Update your contact information

The best way to stay informed on what's happening at school is to ensure your contact information is up-to-date with your school's main office.

• Email
• Phone Number & Cell Phone Number
• Physical Address
• Mailing Address
• Emergency Contact Information

Receive updates by text message

To receive updates by text message, take two steps. First, make sure our office has your cell phone number. Second, text "Yes" to 67587 to opt in.

Bookmark your school's website

• Each school's website is a hub of information including a staff directory, upcoming events, and opportunities. Find your school's website.
• Translate any page into your preferred language by selecting it from the drop-down menu at the bottom right-side of your screen on mobile or desktop.

Follow TPS on social media

If you see something, say something

The No. 1 way to prevent school violence is to report it. Help serve as the eyes and ears of safety, if you see something call 911 first, then notify your school.

Update your contact information and emergency contacts

• Make sure your school's office has your current phone number and email address so they can reach you quickly during an emergency and keep you up-to-date about what is happening at school.

Add important dates and times to your calendar

• Bookmark your school's website calendar to stay in the know with upcoming events, late start days, etc.
• Set reminders for your school's start and dismissal times including 1-hour late start Wednesdays. Wednesday, September 14 is our first late start day of the new school year.
• Check your mail for a TPS printed wall calendar with 12-months of dates and helpful information and explore the TPS calendar.

Staying healthy

• Explore the Covid-19 section of our website for updates on Covid-19 requirements in our schools, when to keep your child home from school, and answers to frequently asked questions.
• In partnership with MultiCare's Center for Health Equity & Wellness, we're offering Covid-19 vaccination events for students, families, and community members. Find event details.
• The Washington State Department of Health requires students to show proof of required vaccines for school attendance. A Covid-19 vaccine is not required for students to attend school at this time. Find out which vaccines are required and download the Certificate of Immunization Form.

Explore transportation options

• Whether you plan to walk, bike, or ride to school check out these tips for getting to school safely. 
• Taking a yellow school bus? We use First Student for bus services. Check our online tool to search for nearby bus stops by entering your home address and find answers to frequently asked questions. Have questions? Call our Transportation Department at 253-571-1853
• High school students who had an ORCA card last year should keep their old card for now so they can continue to use Pierce Transit buses free of charge. Starting Sept. 1, all students will be able to ride public transit in the South Sound free of charge. We'll share more details on that soon.

Gather school supplies and charge your TPS laptop

• Please ensure your child's school-issued laptop is updated, charged and ready to bring on the first day of school. Computers should automatically run updates when turned on at home, prior to the start of school.
• Find your child's school supply list under the "About" section on your school's website. Need help getting supplies? Let your school know. We're here to help!
• If your child stored their laptop at school over the summer, they'll receive it at school. If your child is new to TPS, they will get a laptop at school.
• Later this year, all 1st, 5th and 9th graders will receive a Dell laptop to replace their current device. 

Learn about FREE school meals

• Breakfast and lunch are available at no cost for all students for the 2022-23 school year. Bookmark your school's menus online.

• Some TPS families will be asked to fill out a Household Information Survey by September 28, 2022. Completing this survey will help to fund school programs and may also waive additional fees. Learn more from Nutrition Services.

Plan for before and after school activities

• Elementary students can participate in before and after school programs and clubs through our Beyond the Bell program.
• Middle school students can participate in our Club Beyond program and athletics at their school. 
• Find more information on each school's website under the "Programs & Activities" menu. Middle and high schools also have athletics information under the "Athletics" section.

Let us know if you are struggling with housing

• Take our short housing questionnaire to help us understand your family’s needs.
• If your family is struggling to find stable housing, there may be additional resources and support we can offer to your student and family. 

Get familiar with your rights and responsibilities

• Our Parent & Student Handbook is accessible on our website and translatable into many languages.
• Check your school's website for additional guidelines and information.

Prepare for the first day of school

• Get a great night's rest, we can't wait to see you Thursday, September 8!
• Check your school's website for start times and bell schedules.
• Share your first-day photos with us on social media. Tag your back-to-school photo #FirstDayTPS and we’ll curate and share your images with the Tacoma School’s social media community. 

Explore the TPS website and your school's website

• Our website and every school's website is translatable into multiple languages by selecting the flag at the bottom right-side of the screen on desktop and mobile devices.

• Check your school's website to find school-specific information, news, calendar events, contact information, and more!

  find your school's website

Access Compass: The TPS Family App

• Register for an account to access your student's courses, register your student for before and after school clubs and activities, and make online payments.
• The welcome screen may look different than last year, but you can use your same login information if you already have an account.

Access Compass: The TPS Family App

Get help with TPS technology

• Our Family Technology Support Center offers trainings and tutorial videos to help you learn about the applications your students use like Microsoft 365 and Schoology.
• Need help with a TPS laptop? Contact our district help desk at studenthelp@tacoma.k12.wa.us or 253-571-4357.

Get Technology Help

Register to volunteer at your child's school

• Complete a Volunteer Form and provide photo identification and proof of vaccination against COVID-19. 

• Check with your child's school or teacher for volunteer opportunities available at their school.

• To learn more about general volunteering opportunities, contact the Community Partnership Office at communitypartnership@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

Join your school's parent organization

• Many of our schools have a PTA, PTO, or similar parent-led group to help support students and staff.
• Check your school's website or ask the main office for more information on how to get involved.

Join Team Tacoma!

Explore open positions and enjoy working similar hours to your child's school day.

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