed “Out to Launch,” a
rocket ship made out of a hot dog base, Oreo engines and chips for side flaps.
Alex Grahe, a fifth grader in Christine Koukles’ class, created “Dreamworks
Production Gone Wrong,” which represents Dreamworks was making a new
movie, but the company machines went whacked and made this mess up.
Jorge Lopez, a fifth grader in Robert Hicker’s class, drew a “Crop Dragon, “which
is a mix between fruits and vegetables and a dragon. He is an omnivore.
Amy Hung, a fifth grader in Robert Hicker’s class, designed “Mustache Man,” that
has a fez and likes to act metro. He also has a cape with powers.
Professional development
Grant Center for the Expressive
Arts singers perform at the
Tacoma Art Museum.
Lawson Employee Self Service overview
Two repeat information sessions on Employee Self Service (ESS) are being offered in
May for those who missed the training at their work location or would like another
overview of how the system works. In September, the district will go to a paperless
payroll system (no more paper check stubs). Learn how to access your pay check
information, benefits, leave balances, professional development hours and more online.
Registration is online via the Professional Development calendar. Sessions are open to
all employees, coaches and substitutes. Both sessions will be at the Professional
Development Center, Room 1. Register for one session only.
 Monday, May 17: 3:30 to 4 p.m.
 Wednesday, May 19: 4:30 to 5 p.m.
Please note that this is information only—no PEP credit or clock hours are available.
However, employees who have individual inservice hours left may use those for pay to
attend if attending on non-work time.
A spider sings at the Tacoma Art
Museum performance.
Para assessment test, test prep class offered
Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) will host a para test prep class from 5–7 p.m. on May 17
at no cost and a para assessment test on May 24, 4:30–7:30. The test cost is $75;
checks may be made payable to Tacoma Public Schools. No late arrivals or walk-ins
are allowed for the para test. Registration is required for both sessions. You may
register for one or both.
For more information and/or to register, go to the TPS Web site at:
www.tacomaschools.org. Click on the link to Professional Development and then
Classified – Master PEP Calendar. Scroll to date and click on session title to register.
Registrations will not be confirmed until payment is received.
Send your payment to: Tacoma Public Schools, Attention: Cathy Martin, Professional
Development, 601 South 8th Street, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357. Please note on your
payment that it is for the para assessment test. The class and test will be conducted at
the Professional Development Center (PDC), Room 9 lab, 6501 North 23rd St., Tacoma.
Grant sheep sing in front of a
chorus of rabbits at TAM.
Tacoma Tide hosts clinic
For more information, contact Professional Development staff members at 253-5711183 or 253-571-1157.
Tech tips
WinKey shortcuts
Use the WinKey
on the lower left side of the keyboard in combination with the
following letter to get the desired action.
WinKey+E
WinKey+R
Open an Explorer window
Open the Run dialog
Tacoma Tide soccer players
hosted a soccer skills clinic at
Whitman E.S. May 5. Rory Agu
and Jon Billing are two of the
visiting teammates.
Hot shop creates art
WinKey+F
WinKey+D
WinKey+L
WinKey+F1
Find: All Files
Show/Hide Desktop
Lock Computer
Open Windows Help
Using hot keys on the desktop
You can actually assign hot keys for all your shortcuts on your desktop. Right-click the
desktop shortcut and select Properties. Click on the Shortcut tab. In the Shortcut key
text box, choose the combination of shortcut key you want. Hold down the Ctrl+Alt or
Ctrl+Shift combination while selecting another key.
Health news
Biggest Winner Business program to start
MultiCare Center for Healthy Living, in partnership with Pierce County Gets Fit, is
launching the fourth Pierce County Biggest Winner program. The 2010 program will
include 10 businesses. Each business will sponsor two employees to compete to lose
weight over a 10 \-week period.
Pierce County Biggest Winner Business program includes before and after health
assessments, individual sessions with a registered dietitian and health and wellness
coach, nutrition and fitness classes, a 10-week exercise program at the YMCA, and lots
of encouragement along the way. Books and materials are provided and prizes will be
rewarded for Pierce County Biggest Winners. The competition will begin on June 7 and
end on Aug. 23 when winners will be announced and prizes awarded. For details of the
program, click here.
Commuting news
Rideshare options available
If you are looking to share the ride to work or school, go to www.RideshareOnline.com.
Or call 1-888-814-1300 which serves the entire state. If you cannot rideshare every day,
that is no problem. Drive alone when you need to—and share the ride whenever you
can. This program provides free Ridematch assistance to anyone who lives or works in
Washington.
Women’s Cycling Project needs input
The Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP) is looking for input
from women and girls on cycling issues. This survey is part of the APBP’s Women
Cycling Project. The survey is open to May 15 at www.apbp.org.
Bike swap at UPS Field House May 8
The Tacoma Bike Swap will be Saturday, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
University of Puget Sound (UPS) Field House parking lot.
Commuter picnic, fashion show, speaker May 21
A commuter picnic and fashion show will be Friday, May 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
in Wright Park near the playground. Celebrate Bike to Work Week, May 17–21, with
fellow commuter contest participants at a lunch-time picnic in Wright Park sponsored by
Downtown: On the Go! Free lunch will be provided for the first 75 cyclists. For
entertainment, watch local cyclists strut their stuff on the catwalk during the Bike
Fashion Show. For more information, go to the Web site at www.piercetrips.com.
