Saltar's Point Otter News
10/2/25
Important Upcoming October Dates
Fall Pictures are available to view - please see message below
10/3 - Flu & Covid 19 Vaccine Clinic at SHS (see below)
10/9 - Tentative Date for the Dunk Tank
10/10 - No School - Professional Development day
10/16 - The Great Shake Out Earthquake Drill
10/20-10/24 - Conference Week Half Days - release time 12:10
10/20- 10/23 - Book Fair - More info coming soon
10/21 - Purple Up
10/22 - Unity Day
10/22 - Flu & Covid 19 Vaccine Clinic at Pioneer (see below)
10/23 - Flu & Covid 19 Vaccine Clinic at Cherrydale (see below)
10/29 - PTA Recess Takeover
Every Wednesday is ACE Day and students are released at 2:10 pm (except half days)
Move-A-Thon Results
Our Goal was $20,000, students raised $17,000
Prize Highlights
45 students earned a pin + sticker for raising $100 +
53 students won a Move-A-Thon exclusive Saltar's water bottle as part of the top earning classes: Mrs. Davis (4th grade) and Ms. Tate (5th grade)
130 students received a voucher for a free meal at a local restaurant
The Top 10 earners overall get a Saltar's exclusive hoodie
Ms. Tate's class earned an ice cream party for raising $2,000 +
Donut deliveries are headed to the following classes - Ms. Tate, Mrs. Davis, Ms. Asato, Mrs. Manglona, Mrs. Gaffey, Ms. Cybulski and Mrs. Shearer for raising $1,000 +
Individual prizes will be distributed before 10/31
And Yes....the DUNK TANK is coming back (Tentatively 10/9)!
Double Check Your Free and Reduced Meal Application Status Before October 9
A new Free and Reduced Meal Application needs to be submitted each year. The grace period from last year is ending on October 9, so make sure you have submitted a current application.
If you have already completed an application for the 2025-26 school year, you are all set. If not, please visit the district's website for information on completing the application. Clicking "yes" on the Internal Consent to Share section extends your benefits beyond healthy food as your family may also be eligible for waived fees for ASB cards, athletics, and clubs.
Fall Pictures are ready to view!
Your student’s image gallery is ready for viewing! Free shipping ends Saturday, October 11th.
If you have not received an email from Class Act Portraits with your link, please contact them at info@classactportraits.com or by phone at (253) 569-1627.
Reminder - Sign Up For the Flu & Covid-19 Vaccine Clinic
Locations - Dates - times
Steilacoom High School
Friday - 10/3/25
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Pioneer Middle School
Wednesday - 10/22/25
11:10 am - 3:10 pm
Cherrydale Primary School
Thursday - 10/23/25
12 pm - 4 pm
Scan the QR code on the flyer to sign up
Helpful Links
Note from the Principal - Conference Sign Up is Coming!
Dear Families,
We are looking forward to our upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences, scheduled for the week of October 20–24. During this week, school will dismiss early each day at 12:10 p.m. to allow time for conferences.
Beginning Monday, October 6th, teachers will share sign-up opportunities for you to schedule your conference. Please look for communication from your child’s teacher with directions on how to choose a time that works best for your family.
This year, we are excited to have our families participate in student-led conferences. Students will take an active role in sharing their learning, growth, and goals with you. This format provides a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect on their progress and celebrate their achievements.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher.
--
Alex Clauson
Principal
Saltar's Point Elementary
Note from the Counselor - Counseling Lessons - Patience
Over the past two weeks, the school counseling lesson with 4th and 5th graders have focused on the importance of patience—both in our daily routines and as we work toward long-term goals. Students explored how showing patience can help us stay calm in the moment (like waiting our turn or managing frustration) and stay motivated for the future by putting effort into the "little things" each day.
Encouraging patience helps build resilience, self-control, and a strong work ethic. I encourage you to ask your child what they learned from the video and classroom discussions.
---
Sarah Williams
School Counselor
Saltar's Point Elementary School
Notes from the Health Room
When is your child too sick for school?
Send your child to school if they...
Don't feel great but are able to participate in normal activities.
Keep your child home if they...
Fell sick and have a fever of 100.4F or higher, test positive for flue or COVID-19, or can't participate in normal activities.
Has thrown up in the past 24 hours.
Have diarrhea and increased stool frequency.
Have a rash of unknown origin. They can return to school when a healthcare provider says it's okay.
Have an oozing sore or wound you can't cover or contain.
