Week 31

Dear PGK Families,

Week 31 was full of energy and connection here at PGK! Our campus was buzzing as our 8th graders visited WHS to enjoy a fantastic performance of Seussical Jr., presented by WHS high school students. We also celebrated a major milestone with our first-ever Multicultural Night—an inspiring evening made special by the incredible turnout and meaningful contributions from our families. Add in more athletic competitions and continued academic focus, and it truly was a packed week.

I am especially proud of our students for the growing skill and maturity they are showing in navigating social conflicts. More and more, they are appropriately using the counseling center, peers, the library, and other trusted adults as resources—this is exactly what we want to see and reflects strong social-emotional growth. I am equally proud of our families for showing up and sharing their cultural lessons, stories, and gifts with our community. That kind of engagement gives me so much hope for the future.

This week, we’ll continue focused preparation for the SBA, which takes place next week, while maintaining the strong sense of community and support that makes PGK such a special place. Thank you for being such an important part of our school family.

Ms. Castellano

Families - by FAR, the biggest area of interruption in the school day is direct or indirect interaction with digital technology - whether it is text messaging, social media, email, or other interaction. The combination of our students still in the midst of learning how to interact with each other at the middle level and the unregulated nature of the internet and social media - we are consistently behind in being able to adequately support students in such a fast technological world. And most importantly, no matter how brilliant our teachers are at creating engaging lessons, they find themselves at an immediate loss to the addictive appeal of the online world.

Our ask from you and perhaps the biggest support of your students' focus on education that we can ask is for you to either reinforce the phones away policy, or better yet, restrict access to these online tools during the school day. For tips on how other families have found success in helping their students limit their negative online interactions, please see below.

As a reminder, our phone policy is that phones are away during the day. While our teachers continue to work on consistency, the policy remains that if a student's phone is out, staff will ask for it to be turned in to the office for the day to be secured and picked up at the end of the day. If a student refuses, we expect the phone stays out of sight the remainder of the day - if it does come out again, we impose a 1 day of ISS per incident consequence. While we would prefer not to do this, it is a representation of the battle we face with digital interruptions daily. We so so so appreciate your support in this area.

Families,

This is a follow-up reminder that our students will soon begin the Smarter Balanced (SBA) state assessments. These assessments are an important measure of student progress and help inform our instruction throughout the year.

Testing Schedule:

· English Language Arts (ELA): May 5, May 6, and May 7
· Math: May 12 and May 13
· Science (8th Grade Only): May 14 and May 15

Important Reminder – No Electronic Devices:
To ensure a secure and fair testing environment, students are not allowed to have any electronic devices during testing. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, fitness trackers, or any personal electronic equipment.

All devices must be powered off or put in airplane mode and stored away before testing begins. We strongly encourage students to leave these items at home on testing days. Possession or use of a device during testing may result in the assessment being invalidated.

How You Can Help Your Student Prepare:

· Ensure your child gets a good night’s sleep before each testing day
· Provide a healthy breakfast each morning or encourage your child to eat at school
· Make sure your child arrives at school on time
· Remind them to take their time, read carefully, and do their best
· Help reduce stress by offering encouragement and maintaining a positive attitude

We appreciate your continued partnership in supporting your child’s success. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Felicia Read at 253-298-4344 or fread@fpschools.org.

A few weeks ago, I reached out to families to gather input on potential supports, concerns, and excitements related to the possibility of students taking their 1:1 devices home. While we received fewer than 10 responses, I want to share that nearly all who responded expressed excitement about this opportunity—thank you to those who took the time to share your thoughts.

We are still very much in the planning phase and thoughtfully working through what this will look like. This includes details around device deployment, insurance options, expectations for use and care, student readiness, and instructional considerations. As we continue this process, I wanted to give families an early heads-up that this work is underway.

