Dear Federal Way Public Schools Parents and Guardians, 

I’m excited to see the 2021–22 school year is off to a great start! I’ve loved being back out in our school buildings and witnessing learning happening in classrooms across the district. I see the limitless potential in our scholars, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve this year.

I know this year brings new experiences for all, with the return to full-time, in-person instruction while navigating the current chapter of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our team worked hard to prepare for this school year— over the summer months staff implemented updated health and safety protocols across the district, provided and participated in professional development in preparation for the first day, and created staff and family guides outlining key information for this school year. We continue to follow the latest health and safety guidance provided by the Washington State Department of Health and update our protocols as new or supplemental guidance is released. To stay up to date on the most current health and safety protocols in our schools, please visit www.fwps.org.

We’re also excited to provide academic tutoring and mental health supports to scholars across the district this school year as a way to enhance what’s already available in our schools. These supports include access to online academic tutoring for all scholars and access to online counseling for scholars ages 13 and up, as well as more targeted supports for smaller groups of scholars.

We also know schools can’t do it alone, and our families demonstrated this over the last year during remote learning, and they continue to be strong partners in their child’s learning. Research shows when parents partner with schools, student achievement increases, and we experienced the importance of this partnership in new ways during our time in remote learning. As we move forward with in-person instruction, parents can continue to partner and support their child’s success:

• Have conversations with your child about being positive and productive inside and outside of the classroom. You play an important role in establishing and supporting high expectations for behaviors for your children while they are in school.
• Pick up a Learning Partnership Guide. These are available in our top languages and can be picked up at your school office or accessed online at fwps.org/LearningPartnership.
• Encourage your child to attend school every day they are feeling well.
• Follow all health and safety protocols while at school and keep your child home if they are sick.
• Mark your calendars and attend Scholar-Led Conferences. This year, conferences will be held November 4–5, 2021, and March 24–25, 2022. Scholar-Led Conferences offer your child an opportunity to have a voice in their learning. Research tells us that students who know their goals and the steps necessary to achieve success are more likely to reach their fullest learning potential.
• Check ParentVUE at https://grades.fwps.org on a regular basis so you are informed about your child’s attendance and grades to encourage their academic growth and success in school.

Thank you again for your continued partnership!

Sincerely,

Dr. Dani Pfeiffer