TPS Welcome Guide - Tacoma Public Schools (2024)

First Day of School

• Grades 1-12: Thursday, Sept. 7
• Kindergarten: Tuesday, Sept. 12
• Head Start, ECEAP and Peer Inclusion preschool: Sept. 18

First late start day: Wednesday, Sept. 13

Check your school's calendar

Check your school's calendar to find information about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved!

find your school's website

Activate your ParentVUE account

ParentVUE is a new tool we hope all parents/guardians will use. It helps streamline where families can find information, reducing the number of applications, websites and passwords needed.

All TPS parents/guardians who have not yet created a ParentVUE account will receive an email directly from Synergy with an activation link.

• View attendance, and report absences
• Monitor student grades, academic progress
• Links to MySchoolBucks and annual student forms (under “Links to External Websites”)
• Find school contact information
• And much more!

Help keep students healthy at school

• Ensureyour child’s health history is up to date. If your child has had any health changes recently, including a hospitalization, a new diagnosis or an update to an existing diagnosis, please let us know.

UPDATE YOUR HEALTH HISTORY

• Ensureyour child is fully vaccinated and sharea heath care provider-verified record of those vaccinations.
• Provideinformation and sharea care plan about a life threatening health condition, updated medications, orders and supplies. A care plan is required for those needs is required by the first day of school. Care plans must be developed and provided by your school’s nurse. Contact your school nurse.
• Provide updated orders and medicationsfor any prescribed or over the counter medications that must be taken onsite. Download medical orders form.

Update your contact information and emergency contacts

• Make sure your school's officehas your current phone number and email address so theycan 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.
• Find downloadable and printable wall calendars.

Explore transportation options

• Whether you plan to walk, bike, or ride to school check out these tips for getting to school safely.

• Student bus route and stop information is available in our new transportation tool,Traversa Ride 360.

  See Also

  Enrollment Services - Tacoma Public SchoolsSchool Closures & Delays - Tacoma Public Schools2023 Legislative Agenda - Tacoma Public Schools

  • The free Ride 360 app allows parents/guardians and students to access their secure data for bus stop location, route, and pickup time from their phone. Download the app from viaandroidorApple App Store.

  • Once downloaded, search for Tacoma Public Schools and register for an account. After you confirm your email, log in again and add/link your students. You will need to know your child’s student ID.

  • Have questions? Call our Transportation Department at 253-571-1853

• Youth can ride public transportation for free!Learn more about how to ride for free.

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 overnight when plugged in and turned on at home or at 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 fall, all 1st, 5th and 9th graders will receive a new, replacement laptop.

Learn about FREE school meals

Download the My Schools Menu app from your App storeor check your school’s website to always have your school’s breakfast and lunch menus at your fingertips.

A few helpful things to know:

• Middle and high school students will have a variety of options daily (hot meals, sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies).
• Milk, fruits and veggies are available to go with any food your child brings in – have them ask cafeteria staff for details.
• The My Schools Menu website and app allow you to filter for allergens and dietary preferences.
• Breakfast and lunch are offered at no cost to families all year.

Find your school's menus

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 Bprogram 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 informationunderthe "Athletics" section.

Complete annual student forms

Each year there are forms we ask all families to complete. Forms can be accessed on our website or through ParentVUE in the Links to External Websites tab > Annual Student Forms.

• Household Information Survey: This annual survey collects information on household size and income. Based on the information collected your student’s school may receive additional funding.
• Housing Questionnaire: All families are asked to complete annually, helping to determine services and support needed for students experiencing homelessness.

Complete annual forms

Let us know if you are struggling with housing

• Take our shorthousing questionnaireto 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 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!
• Check your school's website for start times and bell schedules.
• Share your first-day photos with us on social media.

Activate your ParentVUE account

ParentVUE is a new tool we hope all parents/guardians will use. It helps streamline where families can find information, reducing the number of applications, websites and passwords needed.

All TPS parents/guardians who have not yet created a ParentVUE account will receive an email directly from Synergy with an activation link.

• View attendance, and report absences
• Monitor student grades, academic progress
• Links to MySchoolBucks and annual student forms (under “Links to External Websites”)
• Find school contact information
• And much more!

Update your contact information

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

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

Bookmark your school's website

• Each school's website isa 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 TPSon 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 somethingcall 911 first, then notify your school.

Activate your ParentVUE account

ParentVUE is a new tool we hope all parents/guardians will use. It helps streamline where families can find information, reducing the number of applications, websites and passwords needed.

All TPS parents/guardians who have not yet created a ParentVUE account will receive an email directly from Synergy with an activation link.
• View attendance, and report absences
• Monitor student grades, academic progress
• Links to MySchoolBucks and annual student forms (under “Links to External Websites”)
• Find school contact information
• And much more!

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 to Register for Beyond the Bell or Club B

• Register for an account to register your student for before and after school clubs and activities.

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 atstudenthelp@tacoma.k12.wa.usor 253-571-4357.

Get Technology Help

Register to volunteer at your child's school

• Complete a Volunteer Form.

• 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 atcommunitypartnership@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.

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

View Open Jobs