Please keep an eye out for future opportunities to provide input and feedback. Your voice is important, and family perspectives will help guide how we move forward and refine our plans. Thank you, as always, for your partnership and engagement.

Summer is fast approaching! If your student needs something to fill their time this summer, they might be interested in signing up for the University of Puget Sound's Summer Academic Challenge (SAC) program! This program is free and runs on the University of Puget Sound campus in Tacoma, WA.

Summer Academic Challenge (SAC) is a tuition-free four-week enrichment program for Tacoma and greater Pierce County students in grades 7 to 12. With an innovative Project-Based STEAM curriculum, students explore themes in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, and see how the subjects they study in school play out in the world around them. Classes are project-based and require teamwork and collaboration. In addition to time on campus, whether in the classroom, lab, outdoors, or in the library, students attend workshops on writing and oral presentation skills, and participate in field trips and special events. Students participating in the program gain confidence, expand their interests, and become better prepared for the next school year and to meet their long-term academic goals. In fact, over a six-year period (2014–20) at Puget Sound, the one-year retention rate for former Summer Academic Challenge participants (89%) was significantly better than the rate for all other first-year students (83%), including 100% retention of students who participated in two or more Challenges.

If your student is interested, please see more information about the program and how to sign up here.

https://www.fpschools.org/departments/student-safety-and-security/weather-updates

Weather and Emergency Updates

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 herefor Text Message 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

EMERGENCY SCHOOL CLOSURES & DELAYS

LATE START

A late start means that the start of the student day is later than normal (usually two hours).
All staff members are expected to report to work on time in a manner that is safe for them to do so.
If a late start occurs on an Early Release Wednesday, the school day will end at the regular school day end time.
All Early Learning Center programs will be canceled.

SELECT SCHOOLS CLOSED

In the event of a facilities issue or isolated off-campus incident, select schools may be closed.
School-year employees are not required to report to work.
Year-round employees are to report to work on time in a manner that is safe for them to do so.
If conditions do not allow an employee to report to work or allow an employee to carry out their work, the employee must contact their supervisor.

ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED

School-year employees are not required to report to work.
Year-round employees are to report to work on time in a manner that is safe for them to do so. If conditions do not allow an employee to report to work, the employee must contact their supervisor.

ALL SCHOOLS & DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSED

Essential staff members are required to report to work.
Year-round employees will be granted administrative leave and school-year employees are not required to report to work.
Pre-approved leaves will continue to be charged.

*Essential Staff Members list

Dear Parents/guardians of soon to be 7th graders,

Per Washington legislature and the Department of Health, A Tdap immunization is required by law for all students in 7th grade (WAC 246-105-030).

With short days for conference week and spring break around the corner, it would be the perfect time to schedule a vaccine appointment with your child's doctor!

The Multicultural Child & Family hope Center will be having vaccine clinics on March 25 (Students dismiss at 10:25 am) and April 22nd! Start planning for the school year ahead! Proof of vaccination or Certificate of Exemption required prior to the first day of the 26/27 school year. Student's will not receive their class schedule if out of compliance with vaccines.

Call the health room with any questions (253) 298-4324

If you or someone you know is interested in learning English as a Second Language as an adult learner, there are multiple resources in the Pierce County area including Tacoma, Parkland, Lakewood, Puyallup, and other cities. Must be 18 or older to take Adult ESL classes. Many of these resources also offer world languages classes or learning resources if you are interested in learning another language!

Free resources: https://micentrowa.org/esl-classes/ - Free first come first serve classes. No need to pre-register. Contact Mi Centro for more information. Classes are held in the afternoon.

https://www.tacomalibrary.org/resources/language-learning/ - Free online resources for Tacoma Public Library card members through Mango Languages website or mobile app.

Mango offers more than 70 language learning courses! https://calendar.piercecountylibrary.org/event/14864483 - ESL tutoring for adults from the Tacoma Area Literacy Council in Parkland and Spanaway libraries. No registration required; walk-ins welcome. Classes are held in the afternoon.

