Greetings Silas Students and Families,

I hope everyone is enjoying our last September Sunday of 2026. We are moving quickly through the start of the year and for our class of 2027 it will only speed up from this point on. We are already seeing college and post-secondary commitments from our Senior Class. Let’s get the most out of the moments!

Ram Country will stay busy this coming week. Our teams have been competing across the county and our clubs are starting to keep the campus moving into the early evenings now too. I’ve become a really big fan of E-Sports over the past couple of years and the Silas Team has just launched their season 1 for 2026-27. Let’s go Rams!

The weather is changing with the start of fall. Everyone should slow down on the roads around campus as this early rain will make things a little slicker out there. Slow down and be careful, our campus is surrounded by a mix of parents and teenage drivers at drop-off and pick-up each day, AND please be courteous to each other!

Course Syllabus- Every class at Silas has a posted syllabus that can be reviewed through StudentVue and ParentVue, (Class website>Class info). Please check that you can find the course syllabus for every class at Silas. Please reach out to your teacher if you have questions about any course requirements included in the course syllabus.

Fall Staffing info -Silas will add sections in math, science, SS, and ELA in the next week. Some of these additions will impact student schedules and we will communicate the dates in the coming days. There are a couple of additional program moves that will modify who is teaching certain classes and we will communicate directly to the classrooms involved in these changes. Thanks for your patience as we move through these final fall staffing adjustments.

A few flyers from community partners:

YMCA Teen Resource Fair.pdf 

Trades and Hiring Fair Flyer (Student) 2026.pdf 

Orange Shirt Day is on Wednesday, 9-30-26. Additional information about The National Day of Remembrance can be found at this link. Orange Shirt

Staff and students are reminded that wearing orange next Weds shows support for remembrance and healing for our Indigenous Families.

Open House at Silas – October 8^th, 5PM-6:30PM

Conferences at Silas – October 22^nd Arena Style in the gym. We will have conference sessions in the afternoon and evening this year.

Blue Book Document 

Messaging for 11^th/12^th graders for PSAT/SAT tech prep)

Students who plan to take the PSAT/SAT need to run the Bluebook update on their computers to prepare for testing. (see the link above)

Please follow the attached instructions in advance of the test date to be sure that your computer is ready. 

Testing Dates and Times:

10/14 SAT Testing 12th grade A-L in Auditorium 9:00 - 1:00pm

10/16 SAT Testing 12th grade M-Z in Auditorium 8:00 - 12:00pm

10/19 PSAT Testing 11th grade A-L in Auditorium 8:00 - 12:00pm

10/20 PSAT Testing 11th grade M-Z in Auditorium 8:00 - 12:00pm

Homecoming 2026

Homecoming Week 2026, Coachella Nights, is October 5-9. Get ready to participate in the spirit week!

Monday, October 5: Music Merch Monday

Tuesday, October 6: LA vs. Nantucket

Wednesday, October 7: Wiggy Wednesday

Thursday, October 8: 2016

Friday, October 9: Desert Sunset (color wars—Seniors yellow, Juniors orange, Sophomore pink, Freshmen purple, Staff blue)

The Homecoming Game will take place on October 9 vs Bellarmine. Stay tuned for more information about a tailgate prior to the game!

The Homecoming Dance is October 10 from 8-10 pm.

Dance tickets are available NOW. Purchase online or in person. Pay with cash or check in person to avoid credit card fees.

Ticket prices:

$10 w/ASB

$15 w/out ASB

$30 for guests

$40 at the door (with and without ASB)

Tickets: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZVAP1ALJ5AQRBG_ZZ5WHQ61CUJOWFI

Interested in bringing a guest from another school? Fill out the guest form below by October 6. A list of approved guests will be available after 10/6.

Homecoming Guest Request 2026 – Fill out form.

Check out the Silas ASB Instagram (@silas.asb) for more inspo and info (themes, spirit days, etc.)!

Questions about the dance? Contact Ann Hansen (ASB advisor) ahansen@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Questions about guest forms? Contact Allison Bennett (Asst. Principal) abennet@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Questions about purchasing tickets? Contact Charlott McFarland (Office Manager) cmcfarl@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Reminder about closed campus- Silas students need to remain on campus during the school day unless they have a specialized schedule. The closed campus is in effect all day and this includes lunch. Students should be prepared show a copy of their specialized schedule to campus security if they are coming and going during the school day.

Secure Access- This is a reminder that campus exterior doors and gates need to remain secure during the school day. Students should not open doors or gates for other students or visitors. The front office is always open and available for access during the day.

No Hall Pass List

Students who accumulate 7 or more unexcused absences or tardies (or a combination) in the previous month will be on the No Hall Pass List. Please help us keep this list small by getting to school each morning and arriving to each class before the bell.

Please keep the painted front curb clear and use N.14^th Street for pickup and drop-off at Silas.

TPS Updates

Friendly reminder: School fields closed until programs are done each day 

For student safety, our school fields are closed until after school programs and sports are complete each day. 

Please complete CNEEB form

Have you completed the CNEEB application? I’m asking all families to complete the application before Oct. 1. It's used to help decide how money is distributed across the school district, including our school. It can also impact families directly by reducing fees for athletics, Beyond the Bell and Club B, and college applications. Complete CNEEB form. 

Have a great Sunday evening with your families. Go Rams!

Mr. Aiken

“Chasing the Angles of Excellence!”

“Heads down, Horns up!”