Most Pierce County school districts open for class this week. Here’s a summary of what’s happening this year.
BETHEL
Estimated student population: 17,014.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 14.
What’s new: Grade reconfiguration, with ninth-graders coming to high schools this year and remodeling to accommodate them. A new Clover Creek Elementary, modernization of Shining Mountain Elementary, a newly opened phase of the Pierce County Skills Center career and technical school, a new Bethel Learning Center, and a the district plans to break ground on a new building housing transportation and district kitchens in 2013. New communications tools to keep schools and parents in touch.
General fund budget: $167.7 million.
Website: bethelsd.org.
CARBONADO
Estimated student population: 180.
School started: Aug. 29.
School ends: June 7.
What’s new: First and second grade social studies curriculum. A new roof on the district’s 1929 building, thanks to a grant. A new surface on the tennis court, with the help of the Parent Support Club.
General fund budget: $2 million.
Website: carbonado.k12.wa.us.
CLOVER PARK
Estimated student population: 11,300.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 19.
What’s new: A new student management system, Skyward, will give families access to their student’s academic information. Construction continues on a new Hudtloff Middle School, with a move-in date anticipated in December. Groundbreaking was held this summer for a new Harrison Preparatory School and a new combined Oakwood/Southgate Elementary. Those schools are expected to open in fall 2014. Construction began on two elementary schools on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Carter Lake and Hillside are scheduled to open in fall 2013.
General fund budget: $144 million.
Website: www.cloverpark.k12.wa.us.
DIERINGER
Estimated student population: 1,520.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 14.
What’s new: Mitigation funds generated by new home construction helped renovate a playfield at Dieringer Heights Elementary and install new bleachers at North Tapps Middle School. A roofing project created flooding in the middle school but crews were working to repair the problem before the start of school.
General fund budget: $14.9 million.
Website: www.dieringer.wednet.edu.
EATONVILLE
Estimated student population: 1,830.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 18.
What’s new: A new home-link program called the Rainier Parent Partnership School. New reading and math curricula. Eatonville High School has a new principal.
General fund budget: $21 million.
Website: eatonville.wednet.edu.
FIFE
Estimated student population: 3,488.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 17.
What’s new: Upgrades to the roof at Surprise Lake Middle School and to the kitchen at Fife High School. New principals arrive at Fife High School and Hedden Elementary School.
General fund budget: $33.5 million.
Website: fifeschools.com.
FRANKLIN PIERCE
Estimated student population: 7,500.
School started: Tuesday.
School ends: June 18.
What’s new: Head Start program will temporarily move to the old Spanaway Elementary in the Bethel School District, at 415 165th St. S., Spanaway. It will stay there until a new location within district boundaries can be identified. Franklin Pierce will provide transportation to the new location.
General fund budget: $76.9 million.
Website: fpschools.org.
ORTING
Estimated student population: 2,350.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 14.
What’s new: At Orting Primary: New math curriculum; two full days of district-funded, tuition-free kindergarten; full-time counselor. At Ptarmigan Ridge Intermediate: New math, social studies and reading programs. At Orting High School: Hoping to double the number of Advance Placement exams taken by students; athletic competition moves from 1A to 2A.
General fund budget: $20.5 million.
Website: orting.wednet.edu.
PENINSULA
Estimated student population: 8,496.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 18.
What’s new: New principals at Gig Harbor High School, and at Artondale, Evergreen and Minter Creek elementary schools. A newly purchased building will house the Community Transition Program, Facilities Use Department and Internet Academy. New bleachers to be installed at Roy Anderson Field after football season. New math materials at elementary and middle schools, and new writing materials for elementary students. Both Gig Harbor and Peninsula high schools will serve as national demonstration schools for SpringBoard Language Arts curriculum.
General fund budget: $84 million.
Website: psd401.net.
PUYALLUP
Estimated student population: 20,107.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 19.
What’s new: New district superintendent and new principal at Aylen Junior High School. Fire alarm updates at 10 schools. More than 1,000 teachers and counselors have refurbished laptops. Elementary school students at 16 schools will use new reading and social studies materials.
General fund budget: $196 million.
Website: www.puyallup.k12.wa.us.
STEILACOOM
Estimated student population: 3,023.
School started: Thursday.
School ends: June 12.
What’s new: Start and release times at several schools have changed by 5 to 10 minutes. Check with your school for the new schedules.
General fund budget: $34 million.
Website: www.steilacoom.k12.wa.us.
SUMNER
Estimated student population: 8,150.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 14.
What’s new: The district will open an alternative high school. A modernized Maple Lawn Elementary reopens; the school will host an open house in October in conjunction with dedication of the Jack Burns Gymnasium. Grand reopening of Sunset Chev Stadium on Friday.
General fund budget: $81 million.
Website: sumnersd.org.
TACOMA
Estimated student population: 27,461.
School starts: Wednesday.
School ends: June 14.
What’s new: A new Geiger Montessori School opens. There are five new preschools aimed at students in low-income neighborhoods. Middle schools are adding tackle football and girls cross-country, and switching all sports to a high-school varsity model.
General fund budget: $332.8 million.
Website: tacomaschools.org.
UNIVERSITY PLACE
Estimated student population: 5,138.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 21.
What’s new: Teachers have completed summer math institutes. The district is nearing completion of an improvement projects funded by a 2006 voter-approved bond. A new pool opened in the spring of 2012, and four new tennis courts are open for school and community use.
General fund budget: $51.9 million.
Website: upsd.wednet.edu.
WHITE RIVER
Estimated student population: 3,521.
School starts: Tuesday.
School ends: June 13.
What’s new: In response to increased graduation requirements and new teaching standards, social studies courses were revised to include more technology and more analysis by students of historical and current events.
General fund budget: $35.5 million.
Website: whiteriver.wednet.edu.
Source: Local school districts debbie.cafazzo@ thenewstribune.com
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