News and Events

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!)

At Tukwila School District, we know that community partnerships make a world of difference for our students. One shining example is Paris Baguette – Tukwila, which has generously supported our schools since last year.

The partnership began in a simple but meaningful way — Paris Baguette found Still Waters online while searching for organizations that could help ensure their unsold food wouldn’t go to waste. They reached out to see if donations could be arranged, and what started as a small outreach has grown into an amazing ongoing partnership, with daily donations since last year.

Through the coordination of Gabe Gutierrez, Mr. Magsoos (“Mr. M”), Maryan Abdow, and Romina Munez, alongside Abigail Tabason, Executive Director of Still Waters, Paris Baguette has donated pastries, bread, and other baked goods to benefit several of our programs. From fueling Foster High School athletes after practice and during away games, to providing treats for our Middle School and ECEAP programs, their generosity has become a meaningful part of our scholars’ experience.

These donations are more than snacks—they are a symbol of care and encouragement. When our scholars head into a game with a little extra energy, or when a student enjoys a simple moment of joy from a fresh pastry, it’s a reminder that their community believes in them and is cheering them on.

On behalf of the entire Tukwila School District community, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Paris Baguette – Tukwila for their continued partnership. We also thank Still Waters and Executive Director Abigail Tabason, whose leadership and collaboration have made this effort possible. Acts of kindness like these strengthen the bond between schools and community, and help us ensure every scholar feels supported on their journey.

Each year from September 15 to October 15, Tukwila School District joins the nation in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to honor the cultures, contributions, and histories of our Hispanic and Latinx scholars, families, and staff.

In Tukwila, this celebration is more than a month—it’s a reflection of who we are as a community. With over 80 languages spoken across our schools, we take pride in the diversity that strengthens and unites us.

To mark this year’s celebration, we asked staff and scholars to share what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them. Their words remind us of the pride, perseverance, and deep cultural connection that define this month of recognition and reflection.

Scholar Reflections:
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important to me because it represents me as a Hispanic woman and it makes me be proud of my gente Latino.”
— Mariel, Scholar @ Foster High School

“For me, this time of year is important because it's the one time a year I can express myself about how I feel about my culture, and it's something I am proud of. The events happen, and all the people that come together and the community come to support us is so amazing.”
— David, Scholar @ Foster High School

“As a young Latino student, representing my community means not being afraid of who I am and being proud of where I come from. Always show my Hispanic side to the public and never hide where I come from because I'm not scared. I think it's important to show the world that we are not scared of where we come from, no matter what's going on, we should still show everyone where we stand and what we are about and feel about where we are from. That's where I stand as being a Latino student.”
— Giovanny, Scholar @ Foster High School

“As a young Latina, Hispanic Heritage Month means to me showing how we carry many strengths as Latinos. It can help me connect more to my culture and family members. We all get together and have a deep appreciation for diverse cultural traditions and histories.”
— Martha, Scholar @ Foster High School

“As a young Latina student, Latino Heritage Month to me means honoring Latinos who made a big difference in many Hispanic people's lives. To me, it's also important because it teaches students and adults to honor Latinos.”
— Jill, Scholar @ Foster High School

“As a young Latino student honoring Latino Heritage Month, it makes me proud to be able to represent a young Mexican adult. It makes me proud to be able to take my roots and heritage and apply them to my life and teach those around me about my people.”
— Erick, Scholar @ Foster High School

Staff Reflections:
“It is a time I get to reflect and feel proud of the many contributions my people have made throughout history. It's a time to remember my roots, my ancestors and honor their sacrifices as well as their resilience. Lastly, it is also a time to gather and celebrate the richness of my heritage, my culture and my traditions. What a wonderful thing to be able to share the joy and beauty of what it means to be Mexican.”
— Arita Colin, Office Manager @ Tukwila Elementary School

“As a proud Latina, I take pride in my Mexican heritage and value the struggles that my family members have gone through and community is still going through to gain equitable treatment and increased quality of life. I love working in such a diverse district and learning about all cultures and value the contributions toward the work of understanding and overcoming racial biases.”
— Julie Herdt, District Quality Engagement Specialist

“I am a proud Peruvian woman and I want my students to know that I am proud that my father immigrated to this country when he was 19. He didn't speak the language and it was a struggle. But he worked hard and put me and my sister through college. This month is a reminder to me to celebrate my own rich Peruvian culture.”
— Erica Cieslikowski, Teacher @ Showalter Middle School

Superintendent Dr. Concie Pedroza also reflected on this month and her own heritage during an interview with Voice 4 Equity’s Under the Flamboyan podcast, hosted by Dr. Christina Kishimoto. Dr. Pedroza spoke about her parents’ experiences as migrant workers, the values they instilled in her, and how their legacy shapes her leadership and commitment to educational equity.

To watch Dr. Pedroza’s full interview with Dr. Christina Kishimoto, visit:
👉 Voice 4 Equity: Under The Flamboyan – October 2025 Edition

As Dr. Pedroza shared, “Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating our struggles and our hope—while ensuring our students have every opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.”

We are proud to celebrate this month with our community, honoring the heritage, resilience, and contributions of our Hispanic and Latinx scholars, families, and staff who make Tukwila stronger every day.