Low-cost resources: https://www.tacomacommunityhouse.org/services/education/#english-language-acquisition – Year-round classes, $25 each quarter (3 months). $100 for one year or 12 months. Classes are offered at various times in order to accommodate students’ schedules.

https://www.tacomacc.edu/academics-programs/basic-education/esl - Apply to Tacoma Community College to enroll in ESL classes, located in Tacoma. Classes are offered in both the morning and evening.

https://www.batestech.edu/career-pathways/esl/ - Apply to Bates Technical College to enroll in ESL classes, located in Tacoma. $25 each quarter, with fee waivers available. Classes are in-person mornings, evenings, or self-paced online.

https://www.cptc.edu/Transitional-Studies - Apply to Clover Park Technical College to enroll in ESL classes, located in Lakewood. Resident immigrants or refugees who are 19 or older are eligible. $25 each quarter, with fee waivers available. Classes are held online or in person.

https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/programs/general/esl.html - Apply to Pierce College to enroll in ESL classes, located in Puyallup and Fort Steilacoom. Classes are offered hybrid (part in-person, part online) or online.

Your student's updated report card is now available for your viewing on Family Access. See the image below for how to access that. If you ever need a certificated copy, you can contact our registrar, Ms. Morrison emorrison@fpschools.org. If you have a question about the final grade, please first contact your student's teacher. If it is not resolved at that point and you believe it needs further investigation, please reach out to your student's grade level administrator. Thank you!

🗣️ Communication & Support

Families have noted stronger communication this year and have asked for clearer ways to access missing work and class updates.
Our teachers are aligning systems to make this easier.
If you’d like more communication, please email your student’s teacher—and feel free to CC me so I can ensure timely follow-up.

📞 Is your student needing support in class?

If your student is struggling in class:

Contact the teacher first via email or ParentSquare. Our teachers are here to help! Please do this first.
Can’t find contact info? Use the directory at the bottom of this update or email keithley@fpschools.org.
If additional support is needed, include your student’s grade-level admin:
- 6th Grade – Mr. Juves
- 7th Grade – Mr. Castellano
- 8th Grade – Mrs. Read
- I can be contacted for support in addition to the above - please try your other avenues first to give our team a chance to support prior to me. Rosita Castellano, principal.

Our shared goal is helping every Kolt reach their fullest potential.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Keithley a safe, respectful, and learning-focused environment. When we all work together — school, families, and students — we create the conditions for every Kolt to thrive.

Important! If you are dropping your student off AFTER 7:25 - please have them check-in at the front office. This helps us enter attendance accurately and ensure they are offered breakfast.

If you are keeping your student home for illness or personal reasons, please call or email below. We also want to know if you are planning extended absences for vacation or other reasons. We can help gather homework so your student can continue learning while absent.

cleal@fpschools.org

(253) 298-4313

We value learning time and are doing our part to create learning experiences that impact your students' future in positive ways. When students are out of class, they are missing out on that. Another factor related to that is our concern for student safety when being out on our open campus unsupervised. While we do our best to have rotating supervision to keep eyes on who and who should not be on our campus, we cannot always get to all parts.

We expect students to demonstrate responsibility when being out of class which is to:

1. Sign in and out of class

2. Take their pass with them

3. Go directly to their destination then return to their class as quick as possible

4. Not taking "detours" while out with a pass

5. Having integrity and doing what they say they are going to do while signing out of class

It is typical for students this age to test boundaries and to that we offer several reminders in addition to consequences if reminders (or re-teaching) isn't successful. Those include:

1. lunch detention

2. call home to engage family support

3. In-school suspension (exclusion from classroom learning) especially in the case where students are not responding to reasonable requests to return to class

4. Excessive occurrences of students out of class will begin an teaming of educators, student, and family to problem-solve the issue at hand. This can include a variety of strategies from finding first what a student needs from their learning experience and matching that with what we are able to provide here at school.

