Silas High School—Principal’s Weekly Message—June 7, 2026

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 June Equity Theme centers around: ADVOCACY

Advocacy begins by recognizing that sometimes the biggest barriers to equity are not external—they are internal. Silence, especially in moments that call for action, can reinforce harm. Neutrality may feel safe, but it often protects the status quo. To advocate is to step out of that safety and into discomfort. It means using our voice, our position, and our influence to amplify those who are unheard, unseen, or undervalued. Advocacy isn’t about speaking for others—it’s about standing beside them, listening deeply, and making space for their leadership.

What’s a specific time you advocated for someone else or something this year?

How do we make advocacy a shared responsibility rather than an individual one?

Important Dates

• Monday, June 8—Elementary Grad Walks—2:30 pm—any/all Tacoma elementary schools; Wainwright Intermediate at 1:30, then you can go to your elementary at 2:30 if you choose to do both (see details below)
• Wednesday, June 10—GRADUATION—4:30—Tacoma Dome—again, CHECK COMMENCEMENT GUIDE AND EMAILS FROM MS. BENNETT FOR ALL DETAILS
• Friday, June 12—Silas Day - Regular bell schedule, college and career fair option onsite
• Wednesday, June 17—Last day of school—NOT A LATE START DAY—dismissal after 3^rd period—attendance not taken on this day 

Last day of school schedule

Please note our schedule for the last week of school 

• Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, June 16: FINAL EXAMS FOR GRADES 9-11—REGULAR BELL SCHEDULE
• Wednesday, June 17: Early release and last day of school
  • High school releases at 11:30 a.m.
  • Middle school releases at 10:55 a.m. (Wainwright Intermediate follows this schedule.)
  • CBT releases at 10:30 a.m.
  • Early release for elementary:
    • Elementary schools that have a regular dismissal time of 3:10 p.m. will dismiss at 11:55 a.m. (Bryant follows this schedule.)
    • Elementary schools that have a regular dismissal time of 3:30 p.m. will dismiss at 12:15 p.m.

Spread the Word… Elementary Graduation Walks, June 8

As graduation approaches, please help remind seniors about the upcoming Elementary Graduation Walks taking place at our TPS elementary schools!

Date: Monday, June 8, 2026

Time: 2:30 p.m. for Grad Walks *Wainwright at 1:30 p.m. 

Please remind seniors to:

- Arrive just before the scheduled time (please be on time)!

- Meet in the main office of their elementary school 

- Wear their cap, gown, and stole and any school awards/medals you may have

- Place tassels on the RIGHT side

- Keep track of cords and tassels if they bring them

- Be ready to answer questions and encourage future graduates

Seniors, if your elementary school is not in Tacoma Public Schools, you may find a friend and attend with them. 

Thank you for helping us celebrate the Class of 2026 and create meaningful memories for our students and school communities!

Questions? Please contact Shannon Marshall at smarsha@tacoma.k12.wa.us. 

Register now for Summer Late Nights

Once again, the community is coming together to offer a fun, safe place for kids to hang out in the summer. On June 22, Summer Late Nights opens for students starting 7th grade through 12th grade in the fall.  They can get dinner every weeknight and participate in open gym and field activities, art and music, and gaming from 5 to 10 p.m.

Summer Late Nights is a free drop-in program. Students can attend as often as they like. I encourage you to register on Compass. You can get more information on our website.

School-based health clinics open over the summer

Good news! Our school-based health clinics are open to all Tacoma Public Schools students, and they provide both standard care and sports physicals during summer clinic hours. Take a look at our website for more information, including summer clinic hours. 

Keep bus passes at home this summer 

Please be sure to keep track of your child's bus pass this summer – they will need that same bus pass next year, no matter where they go to school or what their route is. 

Replacing a bus pass costs $5. (Students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch will not be charged for replacements.)

As a reminder, students receiving special education transportation do not carry a pass. However, they receive the same benefits of the pass through services provided by their bus driver.

What to do with laptops over the summer 

All students can take their school-issued laptop home over the summer. Please note these steps for some students:

• Families of students currently in kindergarten who want to bring home their laptop over the summer need to fill out Student Laptop Checkout form with their school because those computers need to come back to a specific classroom. 
• Families of students currently in 1st and 2nd grade can store their child’s school laptop at their school over the summer. Please contact your school if you’d like to store your child’s laptop at school.  
• Students currently in 5th and 8th grades and other students changing schools within TPS in the fall must take their laptops and chargers home with them over the summer to bring them to their new school for the 2026 – 27 school year.  

Buy a Yearbook here: 

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZVAP1ALJ5AQRBG_ZZ5V5L3MZ41TC5Q

RamTV News: https://youtu.be/skS7d1957S0

What Inspired Me This Week?

Choir, band, prom, writing my graduation speech. Hugs.

GO RAMS.