Dear Panther Families,

Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year at Stewart!

We are thrilled to welcome everyone back for another exciting school year at Stewart! As we approach our first day on September 9^th, we would like to share how this year will look at our fantastic middle school.  Our core pillars remain Academics, Attitude, and Activities:

Academics:
Your student will experience a top-tiered learning environment.  However, we have places to improve.  Last year, our data indicated that reading was a key area for growth.  Our "Panthers Read" program engaged every student in active reading during class. A year later, we've made significant progress with student literacy skills.  However, outside reading continues to be an area of growth for panthers. To support this, please encourage your child to practice independent reading at home.  Panthers Read will continue this year.  We want to express gratitude to families for their dedication, flexibility, and support with this at-home ask.

Our promise of high school readiness goes beyond math and reading.  Key academic focus areas include:

• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) (all grades): This program equips students with skills for college and career readiness through an organized approach to learning.
• Music: We’ve expanded our music offerings, including a vibrant orchestra program. With over 70 students involved, our 5th-grade band and orchestra programs are in full swing. This year, we’re introducing a music experience class for all 6th graders, ensuring every Panther has the chance to explore music during their time at Stewart.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE): Students can participate in technical classes: engineering / graphics (grade 7), and computer programming / robotics (grade 8). Stewart is also piloting a new STEM alignment course for the State of Washington that prepares students for advanced CTE programs at Lincoln and Mount Tahoma.
• Advanced Placement (AP): Our AP courses give 8th graders a taste of college-level material.
• Reading and Math Intervention: We’re expanding our efforts to support students who need additional help in these critical subjects.
• Art: The Stewart art program is one of the strongest in the South Sound.  Wait until you see the magnificent works your students will bring home!
• Partner PE: This initiative pairs students from our Autism program with peer leaders, fostering a sense of community through athletic activities.
• Bilingual Education: Stewart has been designated as Tacoma’s dual language middle school starting the 25-26 school year.  In preparation of this, we are introducing a 6th-grade Spanish Immersion Social Studies class this year, enhancing our existing Spanish and Multi-Language programs.

Attitude:
Our focus on student-centered activities last year led to increased feelings of safety among students. However, enhancing the sense of "belongingness" remains a priority. While 9 out of 10 Stewart staff members and parents feel their students belong, only 4 out of 10 students feel the same way. To address this, we are expanding opportunities for students to feel connected:

1. Community Partner Engagement: Our partners, such as the YMCA Panther Team and Communities in Schools (CIS), will play a key role. The YMCA successfully led our summer school program and will oversee the after-school Panther Center. CIS will add Panther Pantry support to its existing math intervention services, offering food to families on Tuesdays and Fridays. All students can access the pantry to choose nutritious items for their families.

2.     Panther Stewart-ship Programs: Are you interested in getting involved to make your student’s experience the absolute best? Want to help them feel they belong?  We encourage approved parents and community members to volunteer in Stewart activities. There are three options for family members to participate:

2. • Stewart Panther Fans: If you’re passionate about specific activities or events (e.g., field trips, dances, sports, reading, gaming), join this support group. Email ctarvin@tacoma.k12.wa.us to get involved.
   • Stewart School-Centered Decision Making Committee: Get involved in important decisions affecting your student’s education. Meetings are held from 2:15-3 PM on the second and fourth Mondays. Email enosan@tacoma.k12.wa.us for more information.
   • Stewart Centennial Committee: Stewart will celebrate its 100th anniversary in the 25-26 school year. If you’d like to help us create something special to commemorate this milestone for your community and your student, email ctarvin@tacoma.k12.wa.us to join that committee.

3.     Character Strong.  We’ll maintain our commitment to the Character Strong emotional curriculum, whereby helping students develop empathy and compassion. Please encourage discussions at home about the emotional skills they’re learning in their advisory classes to ensure Stewart is making progress with your student’s sense of belonging. If not, please let your admin team know.

Activities:
Another focus to increase belonging is student-centered activities.  Last year’s offerings led to increased participation among students. We will continue our commitment to Stewart Advisory Olympics, after school Panther Center activities, community partnerships, and our standard fun events, like dances add socials. We will also field 12 competitive teams in four athletic sessions that allow nearly 1000 student athletes to compete at the highest level. Stewart builds champions - both on and off the court.

Here are key points you should know as you get ready for your student’s first day:

·       Calendar. You can visit the Stewart Website for updated calendar items.  We will be diligent updating this in the future. 

·       School Time Change. Tacoma schools has change Middle School to 7:40AM until 2:10PM.  Students are not permitted to be on campus before 7:15AM, due to lack of supervision before that time.  Late Start Wednesdays start at 8:40AM (with an 8:15 earliest arrival.) Students not in a supervised activity should be off of campus by 2:30PM. 

·       New Parent Orientation. We will hold parent orientation presentations on Tuesday, September 12^th at 5:00pm - 6:00pm. All incoming students and their parents are welcomed to meet in the Stewart commons. At these meetings, your Admin team will cover some general information for new students, take a tour of the building, and allow an opportunity for questions to be answered.

·       Online Access . ParentVUE is a TPS application that allows attendance, grades, schedule, documents, and report an absence. This tool reduces the number of applications families need.

·       Student Drop-Off.  Only TPS Busses are allowed in the front and the North side of Stewart before and after school.  Parents should drop-students on D Street.  D Street is north-bound only for panther families.  City of Tacoma transportation guidelines are attached for your information.  Stewart Traffic Plan.pdf  (Note: the earliest your student can be dropped off is 7:15).

·       Catching the Bus. If your child plans to take the bus to school, please download our free transportation app, My Ride K-12 for bus stop location, route and pickup times. Your child’s bus route will be available the first week of September. 

·       Dress Code. Please do not start shopping for school clothes without consulting our dress code.  The purpose of a more stringent dress code revolves around safety. Thank you, families, for your support and partnerships with this expectation.  

·       Phones. Many schools around the nation are restricting the possession or use of cell phones by students.  Stewart believes it has a responsibility to help our students develop Digital Citizenship, so they are better prepared to navigate professional responsibilities in the age of virtual access.  However, phones will remain an opportunity and not an entitlement.  Any student impacting the learning environment or safety of others will lose access to that opportunity while in the building.   

·       Free meals at school again next year –  TPS students will receive free breakfast and lunch in the 2024-25 school year, regardless of income. We do not allow fast food drop-offs (by parents or Doordash).   Home generated lunches are always acceptable.  Find our daily menus here. 

·       School Supplies – Comp books will be provided to your student for every class.  We recommend a small binder (or folder) for organizing schoolwork.  Also send your students with pens and pencils.  See the Stewart Website for more details.

·       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. See our  Stewart Handbook for more information about your student’s experience and expectations while at Stewart. 

We are excited about the year ahead and look forward to a successful, enriching experience for all our students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership!  We look forward to working with you in support of your student this year and helping them feel like they belong. Contact the office if you have any questions.  

Your Stewart Admin Team,

Dr. Crider, Ms. Whitley, Ms. Holm  

Don Crider is starting his fourth year as Principal at Stewart.  He has served 17 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 28 years and is the father of two boys. 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 third year as Assistant Principal at Stewart. She served 10 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. Bernice is committed to all students having an opportunity to learn, every day.   

Jennifer Holm will start her second year as the Dean at Stewart Middle school. She has served 21 years in the Tacoma School District as a Science Teacher and Department Chair at Lincoln High.   She strongly believes in building opportunity for all kids. She also believes that teamwork and empathy leads to effective change for our kids and systems. She lives here in Eastside Tacoma and has a son and four grandchildren. She feels honored to be a Stewart Panther!