TOL K-8 Family Newsletter

12/15-12/19-Spirit Week

12/18- TOL @ Toolbox Lab RSVP

12/19-K-5 Virtual Winter Art Party during spirit share

12/22-1/2 Winter Break-No School K-12

1/2- TOL @ Toolbox (even though there is no school, they want to hang with TOL!)

1/5- First day back after break, we can't wait to see you online!

1/14- SAVE THE DATE Oakland Community Open House (evening)

25-26 Student Calendar

The above calendar is clickable and takes you to the digital version. The calendar is updated throughout the month as needed. We'll send a printed copy in the mail at the beginning of the month.

Wow! That was an awesome event last week. Thank you to all who came and participated with us at the Winter Art Party at Oakland. A big thank you to all the staff who supported the event. We have the best students, families, staff and overall community in Tacoma!

• 112 TOL elementary and middle school families
• ~200 people in attendance
• 17 TOL teachers on site to help
• 3 ASB volunteers
• 10 craft stations
• 90 cups of cocoa served
• 100 bags of popcorn consumed
• 86 elementary students picked up trimester 2 supplies

Overall, a smashing success and a joyous occasion. Thank you for coming!

Your ASB team is excited to present Spirit Week, happening December 15th–19th! We invite all students and staff to join in and show their school spirit. Meet us on Teams every day (links coming to calendars soon) to take part in the fun and connect with our school community! K-5 will meet in K-5 Team, 6-12 will meet separately.

Here are the themes for that week:

• Monday: Dress Like Your Favorite Decade
• Tuesday: Music Day - Dress like your favorite music genre
• Wednesday: Dress Like an Animal or Bring Your Pet
• Thursday: Character Day - Dress as your favorite fictional character, or bring one of your own original characters to life!
• Friday: Color Wars

The historic Central Administration Building (CAB) is getting some much-needed improvements starting in January 2026.

During the CAB renovation, several Tacoma Public Schools departments will relocate to temporary sites. Beginning Jan. 5, departments will be available and open to the public at the former McKinley Elementary and the Professional Development Center (PDC).

School Board meetings will be held at the PDC for the near future.

• Former McKinley Elementary: 3702 E. McKinley Ave., Tacoma
• PDC: 6501 N. 23rd St., Tacoma
  

If you need assistance contacting a TPS department, please call 253-571-1000.

Students in grades K-8 are invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge at Tacoma Public Library. It's a great way to enjoy reading while school is out of session. Log six hours of reading to complete the challenge, earn prizes and be entered to win raffles.

Learn more and sign up here: Winter Reading Challenge website.

(Please note, K-5 students can ALSO do Mrs. Anderson's winter reading challenge! More info below in the K-5 section)

Academic integrity means doing your own work, being honest about what you know, and trying your best—even when learning feels challenging. For students learning online at home, productive struggle is an important part of growing as a learner; it helps teachers see what students can do on their own and where they may need support. Families are always encouraged to help, guide, and cheer students on, but many assignments and assessments should be completed independently so teachers can accurately understand each student’s abilities and create meaningful learning goals. We value our partnership with families and are always happy to talk more about how we can support students together.

As we continue to have more meetups and field trips, consider filling out the TPS Volunteer form ahead of time. We ask any adult who may stay on campus for an event or support a field trip to fill these out. Even if you are simply on site to keep an eye on your own student, we ask that you fill out the form. This helps keep all of our students safe. Forms can be emailed to cgrant@tacoma.k12.wa.us. A picture of the front and back of your ID will be sent to WA State Patrol for a background check.

These forms must be completed annually. Thank you!

Questions? Email Mrs. Schlattmann at rschlat@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

We will meet on 1/13 online from 6:30-7:00. See you then with some great tips from TOL staff to start fresh AND finish strong.

Welcome to TOL! We are so glad you are here. Joining online school can be a little daunting at first. Click the button below to see some information that may help you get started. Hang in there and reach out if you need help.

Join Mrs. Schlattmann during the lunchtime Spirit Share on Friday 12/19 for some winter themed drawing. Bring paper and drawing supplies for some fun directed drawing. This is optional.

Encourage reading at home with your student over break!

Report Cards available to view on 12/11,

At the Main branch of the library there is space for 10-15 students on the following dates:

• December 17th, 1:30pm-3:00pm Snap Circuits*

Here is a link to the Snap Circuits program, scheduled for Wednesday, December 17th from 1:30 p.m. To 2:30 p.m.:

https://tacoma.bibliocommons.com/events/6903ddbd0562322f002de36a

• December 27th, 11:30am-1:00pm*

Here is a link to the Snap Circuits / Arduinos program, scheduled for Saturday, December 27th from 11:30 p.m. To 12:30 p.m.:

https://tacoma.bibliocommons.com/events/6903e7bc0562322f002de4ce

• January 28th 1:30pm-3pm

*Space is limited for the ones requiring registration.

Come for some hands-on naturalist and fossil exploration.

We will work with a unit from the University of Puget Sound Museum called “Leaves of Change”.

Bring a positive attitude, a curious mind, and your wonderful self.

Contact your science teacher with any questions.

RSVP Required

Start second semester strong by spending part of your semester break learning about strategies to promote healthy habits and academic endurance. Join us at TCC on January 30th for a Wellness Gathering supported by College Spark Washington, Tacoma Community College, and Tacoma Public Schools. Please register ASAP to reserve your spot and a lunch. Registration is open to the first 150 students.

Hey there TOL Students! Your Tacoma Online ASB have their own Instagram page now! If you want to learn about your current ASB officers, upcoming ASB events and suggest ideas for school activities please follow us @asbtacomaonline!

Tacoma Online ASB here to remind you that Spirit Week is coming up this week! We invite all students and staff to join in and show their school spirit December 15th–19th. Meet us on Teams every day at 12:15 PM (ASB Spirit Week Assembly | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams) to show off your Spirit Week look and join in the spirit before we all head off for Winter Break! What class is going to win Color Wars this semester? Only you can help decide.

The themes for Spirit week are…

Monday: Dress Like Your Favorite Decade!

Tuesday: Music Day!

Wednesday: Dress Like an Animal and/or Bring Your Pet Day!

Thursday: Character Day!

Friday: Color Wars!!!

Save the date for 1/23. We can't wait to hang out and celebrate you for being done or almost done with semester 1!

Website: https://tol.tacomaschools.org/

Phone: 253-571-1545

Address: 912 Broadway, Tacoma WA 98402

TOL K-12 Principal – Shaun Martin – smartin2@tacoma.k12.wa.us

TOL 9-12 Assistant Principal – Paul Eliot – peliot@tacoma.k12.wa.us

TOL K-8 Assistant Principal—Ruth Schlattmann – rschlat@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Tacoma Online is a K-12 school that provides students an anywhere/anytime online school experience. Students engage in academic learning led by teachers. While students generally participate in learning activities from home, they are provided multiple forms of support.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:

Civil Rights Coordinator, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, and Title IX Coordinator:

Tiffany Davis-Brantley

253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Section 504 Coordinator: Laura Tuman

253-571-1086, 504Coordinator@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Tacoma Public Schools

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 1357

Tacoma, WA 98401-1357

www.tacomaschools.org