March 2 – Aviation Academy Enrollment Lottery Closes
March 8 – Pioneer Elementary Enrollment Lottery Closes
March 13 – No School, Staff Professional Development Day
March 19 and 20 – Half Days for Elementary School Conferences
April 13 to 17 – No School, Spring Break
Highlights of the Month
Welcome Class of 2039! Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
Talented Musicians Shine Across Events and Festivals
TideHawks Team Advances to National Academic Bowl Championship
Winter Sports Recap and Spring Season Preview
Dear Peninsula School District Families and Staff,
Thank you to our voters for supporting our Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy with nearly 60% approval. These resources allow us to continue funding programs, staffing and resources, while supporting academics, arts, music, and student enrichment.
We are excited to expand Transition to Kindergarten at our elementary schools, and introduce orchestra to the district. We will also expand middle and high school activity buses from two to four days a week, so students can stay for after school sports and clubs. We are thankful for your continued support of our schools.
Welcome Class of 2039! Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
We love welcoming our youngest learners, and registration is now open for the Peninsula School District Class of 2039! To enroll your child for kindergarten this fall, they must turn 5 by August 31, 2026.
Register now at psd401.net/kindergarten, and sign up early to take advantage of our fun spring and summer transition events. You won't want to miss them!
Talented Musicians Shine Across Events and Festivals
March is Music in Our Schools Month, and I am so proud of our exceptional student musicians and dedicated music educators who nurture their talents. The passion, discipline, and creativity we witness in our programs are evident in their achievements.
Congratulations to our amazing musicians for their recent success at the Commencement Bay Music Educators Association (COMBMEA) contests. Peninsula High School and Key Peninsula Middle School both brought the biggest presence in their divisions and earned the most awards. Goodman Middle School also had an impressive showing, as well as Gig Harbor High School and Kopachuck Middle School. At the Quincy Square Jazz Festival, Goodman took 1st place for middle schools, while GHHS took 3rd place in the high school division.
Our elementary choirs performed together at their annual District Choral Festivals, wowing the crowds with their beautiful voices. We're beyond proud of all our music students and teachers and their talents!
TideHawk Team Advances to National Academic Bowl Championship
In a competition that began with more than 5,000 teams from around the world, four cadets from Peninsula School District’s NJROTC TideHawk Company have risen to the top, earning a coveted place at the 2026 JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship in Washington, D.C. After surviving two fast-paced and highly competitive online rounds, the Peninsula NJROTC Academic Team, comprised of Cadets John M., Enrico S., Sydney G., and Derek L., secured their place among the top JROTC Academic Bowl teams in the nation. They represent the bright future of our company and embody the academic excellence of our program.
The TideHawks Drill Team is also officially Division Champions. Our Drill Team earned 1st place in the Northwest Drill and Rifle Conference division and will move on to regionals in Oregon later this month. Continue to work hard, cadets, your dedication shows!
Winter Sports Recap and Spring Season Preview
Our student-athletes have demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and school spirit throughout the winter season. We are incredibly proud of their achievements across all levels of competition.
Congratulations to Gig Harbor High School Boys Swim and Dive, who were the West Central District 3A Champions. A round of applause to our state champion wrestlers: Peninsula High School's Bailey Parker, three-time state champion, and Lindsey Shipp, two-time state champion. The PHS girls wrestling team took an impressive 3rd place at state, and the GHHS Girls Basketball team fought hard and made it to the top 16 at state.
Basketball, Wrestling, Girls Bowling, Dance, Girls Flag Football, and Cheerleading teams competed with pride and determination throughout the season, finishing strong. Peninsula’s Unified Sports program continues to shine as a National Banner Unified Champion School, with 60 total participants across Unified Basketball, Cheer, and Winter Guard this winter, bringing students of all abilities together to compete, build friendships, and create a culture of inclusion.
Spring sports for our high schools kick off today, and we look forward to another season of impressive performances and growth. Our student-athletes will compete in Girls Water Polo, Baseball, Fastpitch, Girls and Boys Golf, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Track and Field (Boys and Girls), Girls Lacrosse, and Spring Unified Sports. Bravo to all our staff, coaches, families, and community who support our student-athletes!
Spring is on the horizon, and we're energized by the incredible achievements and opportunities ahead for our Peninsula School District community. Thank you for your continued support and engagement!
Superintendent Bahr finished up reading at our elementary schools last month with Purdy Elementary. Thank you to all the teachers and students who were fantastic audiences.
West Sound Technical Skills Center Opens New Building
The new building at West Sound Technical Skills Center in Bremerton was dedicated at last month’s ribbon cutting. PSD students can take a variety of CTE courses at West Sound Tech, such as Auto Tech, Collision, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Esthetics, Fire Science, and Welding.
Aviation Academy Info Night at the Airport
Aviation Academy’s information night drew a crowd of interested students, community partners and plenty of amazing aircraft for attendees to tour. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the event. Read more about the exciting Aviation Academy news in Gig Harbor Now: Aviation Academy adding remote hub at Narrows Airport as application deadline nears.
Thriving Generation Updates
Join a parent presentation by Thriving Generation on March 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Discovery Elementary. "Raising Kids in the Smartphone Age: Creating Healthy Boundaries for Thriving Families" is free of charge and childcare is provided.
March 20 to 22 is another Phone Free Challenge Weekend! There are two levels of participation and chances to win our grand prize, a one night stay at the Yoked Farmhouse Brewery Airstream!
The 5th annual Peninsula Film Festival is Wednesday, March 5 at 6 p.m. Students produced 7 short films that will screen at the Uptown Galaxy Theaters in Gig Harbor (4649 Point Fosdick Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335). Tickets can be purchased via the QR code on the flyer.
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net.
