News and Events

For years, Tukwila School District has partnered with Operation Warm, a national nonprofit dedicated to providing new winter coats to children in need. This work reflects our shared mission to ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and valued. Led by Quality Engagement Specialist Julie Herdt, in partnership with elementary school social workers and community liaisons, the districtwide effort expanded this year to reach every elementary school scholar in Tukwila.

The winter coat events began at Tukwila Elementary, followed by Thorndyke Elementary, then Cascade View, and included Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), ensuring that all elementary scholars received a brand-new winter coat this season. Thanks to sponsors like FedEx, which supported Tukwila Elementary, and Nordstrom, which sponsored Thorndyke Elementary, this collective effort brought warmth and dignity to scholars across the district.

The work continued with support for middle and high school scholars. On December 18, Cascade View distributed coats and shoes to every scholar, with additional items sent to Showalter Middle School and Foster High School, demonstrating the power of care, coordination, and community collaboration.

Alongside these efforts, Early Learning Family Support Specialist Dawn Sharp worked tirelessly to support ECEAP families facing food insecurity and limited access to resources. Through grants from the Exchange Club of Highline and the Tukwila Children’s Foundation, Dawn helped provide winter coats, food, and gift cards to families—ensuring that our youngest learners and their families had the support they needed this winter.

This season has shown the impact of partnership, dedication, and compassion. Every coat, every pair of shoes, and every meal card represents more than a resource—it represents belonging, dignity, and a message that our scholars and families matter. We are deeply grateful to our staff, partners, donors, and community members who make this work possible, wrapping Tukwila’s youngest learners in care.

Each November, American Education Week gives us the chance to step back and celebrate the people, partnerships, and shared values that make public education the heart of our community. In Tukwila School District, we know that our schools are more than buildings—they are hubs of connection, opportunity, and belonging for children and families from all over the world.

This year, we invited our community to reflect on two simple but powerful questions:
Why do you believe in public education?
What does public education mean to you and your family?

Their words were heartfelt, honest, and deeply rooted in the values that guide our work every day.

“They don’t deny any child an education.” – TSD Family Member

Translated from Spanish

“For me, public schools are a huge asset to our children because they don't deny any child an education, and they provide a lot of support when a child is struggling to learn something. They give priority to children who truly want to learn and put in the effort. For me, they are the best. Thank you so much for the opportunities you give my children.”

This reflection reminds us that access is at the core of public education—every child is welcomed, supported, and given the chance to grow.

“One of the strongest ways to uplift and maintain the kind of community we want.” – TSD Staff Member

“I believe in public education because I think it is one of the clearest and strongest ways to create, uplift, and maintain the kind of community and society we want today.”

Our educators know firsthand that schools shape not only scholars, but the future of our neighborhoods and our shared civic life.

“Public education benefits scholars, families, and communities.” – TSD Family Member

“Public Education provides variety of benefits for scholars, families and communities as well. These include early learning programs and financial aid systems for higher education.”

From preschool to graduation and beyond, public education creates pathways for learners and families—opening doors that lead to opportunity.

“Schools are the backbone of communities.” – TSD Staff Member

“Public schools are the backbones of communities. They connect people to resources, people, and systems of support. Schools are not just for learning, they are the sole reason we survive and thrive. Coming from a Title 1 background, I am honored to now teach in a similar community like the one I grew up in. Community care is self-care.”

These words capture what makes Tukwila so special: schools are places where community happens, where care is mutual, and where scholars see themselves reflected in the educators who serve them.

A Shared Commitment

Public education is a promise—one upheld daily by dedicated staff, involved families, caring neighbors, and resilient scholars. During American Education Week, we celebrate:

• Our educators, who nurture every learner
• Our support professionals, who keep schools running
• Our families, who partner with us
• Our scholars, who inspire us
• And our community, who believes in the mission of public education

Thank you to everyone who shared their reflections with us. Your words reaffirm why we do what we do and why public education remains a cornerstone of equity, opportunity, and community in Tukwila.

Together, we continue moving forward—lifting one another, learning together, and creating schools where every child can thrive.

As National Principals Month comes to a close, we take a moment to celebrate and honor the heart of our schools — our principals. Every day, they lead with purpose, compassion, and unwavering belief in the brilliance of our scholars and staff. Their leadership goes far beyond managing a building; they create spaces where every scholar feels seen, valued, and inspired to reach their full potential.

This month, we asked our principals to share the quotes that inspire and guide them in their work. Their choices reflect the deep humanity, courage, and hope they bring to their roles:

Dr. Tenesha Fremstad, Cascade View Elementary
“Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.” — Kid President
Dr. Fremstad embodies this message daily, ensuring every scholar and staff member feels valued and capable of greatness.

