Dear Panther Families, Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Stewart! Here is data you should know as you get ready for your student’s first day:

Online Access

TPS has launched a new academic information system for parents. ParentVUE is a TPS application that allows attendance, grades, schedule, documents, and report an absence. This tool reduces the number of applications families need.  https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/technology/parentvue

Computers for New TPS Students

If your student is new to Tacoma Schools they will be issued a personal computer.  Parents who want to pick-up and have Stewart’s tech expert help set-up computers should report to Stewart between 9AM and 11AM on Weds Sept 5th for support.   

Student Drop-Off

Only TPS Busses are allowed in the front of the school.  Parents should drop-off students in the back of Stewart on D Street.  City of Tacoma transportation guidelines (Stewart Traffic Plan.pdf ) are attached for your information. 

Dress Code

Please do not shop for school clothes without consulting our dress code. https://stewart.tacomaschools.org/about/dress-code  The purpose of a more stringent dress code revolves around safety. Students will need to be in Stewart gear to access classrooms starting 9/11.  This is a response to parent requests. Thank you families for your support and partnerships with this expectation. 

Free meals at school again next year 

TPS students can receive free breakfast and lunch in the 2023-24 school year, regardless of income. This will be offered as part of a new federal school meal funding option.  However, Stewart still needs families to complete SNAP and housing questionnaires to be eligible for supplemental funding. 

My School Bucks

Most of all financial transactions at Stewart are now done virtually through the My School Bucks feature on the Family App.  Parents and guardians can make online payments for Stewart Clothing, etc.

Athletics

If your student would like to sign up for sports, they will need to have their physicals and information updated in Final Forms.  Final Forms can be accessed from the Stewart website.  https://stewart.tacomaschools.org/athletics

Stewart Handbook  

https://stewart.tacomaschools.org/about/handbook for more information about your student’s experience at Stewart.

We look forward to working with you and your students this year. Contact the office or one of us if you have any questions. 

Your Stewart Admin Team,

Dr. Crider, Ms. Whitley, Ms. Holm (see our bios below)

Don Crider is starting his third year as Principal at Stewart.  He has served 16 years in Tacoma School District as Chemistry and Physics teacher.  Before Stewart, he served five years as the Assistant Principal of Lincoln High School.  Mr. Crider served 20 years as a Pilot and Army Lieutenant Colonel before coming to Tacoma Schools.  He has been married for 27 years and is the father of two boys (25) and (22).  Don is an avid mechanic and finds solace in fixing things around the home.  Don is committed to bringing opportunities to Stewart Students. 

Bernice Whitley is starting her second year as Assistant Principal at Stewart.  She served 9 years in Tacoma School District as a School Counselor and Dean at Mount Tahoma.  She is a military spouse and proud mother of two boys (5) and (2).  Bernice is committed to all students having an opportunity to learn, every day.  

Jennifer Holm will start her first year as the Dean at Stewart Middle school while she finishes up her administrative certificate. She has served 20 years in the Tacoma School District as a Science Teacher and Department Chair At Lincoln High.   She strongly believes in building opportunity for kids. She also believes that teamwork and empathy are what lead to effective change for our kids and systems. She lives here in Eastside Tacoma and has a son (32) and four grandchildren (1,3,5,7). She feels honored to be a Stewart Panther!