Tacoma Public Schools

Last week, the Tacoma Dome was buzzing with energy as over 100 businesses set up booths, and hundreds of Tacoma Public Schools high school students came to explore their futures! From riding a scissor lift to using VR goggles to simulate crane operations, tackling a burpee & push-up challenges, practicing CPR, and hammering nails—our students got hands-on experiences across industries. They also discovered exciting opportunities through the Maritime 253 skills center, and some students even connected with partners who were hiring! Huge shoutout to City of Tacoma, Korsmo Construction and Port of Tacoma a for helping make this incredible event possible.

It was all paws on deck recently when the Northwest Disaster Search Dogs used the former Lowell Elementary for search and rescue training! This hands-on practice helps the pups sharpen their skills for real-life rescues. With Lowell set for demolition soon, it’s also been a spot for training drills by the Tacoma Fire Department. Exciting changes are coming, with Lowell’s replacement expected to start construction in 2025, funded by the 2020 school bond. #ThankYouVoters #TPS #LowellLeopards #BuildingForAchievement #NDSD Follow Lowell's construction progress: https://lnkd.in/g8mn-yiW

Exciting news! We have a target construction order for the next set of schools to be replaced, thanks to voter-approved funding from the 2024 bond. The schedule is:? ? Central kitchen (expected opening Sept. 2027; location TBD) ? IDEA (expected opening Sept. 2028; location TBD) ? DeLong Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2029) ? Point Defiance Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2030) ? Stanley Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2031) ? Whitman Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2032) In addition, athletic field upgrades and essential improvements at the Central Administration Building are planned. Learn more about TPS construction projects at https://lnkd.in/gvZVe8wi #BuildingForAchievement #TPS #ThankYouVoters

Tacoma firefighters train at old Lowell school With only a few months until Lowell Elementary’s demolition in February, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) is making use of the building for training exercises. This provides an excellent opportunity for firefighters to conduct building searches and run mock drills in a realistic environment. In addition to TFD, Northwest Disaster Search Dogs will also utilize the space for training, allowing the dogs to sharpen their skills in real-world conditions, making them more effective in the field. This partnership continues the district’s collaboration with local first responders, similar to what was done during the construction project at Fawcett Elementary. Lowell is one of 8 school replacements or historic renovations funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. Lowell staff and students will continue to use the Westend swing site for the next two school years, during construction of their new school. The existing Lowell building will be demolished in February, with construction of the new school slated from 2025 to 2026. For more about our school replacement project, visit our construction website at https://lnkd.in/ggFbN9uw

?? Local business! We are recruiting local businesses and community organizations to join us for the 3rd annual TPS and Korsmo Construction Trades and Hiring Fair! Hosted by the City of Tacoma,?this year's event will take place at the Tacoma Dome over a two-day period - Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd.?Our goal is to connect students with high-wage careers as well as entry-level employment opportunities in our region. Please join us! On Friday November 1st, students will arrive by bus to the Dome during the hours of 10am-1pm.?Saturday's event hours are 10am-3pm. We are expecting?over 5,000 attendees over the two-day period. Both days will be open to students, families, and the general public.?Since the audience will vary between Friday and Saturday, we?highly?encourage vendor participation on both Friday and Saturday. ? Please register here to participate in the event as a vendor/partner or sponsor: https://lnkd.in/gqPaf2Wm. If you have any questions, please contact Brady Bekker: [email protected]

Get first look at new Reed Elementary design! Reed Elementary will get a redesigned entry that relocates the main entrance and administration offices to provide a secured vestibule and waiting area for visitors. Reed staff and community members formed a Design Advisory Committee (DAC) with Ferguson Architecture and Washington Patriot Construction LLC to develop concepts for the project, including floor plans, interior and exterior designs. Ferguson Architects developed renderings that reflect the team’s vision of the updated entry, including warm colors, an open and inviting main feeling with wood beam panels. The existing Reed entry, built in 1950, does not provide adequate visibility for school staff to safely receive visitors to the school. As part of this project, the school will also receive new cameras, remote intercom systems with video capabilities, and entry-card badge readers and security monitoring systems, ADA, HVAC, plumbing, roofing, lighting and flooring upgrades. The work is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with the newly remodeled school expected to open its doors in fall 2026. Students will continue to attend school in the existing building until the renovations are complete. This project is funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. Thank you, Tacoma voters. Follow the construction progress at TPS construction website: https://lnkd.in/gACkkyu5 #BuildingForAchievement #JennieReedJaguars #TPS #ThankYouVoters??

Hats off to our Executive Director of Planning & Construction, Morris Aldridge! Morris has spent the last seven years piloting new projects and implementing innovative school design ideas for Tacoma Public Schools. He led Washington State’s first K-12 public school design-build project, which earned Project of the Year from AGC of Washington Construction of Excellence Awards for its work. With eight outdated schools replaced and 3 more in the pipeline, he consistently ranks among top visionaries in educational programs and projects embracing the core values of innovation, integrity and growth. #TPS #BuildingForAchievement #A4LE #DBIA

Bryant Montessori unveils new building with grand celebration CHEERS ABOUND! Students, staff, neighbors and community members came together last night to celebrate the grand opening of the brand-new Bryant Montessori School. They explored the building, watched a student-led video, interacted in Montessori activities and enjoyed a Bryant cookie at the end of their tour. Bryant is one of eight school replacements or historic renovations funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. #ThankYouVoters #BuildingForAchievement #BryantMontessori #TPS Design-Build team: Skanska and TCF Architecture, PLLC Parametrix

Bryant students give tour of their newly constructed school TAKE THE BRYANT TOUR: According to Bryant?fifth-grader?Walter Weatherspoon and eighth-grader Jaice Sem, there's a long list of things to like about the new Bryant Montessori School. From the comfy chairs in the nurses’ office and the view of the neighborhood homes from the library to the new community garden in the play yard, there's something for everyone. The newly built, two-story, Bryant opened September 9th in Central Tacoma, offering a place where students in preschool through eighth grade can learn and thrive together. It's one of eight aging neighborhood schools voters approved for replacement in the 2020 bond measure. Take a tour with Walter and Jaice as they show off the brand-new Bryant Montessori and invite the community to celebrate the building at the Grand Opening event Oct.1. ·????????When:?Tuesday, Oct. 1?from 6?to 7:30?p.m. ·????????Where:?717 S. Grant Ave., Tacoma #ThankYouVoters #BuildingForAchievement?#BryantMontessori?#TPS Skanska TCF Architecture, PLLC Parametrix

Exciting baseball and fastpitch updates across Central Tacoma! Construction is progressing at both Peck Athletic Complex and Hilltop Heritage Middle School baseball and fastpitch fields. Turf is being installed, and work on lights, dugouts, street improvements and fencing continues. These new fields will serve as home for Stadium High's baseball and fastpitch teams, as well as community soccer and lacrosse leagues. Both fields will benefit Stadium High and Hilltop Heritage fastpitch and baseball teams. Construction is expected to wrap up this winter in time for Stadium baseball and fastpitch spring season. Follow for more construction updates, https://lnkd.in/g6kmS9D8 #HilltopHeritageBobcats #StadiumTigers #PeckAthleticComplex #TPS #ThankYouVoters Korsmo Construction and Hellas