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.

Incumbent West faces challenger for board seat in Peninsula School District

Oct 25, 2023 | By:

Only one of three school board races in Peninsula School District is contested in this year’s Nov. 7 general election. Chuck West, incumbent candidate for the District 1 director seat, faces challenger Jack Mende of Gig Harbor. Running unopposed to defend their respective positions on the school board are incumbents Lori Glover, running for the

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Longtime friends organize Books for Barks fundraiser for CHEW Dog Rescue

Oct 23, 2023 | By:

Two teens who met in preschool have been raising money for local nonprofit CHEW Dog Rescue for the past three years through a fundraiser called Books for Barks. They took over the event when the original creator had to step aside, and they’ve been working hard each year to procure books for the sale and

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Fish Bowl investigation complete, school district announces

Oct 23, 2023 | By:

A Peninsula School District investigation into events at the Sept. 15 Fish Bowl football game between Gig Harbor and Peninsula high schools found that “claims of inappropriate behavior beyond what the game officials addressed were unsubstantiated.” The district announced Monday, Oct. 23, that the investigation is complete. In announcing the completion, the district noted that

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Parents team with St. Anthony to equip Peninsula school staff with bleeding control kits

Oct 18, 2023 | By:

A small group of parents, all with backgrounds in healthcare, has teamed up with St. Anthony Hospital to provide bleeding control kits in each of Peninsula School District’s more than 600 classrooms. The kits will allow for rapid response to traumatic injuries in the event of a school shooting or other emergency, like an earthquake

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Teddy bears from Peninsula High School students bring comfort to Ukrainian children

Oct 02, 2023 | By:

When Iryna’s family evacuated their home because of the war in Ukraine, they left in such a hurry that they left the little girl’s pink plush elephant behind. The one she’d had since she was a baby. Now, she clings to a new favorite stuffie. Iryna is one of hundreds of Ukrainian children who received

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Peninsula School District investigating Fish Bowl injury

Sep 19, 2023 | By:

The Peninsula School District is investigating the serious injury of Gig Harbor High School quarterback Koi Calhoun and other incidents at the Sept. 15 Fish Bowl football game between the Tides and the Peninsula Seahawks. The district announced the investigation in a statement sent to reporters on Monday, Sept. 18, adding that it will make

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Peninsula schools make course correction on teaching reading

Sep 06, 2023 | By:

One of Peninsula School District’s goals is for all students to be functional readers by the time they complete third grade. Achieving that goal would require 100% to meet grade level standards in English language arts on state assessments by 2026. District officials note that children who have not learned to read by third grade

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Peninsula middle schoolers start new year in like-new buildings

Sep 05, 2023 | By:

Tuesday was a first day of school pretty much like any other: students pouring off big yellow buses. A lot of excitement mixed with the usual first-day jitters. More than a few sleepy faces. Outfits carefully chosen. Backpacks filled with a fresh stash of supplies. The school year ahead a blank slate. But for students

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Altrusa awards $29,000 from Empty Bowls fundraiser to six local groups

Aug 29, 2023 | By:

Altrusa International of Gig Harbor awarded $29,000 raised at the March 4 Empty Bowls event to six groups that provide food to families and children. Over the past eight years, Empty Bowls events provided more than $130,000 to feed families in the Peninsula School District. Organizations benefitting from the 2023 Empty Bowls event include Gig

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Free back to school shopping this weekend at Community Clothing Drive and Giveaway

Aug 24, 2023 | By:

Students return to school in less than two weeks, a relief for many busy parents and some studious kids.   It can also be a cause of stress for some Peninsula School District families. Back to school means back-to-school shopping, an expense not everyone can afford. That’s where Food Backpacks 4 Kids’ fourth annual Community

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