Dear Parents and Guardians of Federal Way High School students, 

We hope each of you are having a summer filled with good times and positive memories while staying safe through these unprecedented difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this summer, Federal Way High School has been continuing to advance. Staff are attending many workshops and professional development opportunities to constantly improve curriculum and instruction.

As the 2020-21 school year will begin soon, I would like parents, guardians, and students to be aware of and proud of the accomplishments completed last year and to challenge this year’s students to achieve even more.

Federal Way High School’s Accomplishments

 Federal Way High School had many wins and triumphs last year, some of them were:

• Six valedictorians with a perfect cumulative 4.0 GPA completing the most challenging courses offered; 
• Three ACT 6 full scholarship award recipients; 
• A Bill & Melinda Gates full scholarship award recipient; 
• An Air Force JROTC cadet received the Air Force JROTC Flight Academy Scholarship; 
• Air Force JROTC Team advanced to the Air Force JROTC Academic Bowl National Championships; 
• 8 students went to State for DECA and one student qualified for DECA Nationals; 
• 7 students qualified for the Speech and Debate State tournament; 
• 100% of the AVID senior class was accepted to a university; 
• Federal Way High School is also an AVID National Demonstration School and AVID National Site of Distinction; 
• Girls bowling team was back-to-back champions for the Academic State Award with a team cumulative GPA of 3.96; 
• Football won the NPSL Valley Division; 
• Two female athletes were WA State Wrestling Champions and one placing 3rd in State; 
• Girls Wrestling Team finished fourth in State; 
• Federal Way High School was accepted to be a Cambridge International School Demonstration Center; and 
• The Class of 2020 received over $3.6 million dollars in total grants and scholarships   

I want to thank all of our students, staff, and families for all of your hard work and dedication.   

 Summer Learning

This year, FWPS is providing essential summer learning for all scholars. Engaging in learning throughout the summer months will support your scholar in being prepared for when we return to school. We ask that you set aside 90 minutes a day if your child is in grade K-5 and 110 minutes a day for grade 6-12. A daily schedule and free online resources have been posted to the FWPS website at www.fwps.org/summerlearning. We will also be mailing home learning packets to all scholars who were in K-11^th grade last year. Packets should be arriving in your mailbox the week of July 6. We are also really excited to share a new experience geared toward our youngest of learners. Tune into FW Channel 21 Monday- Friday from July 6- August 7 each day between 9am- 5pm to see amazing 20-minute reading and math lessons. There will even be math lessons taught in Spanish each hour. These lessons will give the opportunity for your child to learn and grow throughout the month and will be posted to our FWPS www.youtube.com channel as well.   

Fall School Re-Opening

Using guidance from the State and the Department of Health, we are planning for a safe return that prioritizes learning. What we know is that we will begin the year with a hybrid model (some face to face instruction and some remote instruction).  At this time, FWPS is exploring several hybrid models that provides a combination of face to face instruction and remote learning. We have received input from parents and guardians, scholars and staff. The early results reveal the Pre-K-12 two day face-to-face and 3-day remote model is the most desired option.  Please stay tuned for more information to come in the coming weeks.

Health and Safety and School Re-Opening

Health and safety are a priority. As we prepare for our Fall re-opening, we are using the guidance from the Department of Health and OSPI. Our district is hard at work developing health and safety protocols with social distancing guidelines, arranging schedules that minimize contact, considering bus transportation and engaging in deep cleaning protocols to minimize the spread of germs. As part of ensuring a safe learning environment, students will be required to wear face masks. Please take the time this summer to both reinforce and practice the wearing of face masks. We will continue to place health and safety as a priority as we look toward the Fall.

We are looking forward to a great year for 2020- 21. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

Federal Way High School is a great school!

Thank you,

Dr. Matt Oberst
Principal