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

As we progress through this dynamic school year, I'm proud to highlight recent impressive accomplishments and successes happening throughout the Peninsula School District. The energy and enthusiasm from our students and staff across our schools illuminates the exceptional learning environment we've cultivated together.

All six of our student school board representatives had the opportunity to meet with legislators in Olympia to advocate for education bills during the Washington legislative session. Board president Natalie Wimberley and I were joined by students from the Community Transition Program, Gig Harbor High School, Henderson Bay High School and Peninsula High School. They confidently shared their concerns and ideas with State Representative Michelle Caldier, State Senator Deb Krishnadasan, and State Representative Adison Richards. 

Did you know that April is "Drop Everything and Read” (D.E.A.R.) Month? This national celebration reminds students and families to make reading a key activity in our lives, beyond our classrooms. Some of my favorite children's books are Dragons Love Tacos, by Adam Rubin and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by Charlie Mackesy. April is also National Library Month, which gives us the opportunity to show gratitude to our dedicated librarians. 

As we embrace the joy of reading, I would like to showcase a partnership between Goodman Middle School and Harbor Heights Elementary. Together with their reading buddies from Goodman, 285 Harbor Heights students participated in the Read and Lead program, which is supported by Communities in Schools of Peninsula and the Harbor Heights VPO. This enriching experience strengthened students' reading skills and fostered meaningful relationships and a sense of community between elementary and middle school students.

As we celebrate our libraries and D.E.A.R. Month, we are also preparing for the relaunch of Peninsula Reads in May. I look forward to sharing more ways our schools are embracing reading and literacy activities in the near future.

Both GHHS and PHS speech and debate teams recently qualified for the national debate tournament, which will take place in Des Moines, Iowa. The GHHS team took second place and PHS secured third place at the Western Washington National Speech and Debate Association District tournament, making them eligible to attend nationals in Iowa in June. Congratulations to our debaters, and let's cheer them on as they prepare for the tournament!

We celebrate and honor our many military families in April, which is Month of the Military Child. More than 1.6 million military children face challenges and unique experiences because of their parents’ service, and we want to thank each and every member of the military for your service and sacrifices for our country. Is your student part of a military family? We invite all military families to share a photo with us to be featured on our district social media. Please fill out this form to submit your photo. Thank you for your service!

Congratulations to our Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) graduating seniors for their leadership in the TideHawk Company. Gig Harbor High School cadet David Rogers received a $180,000 ROTC Marine scholarship. Rogers was one of only four Marine ROTC recipients in the state of Washington. GHHS cadet Jedidiah Young was also awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Navy ROTC, for his hard work and unwavering commitment to excellence. We are so proud of these incredible students and can’t wait to see the remarkable impacts they will make in the future.

The recently formed Student Athletic Leadership Council (SALC) is made up of 27 members from both Peninsula High School and Gig Harbor High School, who come together to promote a positive environment for all student athletes and foster collaboration, leadership, and a shared sense of community. Athletes from both schools recently worked together to craft SALC’s mission statement: Creating a positive environment for Peninsula School District athletics, providing a podium for the voice of student-athletes, and increasing community engagement. SALC members presented at the March 18 board meeting and shared their winter sports recaps. Way to go, student leaders!

Thank you for your ongoing partnership as we continue to support and encourage our students and staff. Together, we are working to inspire and empower every child, every day. 

Sincerely, 

Goodman Middle School students put on three performances of their spectacular spring musical, Peter Pan. The audience flew away to Neverland in the incredible show!

Both Evergreen Elementary School and Voyager Elementary hosted engaging STEM nights that brought families and the community together to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. 

Our most recent annual report, which highlights our achievements, stories, and areas of improvement, is now available online for our community.

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.