Education

Gig Harbor Now staff are proud to provide coverage of Peninsula School District, Tacoma Community College, private schools and home schools, emphasizing the value and experiences of learning here and beyond.

Students measure plastic waste at Kopachuck Middle School

May 24, 2022 | By:

Students in the STEAM Club at Kopachuck Middle School wanted to find out how much plastic waste was generated on their campus. They recently spent a couple weeks collecting empty drink bottles, sandwich bags, food packaging, plastic utensils and other plastic waste during lunchtime. The project was inspired by National Geographic’s Planet or Plastic?, a

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Peninsula School District sticks with plan to curtail Chinese program

May 17, 2022 | By:

Despite efforts by Chinese language students to save Chinese 1 in the upcoming school year, Peninsula School District is going through with its plan to cut the entry-level course because enrollment fell short. Students organizing the campaign hosted a social media push and website, garnering testimonials from former and current students about the relevance and

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Meet Gig Harbor’s Students of Distinction

May 16, 2022 | By:

Gig Harbor Now is posting profiles of each of the 25 Students of Distinction being honored by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation. The students will be honored during a banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Ocean5, 5268 Point Fosdick Dr. Find links to profiles of each student below. Overcoming Adversity

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‘Digital citizenship’ a key part of the curriculum at Peninsula schools

May 12, 2022 | By:

Time was, the job of an IT director was all about making sure students had enough devices and that everyone could get online. These days, Kris Hagel, director of digital learning at Peninsula School District, spends his time supporting teachers instructing students about “digital citizenship,” informing parents of ways to monitor and evaluate their child’s

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Water circulation problem closes Gig Harbor High School pool

May 06, 2022 | By:

The pool at Gig Harbor High School is closed because of a mechanical failure in the water circulation system. Problems with the electrical system and pump led to the temporary closure, Patrick Gillespie, director of facilities, said Thursday. An electrician addressed the electrical issue. Now the district is working with a contractor to check out

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Students rally to save Chinese language program at Peninsula School District

Apr 28, 2022 | By:

Students in Peninsula School District’s Chinese language classes are joining forces to raise awareness about impending cuts they say will spell an end to the program. District officials have already made the decision to offer classes only at Gig Harbor High School next year, ending instruction at Kopachuck Middle School and Peninsula High School. According

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Inside Gig Harbor’s (Nerf) War zone

Apr 27, 2022 | By:

Ryan Pickles and Isaac Gary got lucky on opening day of Nerf Wars 2022. “The very first night, me and Ryan, we were hunting this one team called Moctezuma’s Revenge. So, we know where one of them lives,” Gary said. The team member has a twin sibling also playing the game — a long-standing tradition

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Gig Harbor Dance Team boogies away with a state title

Apr 14, 2022 | By:

Members of the Gig Harbor High School Dance Team held hands and squeezed their eyes shut, praying, hoping. When second-place Shorewood was announced, “we started just immediately crying because we knew that the team that got second, it was an amazing team,” said Ashlyn Francisconi, Gig Harbor’s co-captain. Gut instinct told them they were about

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Want a say in Peninsula schools’ future? Here’s how to weigh in on the district’s strategic plan

Apr 13, 2022 | By:

Peninsula School District’s draft Strategic Plan 2022-26 is open for public comment through May 6

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Chinese language students from Gig Harbor connect with school in Taiwan

Apr 11, 2022 | By:

Peninsula School District will phase out middle school Chinese classes next year. Low enrollment cited.

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