Christensen Courier ~ Nov 2nd, 2025

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Jordon Al-Kaabi ~ Principal

Dayna Hughes ~ Assistant Principal

253-298-3300

christensen@fpschools.org

Office Hours - 8:30am to 4:00pm

School Day Hours - 8:55am to 3:25pm

• November 4th ~ Veterans Day Concert (2nd & 4th grades) @ 5:30 pm
• November 5th ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
• November 11th ~ NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
• November 12th ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
• November 13th ~ PTA Fry Bread Cooking Class (see info below)
• November 17th - 19th ~ 5th grade Camp
• November 19th ~ 11:55 Early Dismissal - End of 1st Trimester
• November 26th ~ 11:55 Early Dismissal
• November 27th & 28th ~ No SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday
• December 3rd ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
• December 3rd ~ Christensen Family Lunch (more info to come)
• December 5th ~ PTA Holiday Market (more info to come)
• December 10th ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
• December 16th ~ Winter Concert (3rd grade & Dance Club) @ 5:30 pm
• December 17th ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
• December 22nd through January 2nd ~ NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

2024-25 District Calendar - English

2024-25 District Calendar - Spanish

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour today, Sunday Nov. 2nd, for the end of Daylight Savings Time.

As we move through the fall season, consistent school attendance continues to make a big difference for our students. Each day in class helps your child stay connected, build confidence, and make steady progress toward grade-level goals. Research from Attendance Works shows that missing even a few days each month—excused or unexcused—can make it harder for students to keep up academically and socially.

One of our School Improvement Goals at Christensen this year is to increase student attendance, with a focus on having at least 70% of students in Tier I (attending 90% or more of school days, which is no more than 2 days a month). We know that achieving this goal will directly support stronger learning, belonging, and success for all students at Christensen.

As fall routines get busier and colder weather sets in, here are a few ways families can help:

• Plan ahead: Schedule appointments and family trips outside of school hours whenever possible.
• Build healthy routines: Encourage regular sleep, healthy meals, and good handwashing habits to reduce illness-related absences.
• Stay in touch: If your family faces challenges that make attendance difficult—such as transportation or illness—please reach out so we can help find solutions together.

Thank you for your partnership in making sure every day counts. When students show up, they grow—academically, socially, and emotionally.

On Tuesday, November 4, our community has the chance to shape the future. Voting is one of the most powerful ways to support our students and schools. The decisions made by elected leaders affect education, safety, and the resources our children depend on every day. We encourage all eligible parents, guardians, staff, and community members to make a plan to vote—And don't forget to return your completed ballot by 8pm on Tuesday! When you vote, you show students that civic engagement matters and help build a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Your vote shapes their tomorrow.

Drop boxes near Franklin Pierce:

- Summit Library, 5107 112th St E

- 72nd Street Transit Center, 1319 E 72nd St

- 13718 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98444

- View all drop box locations: https://bit.ly/PCdropbox

To learn more about the upcoming election, visit https://www.piercecountywa.gov/elections.

It is that time of year, the weather is changing, and it is getting cold and wet out. Please make sure your students are dressed appropriately for the weather with warm clothes, appropriate footwear, and coats. Students may get wet or muddy while playing at recess, as well as spills and accidents sometimes occur. Please make sure to put an extra change of clothing in your student's backpack . We may not always have something in the health room that will fit your student, and this will help us keep your student dry and healthy. We accept donations in the health room , all clothing, of all sizes.

Classroom food is limited due to Health & Safety protocols. Please check with the office before sending ANY food other than individual lunches.

• Please request permission from your child’s teacher before bringing snacks to school.

• All snacks/treats MUST be store-bought and individually servable.

• Healthy treats are encouraged!

Christensen is holding a Fry Bread Cooking Class, Nov 13th 5:30 - 7:00pm. One of our amazing parents, Mrs. Carmichael, will be helping us make fry bread! If you are interested in making fry bread, please come and join us at our class! Please sign up to attend the class as space is limited and we want to ensure we have enough supplies for all participants. Return the flyer by November 10th.

Do you have a student who…

• learns easily and quickly?
• thinks up unusual ways to solve hard problems?
• has a clever sense of humor?
• dislikes doing the same thing over and over?
• thinks logically and wants things to make sense?
• is open to new ideas?
• is persistent and wants to keep trying with difficult tasks?

Conoce a algún estudiante que…

¿Aprende fácil y rápido?

¿Piensa de forma inusual cómo resolver problemas difíciles?

¿Tiene un sentido del humor ingenioso?

¿Le desagrada hacer la misma cosa una y otra vez?

¿Piensa de manera lógica y quiere que las cosas tengan sentido?

¿Está abierto a nuevas ideas?

¿Es persistente y quiere seguir tratando con tareas difíciles?

Complete una referencia del programa Project Excel aquí.

