CARDINAL CONNECTIONS

Email: bmarzano@fpschools.org
Website: https://franklinpiercehighschool.fpschools.org/
Location: 11002 18th Avenue East, Tacoma, WA 98445, USA
Phone: (253)298-3800
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fphscards
Twitter: @FPHScards

The day before Thanksgiving, we hosted our first-ever Community Day at Franklin Pierce High School — and it was everything we hoped it would be.

Walking through classrooms and common spaces, we saw our students creating, laughing, and connecting in ways that reminded us why days like this matter. Art rooms were buzzing with clay projects, hand-built mugs, and student-made sculptures. In other classrooms, students crafted turkeys, bracelets, and decorations, each piece reflecting their personality and creativity. Students huddled over Jenga towers, played games, and simply enjoyed being together. The Commons turned into a true community hub — tables covered in craft paper, students working side-by-side, and teachers facilitating activities.

What stood out most was the sense of belonging. Community Day wasn’t about a polished product — it was about making space for students to be themselves and to experience joy with their peers and their teachers. Watching students who don’t always interact working together, helping each other, and trying something new was a highlight of the year so far.

The end of the day was truly unfortunate. While it was not related to our campus, I want to thank our staff and students for responding quickly and calmly to the modified lockdown. Their composure allowed us to keep everyone safe while still holding onto the spirit of the day.

As we head into December, I’m grateful for the way our staff showed up to make our first Community Day meaningful, and grateful for our students — their creativity, resilience, and heart continue to inspire me. I’m already looking forward to building this tradition for years to come.

Principal Marzano

This last week we welcomed Dan Call back from the ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year competition in New Orleans — and we could not be more proud. Dan represented the entire Pacific Northwest region and advanced to the Top 5 finalists in the nation, a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of the impact he has on students every day.

While the national title went to another finalist, Dan remains number one in our book. His classroom is a place where identity, culture, community, and language come alive, and his commitment to students continues to set the bar for what great teaching looks like at Franklin Pierce High School.

Please join me in celebrating Dan’s work, his leadership, and this well-deserved recognition. We’re grateful to have him on our team — and even more grateful that our students get to learn from him.

Students, this time is for you! Every week, you can sign up for a 10-minute slot to meet with Principal Marzano. Bring your ideas, questions, or anything that’s on your mind. Just scan the QR code to reserve your spot.

Dec 22- Jan 2- No School- Winter Break

Jan 19-No School- MLK Day

Jan 26- No School- Staff Development Day

Feb 16-20- No School- Midwinter Break

March 24-27- 3.5 Hour Early Release-Conferences

April 6-10- No School- Spring Break

Bell Schedules Here

My Role at FPHS: Spanish Teacher, Link Crew Adviser

Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, Kayaking, Gardening

Favorite Book: The Dictionary (it has all the other books in it)

Favorite Song: Express Yourself-Charles Wright Band

My Role at FPHS: Office Manager

Favorite Hobbies: Reading, walking, attempting to garden, spending time with my dogs

Favorite Book: Pretty much whatever I’m reading right now, although I am partial to extended scifi/fantasy series, particularly the Emberverse by SM Stirling and Valdemar by Mercedes Lackey.

Favorite Quote: I have several favorite quotes, but one that I’ve been pondering a lot lately is this: “We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.” — Marion Wright Edelman

We know times can be challenging, and it’s important that every family has access to the support they need. Franklin Pierce Schools has created a webpage with school-based and community food resources, including local food pantries and meal programs.

🔗 View Food Support Resources

You can also visit the Emergency Food Network website for a full list of more than 75 food pantries across Pierce County. These resources will be updated regularly as new options become available.

Mary Bridge Youth Engagement Services (YES) Franklin Pierce provides intensive support for students and families facing serious behavioral or mental health challenges. A licensed clinician works within the district to offer screenings, brief counseling, case management, and connections to community resources. Using a three-tiered system, YES helps identify students at risk of interrupted learning and connects them with the right supports—from referrals and care coordination to short-term therapeutic services. Learn more and find referral information here.

Your free library card gives you access to so much more — live online tutoring, writing help, test prep, and career tools like LinkedIn Learning and WOIS. You can even join Teen Council or volunteer to build leadership skills.
Explore it all at mypcls.org/learn-explore/teens and set a goal to try one new resource this week.

Need a quiet place to study, get tutoring, or catch up on assignments? The Community Homework Center is now open to all FPHS students!

📍 Where & When

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays: 2:50–4:30 PM — Corrigan Room

• Fridays: 2:50–4:00 PM — Room 701
  🚌 Activity bus available after each session.

Come get the support you need — our counselors and community partners (AMARA, CIS, and APCC) are here to help you stay on track and finish strong this quarter!

Are you thinking about college? The Legacy Scholars Program (TRIO Talent Search) is here to help!

Legacy Scholars offers FREE support with things like preparing for college, exploring careers, and building the skills you need for life after high school. Students may qualify if they meet income guidelines or are the first in their family to go to college.

If this sounds like you, check out the flyer below for details and see if you’re eligible. This is an awesome opportunity you don’t want to miss!

Communities In Schools (CIS) is here to help remove barriers so students can succeed—in school and in life. CIS works directly inside Franklin Pierce High School to provide both school-wide supports and one-on-one case management.

School-wide supports include academic help, SEL support, weekend food, attendance incentives, school supplies, and hygiene items.
Case-managed supports may include goal setting, regular check-ins, small group work, mentoring, and referrals to additional resources.

If you or your student could benefit from CIS services, reach out to:
📞 Jordan Jones, Program Manager – (253) 254-6079 | jordan@lakewoodcis.org
📞 Kerri Pedrick, Executive Director – (253) 254-6640 | kerri@lakewoodcis.org

Learn more: www.lakewoodcis.org

The 2025–2026 Student and Family Information Guide is now available! This guide covers district policies, graduation requirements, attendance, technology use, safety, and more.

We encourage every family to review it and keep it handy as a go-to resource throughout the year.

📄 Access Link Here

Does Your Student Have a Chronic Illness?
If your student has a chronic condition such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, or takes any medications (including over-the-counter), please connect with Nurse Nicole. All students with chronic illnesses need an Individual Health Care Plan (IHP) on file.

📞 Contact Nurse Nicole

• Franklin Pierce High School: (253) 298-3823

📄 Submit your medical form here: https://www.pcmswa.org/school-forms

Franklin Pierce High School is looking for dedicated volunteers to make a difference in our school community. Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to get more involved, we’d love to have your support!

Interested? Reach out to Bonita Lee at blee@fpschools.org or call 253-298-3837. Click the button below to learn more about becoming an approved volunteer through the district. Let’s work together to make this school year unforgettable for our students! 🌟