Christensen Courier
August 21st, 2024
- September 1 ~ First Day of School (1st-5th)
- September 4 ~ NO SCHOOL
- September 7 ~ NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY
- September 8 ~ First Full Day of Kindergarten
- September 9 ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
- September 16 ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
- September 23 ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
- September 30 ~ 90 Minute Early Release: 1:55 pm
- September 25 ~ PTA Loteria/Bingo Night (more info to come)
- October 6 through 9 ~ Conferences - 11:55 am EARLY RELEASE
Franklin Pierce Schools will be providing pencils, erasers, pens, notebooks etc. for all of our students again this year. Families will be responsible for providing their own back pack.
If you need assistance please contact the school office.
Franklin Pierce School offers lunch and breakfast at no cost to all students.
FPS provides meal alternatives for students with medical needs. Please contact our school nurse to obtain the necessary form. We will work with the kitchen staff to make sure that your student has a nutritious meal each day that is safe for them to eat.
Bus Routes
You may use the E-LINK SITE to find out your child's bus route and pick-up/drop-off times. When you get to the site, type in the following username and password:
Username: guest
Password: guest
Note: Any address listed as AV CT or ST CT should be entered as ONE WORD AVCT or STCT
It is important that parents also check back a few days prior to school, as route schedules do change as more students are enrolled.
If you have questions, please call Transportation at 253-298-3865.
From the Health Room
We will give medications prescribed by state approved medical providers. We must have a new medication order signed by your provider each school year. The state allows for students to be administered only oral medications at school (including inhalers). The two exceptions in the law are for insulin and epi-pen use. The school is unable to give your student ear drops, eye drops, or apply lotions or ointments. All medications, even over-the-counter products such as pain relievers require and order from an approved medical provider.
Please do not send medication to school with your child, as it is illegal for them to carry it on school grounds. Parents must deliver medications to the school.
If you have any questions, please contact our nurse, Leslie Blair, at 253-298-3308.
Bus Procedures
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 Drop-off and Pick-up
• 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. Students who do not grab breakfast will not be allowed back into the gym.
• Parent pickup by car: Begins after all buses have exited (~3:30 p.m.); staff will call students from the gym to your car. Vehicles must wait until buses have departed.
• Parent pickup in person: At the front gate doors at dismissal; a staff member will call your student from the gym.
• Ensure all pickup adults are listed in Skyward; report any transportation changes to the office by 3:00 p.m.
We would love to have our families join us as volunteers throughout the school day! If you are available to lend a helping hand, we have several opportunities:
- Morning Arrival: 8:30–9:00ish
Help welcome students and support a smooth start to the school day. - Recess & Lunch: 10:50–1:00
Help supervise students and provide an extra set of eyes and hands during recess and lunch. - End-of-Day Dismissal: 3:15–3:40
Help support a safe and smooth dismissal as students head home.
Interested in volunteering? Please complete our Volunteer Application as soon as possible. If you are interested in chaperoning field trips or volunteering in any other capacity that may come up during the school year, you will need to be approved before participating.
Please keep in mind that volunteer applications may take up to two weeks to process. We don't want you to miss out on a volunteer opportunity because your application hasn't been approved yet, so we encourage you to apply early!
Once you receive your approval email, please contact the school office to inquire about current volunteer opportunities and sign-up options.
Thank you for being an important part of our school community and for helping support our students
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.
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.
SPYA is offering co-ed volleyball, co-ed flag football and Jr Cheer for the Fall 2026 season. This is a great opportunity for your student to meet new friends and move! Registration is available on the SPYA website.
Christensen Elementary School
Email: christensen@fpschools.org
Website: christensen.fpschools.org
Location: 10232 Barnes Ln S, Tacoma, WA, 98444
Phone: 253-298-3300