If you do receive a call home from us, please know that we are here to help.

Families,

I want to be sure to keep you up to date on an adjustment to HOW students access breakfast if they arrive late.

As a review, ALL students have access to free breakfast every morning up to 7:20. We regularly remind students on the PA system that it is their responsibility to manage their time. In the morning, students upon arrival before 7:20 should:

1. Go directly to breakfast line

2. Eat breakfast, clean space

3. After, it is student choice to remain seated in Commons or head outside for some physical time or air.

If students arrive after 7:20 AND have not had breakfast, they should:

1. Head directly to the attendance window in the main office

2. Check in with Ms. Cece for a tardy slip AND breakfast (we will have juice, a fruit, and a breakfast bar).

Students will still be marked tardy to ensure we are accurately tracking attendance - - both for us, but so that you as a family are notified that your student is late to class in the morning.

Sometimes students might forget and head straight to class. We never want students to be without food, so I will work with teachers to ensure they are regularly reviewing this expectation and use their professional judgement to send students to get food if needed.

Something we continue to struggle to navigate is the balance between having schoolwide expectations to ensure the flow of school business with the one-off situations, or, most commonly, students who are constantly testing boundaries or stretching the rules a bit. Please know, our goal is to never prevent your student from accessing what they need, but at the same time, I will make sure processes are in place to hold students accountable for responsible choices.

🚨 Incident Reports – Timely Information Matters

When concerns arise, the speed and accuracy of information we receive directly affects how well we can investigate and respond.

Please remind your student to report issues immediately to a teacher, counselor, or administrator so we can keep everyone safe and supported. Students have access to incident reports in their classrooms and in the main office.

If your student reports something to you - please email us to create a record. This creates an accountability record and helps us keep track of where we need to support.

✋ No-Conflict Agreements

Sometimes students who struggle to interact positively enter a No-Conflict Agreement—think of it as an extended “time-out” to reset and rebuild skills.

These are not punishments; they’re opportunities for students to practice self-regulation and advocacy.

At the middle-school stage, learning to manage emotions and seek help appropriately is a major milestone toward independence.

A majority of instances in school stem for technology based interactions ranging from gaming (discord, xbox, live gaming interactions), social media, or text messaging. If you don't already do it, we highly encourage you to monitor interactions your student is having on their cell phone or other online interactions. From the office and administrator perspective, it is my experience that most families called in to support students after a negative school based interaction with other students are learning about these interactions for the first time as we deal with it in the office.

🔥 Understanding Incitement

We’re seeing an increase in incitement—intentionally creating or escalating conflict.
This includes:

Spreading rumors known to be false
Saying someone wants to fight
Knowing about a conflict but not telling an adult
Using social media to exaggerate situations

We address incitement with progressive discipline and restorative support.
A key message we’re teaching students:

If you didn’t hear it directly from the person involved, ignore it or get support from an adult.
We’re also partnering with the WHS Restorative Justice Center to bring peer conflict-resolution opportunities to Keithley—stay tuned!

Keithley Wellness Hub Resource Support The Wellness Hub is here to support our Keithley families with essential items. We offer clothing for all ages, a stocked food pantry, hygiene products, and select household supplies. If your family is in need of anything, please fill out the Resource Request Form linked here. We will do our best to fulfill your request based on the supplies we currently have available. We are here to help, please do not hesitate to reach out!

RESOURCE REQUEST FORM HERE

🧠 Mental Health Corner: How Screens Affect Mood

Research continues to show that anxiety and sadness are increasing among middle and high school students. One of the biggest factors is how technology and social media are used. It is not only about how much time kids spend online, but what they are doing and how it makes them feel.

What parents can do

• Talk openly about online life. Ask what your child enjoys and what feels stressful or uncomfortable. Listen without judgment so they will keep sharing.

