We believe all students have the right to high quality educational experiences that develop their
unique needs and passions.
The mission is to partner with community resources to change public education, emphasizing
creativity, and utilizing a fully inclusive model that educates the whole student through core values:
THINKING, EMPATHY, COMMUNITY, and BALANCE.
June 26, 2018
Dear SOTA Students and Families,
I hope this message finds your summer off to a great start. Summer can be a great time to rest, work and
spend quality time with family and friends. Don’t forget to exercise your brain as well and do some
reading. I would like to extend a special welcome to our CLASS OF 2022 students. Here at SOTA, things
have not slowed down one bit. The Summer Xplore Program, serving elementary Tacoma students is in
full swing. SOTA volunteers and talented graduates have developed arts curriculum. These arts camps
give our SOTA students a big opportunity to put their strengths and passions to the test by teaching what
they love. Next week we will be wrapping up BACK ON TRACK, a summer credit retrieval for SOTA, SAMi
and iDEA students in history, English and math.
Our SOTA office is busily preparing for moving, camp, upcoming student schedules and much more. We
are finishing up new hiring as well. Please welcome our new Chemistry/Physics teacher, Mr. Anthony
Blake from Federal Way School District. Also, joining us permanently is Mr. Zach Hightower in Student
Services.
CLASS SCHEDULES will be finalized and distributed at our all school retreat August 27
th
-
29
th
. Schedule changes are only for students that have scheduling errors and/or missing courses in their
major and will notify Co-Director, Bliss King after camp for an appointment
bking2@tacoma.k12.wa.us
SUMMER OFFICE LOCATION & HOURS
The SOTA office will remain on the second floor of the downtown Tacoma Post Office at 1102 A Street,
Tacoma WA 98402 until Thursday, July 12
th
. Summer Office hours are Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm,
June 19 to August 16. We will officially move on Tuesday, July 16
th
causing a temporary disruption to the
office operations, but will be fully operational by Wednesday, July 17
th
at our new site across from the
Pantages Theatre on 302 South 9
th
Avenue, 98402. We will occupy the top floor of the old Music Box
Building.
FIRST LOOK- Class of 2022 Orientations: The last two opportunities to learn more about SOTA
and meet new friends will be Monday, July 9
th
and Monday, August 6
th
from 9-12 pm. Incoming 9
th
graders should check-in at our Ted Brown building, 1117 Broadway in CLUB SOTA. If you have not
already, please check out the questionnaire forms for incoming students to help with mentor
placement
and student schedules at
www.tsota.org
under Announcements.
FIRST DAY The first day of Fall Regular Term is Thursday, September 6th. School hours are 8:00am to
3:30pm Monday to Thursday, and 10:30am to 3:30pm Fridays. Students will receive their Pierce Transit
ORCA card at the All School Retreat and yellow shuttle bus routes will be posted on our website soon.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES Please provide the following supplies for your use this school year.
4- spiral notebooks
Composition notebook for Science
3-ring notebook
Notebook college-ruled paper
Graphing Paper
Pens (red & black)
Pencils
Scientific or Graphing Calculator
Ruler/compass/protractor for
Geometry
Protective sheet covers (for best
works portfolio)
USB Jump Drive (16 GB or larger )
Assignment Planner/Calendar is
provided in STRONG START for 9
th
graders. 10
th
, 11
th
, 12
th
should
purchase.
A backpack – We have no lockers.
We believe all students have the right to high quality educational experiences that develop their
unique needs and passions.
The mission is to partner with community resources to change public education, emphasizing
creativity, and utilizing a fully inclusive model that educates the whole student through core values:
THINKING, EMPATHY, COMMUNITY, and BALANCE.
Water Bottle
Box
of colored pencils
**Art classes will provide list first day of class
DAILY SCHEDULE and other valuable resources can be found on our website
www.tsota.org
ALL-SCHOOL RETREAT – Monday, August 27
th
– Wednesday, August 29
th
(noon). (Is your
permission slip in?)
By 8:15 am arrive at FOSS HIGH SCHOOL (2112 South Tyler Street, Tacoma) Monday,
August 27th. Be packed and ready to head to Olympia for our overnight retreat .
Buses will return
students to FOSS HIGH SCHOOL at noon on Wednesday, August 29
th
. Please arrange a ride
home from FOSS HIGH SCHOOL. Any medications should be packed separately from
your luggage
and stored in clear plastic bags labeled with your name. You will hand medications and your “Medication
at School” forms to the nurse before boarding the bus. The All-School SOTA Retreat is the official start of
the school year. Students are considered “in school” on these days. All school and district regulations
apply to the retreat. Do you want to volunteer? Contact
rfroemb@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Packing List Please plan to bring the following to the All-School Retreat: Label belongings & luggage in
sturdy bag.
Your good energy, a willingness to stretch,
grow and smile.
Appropriate sleeping attire
Bath & Hygiene articles (soap, shampoo,
deodorant, etc.)
Towels
Sleeping Bag & Pillow
Shorts, Jeans, T-shirts, Sweatshirt, Tennis
shoes &
socks
Flashlight
Appropriate Bathing Suit
Umbrella or raincoat, in case of rain
Hot weather clothes
Cool weather clothes for evenings
(sweatshirt, jacket)
Insect Repellent
Sunblock
Hat
Water bottle
Small notebook, Pencil/Pen
Spending money for camp snack bar
(optional)
DO NOT BRING: Illegal substances, drugs, tobacco, cigarettes, firearms, ammunition, fireworks,
matches, lighters or pets. NOT RECOMMENDED TO BRING: Bad attitudes, valuables, radios, cell
phones or personal electronics. Please note that SOTA and Tacoma Public Schools are not
responsible for lost or stolen items.
** EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ** In case of an emergency during the retreat, you need
to reach your student, please contact SOTA staff through the Black Lake Camp Office at (360) 357-8425
first or the SOTA main office at (253) 571-7900.
Enjoy the rest of summer and look forward to seeing you Monday, August 27
th
at Foss High School
Parking Lot.
Sincerely,
Renee Froembling
Bliss King
SOTA Co-Director
SOTA
Co-Director