In the event of emergencies, a team of Franklin Pierce Schools staff work to balance safety and our commitment to support student learning. The choice to delay or cancel the start of a school day includes assessing road conditions and consulting with other local services. Franklin Pierce Schools will attempt to offer updates about delays and closures by 5am.

Staff and families can expect to receive information about school closures and delays in the following ways:

• Recorded Telephone Message contact the main office at your child's school to ensure your contact information is up to date

• SMS Message for families/staff who have opted-in, click here if you would like to opt-in

• Email from info@fpschools.org

• Website www.fpschools.org

• Flash Alert Notification sign up to receive email notifications, click here.

• Local Media including KIRO 97.3 FM, KOMO 1000 AM, KIRO TV Channel 7, KOMO TV Channel 4, and KING TV Channel 5

• Social Media Facebook and Instagram

Sweatshirts and T-shirts available in different colors and designs.

Cinch bags & coffee mugs are now available for purchase!

Every purchase supports Christensen Elementary students through the PTA.

Order online at: http://www.bonfire.com/store/christensen-elementary-school-spirit-gear/

We have a very helpful transportation department, so if you have any questions or issues about something that happened on the bus, at the bus stop, or regarding a late bus, please call the Transportation office directly at 253-298-3865.

Bus Bulletin

This year, we are happy to introduce Bus Bulletin as a tool for students, parents and caregivers. The Bus Bulletin notification system will notify parents and students when there are bus delays, substitute drivers, and/or a bus change.

Students who ride a bus are automatically enrolled in this system. If your student rides a bus, please save 253-237-8313 as Bus Bulletin's number - That is where texts and phone call notifications will come from.

If you wish your child to ride a bus other than his or her normal bus or to get off at a different bus stop, you must send a note with the bus numbers and different stop listed. The same holds true if you want your child to walk rather than ride the bus. Sending a note with your request will cut down on the amount of phone calls our busy office receives each day. Without a not or phone call, we will not allow students to walk or change their regular bus or bus stop.

Please be aware that any bus riding kindergarten student that is not met at the bus stop after school will be returned to Christensen for parent pick-up. It is very important to meet you students at the bus stop on time!

Student safety is important to us here at Christensen. Here are some reminders we need all families to follow when dropping off students at the beginning of the day and picking up students at the end of the day.

Morning Drop-off

• Dropoff begins: 8:40 a.m.
• School starts: 8:55 · Dismissal: 3:25 p.m.
• Use the front drop-off lane; follow staff directions and remain in your vehicle to keep the line moving. Park only in designated spaces; the bus crescent must stay clear.
• Breakfast: Students enter via the gym to pick up breakfast, then go directly to class. If students are not eating breakfast, they should head directly to their class, not stopping anywhere else.

Franklin Pierce Schools uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences on when and how they are notified.

If you haven't already, yo can activate your account by going to www.parentsquare.com/signin or look for your activation email.

If you were cleared as a volunteer last year, please complete a new application. Volunteer applications must be updated yearly.

Click here to see breakfast and lunch menus.

Franklin Pierce Schools partners with a variety of organizations and services to provide additional support to students and families. Resources range from food and health resources to mental and physical health resources. In addition to learning more about FPS partner organizations, students and families are encouraged to connect with school staff to learn of available services.

Additional Resources:

• Housing instability or experiencing homelessness
• Out of home placement or foster care

If you are struggling to feed your family , you can check for availability of food resources on this district webpage. The district will update the webpage as they learn of more resources. Also Emergency Food Network's website is also a great resource as EFN supports over 75 food pantries in the county

Christensen hosts a before and after school care program on-site for our students. The care is provided by Right at School. Right at School provides a safe environment to learn, to play, and to grow. Click here for more information and to register.

Did you know that Franklin Pierce School operates a Family Resource Center in our district Office? We do! The Family Resource Center at Franklin Pierce (FRC) serves as a community hup that strives to empower families through resources, trainings, and comprehensive supports that lead to a thriving community.

We are community-driven, strengths-based, family-focused and honor the experiences, cultures and perspectives of all who enter our doors.

Please visit us! We are open 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday at 315 129th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444. Appointments are requested so we can best serve you.

SPYA is offering co-ed volleyball and co-ed flag football for the Fall 2025 season. The season will begin on September 2 and end on October 25. This is a great opportunity for your student to meet new friends and move! Registration is available on the SPYA website.

Email: christensen@fpschools.org

Website: christensen.fspchools.org

Location: 10232 Barnes Ln S, Tacoma, WA, 98444

Phone: 253-298-3300

Franklin Pierce Schools 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. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to brandy Marshall, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws at bmarshall@fpschools.org; Dr. Julien Pollard, Title IX Officer at titleIXcoordinator@fpschools.org; or John Sander, 504/ADA Coordinator at jsander@fpschools.org or at 315 129th St S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000. Requests for accommodation of a disability for a staff member should be directed to Human Resources.