Hey Everyone,
Can you feel it? The days are getting longer, the flowers are starting to bloom, and that warm sunshine we’ve all been waiting for is finally here to stay. After a long stretch, spring is bringing us a fresh start. A huge shoutout to our teachers, students, and families—your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed.
As we head into Spring Break (April 14–18), I want to encourage our students to take a real break—step away from the Chromebooks, spend time with family, and enjoy some well-earned rest. We’ve got Smarter Balanced testing and all the excitement of end-of-year activities ahead, but for now, let’s take a moment to recharge.
And can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about next year? Our 8th graders are planning for high school, and we’re beginning to welcome our incoming 6th graders. Time really does fly!
Enjoy the sunshine, and I’ll see you soon!
Ty Robuck
Principal
Dawn Musgrove
Assistant Principal
GO ROADRUNNERS!
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This week, Peninsula School District proudly celebrates Paraeducator Recognition Week! Our paraeducators are the unsung heroes who work tirelessly alongside teachers to ensure every student receives the support they need to succeed.
Paraeducators play a vital role in our educational community by:
- Providing individualized attention to students with diverse learning needs
- Supporting classroom teachers in creating engaging learning environments
- Building meaningful relationships with students that foster confidence and growth
- Adapting instructional materials to meet various learning styles
- Creating a bridge between educators, students, and families
Join the Celebration
Throughout this week, schools across our district will be hosting special activities and recognitions to honor our paraeducators. We encourage everyone to participate by:
Writing a thank-you note to a paraeducator who has made a difference
Contributing to classroom or school-wide appreciation events
Sharing stories about the positive impact paraeducators have had on your student
Our paraeducators embody the Peninsula School District's commitment to excellence in education. We are grateful for their service and proud to celebrate them this week and throughout the year.
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Applications for in-district transfers for the 2025-26 school year will open on April 1, 2025. If you wish for your child to attend a school other than your designated neighborhood school, please submit a transfer request.
Important details:
- Applications can be found at all schools, the district office, or downloaded from our website.
- Submit completed applications to the Chief of Schools at the District Office, 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
- Transfer approvals are based on available space, staffing, and educational program needs
- Early submission is recommended as approvals are often determined by space availability
As a reminder, all students are required to attend their neighborhood school unless a transfer is approved. The district may also initiate transfers when necessary for program or enrollment needs.
For questions or assistance, please contact our office at (253) 530-1000 or info@psd401.net.
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Goodman families, we wanted to remind you to verify your ParentSquare contact information and notification settings. Many missed communications occur because contact information is outdated or notification settings are turned off.
Families should:
- Verify email addresses and phone numbers in their ParentSquare account. If not, contact our office to update your information in PowerSchool.
- Ensure notification preferences are set to their desired delivery method (Instant or Digest)
- Ensure notifications are turned ON for email, text, and app
- Ensure notifications are turned ON for Urgent Alerts & Notices
- Check spam folders and add donotreply@parentsquare.com to safe senders
- For text message issues, text START to 66458
Proper contact information and settings in ParentSquare significantly improves school-home communication and reduces missed information and alerts. If you have questions, contact our front office or visit www.psd401.net/parentsquare for more information.
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This spring students in grades 3-8 and 10 will take the Smarter Balanced or the Washington Access to Instruction and Measurement (WA-AIM) tests in math and English language arts. Students in grades 5, 8, and 11 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or the WA-AIM science assessment.
The results from these tests will give a more accurate picture of whether students are on track to be ready for college or career. For students in grade 10, the Smarter Balanced or WA-AIM tests can also be used as a graduation pathway.
Most students will take the tests online. Our school is scheduled to take the tests in May. Testing will start with ELA on May 12-14, Math May 15-16, and 8th grade Science on May 22. Make-ups will take place the week of May 19th for ELA & Math and on May 23 for Science.
For more information about the Smarter Balanced and WCAS tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview, and click on the name of the test.
Please call our main office if you have questions about state testing.
Thank you for continuing to work with us to make sure your student is successful. If you would like to further support, here is an Amazon Wish List to help the students with testing. Thank you for considering a donation! Please let us know if there is anything we can do to better support your student. We want your student to leave us with a solid foundation of skills and a future full of opportunities.
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As we enter the final months of our school year, consistent attendance becomes even more crucial for student success. Teachers use this time to solidify key concepts and prepare students for next year’s challenges.
We recognize a shift in how families approach school attendance, and we respect the thoughtful decisions you make for your children. At the same time, research continues to show that regular attendance — even and especially in the spring — provides significant benefits for academic and social development.
Did you know that missing just two days of school per month equals to 10% of the school year? These absences can add up quickly and impact learning momentum.
What are “excused” tardies/absences?
- Illness
- Dental or medical appointments (a note from the provider’s office is always appreciated and may be required after multiple tardies/absences)
- Family emergencies
- Religious or cultural observances
- Court proceedings or jury service
- Military family-related activities
- Homelessness or foster care situations
Check your our attendance policy webpage at GMS ATTENDANCE POLICY for a full list of excused tardies/absences
What are “unexcused” tardies/absences?
