Krestin Bahr, PSD Superintendent | (253) 530-1002 | superintendent@psd401.net

Spring fades as summer approaches, ushering in growth and celebrations all around us. The approaching summer solstice brings sunlight and energy, much like our students have illuminated our classrooms all year. As we count down the days until summer break, I'm proud to see the resilience of our students who continue to inspire me with their end-of-year accomplishments.

Our incredible NJROTC TideHawk unit did an outstanding job marching in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. last Monday. The group represented our district and the state of Washington in a beautiful salute to America’s veterans, in honor of those who have died in defense of our country. 

This year’s National Memorial Day Parade commemorated the 250th anniversary of our country’s armed forces and the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Thank you to our cadets for embodying the leadership and commitment we nurture in our schools. View the video of our TideHawks marching down Constitution Avenue. 

The Seal of Biliteracy was awarded to 21 dedicated Gig Harbor High School and Peninsula High School students who studied and showed proficiency in English and at least one other language. Our incredible students tested in 8 different languages this year, including American Sign Language, Chinese, German, French, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Congratulations, students, you are an inspiration with all your hard work.

Hundreds of our district’s deserving high school seniors were recently awarded generous scholarships for their postsecondary endeavors. The Gig Harbor Tides Scholarship Foundation presented 277 scholarships to 140 students, thanks to generous donors and the scholarship committee's fundraising. The Peninsula Hawks Scholarship Fund awarded 452 scholarships to 166 students, thanks to donors and proceeds from the S.A.V.E. Thrift Store. Henderson Bay High School awarded 61 scholarships to all 24 students who submitted scholarship notebooks. Thank you to our community for your support and to the scholarship committees for your work to raise funds and create opportunities for our students.

Huge congratulations to the recipients of three significant awards at the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) May meeting. Gig Harbor High School senior Logan Thoms earned the WASA Student Leadership Award for his exceptional contributions and advocacy as a Student School Board Representative. The PenMet Parks board and Executive Director Ally Bujacich were awarded the WASA Community Leadership Award for their leadership and commitment to ensuring student access to sports and activities, fostering physical and social development. 

The WASA Student Achievement Leadership Award was given to Lisa Reaugh, Executive Director, Student Services, and Natalie Boyle, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning. They were recognized for their initiatives that focus on elementary literacy and equitable access to education, specifically outdoor Transitional Kindergarten and the Eagle Quest Outdoor Program. I am so proud of how our district continues to develop innovative programs and serve as a model for other school districts.

As we have shared over the last few months, school board members, students and I spent significant time testifying in Olympia, submitting letters, and meeting with legislators throughout the legislative session to advocate for education funding. Together with public education advocates from across our state, we asked for full funding for special education, transportation support, and inflation adjustments for Materials, Supplies, and Operating Costs (MSOC). 

The final state budget did not fund these priorities as we had hoped, which means districts are still unable to cover basic education costs. In response, we must continue to fill the gap using local levy dollars and by making difficult budget decisions. To further understand how deeply our state underfunds education, please read the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) summary of the legislative session and also visit this website that explains Washington’s school funding dilemma. For now, we will continue to advocate for our schools and are hopeful that the 2026 legislative session will see our state commit to fully fund basic education.

As we wrap up the school year and celebrate the amazing class of 2025, I want to express my gratitude for the dedication and resilience shown by our students, staff, families, and community members. Even as we've faced challenges and difficult moments, your collective efforts have carried us through and made this year one of meaningful progress and achievement.

Our district's strength lies in the partnerships we've built together, and I'm proud of what we've accomplished this year. Summer break offers a valuable opportunity for everyone to recharge and spend time with loved ones. As you enjoy your summer activities, know that we're already looking forward to welcoming everyone back for another year of learning and growth. Have a safe and enjoyable summer break.

Sincerely, 

Kopachuck Middle School students and staff welcomed Dutch Holocaust survivor Pete Metzelaar to speak at a special all-school assembly. Pete and his mother lived in hiding in Amsterdam during World War II. Pete is now a speaker with the Holocaust Center for Humanity, and he shared his personal story, offering a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience, compassion, and human dignity. 

The Career and Pathway Expo (CAPE) engaged middle school girls in hands-on STEAM activities that could spark their future careers, from engineering challenges to health science experiments. Thanks to our community presenters who volunteered their time to inspire these young minds!

28 students from all three of our district’s high schools attended Pierce County’s “Dozer Days” at the Puyallup Fairgrounds. More than 1,300 students from all over the South Sound explored careers related to the construction trades. From equipment operation to construction, students saw firsthand the opportunities waiting for them.

Key Peninsula Middle School students performed “Forgiven - A Fairytale” at three shows for students, families and the community this past weekend. About 35 middle school students joined together with teacher Molly Gregory to put on this amazing performance.

Pioneer Elementary students helped launch the Near Space Balloon last Thursday, and it reached a record 103,607 feet! The larger parachute helped slow the balloon’s descent, but it also pushed it northeast of Leavenworth. The payload is stuck high in a tree, but once it’s retrieved students will analyze the data and plan for next year's launch.

Our elementary schools are excited to welcome the Class of 2038! Parents of incoming kindergartners, register at psd401.net/enrollment. To enroll your child for kindergarten for this fall, they must be 5 years old by August 31, 2025. Our schools offer fun spring and summer transition events, so register early to be sure you don’t miss out.

The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net.