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ESC Summer Public Hours:
Thursday, June 22nd - Friday, June 30, 2017:
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Monday, July 3rd - Friday, August 11, 2017:
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
*Tuesday, July 4th is a holiday.
PSD PROUD!
Peninsula School District girls’ lacrosse inaugural season a resounding success
City of Gig Harbor to recognize Gig Harbor High School spring sports achievements
Peninsula School District continues to reach out to community for input on facilities
Gig Harbor’s Benson proving weightlifting not just for big, burly men
Before beginning college baseball careers, Gig Harbor seniors hoping to bring home state title
Smarter Balanced Test Results Available on Parent Portal
Students in grades 3-8 and high school recently completed the annual Smarter Balanced testing. Preliminary results for the
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5th to 6th Math Placement
As students move from 5th to 6th grade, it is our goal to place students in classes where they are both
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IT IS BEAR/WILDLIFE and TICK SEASON!
This is a timely reminder that at this time of year, bears and other wildlife are frequently seen throughout both
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Virtual Reality In The Classroom
If you are upgrading your phone this summer, please consider donating your old phone for use in the classroom! “KPMS students
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Roy Anderson’s Turf Replacement Project
The first work starting on Roy Anderson’s turf replacement project has begun! The crew is saw-cutting to prep for electrical
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Peninsula School District China Exchange Program
Our district’s exchange with Mudanjiang No. 1 Senior High School in Heilongjiang Province, China began in 2010. That year, the
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Dora Vaughan
Student Representative
School: Peninsula High School
Grade: 11
Dora is involved in A.S.B. and leadership. This is her third year as an A.S.B. senator. Dora plays volleyball and is a member of the UNICEF Club and the Feminism Club. Outside of school, she volunteers at YMCA Camp Seymour year round through the Teen Leadership Development Program, as well as volunteering in the summer. Dora also volunteers for Kids Night Out through YMCA.
Grade: 11
Dora is involved in A.S.B. and leadership. This is her third year as an A.S.B. senator. Dora plays volleyball and is a member of the UNICEF Club and the Feminism Club. Outside of school, she volunteers at YMCA Camp Seymour year round through the Teen Leadership Development Program, as well as volunteering in the summer. Dora also volunteers for Kids Night Out through YMCA.
Fun Fact...
Favorite Teacher: My favorite teacher was my middle school photography and yearbook teacher, Mr. Hunziker. He challenged me to always be my own best self. Better yet, he always believed in me. He taught me to do what you love and step outside of the box. Mr. Hunziker inspired me every day through his passion for photography and empowerment of every student.
Finlay Adamson
Student Representative
School: Gig Harbor High School
Grade: 11
He runs on the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams; participates in Speech and Debate; and is the volunteer coordinator the National Honor Society. Finlay joined the school board as a student representative in March 2017. Finlay is sharing the Board responsibilities with his brother, Keir.
Grade: 11
He runs on the Varsity Cross Country and Track teams; participates in Speech and Debate; and is the volunteer coordinator the National Honor Society. Finlay joined the school board as a student representative in March 2017. Finlay is sharing the Board responsibilities with his brother, Keir.
Fun Fact...
Favorite Teacher: My favorite teacher is Mrs. Kelly Indahl, leadership teacher at Gig Harbor High School. She has taught me much about planning, organizing, and developing projects. From her guidance, I have grown as a student and better understand the idea of the servant leadership.
Justin Johnson
Student Representative
School: Henderson Bay High School
Grade: 12
Justin started the Interact Club at Henderson Bay High two years ago. In addition, he regularly attends Rotary meetings. Justin doesn’t have much time outside of school, so his main activity is his job. He works close to 40 hours a week at Papa Murphy’s as an assistant manager. He is training to manage his own store.
Grade: 12
Justin started the Interact Club at Henderson Bay High two years ago. In addition, he regularly attends Rotary meetings. Justin doesn’t have much time outside of school, so his main activity is his job. He works close to 40 hours a week at Papa Murphy’s as an assistant manager. He is training to manage his own store.
Fun Fact...
Favorite Teacher: My favorite teacher is Henderson Bay teacher, Greg Brashear. No matter what, he will do whatever he can to make a difference in a kid’s day. If a kid has no one, he is always there for them. He has made a huge impact on myself, along with many others.Keir Adamson
Student Representative
School: Gig Harbor HighGrade: 11
Keir is involved with A.S.B.; the Association of Washington State Leaders; the Emergency Food Network; Speech and Debate; Cross Country; and, the National Honor Society.Keir is sharing the Gig Harbor representative to the school board with his twin brother, Finlay.”
