Christina T Henry

Christina T Henry is a freelance journalist reporting on local news from the Kitsap Peninsula and beyond. Chris lives in Port Orchard and formerly wrote for the Kitsap Sun. Her beats have included education, local government and that quirky and capricious grab-bag we call community news. She enjoys our beautiful PNW trails, open water swimming and cycling.

PSD stands for Peninsula School District and its Purple Star distinction

Apr 29, 2024

“I am a military child. That means moving every few years and constantly fighting change,” said Brendan Masini Jr., as he spoke in Olympia in early 2023 to support a bill creating a Purple Star Award for military-friendly school districts. “Whether those changes were new schools, new people, new surroundings, or watching my dad leave

Victim’s attorney says ‘red flags’ should have pointed toward teacher charged with molestation

Apr 23, 2024

Peninsula School District Superintendent Krestin Bahr on Friday sent a letter to families responding to prosecutors charging Evergreen Elementary School teacher Jordan Roy Henderson with first-degree child molestation. In it, she reaffirmed the district’s commitment to safety and offered a link to resources for children and families. “I am committed to being an advocate for

Court documents: Several students were victims of or witnessed teacher’s actions

Apr 19, 2024

Pierce County prosecutors on Friday charged an Evergreen Elementary School teacher who was arrested Thursday on suspicion of sexually abusing students with nine counts of first-degree child molestation. The Peninsula School District placed Jordan Roy Henderson, 34, on administrative leave on Feb. 26 and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation after a student reported

Peninsula School District making administrative, athletic staffing changes

Apr 18, 2024

Peninsula School District recently announced staffing changes that will affect its administration and athletic department. The district is also adding back some of the classified and custodial positions cut last spring amid a $12 million budget reduction, according to a letter sent to staff in March. According to the letter, two assistant superintendent positions will

Peninsula schools seek parents’ input on update of reading and writing curriculum

Apr 16, 2024

Peninsula School District is updating its English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum across all grade levels, and encouraging parents to complete a survey by April 22. One of the district’s primary goals is to have all students meeting state standards in reading and writing by the end of third grade. The most recent data posted on

Peninsula School District data shows post-pandemic spike in bullying

Mar 21, 2024

Peninsula School District saw a spike in behavior classified as “harassment, intimidation and bullying” following the pandemic, according to data shared Tuesday with the school board. The report comes amid ongoing complaints from the public in recent months of a culture where bullying and discriminatory harassment go unchecked in Peninsula schools. Top district officials have

Sheriff’s Department investigating allegations against Evergreen Elementary teacher

Mar 15, 2024

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is investigating allegations of misconduct toward students by a teacher at Evergreen Elementary. The Peninsula School District placed the teacher on administrative leave. Superintendent Krestin Bahr informed district parents and students of the investigation Friday morning, March 15. “I am writing to share a very concerning situation within our school

Two Peninsula School District seniors earn prestigious scholarships

Mar 15, 2024

Alec Krishnadasan had no idea what was going on March 4, when his parents and high school counselor walked into class, bearing balloons. Surprise! The University of Washington picked Krishnadasan as one of only 17 students in Washington state named as Presidential Scholars. Krishnadasan, who is Peninsula High School’s ASB president, will receive $10,000 annually

Facilities advisory board forming to address building issues in Peninsula School District

Mar 14, 2024

Peninsula School District is putting together a Long-range Facilities Advisory Board to address issues related to school buildings and district support facilities, like its transportation and maintenance building. Among other topics, the group will discuss a possible future bond or capital levy. No measure is on the horizon, according to district officials. The district hasn’t

The magnificent Ukrainian pysanka … so much more than an Easter egg

Mar 07, 2024

Mary Whittington pursed her lips in fierce concentration March 2 at the Nichols Community Center on Fox Island. Before her lay the task of drawing intricate lines on a (raw) egg, overlaying them with beeswax and dipping the egg in successive jars of dye to produce her first pysanka. It’s an Easter egg and so