Call a healthcare provider if they...
Have a fever of 100.4F or higher for more than 2 days.
Throw up or have diarrhea for more than 2 days.
Have the sniffles for more than a week and aren't getting better.
Have asthma symptoms after using asthma medicine. If they have trouble breathing after using an inhaler, call 911.
This is general guidance. Schools, healthcare providers, or the Health Department may advise differently based on individual circumstances.
Do you have Respiratory Virus Symptoms
1. If you are sick, stay home and away from others, including those you live with who are not sick.
- You can go back to your normal activities when both of the following have been true for at least 24 hours:
- Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
- You have not had a fever
- Test for COVID-19 if available. Testing for COVID-19 can help you get effective treatment and protect people at high risk. You may still have COVID-19 or another contagious respiratory illness, even if you get a negative home test result.
- Are you at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 or influenza? Talk to your health care provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild.
- Improving airflow and filtration
- Washing hands often with soap and water.
- Physically distancing.
- Cleaning frequently.
- Using testing before being around other people indoors.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 but don't' have symptoms, you should still wear a mask and take additional precautions for 5 days.
If you have questions about your illness or are worried about your symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider.
Consider staying away from people who are at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 (such as older adults and people with weakened immune systems) until:
10 days have passed since your illness began, or
You test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test (such as a self test)
If you must be around someone at high risk of getting very sick during this time, wear a mask.
Scan the QR codes on the flyer for more information.
Saltar's Point Food Policy Reminder
To keep our school safe and healthy for all students, please remember:
Allergies: Many of our students have severe food allergies. Although we are not currently nut free, please avoid sending items with peanuts or tree nuts.
Sharing Food: For everyone’s safety, students should only eat the food they bring from home or receive from the school cafeteria—no sharing with others.
Healthy Choices: We encourage balanced snacks and lunches to help students stay focused and energized.
Celebrations: If you’d like to send a treat for a birthday or class event, please coordinate with your child’s teacher in advance.
Pre-Packaged Items: All food items brought to school must be in a sealed, pre-packaged container with the ingredients list clearly printed.
First Two Weeks: No celebrations with food brought to school may occur within the first two weeks of school.
Thank you for helping us make Saltar’s Point a safe, inclusive place for every student.
October Lunch Menu
Steilacoom Apple Squeeze
Sunday, October 5 from 10 to 4
Press apples into cider the old-fashioned way! Listen to great music while strolling through the street fair featuring quality handcrafts and booths. Enjoy apple related foods such as apple cider float, caramel apples or apple pie with ice cream! Check out the firetruck and meet firefighters! This is a family friendly event.
Student clubs from the Steilacoom High School will offer activities for children in the tennis court area and help out in other ways. Members of Boy Scout Troop #71 run one of the presses and help with the press operations. The Museum and the Wagon Shop will also be open.
Sponsored by the Steilacoom Historical Museum. Call 584-4133 for more information or go to www.steilacoomhistorical.org
The Steilacoom Historical School District does not sponsor or endorse this event/information and the district assumes no responsibility for it.
Community Flyers
DuPont Parks & Rec 2025 Virtual Annual Auction
October 8 - 12, 2025
Youth Ride Free on Pierce Transit
Anyone 18 and younger rides free on transit in the region
Youth ORCA cards are recommended for youth 13 and older
Get your free pass at https://FreeYouthTransitPass.com or at
Pierce Transit Customer Service.
Scan the QR code in the flyer for more information
DuPont Parks & Rec - Friday Night Flicks
Hocus Pocus
October 24, 2025 @ 6 pm
Free Entry
Port of Tacoma's Touch-A-Truck
Saturday October 4, 2025
10 am - 2 pm
Free Entry, but advance registration is required
DuPont Parks & Rec Girls Basketball
Girls K-9th
Season runs 12/1 - 2/28
Registration closes 10/10 at 3 pm
Scan the QR code or visit Dupontwa.gov/549/youth-sports
DuPont Parks & Rec Halloween Hullabaloo
Friday, October 17, 2025 @ 6 pm
Steilacoom Community Center
Volunteer reminder for the upcoming school year
We would love to have you volunteer, if you are a new parent to the district please click on the link to get signed up to volunteer.
If you are a current volunteer in the district please contact the volunteer coordinator to make sure that Saltar's Point is added to your profile.
If your student is moving up to Pioneer Middle School make sure you reach out to our volunteer coordinator to have Pioneer added to your profile.