• Protect sleep. Encourage turning off devices 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. The blue light from screens and emotional stimulation can make it harder for their brains to rest.

• Encourage balance. Plan one daily activity that is screen free such as cooking together, going for a walk, playing a game, or spending time outdoors.

• Notice changes in behavior. A drop in grades, irritability, withdrawal from friends, or big shifts in sleep or appetite can signal that something deeper is going on.

• Model healthy habits. Show your own boundaries with screens, like putting your phone away during meals or choosing family connection over scrolling. Small, consistent habits make a big difference.

Helping kids build awareness around technology use supports stronger emotional health, better sleep, and more meaningful connections. If you ever have concerns about your child’s well-being, please reach out to the counseling team. We are here to support students and families

We have a variety of supports for academics at Keithley:

1. Our CHAMPS program provides homework time supported by certificated staff. This is the 1st hour of CHAMPS each day program is in session (Monday/Tuesday/Thursday). CHAMPS is free to attend and includes transportation home if you are in the district. Sign up through Final Forms to participate.

2. The PLU Literacy Center offers academic supports for both families AND students. Check them out here.

3. Setting an appointment with your student's counselor can help connect them with appropriate supports on campus or through their teacher.

4. Our building MTSS team meets weekly to review academic, behavior, and attendance data. This includes any referrals for students of concern in those areas. It is our commitment at Keithley for you to know if your student's name appears in those spaces so we can partner in those supports.

5. Our teachers are the best source of information for how your student is doing in each class and can often provide enrichment and supports specific to their content. Be sure to check ParentSquare often for class updates in addition to checking your student's progress through Family Access.

Need an easy, affordable way to get around? Pierce County Transit Rider is our local public transportation system, offering buses, shuttles, and on-demand rides across Pierce County. It’s a great way for students, families, and community members to get to school, work, appointments, and local events—plus, youth 18 and under ride free! Even better, kids ages 13 and up can ride independently without an adult. Plan your route, track your bus in real time, or learn more about passes and schedules at 👉 www.piercetransit.org

We've got an incredible nursing staff here at Keithley, with Ms. Marta being our primary nurse. Please see the guidelines below for how we ask teachers determine how and when to provide students access to the nurse.

Please know that we walk a fine line between acknowledging that sometimes in school, a request for the nurse isn't always to address an overt health crisis - sometimes it is an escape. But we would never rely on that trend to limit student access.

If you know your student is experiencing a health related issue, even if you haven't yet been to the doctor for evaluation, please do communicate with your student's teacher to ensure we are making sure they get support throughout the day if needed.

Keithley Middle School: Family Guide to Addressing Student Conflicts(updated 10/8/24)

Introduction to the Student Incident Report Process

The Student Incident Report Form is an important tool for students to report issues ranging from disagreements with peers to more serious concerns such as threats or physical violence. This guide will walk you through the steps involved in the incident reporting process, how we handle reports, and the resources available for conflict resolution.

How the Incident Report is Handled

1. Investigation Prioritization: We handle reports based on the severity of the incident. Physical threats and violence receive immediate attention, while other reports are reviewed promptly and appropriately.

2. Evidence-Based Action: We require evidence to take disciplinary action. Detailed and accurate accounts of the incident are crucial for resolution.

3. Counselor Referral & Mediation: If the report does not involve physical or threatening behavior, it may be referred to counselors, with the possibility of mediation to resolve the conflict.

Communication with Families

1. Notification Process: Families receive an email when an incident report is submitted. Unless the report involves a threat or physical violence, families are encouraged to follow up with their student on the progress of the report.

2. Safety Plans: Students may create safety plans with administration or counselors if they feel it is necessary for their well-being while an investigation is ongoing. This safety plan is voluntary but must be followed for it to remain active.

Support for Conflict Resolution

1. RPM Mediators: We have trained student mediators who help resolve conflicts between students willing to engage in mediation.

