Hello Lister Families!

 

We are thankful for our partnership with you. They say it takes a village to raise a child so thank you for working with us to support our students each day.

Please take time to review updates.

Have a great week!

 

-Tim Harris, Principal at Lister Elementary

 

 

Important Dates

November 1^st – PTA Meeting, Lister Library, 5:00-6:00

November 4^th thru November 20^th – Beyond the Bell Registration. Session dates: Dec. 2 - Feb. 7

November 8^th – Veterans Day Assembly

November 12^th – Picture Retakes

November 18^th thru 22^nd Wildlife Champions Park Walk

November 22^nd – Lion Pride Assembly Optimism

November 27^th thru November 29^th – Thanksgiving Break

 

Trimester break, no school Dec. 6. 
Due to the trimester break, there's no school for students on Friday, Dec. 6.  

 

Choice enrollment time
Choice enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is open now. If you know any incoming families who want to explore a school other than their non-neighborhood school, please let share this website link: bit.ly/TPS_choice. (Please note, SAMi, SOTA and IDEA have a separate application process.)

 

Lifetouch School Picture Update:
Dear Parents,

As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code USNOV50
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code USNOV40
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code USNOV30

Valid through 12/1/24

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an online account. Don't forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

 

Update your contact information to ensure you receive weather-related alerts
Tacoma Public Schools shares weather-related scheduling impacts in a number of ways, including email, calls and texts directly to you. You can make sure your contact information is up to date by checking ParentVUE. Get directions to update your account here: ParentVUE Help - Tacoma Public Schools

If you need help updating your information, contact our front office at 253-571-2900

 

Teaching empathy through simple actions
In addition to teaching academic skills at school, we try to nurture emotional intelligence in children. Our Whole Child team put together a plan that can help families do this at home, too.

At home, you can help your child foster empathy. Encourage your child to think about how others might feel in different situations. 

• Try asking questions like, “How do you think your friend felt when that happened?” This helps children develop emotional awareness and improves communication skills. 

Follow the link for more ideas on fostering empathy: Take a look at more practical tips, insights and activities to get started. 

 

Whole Child Champions
Please consider nominating a school staff member to be a Whole Child Champion. Champions create a positive school culture where we can all feel safe, healthy, engaged, challenged and supported.

To nominate someone, complete this form by Nov. 26: 2025 Tacoma Whole Child Champion Award Nomination

 

Use these tips to find ways to connect with your child
In addition to teaching academic skills at school, we try to nurture emotional intelligence in children. Our Whole Child team put together a plan that can help families do this at home, too. 

Ask questions like, “How are you feeling today?” and “What made you feel that way?” This helps children develop emotional awareness and improves communication skills.

Follow the link for more ideas:  Take a look at more practical tips, insights and activities to get started.  

 

Lion Pride Characteristic for the Month of November

Optimism: Finding positive in every situation and having hope about the future.

·       Questions for conversation with your student about Optimism

1.      Describe in your own words what Optimism means.

2.      What is an example of what Optimism might look like?

3.      How can you show Optimism at school and at home?

 

How to check grades in ParentVUE
You can find your child’s grades, assignments and posted test scores on ParentVUE.  Check the app for directions: ParentVUE Help - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

Do you know about the 10-school-day rule for grades and assignments?

• Students have 10 school days from the original due date to turn in an assignment and receive full credit.
• Students have 10 school days from receiving a grade on an assignment or assessment to request a revision, retake or correction.

Rules for building visitors during school day
We want to ensure that all of our buildings provide a safe, welcoming environment for students, staff and visitors.

If you visit our school during the day, please:

• Enter through the main entrance and sign in at the main office
• Provide a form of identification
• Follow all posted signage related to prohibited activities on school property

 

For safety and security, please enter the main door and check in at the front office if you need to walk your student to class. Please refrain from entering the building through the playground/cafeteria doors. You are more than welcome to walk your student through the main door, down the main hall and into the cafeteria to pick up breakfast.  It takes a group effort to ensure we stay safe. Thank you for working with us to make this happen.

Thank you for your help in keeping our school safe.
 

Help kids get to school safely by following these routes
Tacoma Public Schools partners with the City of Tacoma to provide suggested walking maps for all elementary schools. These maps recommend walking routes to school and nearby parks, middle schools, and other community amenities. You can find our school's map and lots of safety tips here: Suggested Walking Route Maps - Tacoma Public Schools (tacomaschools.org)

 

Tutor.com offers free, online tutoring services < APPLIES TO GRADES 3-12>
Our students have access to a free online tutoring service through Tutor.com. They can access this resource through Clever.

Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include: 

• Live tutoring
• Paper review
• Math question drop off
• SAT/ACT prep
• College admission essays
• Resume/cover letter writing
• Creating healthy habits

Students can access tutors by chat or a voice call in less than a minute without an appointment. Get more information, including a detailed list of services. 

 

24-25 Bell Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday	Wednesday
8:10-Student arrival. Must wait on playground. 8:25-Building opens and breakfast starts 8:40-School Starts 3:10-School Ends	9:10-Student arrival. Must wait on playground. 9:25-Building opens and breakfast starts 9:40-School Starts 3:10-School Ends
NOTE: First late start day: Wednesday, Sept. 11 All schools start one hour later on Wednesdays except when noted otherwise.

 

Arrival and Dismissal is the process of dropping students off in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon.  

1.      Arrival: Students should report to the playground no earlier than 8:10 on Monday Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. 9:10 on Wednesdays. We will not have staff on duty before these times. Driving families should use the bus lane to drop students off starting at 8:10. Parking is available in the street and behind the school. Please do not park in the bus loop or behind parked cars. This created a lot of issues last year, so we need everyone’s help with sticking to the process so we can keep the school community safe.

2.      Dismissal: The front lot will only be open to school buses, daycare vans and Headstart families between 2:55 and 3:15. Valet is our afterschool pickup process for driving families. Students line up in the hallway of the school and are walked to their parent/family’s car in back of the building by staff. We encourage all driving families to sign up for valet by contacting the main office or speaking with your student’s teacher. Please use street parking if you plan on walking up to the playground to pick up your student.