Tacoma schools open Sept. 2
Tacoma schools will open Sept. 2 for nearly 30,000 students in the Tacoma Public Schools (TPS). Stewart Middle School students start school Sept. 7.
Families new to Tacoma can learn which school their child should attend by contacting the district’s Enrollment Services Office at 253-571-1142.
School hours
The school day will be a standard six and one-half hours at all grade levels, with a few exceptions. Please check with your school to confirm school operating hours since some operate on extended hours.
School hours are:
High school 7:35 a.m.–2:05 p.m.
Middle school 8:15 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Elementary school 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Exceptions are:
Bryant Montessori School 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. (Elementary)
8:15 a.m.–2:45 p.m. (Middle)
Giaudrone Middle School 8:05 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Jason Lee Middle School 8:05 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Stewart Middle School Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Friday: 10:20 a.m.–3:20 p.m.
Tacoma School of the Arts (SOTA) Monday through Thursday: 8:15 a.m.–4 p.m.
Friday: 10:45 a.m.–4 p.m.
Tacoma Science and Math Institute (SAMI) Monday: 10:45 a.m.–3:55 p.m.
Tuesday through Friday: 8:30 a.m.–3:55 p.m.
Early dismissal times:
High school 10:50 a.m.
Middle school 11:30 a.m.
Elementary school 12:15 p.m.
Immunization requirements
Washington state law requires all students attending public schools to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, hepatitis B, varicella and rubella before registering for school. Children may not attend school if parents do not provide proof of required immunizations by the first day of school. For more information about immunization requirements, call the district’s Health Services Office at 253-571-1506 or the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department at 253-798-2987.
Meal prices
Breakfast and lunch are available the first day of school. Tacoma Public Schools offers free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch to eligible students. Eligibility is determined by household income and size. Applications are available in each school office and are mailed out to currently enrolled students during the summer.
Breakfast Lunch
Elementary $1.50 $2.50
Middle School $1.50 $2.75
High School $1.50 $2.75
Reduced Price FREE FREE
(Grades K-3)
Reduced Price FREE $ .40
(Grades 4-12)
Milk (a la carte) $ .50 $ .50
Pay online for school meals
Beginning Sept. 2, parents will be able to pay for student’s meals using a secure, online system. Parents will be able to check account balances 24-hours a day, pre-pay for meals, check recent meal purchases and receive e-mail notifications when the account falls below a specified balance. Lunch Money Now can be accessed through the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org, then click on the link under the “For Parents” section. For more information on how to access Lunch Money Now, please contact Food Services at 253-571-3370.
Bus routes
Supply lists
You can find the list of school supplies your child will need before the start of school on the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org, then click under “For Parents” section.
Free supplies at back-to-school events
TPS students in need will be able to start school this year with new school supplies, thanks to back-to-school events sponsored by the district, World Vision and several local organizations. Visit the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org, then click under “For Parents” section. For more information, call the School, Family, Community Partnership Program at 253-571-1087.
Student uniforms
Student uniform information is available on the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org, by clicking under the “For Parents” section.
District news and information
The Tacoma Public Schools has multiple options to update you on the latest district information and news 24 hours a day. You can check the News section of the district Web site, www.tacomaschools.org. You also can sign up to receive district alerts via Twitter at #tacomaschools or follow district activities on Facebook. Watch for frequent bulletins and educational programming on TPS TV, which you can find on the following cable channels: Comcast (Channel 26) and Click! (Channel 25). To watch school board meetings and other TPS TV productions online, go to the Video on Demand section of the district Web site. Please contact the Public Information Office, 253-571-1015, if you have any questions about these services or need assistance.
2010–2011 calendar dates
The Tacoma Public Schools’ 2010–2011 calendar can be viewed on the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org, then click “Calendars” in the top right-hand corner.
Sept. 1 |
Waiver Day (staff only, no students) |
Jan. 4 |
School resumes |
Sept. 2 |
First day of school |
Jan. 17 |
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no school) |
Sept. 6 |
Labor Day (no school) |
Jan. 18 |
Waiver Day (no school) |
Sept. 7 |
First day of school for Stewart Middle School |
Jan. 28 |
Semester break (no school) |
Oct. 6 |
Elementary conferences (elem. early release) |
Feb. 18–21 |
Presidents Day break (no school) |
Oct. 7–8 |
Conferences-all grades (early release) |
March 8–9 |
Elementary conferences (elem. early release) |
Nov. 11 |
Veterans Day (no school) |
March 28–April 1 |
Spring break (no school)
|
Nov. 24 |
Thanksgiving break (early release) |
April 20-21 |
Secondary conferences (secondary early release) |
Nov. 25–26 |
Thanksgiving break (no school) |
May 27–30 |
Memorial Day break (no school) |
Dec. 17 |
Winter break (early release) |
June 14 |
Last day of school (early release) |
Dec. 20–31 |
Winter break (no school) |
June 15 |
Possible snow make-up day |
Additional information can be found on the district’s Web site at www.tacomaschools.org or by calling the Public Information Office at 253-571-1015.