Fun Fact...
Favorite Teacher: My favorite teacher is Mrs. Kelly Indahl, leadership teacher at Gig Harbor High School. Mrs. Indahl never fails to give every leadership event her full effort. Mrs. Indahl’s dedication to the class is extremely impressive.
Marcia Harris
Director - District 1
Elected: 11/3/2015
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 884-4697
Email:harrism@psd401.net
“Mrs. Harris has a BA in English from Kansas State University, a MBA from University of Puget Sound, and did Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Gonzaga University. Mrs. Harris has 37 years of experience in public education, she represents Director District 1 which is approximately 85 percent of the Key Peninsula. Her dream is a Peninsula School District that provides a personalized and challenging educational program for every student. She feels the school board can help realize that dream by establishing strong and effective two-way communication links with the public and maintaining fiscal integrity and accountability.”
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 884-4697
Email:harrism@psd401.net
“Mrs. Harris has a BA in English from Kansas State University, a MBA from University of Puget Sound, and did Doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Gonzaga University. Mrs. Harris has 37 years of experience in public education, she represents Director District 1 which is approximately 85 percent of the Key Peninsula. Her dream is a Peninsula School District that provides a personalized and challenging educational program for every student. She feels the school board can help realize that dream by establishing strong and effective two-way communication links with the public and maintaining fiscal integrity and accountability.”
Fun Fact...
Favorite TeacherMy fourth grade teacher, Lena Collins, was my favorite teacher. She loved all of her students (or at least we believed she did!). She introduced us to Laura Ingalls Wilder, reading us a chapter every day after lunch. She treated us like colleagues and friends and helped us stretch “a little further” with interesting and challenging arts and academic projects.
Deborah Krishnadasan
Director - District 2
Elected: 11/3/2015
Term expires: 11/2017
Phone: (206) 484-1280
Email:krishnadasand@psd401.net
Mrs. Krishnadasan has a BA in Communications from Western Washington University. She worked at Microsoft, Visio and Burlington Resources, focusing on compensation and benefits, along with communication and integration planning. This is her first term as a Board Director, and she represents the upper Key Peninsula and parts of Gig Harbor North. Her desire to volunteer in her children’s classrooms and schools has grown into a passion to help provide a quality education for all PSD students. Deborah has served as Purdy PTA Treasurer, auction chair and room parent coordinator. She is also involved in the Franciscan Foundation and coaches’ Little League fast pitch.
Term expires: 11/2017
Phone: (206) 484-1280
Email:krishnadasand@psd401.net
Mrs. Krishnadasan has a BA in Communications from Western Washington University. She worked at Microsoft, Visio and Burlington Resources, focusing on compensation and benefits, along with communication and integration planning. This is her first term as a Board Director, and she represents the upper Key Peninsula and parts of Gig Harbor North. Her desire to volunteer in her children’s classrooms and schools has grown into a passion to help provide a quality education for all PSD students. Deborah has served as Purdy PTA Treasurer, auction chair and room parent coordinator. She is also involved in the Franciscan Foundation and coaches’ Little League fast pitch.
Fun Fact...
Favorite TeacherMy favorite teacher was Mr. David Tate, my 10th grade Humanities’ teacher. He taught me to look within and accept myself and fully appreciate the differences and uniqueness of others. He later married my second favorite teacher, Ms. Cindy Elhers, who taught me to love art and inspired me to become a better athlete.
Rand Wilhelmsen
Director - District 3; President
Appointed: 12/09/2010
Elected: 11/8/2011
Re-elected: 11/3/2015
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 209-3370
Email: wilhelmsenr@psd401.net
Mr. Wilhelmsen has served on the Board since December 2010. He represents District 3 which includes the central, east and part of north Gig Harbor. As a past teacher, he is committed to making sure our students get the best education available. His passion is to help guide our District to achieve the honored status of best district in the state. Rand served on the District’s audit committee before being appointed to the school board. He has also served on several bank boards. Rand is a Senior Vice President in the investment department for West Coast Bank.
