Today is International Non-Binary People’s Day, which was created to raise awareness of the issues faced by non-binary people around the globe while also celebrating their courage and commitment to identity and self-knowledge.

Now celebrated as Malala Day, July 12 marks the birthday of one of the world’s most important young activists, Malala Yousafzai, who is the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

BIPOC Mental Health Month is observed every July, and it shines an essential spotlight on the unique mental health challenges and needs of those racial and ethnic groups that are historically disenfranchised or oppressed in the United States.

On May 30, ReLife School proudly celebrated the graduation of two students in an intimate ceremony recognizing their hard work, growth, and perseverance. Surrounded by staff, teachers, and family members, the graduates were honored for reaching a significant milestone in their educational journeys.

July brings a variety of celebrations – not just the celebration of our country's independence on July 4, but the anniversary of our Civil Rights Act on July 2, which was a landmark moment in U.S. history and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 2, 1964. It prohibited racial discrimination in public places, as well as providing for the integration of schools and other public facilities. It also made employment discrimination illegal and was considered the most sweeping civil rights legislation since Reconstruction.
 

Managing behavior issues, like reducing conflicts during recess, can be complex. That’s why Bethel School District has been investing in staff training focused on effective behavior management strategies.
 

Deafblind Awareness Week is observed every year during the last week of June in honor of Helen Keller’s birthday on June 27, and was first commemorated by President Ronald Reagan. Helen lost her sight and hearing in early infancy, and she became a celebrated representative of the deafblind community and its potential during her lifetime. This year, Deafblind Awareness Week will be observed from June 22-28, 2025.

Originally created by the United Nations, World Refugee Day is an international day that honors refugees around the globe as well as their right to seek and find refuge. It takes place each year on June 20 and celebrates the bravery and strength of displaced persons and those forced to flee their home countries to escape persecution or conflict—and their right to do so.

On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Texas received notice from President Lincoln that slavery had been abolished — two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The official holiday of Juneteenth marks this date, and it has since become a larger celebration.

With a wide array of fun events including food, fun, live music, games, speakers, education, voting registration opportunities, and more, don’t miss the chance to join in one of these exciting 2025 Juneteenth celebrations across Puget Sound!

The Puyallup School District continues its tradition of honoring students who make a difference through service. Now in its ninth year, the Varsity Letter in Volunteer Service program recognizes students who have dedicated significant time to supporting their communities.

Today, we honor the legacy of D-Day, and the legacy of the brave men and women who took part.

Maryan Abdow, who is the Quality Engagement Specialist for Secondary Education at Foster High School in the Tukwila School District, has been selected as the PSESD Regional Classified School Employee of the Year!

June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, which commemorates the events of June 1969, when supporters of the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in New York City, rose up to protest police persecution and harassment against LGBTQ people. The uprising marked the beginning of a movement to outlaw laws and practices that discriminated against LGBTQ Americans.

Andy Vanderpool teaches social studies at Franklin Pierce High School in the Franklin Pierce School District. After twelve years of teaching, he has been National Board Certified for one year.

In a fifth-grade classroom at Bow Lake Elementary, students are writing more, reading more and making stronger academic gains — thanks to a co-teaching model.

At Bow Lake, two teachers share the front of the classroom during the language arts: a general education teacher and a special education teacher. They plan lessons together, teach together and support students side by side. This is called co-teaching. They’re finding it is helping more students stay on track with grade-level reading and writing.

PSESD is excited to announce that Stephen Pickard is the 2025 Regional Teacher of the Year! 

Stephen is the Band Director and Music Teacher at Governor John R. Rogers High School and Dessie Evans Elementary School in Puyallup, as well as the Director of Bands for Puyallup School District.

White women in leadership hold unique influence and responsibility in advancing racial equity. In "Leading for Racial Equity: The Role of White Women in Leadership," this interactive workshop explores the intersection of privilege, power, and bias, guiding participants to lead with awareness, accountability, and compassion. 

Memorial Day honors those who died while in service of the U.S. military and is a popular reason for many family visits to U.S. monuments -- as well as the unofficial start to summer for many Americans.