As we welcomed everyone to a new school year, I loved visiting classrooms and engaging with students at all 17 of our schools. Now that we are all back in the rhythm, I want to remind families that you can help your children succeed by making daily attendance a priority. Every day in class helps students build skills and confidence for the future. 

We were thrilled to open the school doors once again to all our returning families and extend a warm welcome to the many new students who joined our school communities, from transitional kindergarteners, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, all the way up to high school seniors, the Class of 2026. We also launched the first cohort of Aviation Academy high schoolers, who will get hands-on experience in aerospace technology and open pathways to aviation careers.

Congratulations to Peninsula High School for being officially recognized as a National Banner Unified Champion School by Special Olympics North America! This prestigious award places PHS among only 807 institutions across the country to earn this distinction. 

This honor recognizes Peninsula High School’s outstanding commitment to inclusion, engagement, and creating a positive school climate where every student belongs. To receive this recognition, schools must meet 10 rigorous national standards of excellence developed by a national panel of leaders in education and the Special Olympics. This achievement is a testament to PHS students, staff, and families for their unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every student can thrive. We are incredibly proud of our students, staff, and community members who have worked tirelessly to foster this culture of belonging.

National Bullying Prevention Month underscores the critical importance of addressing bullying in our schools. Chief of Schools Julie Shultz-Bartlett presented at the board meeting on September 23 about inclusion and belonging, as staff focused on bullying prevention as the year began. Last school year, the Bullying Action and Prevention Task Force set guiding actions that we are implementing, including providing resources for families, students, and staff to effectively prevent and respond to harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). 

Before school started, we provided training to principals and staff to consistently prevent, recognize, and respond to potential HIB incidents with five steps: Prepare, Encourage Reporting, Act Quickly, Communicate Quickly, and Educate and Heal. Our staff are also more intentionally fostering peer-to-peer connections across schools, and we remain student-focused, empowering students to prevent and respond to HIB.

On September 18, seven of our students took the lead in the Performance Drone Team’s first-ever show at Gig Harbor High School, coordinating 300 drones in a safe and dazzling nighttime display. From coding and planning to executing the performance, these students applied their skills in a real-world setting, showcasing problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership.

As only the second program of its kind in the nation, this inaugural show marks the start of an exciting initiative that will continue to provide students with hands-on learning and work experiences while serving our district and community for years to come. We are proud of these students and inspired by what they accomplished — the sky truly was the limit.

I am proud to announce that the Peninsula School District has been accepted into the Digital Promise League of Innovative Schools, a national network of 175 school districts that connects and supports the nation’s most forward-thinking leaders in education. This recognition celebrates our pioneering work in AI integration, outdoor education, early literacy, and STEAM programming. This achievement reflects the district’s commitment to educational excellence and our mission to prepare every child to be a successful global citizen.

Read more about the league’s innovation in action.

The annual PenMet Parks’ Scarecrow Festival is this Saturday, October 4 at Sehmel Park. Stop by the PSD booth between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to say hello, play some games, and pick up some PSD swag. Remember to vote for PSD’s scarecrow in the scarecrow contest!

Sincerely,

(253) 530-1002

superintendent@psd401.net

This October, all K–12 students will update their passwords as part of the district's commitment to cybersecurity and digital responsibility. Students will receive instruction on creating strong passwords and developing responsible online habits through teacher-led sessions.

The district is implementing enhanced password standards and multi-factor authentication to secure digital learning environments. These measures extend classroom safety protocols to online spaces, ensuring protected access to educational resources and platforms. This approach provides students with essential cybersecurity skills while maintaining secure learning experiences.

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.