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.

Monday, August 25, is the first day for all other fall sports.

Tiger Day will be Tuesday, August 26. Students will have their school photos taken, receive their ASB/ID card, and get assistance with laptop and transportation needs. More details to come.

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.

 

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. If a replacement laptop or charging cord is needed, please contact Ms. Martin 253-571-3130.

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!

 

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.

 

Reminders from last week…

 

9^th Grade Jump Start

Our annual 9^th Grade Jump Start will be Monday, August 18, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

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.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. We will be providing 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 8:32 AM, drop off at 12:57 PM

As a reminder Jump Start is for registered Stadium 9^th graders only. We cannot accommodate siblings or other family members.

 

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, 253-571-3147, 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, 253-571-3102, 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.

 

Have a wonderful week, Tigers!

 

Shannon Marshall, Principal

Stadium High School