It’s MAY.

Silas High School—Principal’s Weekly Message—May 3, 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 May Equity Theme centers around: Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness is not about speaking for others—it’s about making space to speak with them. Real, lasting change happens when those most impacted by decisions are meaningfully included in making them. Inclusion requires more than good intentions; it calls for intentional action—listening with compassion, owning our biases, and consistently acting with integrity. When we center the voices of those who are often unheard, we begin to build environments where people feel safe, valued, and like they truly belong.

To ponder: How do we balance honoring individual identities while building community and solidarity?

Important Dates

• Monday-Friday, May 4-8—Teacher Appreciation Week and AP exams begin (See below for more testing info.)
• Tuesday, May 5—Testing Coordinator Day

• Wednesday, May 6—School Nurse Day

• Wednesday, May 6—Late start—Building PD

• Friday, May 8—PLANT SALE—3:00-5:00 pm in the greenhouse
• Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10—PLANT SALE—10:00-2:00 pm in the greenhouse
• Tuesday, May 12—Senior Honor Cord Ceremony—6:00-8:00 pm in the auditorium
• Wednesday, May 13—Late start—building specific PLC
• Monday, May 18—Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) Appreciation Day

• Tuesday-Thursday, May 19-21—WCAS Testing

• Wednesday, May 20—Late start—individual classroom time

• Thursday, May 21—PDLT after school in room 222

• Friday-Monday, May 22-26—Memorial Day Weekend—Friday is a snow make up day, if needed.

High School Credit Retrieval Summer School

Dates: June 22 – July 14, 2026

Days: Monday – Thursday

Times: Vary by school

Format: Online only through Edgenuity

Registration: Students will register through their counselor

9th Grade Jump Start

Date: August 25, 2026 
Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Meals: Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - Lunch 12:15 p.m.

Transportation: Will be provided from the school’s middle school feeder locations. Route times will be posted in July 2026.

Spring Testing

What:

·                   Smarter Balanced Assessments for English and Math

·                   Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science

·                   AP African American

·                   AP Psychology

Why:

·                   SBA is a pathway for graduation that a lot of students pass and use to meet the requirement

·                   WCAS is a state mandated test for 11^th graders

·                   AP test is for an opportunity for college credit

When: 

·                   SBA is Monday, May 4^th - Friday, May 8^th periods 1-3 and 5-6 every day.  We will be on regular bell schedule.

·                   WCAS is May 19^th – May 21^st through science classes.

·                   AP tests are May 7^th and May 12^th

Where: 

·                   SBA is in the auditorium

·                   WCAS in science classes and career center

·                   AP tests in the library

Who:

·                   SBA is for 10^th graders

·                   WCAS is for 11^th graders

·                   AP tests are for those in those classes

Monday kicks off Teacher Appreciation Week

In every subject and space in our school, our teachers bring a sense of belonging, safety, joy and collaboration to their classrooms. Students feel the commitment and the care – and it shows.  

It's Teacher Appreciation Week. If you have a moment, let a teacher know how they’ve made an impact on you/your child.  

• When: Wednesday, May 6, from 4:15-5:45 p.m.
• Where: Giaudrone Middle School, 4902 S. Alaska St., Tacoma

Register here: Advanced Programs Community Information Night

Summer Late Nights starts in June

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 11th 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.

Still time to enroll in Maritime|253

There’s still time to register for Maritime|253! This is a skills center in which students take courses to prepare for a career in maritime-related fields. The brand new Maritime|253 Skills Center opens its doors this fall and welcome its first class of students.

Students remain enrolled at their high school and spend half their day at the skills center. Courses are advanced, and it is recommended that students be in their junior or senior year to enroll.

Enroll here: Enroll at Maritime|253 - Maritime|253 Skills Center

RamTV News: RamTv 4/29/26

What inspired me this week?

Junior and gymnast Alice Wilson competed with her club cheer team VENOM at The Summit Championships at the ESPN Sports Center in Orlando, FL this weekend. Congratulations to Alice for competing at the national level. Our Rams are doing big things both in- and outside of school!

GO RAMS.