Silas High School—Principal’s Weekly Message—January 5, 2025—

Welcome back to school!
I hope you had a relaxing winter break. Our team is looking forward to seeing students tomorrow Monday, Jan. 6, and kicking off the first week of school in 2025.

Silas Core Beliefs

• Every student can learn and grow at high levels.
• Every student brings valuable prior knowledge to school.
• Every student shall have a trusted adult at school with whom they connect.
• Every student shall have access to guaranteed and viable curriculum.
• Every student shall leave Silas High School prepared for post-secondary options.

The January Equity Theme centers around: LANGUAGE

Language is the base of how we see and understand everything around us, but it can also make us feel left out or misunderstood. We use symbols to build this shared understanding through letters, dialects, tone, pictures, memes, jokes, telling stories, or using gestures. At times, language and symbols can exclude others by accident or on purpose. We must be willing to change the words we use, the jokes we tell, or the gestures we make when they cause harm to others.

For discussion at home or at work:

• What is a value you live by, and what does it means to you?
• Then, is there a value someone shared that means something different to you?

Important Dates

More to come, but…

Monday, January 20—MLK Day—No school for staff or students

Basketball night with University of Puget Sound Loggers
Tacoma Public Schools families and students are invited to watch a free night of University of Puget Sound basketball on Tuesday, Jan. 14. 

Watch two games and join UPS staff to learn more about the university's Tacoma Public Schools Commitment - a financial aid package that meets the full demonstrated financial need of TPS graduates.

• Where: University of Puget Sound Memorial Field House, 1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma
• When: Men's game at 6 p.m.; women's game at 8 p.m. Refreshments and college information session at 7:30 p.m.

Students under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.

Register here: Tacoma Public Schools Basketball Night

Building positive relationships at home

At home, it's important to talk to your child about small ways to show kindness, such as helping a friend or offering a compliment. 

Building positive relationships with children at home is essential for their emotional well-being, self-esteem, and social development. Positive family relationships help children feel secure, valued, and supported, which contributes to better behavior, resilience, and academic success. Create those relationships at home by:

• Spending quality time together
• Showing active listening
• Showing appreciation and affection
• Setting boundaries and routines
• Encouraging open communication

Get more ideas here. 

What inspired me over the break?

Rest.

GO RAMS.