Evening event
Renowned author and adventure cyclist Willie Weir will share stories of bicycling all
over the world at 6 p.m. at the Tacoma Mountaineers Club House, 2302 N. 30th St. Go
Lister E.S. students who won a
design contest hold their artwork
created in glass by artists with
the Tacoma Glass Museum
mobile hot shop.
Quick Links
Event Calendar
Job openings
News & Information
Policies & Procedures
Professional Development
Staff classifieds
Webucator
to the Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club Web site at www.twbc.org for more
information.
Lunchtime walking event June 4
Walk Tacoma, a lunchtime walking event will be Friday, June 4, at Waterfront
Amphitheater near Albers Mill. Downtown: On the Go! and its partners will introduce five
new Walk Tacoma downtown walking maps during this lunchtime event. Enjoy a hearty
lunch (free to first 50 walkers), music, a brief walk along one of the walking map routes
and a goody bag of giveaways.
Evening bicycle race June 12
The Tacoma Twilight Criterium Evening Bicycle Race will be Saturday, June 12, from 3
to 11 p.m. Organized by the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Commission, this is
Tacoma’s first downtown short-course, high-action bicycle race. For more information,
go to the Web site at www.tacomatwilight.com.
For more Bike to Work week events, go to the Web site at www.piercetrips.com. You
will also find the dates of free bike movies at area venues.
Pierce Transit redesign public meetings scheduled for June
Pierce Transit (PT) is facing its biggest budget challenge yet. Sales tax dollars bring in
70 percent of PT’s revenue, with 17 percent from fares and 10 percent from grants. This
revenue has been plummeting since 2007. PT predicts a sales tax revenue loss of $68
million by the end of 2012.
After receiving public input last fall, Pierce Transit presented its findings to the public in
April during Phase II of PT Tomorrow and showed two scenarios. Pierce Transit is now
ready to return to the public with Phase III where representatives will present revised
“plan alternatives” that attempt to address feedback from the public in Phase II.
The public’s response in Phase III will be critical to the future transit system. Six public
meetings will be held around the area from Gig Harbor to Bonney Lake. Go to the
Pierce Transit Tomorrow Web site at www.pttomorrow.org for more information and a
list of the meetings.
Community opportunities
Free author event at the History Museum May 20
COLUMBIAKids turns two event Thursday, May 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the
Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma.
Join the museum as COLUMBIAKids e-zine turns two. This year, the museum is
exploring "the story behind the story" with Pacific Northwest authors Kirby Larson
(Hattie Big sky, Nubs, COLUMBIAKids "Sayonara"), Randall Platt (Hellie Jondoe),
Anjali Banerjee (Looking for Bapu, Seaglass Summer), Mindy Hardwick
(COLUMBIAKids "Pigs Go To Market" and "Tales of the Lighthouse Keeper"), and the
editors of COLUMBIAKids.
If you are curious about researching and writing history for children, you will not want to
miss this program. If you are intrigued with homesteading, Hinduism, ghosts, orphan
trains, internment, animals or mummies, this night is for you. It will be a fun and
enlightening evening for readers and writers of all ages. The program is free and the
museum is open to the public until 8 p.m. A book signing will follow the program. Check
out on the Web site at http://columbia.washingtonhistory.org/kids.
Parenting series to begin May 13
Communities in Schools and Fern Hill Elementary School will present a three-part
parent learning series for adults only May 13, 20 and 27 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Fern Hill.
The series will address issues relevant to children of all ages. Other organizations
participating are the Tacoma Police Department (TPD), Puget Sound Educational
Service District (ESD), Fern Hill Safe Streets, Living Word Church and Baker Middle
School.
 May 13: Cyber Bullying with Detective Tom Williams, TPD
 May 20: Drug Awareness Education with Dan Bissonnette, Puget Sound ESD
 May 27: Gang Prevention with Detective Barry McColeman, TPD
Free childcare will be available if parents call 253-571-3873 in advance, and it will open
at 6:10 p.m.
Queer and Allied Educators Network meeting May 12
The Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) Queer and Allied Educators Network meets at
Shakabrah Java (2618 6th Ave Tacoma, WA) at 4 p.m. on the second Wednesday of
each month. Participants support one another as they strive to make every school in
TPS a place where all families, students and staff are welcomed, supported and
celebrated. All are welcome. Please stop by.
Tacoma School District complies with all federal and state laws and regulations and
does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual
orientation, national origin, or ancestry, the presence of any sensory, mental or
physical disability or use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a
disability, age, familial or marital status, honorably discharged veteran or military
status. This applies to all educational programs and extra-curricular activities. Inquiries regarding the
application of the above should be directed to Laurie Taylor, assistant superintendent, Human Resources,
telephone 253-571-1252. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX should be directed to Jennifer
Kubista, director of Athletics and Activities, telephone 253-571-1123. Inquiries regarding the application of
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (concerning students with disabilities who are not eligible for special
education) should be directed to Barbara O’Rorke, executive director, Special Education, telephone 253-5711224. Inquiries regarding accommodations for disabled employees and the public should be directed to Leslie
Nohr, Disability Accommodations Office, telephone 253-571-1021. These individuals may be contacted by
mail at P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.