2. Counselor and Faculty Mediation: Counselors and other trained faculty/staff are available to support mediation and conflict resolution.

3. No Conflict Agreements: In some cases, a no-conflict agreement may be created by an administrator to ensure safety. These agreements are not active until all parents/guardians have been contacted via the contact information provided in Qmaltive.

How Families Can Support Conflict Avoidance

1. Social Media Use: Guide your child in using social media responsibly. Misuse of social media can often lead to conflicts.

2. Rumor Control: Discuss with your child the importance of not spreading rumors, and handling conflicts with respect.

3. Reporting & Communicating Issues: Encourage your child to report any issue that impacts their learning or safety to the office, and keep you informed about any concerns reported.

Scope of Disciplinary Action

We are only able to support disciplinary action for violations of the student code of conduct that occur on school grounds during regular school hours, and at school-sponsored events both on campus and off-campus. Many of the conflicts that our students encounter originate online and off school grounds. While our ability to impose disciplinary action is limited to these settings, regardless of where and when a conflict arises, we can offer mediation if all parties are willing to participate.

We are also required to follow district guidelines and policy when assigning discipline. You can access that guide here. When assigning discipline for an incident involving multiple parties, FERPA guidelines prohibit us from sharing what consequences have been assigned.

From our District Safety and Security Webpage - please review

Safety and Security

The Franklin Pierce School District is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for all students and staff. Below are policies that guide the work of safety and security.

Policy 3242 – Closed Campus: Students will remain on school grounds from time of arrival until close of school unless officially excused.

Policy and Procedure 3432 – Emergencies: The district and its schools will develop comprehensive all-hazard emergency operations plans that address prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery strategies.

Policy and Procedure 3225 – School Based Threat Assessment: Threat assessment best occurs in school climates of safety, respect, and emotional support. Student behavior, rather than a student’s demographic or personal characteristics, will serve as the basis for a school-based threat assessment. The threat assessment process is distinct from student discipline procedures. The mere fact that the district is conducting a threat assessment does not by itself necessitate suspension or expulsion and the district will not impose suspension or expulsion, including emergency removal, solely for investigating student conduct or conducting a threat assessment.

Policy and Procedure 3230 – Student Privacy and Searches: Personal privacy is a fundamental aspect of individual liberty. All students possess the constitutional right to be secure in their persons, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Any search of a student conducted by a school district employee must be reasonably related to the discovery of contraband or other evidence of a student's violation of the law or school rules. For the purpose of this policy, “contraband” means items, materials, or substances the possession of which is prohibited by law or district policy, including, but not limited to, controlled substances, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or any object that can reasonably be considered a firearm or a dangerous weapon.

Hear Me WA

Franklin Pierce School District has partnered with HearMeWA, a youth-centered crisis-response program that meets youth safety and well-being needs by linking them to existing support systems. The program is available statewide and provides support to youth (up to the age of 25) 24/7/365 via an app, text, chat, website, and phone line. You can contact HearMeWA to get help for yourself or someone you know. The program is designed to receive and respond to any youth safety and well-being concerns, including, but not limited to: Assault, Anxiety, Bullying/Cyberbullying, Child abuse or neglect, Depression, Discrimination, Domestic violence, Hazing, Sexual assault, Self-harm, Substance use, Suicide, Planned attack, and more. For more information, please visit https://hearmewa.org/.

2025-2026 School Board Meeting and Event Calendar

When the meeting agenda is published and available to the public, the meeting name will be linked to the agenda.

If you have suggestions for improving the information provided, please contact Kristin Holten at (253) 298-3010 or kholten@fpschools.org .

If you are unable to access content on our website due to a disability and/or wish to inform us of barriers that you are experiencing accessing information on our website, please let us know by filling out a form at: https://www.fpschools.org/about/contact-us/website-feedback. We will contact you to provide accurate information and attempt to resolve any problems that prevent you from accessing information on our website.