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.

Chum Fest brings lots of families (but no salmon) to Donkey Creek

Nov 20, 2023 | By:

The salmon didn’t show up, but hundreds of festival goers did. The 2023 Chum Festival, hosted by Harbor WildWatch, was a family-friendly walk this year, with hands-on learning activities along txʷaalqəł Estuary from Austin Park, behind Harbor History Museum, and to Donkey Creek Park. To keep it fun, participants received a small passport book to

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School district, community groups ponder fate of KGHP radio station

Nov 09, 2023 | By:

More than 30 people with an interest in the fate of KGHP-FM radio showed up Tuesday to a meeting hosted by Peninsula School District, which owns the station. Some were faithful listeners of KGHP, which has operated since 1988. Some were volunteer program hosts who have kept the station on air since its manager was

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Elementary students get ready to rhumba with ballroom dance lessons

Nov 08, 2023 | By:

Sultry tango music plays in a half-empty portable classroom at Voyager Elementary School. Chairs and tables have been pushed aside to create a small dance floor, where students in pairs mark the beat with their feet. Step, step, step, to-the-side and close. “T-A-N-G-O,” calls out instructor Roxanne Nielsen, helping count the rhythm. It may not

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Meeting planned Tuesday on fate of KGHP-FM radio station

Nov 02, 2023 | By:

Peninsula School District officials will host a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 7, to discuss the fate of KGHP-FM, the district-owned radio station that’s been in operation since 1988. The meeting is at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Educational Services Center (district administration office), 14015 62nd Ave. NW, Gig Harbor. The public is welcome. Current and

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Books in a Bus a perfect pairing of owner’s love of reading and Volkswagons

Nov 02, 2023 | By:

A fidgety, exuberant buzz runs through the classroom as the afternoon kicks off at Gig Harbor Co-operative Preschool. There’s a special visitor today. She’s tan, wears four wheels and lots of colorful stickers, and she’s too big to fit inside the classroom. It’s Connie’s Books in a Bus. Accompanied by GHCP teacher Nadine Mart, small

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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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