Enrolling in School in Pierce County

CChoosing the best academic environment for your child can seem daunting when you move to a new area. There are numerous traditional options to consider—your neighborhood public school, a charter school, or private school—in addition to alternative options, like online school or homeschool. In this era of COVID-19, parents may feel additionally worried about making the right choice for their child. Pierce County is home to 16 public school districts and several charter, private and religious school systems. Most of these offer online enrollment for new students on their district or school websites. In general, you’ll need the following information to complete an enrollment form:

• Name of the school you want to enroll your child • Emergency contact information • Healthcare provider(s) contact information • Previous school address and phone number, if applicable

To complete your child’s enrollment, most schools will also ask parents to provide:

• Proof of immunization signed by a healthcare professional • Proof of residence • Parents’ photo identification • Proof of age and legal name for the student • Previous report cards or transcripts, if applicable

The district’s website can tell you whether in-person learning is occurring. All school districts are following guidance from the Washington State Department of Health and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department about students returning to campuses for in-person learning in the 2020-2021 school year. When inperson learning is not possible due to the county’s metrics of COVID-19 cases, virtual or hybrid learning systems are being used. When it is time to return to in-person learning at school, remind your child the importance of:

• Wearing a mask over the nose and mouth • Practicing physical distancing by staying 6 feet apart from others • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds • Letting you know if he or she feels unwell

To find your Pierce County school district, go online to matterhornago.co.pierce.wa.us/infobyaddress. Enter your address on the interactive map and then click the Additional Info tab.

From all school plays to class trips, from team sports to private music lessons, Annie Wright Schools help boys and girls age 3 through Grade 12 explore academics, arts and athletics, while offering small class sizes. We welcome you to the neighborhood and invite you to visit our camps to learn more about our programs, International Baccalaureate curriculum and community.

CWA is an inclusive community where students are nurtured and challenged to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence. We welcome you to schedule a tour of our beautiful 107-acre campus.

admissions@charleswright.org (253) 620-8373

BY ANDREA LERUM

The Dancing Goats® Coffee Bar opened its 10th location in the Point Ruston Public Market in December 2020. Tacoma residents and visitors are now enjoying a great coffee house named after a sweet legend.

The Dancing Goats® legend says that in the remote highlands of ninth century Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, a lone goat herder named Kaldi noticed his goats were full of energy, dancing and prancing after eating a small, red fruit from a nearby shrub. Not wishing to be left out of the fun, he ate the cherries and soon he was dancing too. Kaldi and his goats had discovered coffee!

According to the Operations Director for Dancing Goats® Coffee Bar, Aaron Shively, “Coffee is our priority. Fostering relationships with coffee producers is at the core of everything we do.” The buyer for Batdorf & Bronson, Dancing Goats’® parent company from Olympia, visits coffee farmers around the world multiple times a year. These visits cultivate long-lasting relationships and ensure the fabled Dancing Goats® blend continues to make its mark at bars, cafés and restaurants across the country.

The Dancing Goats® blend is the house espresso of choice for the most recent Public Market location. Unlike many other coffee blends, it brews well as espresso, drip or any way you want to brew it up. Baristas at Dancing Goats® Coffee Bars strive to give customers the highest-level coffee as well as service. “We want our customers to have a great first experience and come back time and again,” said Shively.

“One of our favorite tag lines is taste our coffee and meet our people,” said Retail Operations Manager Krista Bentow. “We encourage our people to provide outstanding customer service in an approachable, down-to-earth way; not as a coffee snob or a purist.” Dancing Goats® Coffee Bar is located just inside the main entrance to the Ruston Public Market. During the summer months, watch for the roll up doors on the north side to be open for walk-up orders in the outdoor seating area.

Ruston Public Market 253.433.7926 dancinggoats.com