Krestin Bahr, PSD Superintendent | (253) 530-1002 | superintendent@psd401.net

In this season of gratitude, I am encouraged by the dedication and spirit across our remarkable school communities. Even during this election season, what unites us – our shared commitment to student success and well-being – remains stronger than what divides us. Together, we will continue to be a district that puts students first and inspires and empowers every child, every day.

​In exciting news, Aviation Academy will launch in the 2025-26 school year. The academy will provide high school students opportunities to explore careers in aviation and will offer students dual credit opportunities, setting them on a path toward further education or direct entry into the aviation industry.

Developed in partnership with the Museum of Flight and supported by the Tacoma Narrows Airport, Aviation Academy will offer students access to flight simulators, drones, and real-world aviation training. The program is one of only three in the region and highlights our ongoing efforts to expand Career and Technical Education offerings and provide students with practical career pathways. Read more about the initial launch, join the advisory group or sign up for the mailing list at psd401.net/aviationacademy. 

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, our schools reflect on the profound heritage and enduring contributions of our nation’s first people to our country. Our district has more than 100 students with Native American heritage, and there are 29 different Native American Tribes in Washington State. Join me in embracing our rich and diverse ancestry, cultures, traditions, histories, and the vital legacy of Native American communities at PSD and beyond. 

As we observe Veterans Day this month, we are honored to recognize and extend our appreciation to veterans among our staff and in our community. Your service to our country and dedication to the values we hold dear—excellence, courage, culture, curiosity, and character—inspire us all. 

We are proud to be a Purple Star designated school district. We recognize that military families face unique challenges and strive to help support students and their families. To our veterans, thank you for the example you set for our students and community. We honor and recognize your courage, commitment, and service not only on November 11, but throughout the year.

All 93 of our Peninsula School District buses recently had new state-of-the-art radios installed, thanks to a partnership with Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One (GHFMO). These new devices replaced aging systems to enhance voice communication across our bus routes, ensuring better connectivity and safety for our students. Through this collaboration with GHFMO, we were able to save $300,000 by adopting cutting-edge technology and avoiding costly subscriber fees. Thank you GHFMO for your community partnership! 

To help strengthen the security of our digital platforms and ensure the safety of our students' personal information, we are enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for students to log onto our Student Portal. MFA is a widely used security measure that will help protect students’ online accounts, and students select their own photo or short code for this extra layer of authentication. Students will work with teachers to set up this extra layer of protection by mid-November, to help keep their information and district resources safe. 

Check out the video linked below to learn more!

American Education Week is a celebration honoring the contributions of educators, school staff, and the entire education community. The week also emphasizes the value of a quality education and the need for collaboration among teachers, parents, and the community. We look forward to celebrating this together! Join us on December 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Swift Water Elementary School to learn more about innovative education at all of our schools.

Our dedicated School Security Officers (SSOs), Michael Janke and Brent Campbell, are creating a video series about school safety. In the SSOs first video, they explain the consequences of making threats in person, over social media, or via text, and they urge students, families, and staff to report concerns immediately. Watch the full video to learn more about how we can work together to keep PSD safe. Our community’s safety depends on our shared commitment to preventing threats and keeping our schools safe. 

Sincerely,

Superintendent Krestin Bahr

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.