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.

Evergreen teacher charged with child molestation jailed briefly for violating parole

Jun 03, 2024 | By:

Jordan Roy Henderson, the Evergreen Elementary teacher accused of child molestation, was back in jail briefly on Friday after a report he violated parole by holding gatherings at his home with minors present. The court released Henderson following a hearing Friday and he returned to home detention on $750,000 bail as of Saturday morning. On leave

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Internet outages at some schools linked to attempted copper thefts

May 30, 2024 | By:

The attempted copper thefts occurred near the district’s main office in Purdy; the wires involved actually had no copper.

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Collar of Hope aims to leave no dog behind

May 29, 2024 | By:

Collar of Hope, a nonprofit based in Olalla, finds homes for dogs (and other animals) in need of them for any reason.

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State schools superintendent candidates debate special ed funding, DEI and other issues

May 22, 2024 | By: Grace Deng/Washington State Standard

This article is reprinted with permission by the Washington State Standard, a nonprofit publication covering policy and politics in Olympia. Read more here. Candidates running to lead Washington’s public schools debated Monday night on issues like student mental health, absenteeism and the role of parents in their kids’ education. Three contenders vying to be the

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Check Out Washington backpacks bring the great outdoors into the library

May 14, 2024 | By:

There’s more to the library than books, magazines and CDs. Library cardholders can explore Washington’s 120-plus state parks and other state-owned lands through a Check Out Washington backpack, filled with things that provide access and inspiration for getting outside and exploring the Evergreen State. The Gig Harbor library at 4424 Point Fosdick Drive has two

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Peninsula High School’s TideHawks earn official recognition, funding from Navy

May 13, 2024 | By:

Peninsula School District’s NJROTC program, based at Peninsula High School, earned official recognition by the Navy, the district announced Thursday. The TideHawks NJROTC unit, established three years ago, were until the recent advancement officially a Navy National Defense Cadet Corps (NNDCC) unit. The Navy makes the NNDCC program available to qualifying secondary schools. Cadets follow

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Artondale, Evergreen elementaries earn federal recognition as ‘Green Ribbon’ schools

May 06, 2024 | By:

Two elementary schools in Peninsula School District are the only schools in Washington state to earn recognition this year as green leaders under the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program. Artondale Elementary School in Gig Harbor and Evergreen Elementary School in Lakebay were among 41 schools, 10 districts, three postsecondary institutions and one

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PSD stands for Peninsula School District and its Purple Star distinction

Apr 29, 2024 | By:

“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

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Russell Foundation grants go to Harbor WildWatch, Great Peninsula Conservancy, others

Apr 26, 2024 | By:

The Gig Harbor-based Russell Family Foundation this week awarded 27 grants worth $819,000 to several organizations serving youth and young adults in Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson, Mason and South King Counties. The grants are part of the foundation’s Environmental Education portfolio and provide focus on organizations that provide outdoor environmental learning experiences. “We recognize the

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

Apr 23, 2024 | By:

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

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