Elected: 11/8/2011
Re-elected: 11/3/2015
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 209-3370
Email: wilhelmsenr@psd401.net
Mr. Wilhelmsen has served on the Board since December 2010. He represents District 3 which includes the central, east and part of north Gig Harbor. As a past teacher, he is committed to making sure our students get the best education available. His passion is to help guide our District to achieve the honored status of best district in the state. Rand served on the District’s audit committee before being appointed to the school board. He has also served on several bank boards. Rand is a Senior Vice President in the investment department for West Coast Bank.
Fun Fact...
Favorite Teacher:I had a great second grade teacher named Mrs. Ferguson whom I adored. She taught me to love learning and challenged me to be better each and every day.
Leslie Harbaugh
Director - District 4
Elected: 11/3/2015
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 265-6977
Email:harbaughl@psd401.net
This is Mrs. Harbaugh’s first term as a Board Director. Leslie has been involved as a volunteer in the Peninsula School District for the past 13 years. She has served in leadership positions within the Parent-Teacher Associations at Artondale Elementary, Kopachuck Middle School, and Gig Harbor High School; served on Artondale’s School Improvement Planning Team and Site Council; Parent District Council representative since 2007; and Co-Chair for Citizens for Peninsula Schools. Leslie represents District 4; the west side of Gig Harbor, including Fox Island.Leslie strongly supports approaching our students’ education by striving to address the “whole child” with a focus on learning mastery by providing a rigorous, enriched and personalized academic experience. She believes that in order to successfully provide effective and sustainable solutions for the future, collaboration and community engagement are key.
Term expires: 11/2019
Phone: (253) 265-6977
Email:harbaughl@psd401.net
This is Mrs. Harbaugh’s first term as a Board Director. Leslie has been involved as a volunteer in the Peninsula School District for the past 13 years. She has served in leadership positions within the Parent-Teacher Associations at Artondale Elementary, Kopachuck Middle School, and Gig Harbor High School; served on Artondale’s School Improvement Planning Team and Site Council; Parent District Council representative since 2007; and Co-Chair for Citizens for Peninsula Schools. Leslie represents District 4; the west side of Gig Harbor, including Fox Island.Leslie strongly supports approaching our students’ education by striving to address the “whole child” with a focus on learning mastery by providing a rigorous, enriched and personalized academic experience. She believes that in order to successfully provide effective and sustainable solutions for the future, collaboration and community engagement are key.
Fun Fact...
Favorite TeacherEach of my teachers taught me valuable lessons throughout my childhood. They taught me how to dream, achieve, stretch myself, persevere, and most importantly, that what is happening now is not the end.
David Olson
Director - District 5; Vice President
Elected: 11/05/2013
Term expires: 11/2017
Phone: (253) 678-4904
Email:olsond@psd401.net
Mr. Olson was elected to the school board in November 2013. Mr. Olson represents District 5, the southern part of Gig Harbor which includes the Goodman and Harbor Heights areas. David is a retired US Navy officer and over the course of his military career lived in Korea, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Italy. His wife, Tonia, was a school teacher for the Department of Defense Education Activity. David has four children, three of which attended schools in the Peninsula School District. While in the Navy, he served as Pacific Northwest Director of the Drug Education for Youth Program and served on the Board the of the US Navy’s Community Service Council. He is passionate for helping children make healthy and positive life choices. David is also a Board member of the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank. He is the branch manager for US Bank in downtown Tacoma.
Term expires: 11/2017
Phone: (253) 678-4904
Email:olsond@psd401.net
Mr. Olson was elected to the school board in November 2013. Mr. Olson represents District 5, the southern part of Gig Harbor which includes the Goodman and Harbor Heights areas. David is a retired US Navy officer and over the course of his military career lived in Korea, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Italy. His wife, Tonia, was a school teacher for the Department of Defense Education Activity. David has four children, three of which attended schools in the Peninsula School District. While in the Navy, he served as Pacific Northwest Director of the Drug Education for Youth Program and served on the Board the of the US Navy’s Community Service Council. He is passionate for helping children make healthy and positive life choices. David is also a Board member of the Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank. He is the branch manager for US Bank in downtown Tacoma.
Fun Fact...
Favorite TeacherMrs. Dickson, my 12th grade Algebra II teacher. During my difficult teen years, she never gave up on me and always provided positive feedback and encouraged me to set high goals. I would not be where I am today without her mentorship. It proves that parent and teacher support are critical to a student’s education and life-skills.
