Good afternoon, Stadium Students and Families.

This is Principal Shannon Marshall with some important updates.

 

Please note that access to the building is very limited, and our courtyard will remain closed until school starts. We encourage families to use our online options for payments and communication. Payments can be made through MySchoolBucks via ParentVUE: MySchoolBucks Online Payments – Tacoma Public Schools. Most information will be available through these weekly messages and on our Stadium website. For additional questions, you may email us at stadium@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

 

Daily Schedule

Monday, August 18, is Jump Start for our 9^th graders.

Wednesday, August 20, is the first day for football – please make sure all requirements are complete so you can attend the first day of practice.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday, August 25, is the first day for all other fall sports.

Tiger Day will be Tuesday, August 26, from 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM. The entire day will be drop in at your convenience this year. Students will have their school photos taken, receive their ASB/ID card, and get assistance with laptop needs.

Wednesday, September 3, is the first day of school. There will be no late start for the first day of school. School will start promptly at 8:15 AM.

If you are unable to attend our summer events, our School Picture Day is Friday, September 5.

Save the Date: Back to School Night is Wednesday, September 24.

Save the Date: The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, October 18.

 

9^th Grade Jump Start

Our annual 9^th Grade Jump Start is TOMORROW – Monday, August 18, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Students will check in at the front of the PAC building (Performing Arts Center – gym/theater).

Students will meet administrators and teachers, have their photos taken for the yearbook, enjoy a tour of the school, connect with peers, and learn about opportunities in sports and clubs.

If you are interested in purchasing photos, you may do so online at mylifetouch.com and preorder student pictures using code: EVTD9MBFQ.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Lunch is from 12:00-12:30, and buses will depart promptly at 12:30 PM. We have transportation from our feeder middle schools as follows:

• Truman – pick up at 8:30 AM, drop off at 1:00 PM
• Mason – pick up at 8:44 AM, drop off at 12:48 PM
• Hilltop Heritage – pick up at 8:48 AM, drop off at 12:40 PM
• Meeker – pick up at 8:20 AM (new time), drop off at 12:57 PM

As a reminder Jump Start is for registered Stadium 9^th graders only. We cannot accommodate siblings, other family members, or students who have not yet enrolled at Stadium.

 

Student Schedules

Student schedules will be available on August 29. Counselors are still balancing classes and making sure each student has a full schedule for the first day of school. Please do not email your counselor regarding schedules. More information about our student schedules is forthcoming.

 

School Laptops

Students will use the same TPS laptop this year. Please make sure to locate the laptop and charging cord. Students may purchase a replacement charging cord for $35 ($20 for F/R lunch) at the Stadium Business Office.

 

CNEEB Form – Financial Assistance

If you need financial assistance and have not been automatically qualified for free and reduced-price lunch, please complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefits survey at: MySchoolApps - Select District.

 

Bus Passes

Students will need the same pass this year to ride the school bus as they used last year. The bus pass works for the duration of a student’s Tacoma Public Schools career. If a student switches routes, schools, addresses, etc., the same bus pass will still work.

Replacing a bus pass will cost $5. Students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch will not be charged for a replacement. Students may purchase a replacement bus pass at the Stadium Business Office.

As a reminder, students receiving Special Education transportation do not carry a pass.

TPS Transportation plans to have bus routes available to families in ParentVUE on August 27.

 

I-705 Closures

Construction on I-705 is underway and will continue through mid-October. For up-to-date details on closures, detours, and schedules, visit the City of Tacoma website: Tacoma Spur Stadium NB/SB Ramps.

The TPS Transportation Department is aware of the project and will adjust bus route times to ensure students arrive on time. Students and families driving to school should plan ahead, allow extra travel time, and ensure students are in class and ready to learn at the start of school each day.

 

Reminders from last week…

 

New Cell Phone & Electronic Device Policy at Stadium High School

As we start the new school year, Stadium High School is launching a building‑wide policy designed to help students stay focused, minimize distractions, and make the most of their learning time. Research and experience show that reducing personal device use during class leads to stronger engagement and academic success.

Beginning the first day of school, all students and staff will follow this policy:

• No personal device use during class time (bell to bell).
• Devices must be silent, out of sight, and kept in bags during class.
• When leaving class for any reason (bathroom, etc.), students will leave devices in their bag in the classroom.
• Personal devices will not be used for independent work time or as a reward during class.
• Phones may be used before school, during lunch, and after school.

To ensure students have the tools they need for learning, all students are provided with a district‑issued laptop. Families should make sure laptops are fully charged each night, so students are prepared for class.

Please refrain from calling or texting your student during the school day. If you need to reach them urgently while they are in class, contact our main office and we will notify them on your behalf. Phones used during class time will be confiscated, regardless of who the student is communicating with.

When a phone is confiscated:

• The device will be held in an assistant principal’s office until the end of the school day.
• Repeated violations may result in a parent/guardian being required to pick up the phone and could lead to additional consequences.