Michael Croyle, Thorndyke Elementary
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Principal Croyle leads with empathy and kindness, cultivating a school culture rooted in care and connection.

Hani Nur, Tukwila Elementary
“To soar toward what's possible, you must leave behind what's comfortable.” — Cicely Tyson
Principal Nur inspires courage and growth — reminding scholars and staff alike that real learning begins when we step beyond what we already know.

Sue Rieger, Showalter Middle School
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
Principal Rieger leads with compassion and conviction, shaping a school environment where relationships come first.

LaTanya Parker, Foster High School
“These are all our children. We will either profit by, or pay for, whatever they become.” — James Baldwin
Principal Parker’s leadership reflects her fierce advocacy for every scholar’s success and her deep belief in the power of collective responsibility.

Together, our principals represent the very best of Tukwila — visionary leaders who see potential in every child, nurture hope in every classroom, and build bridges across our diverse community.

To our principals: thank you for your passion, your resilience, and your relentless dedication to the scholars and families of Tukwila School District. You are the anchors of our mission and the champions of our future.

At Tukwila School District, we are deeply grateful for community partners who make a difference in the lives of our families — and for the dedicated staff who help make those partnerships thrive.

We’re celebrating Dawn Sharp, Family Support Specialist with our ECEAP (Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program), for securing an incredible haul of clothes, diapers, books, and toys from WestSide Baby to support Tukwila families.

WestSide Baby is a local nonprofit that provides essential items to children and families across King County. Through this partnership, Dawn ensures that our ECEAP families have access to what they need most — from diapers and wipes to coats, car seats, and books. Each month, Dawn gathers requests from her 40 families, carefully orders each item, drives to White Center to pick them up, and personally inspects and distributes every delivery.

Her work exemplifies the compassion and care that define Tukwila’s early learning community. As Dawn put it, “We do great things at ECEAP!”

Thank you, WestSide Baby, for your ongoing generosity — and thank you, Dawn, for your commitment to connecting families with the resources that help children grow, learn, and thrive.

October is Filipino American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the Filipino community across the United States — and right here in Tukwila.

This month, Foster High School junior, Student Representative to the School Board, and founding member of Foster’s Asian Student Association, Rhianna Dela Cruz, led an effort to uplift scholar voices by asking her peers what Filipino American Heritage Month means to them. As a proud Filipino American, Rhianna’s leadership continues to create spaces for cultural pride and visibility at Foster.

Rhianna shared,

“To me, Filipino American Heritage Month means celebrating and recognizing my culture — noticing us for who we are as Filipinos. Our history, food, people, and practices. Growing up in the Philippines, we use a term called ‘masaya,’ which means to be happy, and we hold this term close to our hearts in everything we do.”

Fellow scholar Ian Vega echoed the power of this month, adding,

“Filipino American History Month means a lot to me because it’s a time to honor my culture, family, and identity. It reminds me to take pride in my roots, the sacrifices my ancestors made, and the traditions that make being Filipino special.”

Scholars across Foster shared a wide range of reflections that highlight both pride and connection:

Cassie shared,

“It means appreciating who I am and my culture.”

Kyle reflected on how his background shapes his identity, saying,

“I think Filipino American Heritage Month means to me about how important the past affects my life. The life of the Philippines made me who I am, and this month is a way to share my culture — and that is fantastic!”

Alliyah offered a powerful perspective on heritage and identity:

“For me, Filipino American Heritage Month means taking time to appreciate where I come from and the people who helped shape our community. It’s about celebrating our culture, learning our history, and feeling proud to be Filipino. It also reminds me to share our traditions and stories so others can understand and celebrate them too — especially the young Filipino Americans who may not feel ‘Filipino’ enough. It’s taking the time to reflect on what our culture means and how we as individuals embody it. It means celebrating the strength, pride, and resilience of being Filipino, not just for ourselves but for our ancestors too.”

And Radley emphasized the pride and visibility this month brings:

“Filipino American Heritage Month makes me proud to be Filipino, as it allows our culture to stand proud and be properly represented in ways that the past would not have allowed. The public is able to acknowledge the vast and expansive history of the Philippines, whilst also celebrating the people who are a part of Philippine culture.”

In Tukwila School District, our scholars come from all around the world, and each culture adds something beautiful to our shared story. This month, we celebrate our Filipino American scholars, families, and staff — and thank leaders like Rhianna for creating spaces where every voice and heritage can shine.

Mabuhay! (Long live!)