Tacoma Public Schools

Lowell Elementary is set for demolition next month, but before it goes, the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) SWAT team used the building for some training. The TPD SWAT team took over the empty halls for a round of search and rescue training, using the space to sharpen their skills in a realistic setting. They weren’t the only ones—Tacoma Fire and Northwest Disaster Search Dogs also made the most of the opportunity for building searches and mock drills. Lowell’s transformation is part of a construction bond approved by voters in 2020. While demolition prep is now underway, Lowell students are learning at the West End swing site while they wait for their new school, slated to open in 2026. #TPDSWAT #TPS #LowellLeopards #BuildingForAchievement Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gPZnJDxV

Exciting News! Port of Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools have approved the Port Maritime Center project! This transformative 20-acre site will feature the Maritime|253 skills center, providing free career and technical education for Pierce County high school students. It will also include a new Port business center and offer public shoreline access and trails along the Foss Waterway. Mark your calendars for a groundbreaking event on January 8, from 12-1 p.m. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this one-of-a-kind project to build the future of Tacoma’s workforce and waterfront. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/giqcYRXg #PortofTacoma #Maritime253 #BuildingForAchievement #TPS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Stadium and Hilltop Heritage fastpitch field. A celebration, hosted by students, athletes and community members, is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. This field serves the Central Tacoma’s Hilltop community and provides a home fastpitch field for Stadium High School and Hilltop Heritage Middle School. Join us for light refreshments as we commemorate the new ballfield. ·        Tuesday, Dec. 10 – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. ·        Hilltop Heritage Middle School, 602 N. Sprague Avenue Learn More: https://lnkd.in/gbtMDXqW Korsmo Construction Parametrix Hellas

Last week, the Tacoma Dome was buzzing with energy as over 100 businesses set up booths, and hundreds of Tacoma Public Schools high school students came to explore their futures! From riding a scissor lift to using VR goggles to simulate crane operations, tackling a burpee & push-up challenges, practicing CPR, and hammering nails—our students got hands-on experiences across industries. They also discovered exciting opportunities through the Maritime 253 skills center, and some students even connected with partners who were hiring! Huge shoutout to City of Tacoma, Korsmo Construction and Port of Tacoma a for helping make this incredible event possible.

It was all paws on deck recently when the Northwest Disaster Search Dogs used the former Lowell Elementary for search and rescue training! This hands-on practice helps the pups sharpen their skills for real-life rescues. With Lowell set for demolition soon, it’s also been a spot for training drills by the Tacoma Fire Department. Exciting changes are coming, with Lowell’s replacement expected to start construction in 2025, funded by the 2020 school bond. #ThankYouVoters #TPS #LowellLeopards #BuildingForAchievement #NDSD Follow Lowell's construction progress: https://lnkd.in/g8mn-yiW

Exciting news! We have a target construction order for the next set of schools to be replaced, thanks to voter-approved funding from the 2024 bond. The schedule is:  • Central kitchen (expected opening Sept. 2027; location TBD) • IDEA (expected opening Sept. 2028; location TBD) • DeLong Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2029) • Point Defiance Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2030) • Stanley Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2031) • Whitman Elementary (expected opening Sept. 2032) In addition, athletic field upgrades and essential improvements at the Central Administration Building are planned. Learn more about TPS construction projects at https://lnkd.in/gvZVe8wi #BuildingForAchievement #TPS #ThankYouVoters

Tacoma firefighters train at old Lowell school With only a few months until Lowell Elementary’s demolition in February, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) is making use of the building for training exercises. This provides an excellent opportunity for firefighters to conduct building searches and run mock drills in a realistic environment. In addition to TFD, Northwest Disaster Search Dogs will also utilize the space for training, allowing the dogs to sharpen their skills in real-world conditions, making them more effective in the field. This partnership continues the district’s collaboration with local first responders, similar to what was done during the construction project at Fawcett Elementary. Lowell is one of 8 school replacements or historic renovations funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. Lowell staff and students will continue to use the Westend swing site for the next two school years, during construction of their new school. The existing Lowell building will be demolished in February, with construction of the new school slated from 2025 to 2026. For more about our school replacement project, visit our construction website at https://lnkd.in/ggFbN9uw

📣 Local business! We are recruiting local businesses and community organizations to join us for the 3rd annual TPS and Korsmo Construction Trades and Hiring Fair! Hosted by the City of Tacoma, this year's event will take place at the Tacoma Dome over a two-day period - Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd. Our goal is to connect students with high-wage careers as well as entry-level employment opportunities in our region. Please join us! On Friday November 1st, students will arrive by bus to the Dome during the hours of 10am-1pm. Saturday's event hours are 10am-3pm. We are expecting over 5,000 attendees over the two-day period. Both days will be open to students, families, and the general public. Since the audience will vary between Friday and Saturday, we highly encourage vendor participation on both Friday and Saturday.   Please register here to participate in the event as a vendor/partner or sponsor: https://lnkd.in/gqPaf2Wm. If you have any questions, please contact Brady Bekker: bbekker@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Get first look at new Reed Elementary design! Reed Elementary will get a redesigned entry that relocates the main entrance and administration offices to provide a secured vestibule and waiting area for visitors. Reed staff and community members formed a Design Advisory Committee (DAC) with Ferguson Architecture and Washington Patriot Construction LLC to develop concepts for the project, including floor plans, interior and exterior designs. Ferguson Architects developed renderings that reflect the team’s vision of the updated entry, including warm colors, an open and inviting main feeling with wood beam panels. The existing Reed entry, built in 1950, does not provide adequate visibility for school staff to safely receive visitors to the school. As part of this project, the school will also receive new cameras, remote intercom systems with video capabilities, and entry-card badge readers and security monitoring systems, ADA, HVAC, plumbing, roofing, lighting and flooring upgrades. The work is scheduled to begin in summer 2025, with the newly remodeled school expected to open its doors in fall 2026. Students will continue to attend school in the existing building until the renovations are complete. This project is funded by the $535 million school construction bond voters passed in 2020. Thank you, Tacoma voters. Follow the construction progress at TPS construction website: https://lnkd.in/gACkkyu5 #BuildingForAchievement #JennieReedJaguars #TPS #ThankYouVoters  

Hats off to our Executive Director of Planning & Construction, Morris Aldridge! Morris has spent the last seven years piloting new projects and implementing innovative school design ideas for Tacoma Public Schools. He led Washington State’s first K-12 public school design-build project, which earned Project of the Year from AGC of Washington Construction of Excellence Awards for its work. With eight outdated schools replaced and 3 more in the pipeline, he consistently ranks among top visionaries in educational programs and projects embracing the core values of innovation, integrity and growth. #TPS #BuildingForAchievement #A4LE #DBIA