Thank you for partnering with us in creating a focused and positive learning environment for all Stadium Tigers as we begin this school year together!

 

School Supplies

To start the school year, in addition to their TPS student laptop, Stadium students will need general supplies like pens, paper, pencils, and tools to help them stay organized. Each teacher will communicate with students if there are specific items needed for their class. If you need assistance with school supplies, please contact Mrs. Harkness, our Guidance Secretary.

 

Summer Nurse Availability

While our school nurse is not on campus full-time during the summer, Nurse Sarah will be in the building every Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM to meet with families regarding care plans, medication orders, and other student health needs.

She will also be available during Tiger Day on Tuesday, August 26.

If your student requires updated health documentation or you have questions about medical care for the upcoming school year, I encourage you to stop by during one of these times.

 

Stadium Athletics

Football starts on Wednesday, August 20. Cross country, golf, girls soccer, girls swim & dive, boys tennis, girls volleyball, and boys water polo start on Monday, August 25. Please find athletic information on the Stadium Athletics website.

All student athletes must register using the Final Forms registration system. To participate, student athletes need:

• All forms completed through Final Forms
• 2025-26 ASB membership
• 2025-26 Pay to Participate (more info below)
• Valid (within the last 13 months and stamped by the physician) sports physical submitted and reviewed prior to the first day of practice. Resources for sports physicals for 2025-26 school year | Story Detail - Tacoma Public Schools

Once you have completed the registration process and have been fully cleared, you will receive information about tryouts, practices, etc. If you have any questions, please email stadiumathletics@tacoma.k12.wa.us.

 

TPS Athletics – Pay to Participate

Tacoma Public Schools is introducing a “pay to participate” model to help sustain our athletic programs. Fees will support the rising costs of uniforms, equipment, transportation, coaches, and officials. The tiered fee schedule is:

• Students who qualify for free/reduced lunch: $0
• Other students: $90 per high school sport
• Family Plan: $400 maximum per household across all sports and grade levels

Pay to Participate is required for all student-athletes prior to their first competition. If your assessed fee is $0, please still contact the Stadium Business Office so we can document this requirement is complete and ensure your participation is not delayed.

 

Stadium Business Office

Families may use MySchoolBucks in ParentVUE to purchase the following items:

• ASB Membership*                 $30
• Pay to Participate**               $90      (per sports season)
• Stadium Yearbook***            $55      (price increases December 1)

Students will receive one complimentary photo ID card when their school photo is taken. Replacement cards are $5. To ensure your ID includes the ASB indicator, please purchase ASB before your photo is taken.

* ASB membership is required for all students participating in clubs, music, and/or athletics and it provides free admission to regular season athletic contests and reduced admission rates to other ASB activities.

**Pay to Participate is required for all student athletes prior to competing in their first contest of the season.

***Order your yearbook now! Pre‑orders help us determine how many copies to print, and last spring we sold out. Reserve your yearbook now to guarantee you get one in the spring.

If you have any questions or need to make financial arrangements, please contact Mrs. Rogers in the Stadium Business Office.

 

Transportation for Stadium Athletics

During the summer, we understand it can be difficult to coordinate transportation to athletic practices. As a reminder all TPS students may ride Pierce Transit with their complimentary ORCA card or TPS student ID card.

Due to the limited Pierce Transit options in Northeast Tacoma, there will be an activity bus to and from NET so students may attend fall athletic practices without transportation barriers.

Please remember that students need to be fully cleared by Stadium Athletics before they attend a practice.

NET Activity Bus Schedule for FOOTBALL – August 20 – August 22

• The bus will depart NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      1:20 PM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 1:30 PM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         1:45 PM
• The bus will depart Stadium at 5:45 PM, and arrive in NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      6:15 PM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 6:25 PM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         6:35 PM

NET Activity Bus for ALL FALL SPORTS – August 25 – September 2

• The bus will depart NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      8:00 AM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 8:10 AM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         8:20 AM
• The bus will depart Stadium at 12:45 PM, and arrive in NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      1:20 PM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 1:30 PM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         1:45 PM
• The bus will depart NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      1:20 PM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 1:30 PM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         1:45 PM
• The bus will depart Stadium at 5:45 PM, and arrive in NE at:
  • Browns Point Elementary      6:15 PM
  • Crescent Heights Elementary 6:25 PM
  • NE Tacoma Elementary         6:35 PM

As of September 3, activity buses will depart Stadium at 5:15 PM and 6:30 PM.

 

Scholarship Opportunity

The Toys for Kids Hendu Education Scholarship is now open for applications. This scholarship honors the legendary Dave “Hendu” Henderson — a Major League Baseball player with a major league heart. The $5000 award is for seniors who have served their community and have a 2.5 or higher GPA. The deadline to apply is September 12. Please visit Hendu Scholarship – Ricks Toys For Kids for the essay prompt and more information.

 

Have a wonderful week, Tigers!

 

Shannon Marshall, Principal

Stadium High School