- Oversleeping
- Missing the bus
- Vacations
- Traffic
These are just a few examples of unexcused tardies/absences.
If your family is facing attendance challenges, please know we’re here to help. Contact our school counselor or principal to discuss supportive solutions that respect your family’s needs while supporting your child’s educational journey. You can learn more about Goodman’s Middle School attendance policy at GMS ATTENDANCE POLICY .
Together, we can ensure a strong finish to this school year!
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Our district is committed to supporting every student's success through regular school attendance. When your child needs to be absent, please notify the school office in the morning via phone, email, or written note. Valid excused absences include medical appointments, family emergencies, religious observances, court proceedings, and college visits, among others. These are outlined in Policy and Procedure 3122/3122P.
Our goal is 90% daily attendance for all students. Please check out your school’s updated webpage to learn more about their attendance plans and supports. You may already know that we send our text messages and autodialer phone calls about absences. We are adding another layer to alert you to absences. Our new “auto-emails” will begin to be sent on Feb. 16th to alert parents of absence patterns that are concerning. These will come to the emails you have set as parent/guardian in Powerschool. If you receive one, please contact your school to set up a meeting to discuss.
Missing days of school, whether it is for illness, vacation, or other reason, can still impact learning. We are required to notify you and attempt to find out why a student is having absences at different benchmarks. This includes if you have missed over 18 days of school for any reason. If your child reaches 18 days out of school, we will send you an automatic email asking you to contact the school to talk about the absences and make a plan to limit them for the rest of the year.
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Dear Peninsula School District Families,
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time when we honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of military-connected children in our school community. To celebrate these amazing students, we're creating a special social media showcase throughout the month!
We Want to Feature YOUR Military Child!
If you are a military family (active duty, reserve, guard, or veteran), we invite you to share photos of your children to be featured on our district social media channels. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the unique challenges and accomplishments of our military kids.
How to Participate:
- Complete our simple submission form at the bottom of this post
- Submit 1-3 photos of your child/children
Submission Deadline: Friday, April 25
Additional Information
- All photos will be reviewed before posting
- You can include a brief note about your child's unique strengths or military connection
- Photos may be featured on our Facebook, Instagram, and district website
- By submitting, you grant permission for these limited uses
We look forward to "Purpling Up" this April to show our appreciation for military children! Thank you for your service to our country and for being part of our school community.
You can complete your form by clicking the link below.
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As we to ensure the safety of our students and families, please remember the following:
✅ Drive Slow: Maintain a safe and cautious speed within school zones.
✅ Stop for the Crossing Line: Respect all pedestrian crossings and stop completely to allow safe passage.
Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation!
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April is the month we celebrate Earth Day. Stop by the Library to learn more about ways we can take the best possible care of our planet! We have so many resources on display and available for checkout!
We are also excited to be sending 27 Roadrunners to the annual Cavalcade of Authors Conference in University Place later this month. This is our biggest group ever, and we can’t wait to learn more about writing and illustrating from published authors and artists.
And a quick reminder about Chromebooks. Please make sure that all daily loaners are returned to the Office or the GMS Library before the end of the school day. Even better, be sure to charge your Chromebooks and bring them to school each day!
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Our 7th grade team is off to a red-hot 3-0 start! They’ve shown offensive firepower, strong teamwork, and relentless energy in every game. There’s still work to do, but they’re building something special!
Our 8th grade squad sits at 1-2 after two losses that were fights from start to finish, but they’re coming together as a unit and growing stronger each game. With their fight, heart, and determination, they’re ready to battle for every win still ahead!
Keep pushing, Roadrunners—let’s keep the momentum going! 🏀🔥
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Track & Field is right around the corner with our first meet on Wednesday, April 9th. Come out and help us cheer on our Roadrunners! |
Yearbooks will go on sale beginning MAY 1st! There are very limited number of books that will be available until sold out.
The cost of yearbooks are:
$35 with ASB sticker, $40 without
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MENTAL HEALTH:
Keep calm, cool and collected!
- Put your body in motion
- Fuel up
- LOL- laughter is often the best medicine
- Have fun with friends
- Spill to someone you trust-instead of keeping feelings inside, tell someone you trust
- Take time to chill
- Catch some zzzzzz’s
- Keep a journal
- Lend a hand-get involved in an activity that helps others
- Don’t sweat the small stuff
- If you’re overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health professional.
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It is important to have a copy of your student’s medically verified immunization record. They are needed for child care enrollment, camp, transferring to a new school district, military service, enrolling in college/university, and future employment endeavors. You may access medically verified immunization records by:
- Sign up for MyIR Mobile at MyIRmobile.com to view and print your family's immunization information.
- Request a complete immunization record from your healthcare provider.
Please note that not all school immunization records on file are medically verified.
