Balloons, high fives and Krispy Kreme: Students head to 1st day of class at Tacoma school
The energy was high despite the early hour and dreary skies as students filed into Gray Middle School on Monday morning. Kids were greeted by a balloon archway, fist bumps and lots of sugar — dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnut boxes sat stacked on a table.
Principal Andre Stout spoke with The News Tribune ahead of the start of classes for the 2024-25 school year at 6229 S. Tyler St. It was his first day at Gray, too, having previously led Truman Middle School.
Stout said he didn’t sleep much the night before because he was thinking about the upcoming day. He wants 2024-25 to be positive for the kids after a tough couple post-pandemic school years.
“Gray’s going to be great,” Stout told The News Tribune. “We’re going to be a great school and serve the community as best we can.”
Monday, Sept. 9 was the first day back for grades 1-12 at Tacoma Public Schools, which serves about 28,000 students, according to its website. TPS is among Washington’s biggest districts, with nearly 5,000 employees, four early-learning centers, 36 elementary schools, 13 middle schools and 11 high schools.
At Gray, district, community and faith leaders welcomed kids as they walked through a “high-five tunnel” adorned with burgundy, white and silver balloons. Some students poured out of yellow school buses or tossed a football before class. Others looked like they were practically outweighed by their instrument cases or backpacks.
Shouts of, “Let’s go!”, could be heard above the district’s dance-inducing playlist, which included hits like “Got to Give It Up (Pt. 1)” by Marvin Gaye.
Motivational speaker and children’s book author John “PUSH” Gaines addressed students at Monday morning’s assembly. He told The News Tribune beforehand that kids might not remember what you said, but they do remember what you do. It’s important to show up, he said, to demonstrate that you care.
Gaines is from Hilltop and attended schools in Tacoma’s district. He said he grew up amid chaos, and, if it hadn’t been for his own mentors, he wouldn’t be here today.
Under Stout’s leadership, he added, Gray will be among the most sought-after schools.
“That’s my hope for these young people: to know that they’re loved, to know that they’re valued, and to know that they’re cared for,” said Gaines, founder of the education-focused nonprofit PUSH For Dreams.
Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore also came to dole out high fives. He told the newspaper that the first day of school is the most important because it helps set the tone for the remainder of the year.
Moore said he hopes that students will learn, grow and understand the importance of community, which school plays a part in: “So, if we’re all working together to make sure we’re all safe, being the eyes and ears for each other, we can accomplish that.”
He also offered words of encouragement.
“Don’t give up,” Moore said. “I am 58, and I’m still in school.”
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM.
