Puyallup School District Land Acknowledgement

The Puyallup School District recognizes that our district shares the name of the original inhabitants of the land we are located on. The Puyallup Tribe is known as spuyaləpabš/puyaləpabš (“people from the bend at the bottom of the river”) in their ancestral language, Lushootseed. The district is located on the Puyallup Reservation and on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup people, a Sovereign nation that operates under the Medicine Creek Treaty.

The following land acknowledgement recognizes the land and people who have, and continue to, live and steward it.

Puyallup School District Land Acknowledgment Statement

"As part of the Puyallup School District's commitment to partnering with our diverse communities, we acknowledge that we are on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. We recognize the Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial and continue to do so today."

Overview

The district has 22 elementary schools, seven junior high schools, three comprehensive senior high schools, an alternative school, and a digital learning program, all of which serve more than 22,800 students. The district employs approximately 1,560 certificated, 1,450 classified staff, and 570 substitute personnel.

Our Mission

To prepare and empower every student to reach their full potential and to thrive in school, society, work, and life.

Our Vision

The Puyallup School District values academic excellence and ensures every student learns in safe and supportive environments in order to develop as critical thinkers ready to take on the world.

Our Beliefs

In partnership with our communities, we:

  • Treat each student as a unique learner.
     • Ensure all students have equal opportunities for learning and are supported in achieving competency in required           subject and performance areas.
     • Regularly assess, evaluate, and communicate to students, families, and the community the results of student  performance.
• Engage parents/guardians, family members, guardians, and students as active partners in the educational process.
• Incorporate concepts of diversity that benefit all and are integral in all district endeavors.
• Communicate effectively with parents/guardians, students, staff, and members of the community.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships that support district goals.
• Provide students and staff a safe and supportive learning and working environment.
• Demonstrate accountability to all stakeholders.

History

The Puyallup School District was organized in 1854, and was the third school district formed in the state of Washington. Fort Maloney, also known as the "Blockhouse," was built on the south bank of the Puyallup River. It was used by U.S. soldiers as a storehouse and was occupied by the John Carson family. Emma Carson was the first teacher in Puyallup and had four students in the Blockhouse School in 1861. Fort Maloney also served as the first post office. To read more about the history of the Puyallup School District, click here.