October is one of my favorite times of the school year. Students are settling into routines, friendships are forming, and learning is well underway. As always, I want to remind families that daily attendance is one of the most powerful things you can do to support your child. Every day in the classroom helps students build the skills, habits, and confidence they need to thrive.

It was a joy to open our doors this fall and welcome returning families alongside so many new faces, from transitional kindergarteners and preschoolers stepping into school for the very first time, all the way to the Class of 2027. We successfully kicked off orchestra for middle schoolers, expanded transitional kindergarten to all our elementary schools, and we have already seen an uptick in secondary students taking our expanded activity buses home four days a week. We also launched our Parent Partnership program and began welcoming families who wish to partner with a certificated teacher while their students engage in learning at home.

This fall, students in grades K-12 are learning with our newly adopted Math curriculum: Eureka Math² for elementary, EdGems for middle school, and Amplify Desmos Math for high school. These are all designed to foster deeper problem-solving and critical thinking. Teachers are reporting that their students are already engaging with the updated material. We are also continuing to work on ELA implementation, and we look forward to sharing more updates with families as that process moves forward.

What a Fishbowl! The incredible pep rallies at our schools had students energized and ready for the game. Our students on the sidelines and in the stands showed great sportsmanship, and both schools brought their best. Congratulations to the Peninsula Seahawks on the big win!

Students from Peninsula High School, Gig Harbor High School, and Henderson Bay High School also joined forces for the Foodbowl, collecting more than 13,600 food items for families in need. Congratulations to PHS, who won the Foodbowl with more than 7,000 items! That is the kind of character that defines PSD students. Thank you to everyone who cheered, competed, and gave back.

We hosted our first Superintendent's Parent Advisory Breakfast of the year, a wonderful morning that brought together principals and parents. These gatherings give us the opportunity to share updates, highlight the work happening across our schools, and keep families informed and connected. We are grateful to the parents who joined us and look forward to continuing to build these connections throughout the year. If you have questions or want to learn more, we encourage you to reach out to your school's Parent Ambassadors and share what you learn with others in your community.

We are excited to share that Peninsula School District is actively working with our community partners, including PenMet Parks, the City of Gig Harbor, and Key Peninsula Parks, to explore opportunities to bring back aquatic programming for our students and families at our two high school pools. Conversations are progressing well, and we look forward to sharing more details with the community in the near future. Stay tuned!

Our educators are ready to teach, challenge, and support every student — but you remain the most important influence in your child's learning. Research consistently shows that family involvement matters. Attendance, sleep, reading routines, encouragement, high expectations, and conversations about the future all shape student success. Students make the greatest progress when families and schools work together.

The annual PenMet Parks Scarecrow Festival is this Saturday, October 3, at Sehmel Park. Stop by the PSD booth between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. to say hello, play some games, and pick up some PSD swag! 

Thank you for trusting us with your children and for the leadership you provide at home. Together, we will help every student build a strong and confident future.

Sincerely,

(253) 530-1002

superintendent@psd401.net

We loved seeing so many new and returning faces as we opened our doors this fall! Whether they’re starting preschool or entering their senior year, our students are ready for a great year, especially with their new MacBook Neos in hand. 

Our students wowed crowds with their drone show at the 2026 USA SUP National Championships last month. Congratulations to our PSD Drone Performance Team!

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.