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If a student becomes ILL during school hours, they must inform their teacher and obtain a pass to visit the health room. The school nurse will assess their condition and contact a parent if needed. This process is essential for safety and monitoring illnesses. Additionally, please note that students are not allowed to use their phones during class time. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure students follow the proper protocols for managing illnesses at school. |
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Goodman’s Donut Day is coming up on the morning of April 8th, and we need 10 dough-lightful volunteers to help make the magic happen! If you love donuts, good vibes, and making people smile, this is your moment!
Let’s glaze this day with kindness and sprinkles! We promise it’ll be a sweet time!
#DonutDayDelight #GlazeSquad #VolunteerVibes #GoodmanVPOEvents #SprinkleSomeJoy
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The VPO would love your help restocking the staff lounge with coffee and treats for the wonderful teachers and staff at Goodman Middle School.
You can shop from this list and drop items off at the school office or you can conveniently shop from home from our Amazon wish list. https://a.co/fQsoJPw
Thank you for your continued generosity!
Also - stay tuned for opportunities to contribute to Staff Appreciation Week coming up in early May!
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We are gearing up for an unforgettable 8th Grade Celebration, and we need your support! We’re trying to raise $5,000 to cover the cost of food, entertainment, decorations, and more. Our goal is to make this event free and accessible to all 8th-grade students but we need your help to make that possible.
Do you have a business? A tax-deductible donation will help make this event possible, and we would love to recognize your business at the celebration! Please reach out to us at volunteercoordinator@goodmanvpo.org for more information.
More details about the celebration will be shared with 8th-grade families as the event approaches.
Thank you for supporting our students!
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We are looking for Watch Dogs to volunteer at Goodman! This is open to dads, moms, guardians, or other relatives looking to support our students and staff.
Check out the Signup Genius here
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We are excited to offer students the opportunity to join us after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for HOMEWORK HELPERS. It's a fun, relaxed place to work on missing work, get extra help, or have a place to bring friends together to study for upcoming projects/tests/quizzes! Students can request help from a number of volunteer tutors including members of the community and high school students.
HOMEWORK HELPERS meets in the library right after school and ends at 4:20 pm. Snacks are provided. Students may get picked up at the front of the school afterward, or ride the activity bus home. Most students are referred by teachers and/or parents, but drop-ins are also welcome.
Any questions, please email Mrs. Annie schustera@psd401.net
Looking forward to you joining our ROADRUNNER HOMEWORK CLUB
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GMS students were incredible leaders as they helped Harbor Heights students earn their Read and Lead minutes! A total of 285 Harbor Heights students participated in the Read and Lead program, collectively reading 580 minutes alongside their reading buddies from Goodman Middle School. This enriching experience not only strengthened students' reading skills but also fostered meaningful relationships and a sense of community between elementary and middle school students.
Plastic Film Drive Continues:
Our Interact Club is still collecting plastic film. Our goal is to get 400 pounds by the end of the year. Please drop off donations to the bin in the foyer of the school. Click here for details on what qualifies as plastic film.
Resources:
If you need assistance with basic needs such as food, clothing, or shelter, please contact Annie Schuster, CISP site coordinator at 253-530-1661
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Mark your calendars! We are excited to celebrate our 8th graders as they move on to high school. Please join us for this special evening:
📅 Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Gig Harbor High School
More details will be shared as the event approaches, but we encourage families to save the date now. We look forward to honoring our students and their achievements!
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Please clean out lockers and take home all materials you will want to use over the break BY THURSDAY, APRIL 10th. Please do not leave old lunches or food items in your locker!
ALSO, Please check the lost & found for personal items to take home. Any Items left will be donated during Spring Break.
Break is a great time to check backpacks for supplies and stock up on anything that you are running low on.
Enjoy the week – we look forward to welcoming you back on Monday, April 21st.
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Tuesday, April 3rd-Boys Basketball and Girls Soccer Game @ GMS, 3:30 Start
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Monday, April 7th-Last Home Basketball and Soccer Game vs. HRMS 3:30 Start
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Wednesday, April 9th-First Practice for Track & Field
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Friday, April 11th-End of 3rd Quarter
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Monday, April 14th-18th Spring Break, No School
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Tuesday, April 22nd & 24th-IReady Testing
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Thursday, April 24th-Track & Field Picture Day
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Tuesday, April 29th & May 1st-IReady Testing
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Wednesday, April 30th-Home Track Meet vs. KPMS, 3:30 Start
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Wednesday, May 7th-Home Track Meet vs. HRMS, 3:30 Start
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Wednesday, May 14th-Track Meet @. KOPA, 3:30 Start
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Wednesday, May 21st- Championship Track Meet, All Schools @PHS, 3:30 Start
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🌟 Stay Connected with Us on Social Media! 🌟
Want to see all the amazing things happening at our school? 📸 From art projects and student achievements to event updates, we’re sharing it all! Get an inside look at our school community. Don't miss out on the fun – join us today and be part of the journey! 🎉 #StayConnected
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