Superintendent Update - August 2026

Dear UPSD Parents and Guardians: 

It is almost time to kick off the 2026-27 school year!  We are excited to welcome back our amazing students next week.  We also look forward to working closely with parents to make sure every student has a great experience in U.P. schools in the coming year.  

This message contains important information to help you prepare for the first week of school. Please feel free to contact us by email or telephone if you have questions or need support today or at any time during the school year.

First Day of School is Tuesday, September 1st!! 
The first day of school for students is Tuesday, September 1, 2026. There is no school on Friday, September 4, or Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.  Kindergarteners have a special schedule to start the year, and parents are notified by each school.  Late start Wednesdays begin on September 9.

Avoid Traffic Jams Getting to School
Many parents drive students to school on the first days. This creates unusually high traffic volume and can be very frustrating for parents and school neighbors. There will also be city construction projects near multiple schools over the next two weeks. This will make traffic even more difficult. 

If possible, please use the school bus to get students to school.  If this is not an option, consider parking a few blocks away and walking your students to school.  If you do need to “drive and drop” your student, please be very careful and follow all traffic procedures at each school site to keep everyone safe. Give yourself plenty of extra time, as traffic volume may be high.

Bus Rider Information 
We strongly encourage UPSD students to ride the school bus each day. To access information about bus routes and times for your student, you will need access to the My Ride K-12 system on the district webpage. If you need assistance, call our Transportation Department at 253-566-5724.  We also ask that parents talk with their students about bus behavior expectations.

Students Using Bikes, E-Bikes or Motorized Scooters
If your student plans to ride a bike, e-bike or motorized scooter to school, please be sure to talk with them about school policies and laws that regulate the use of these vehicles. Students should wear a helmet at all times.  Once students arrive at campus, they need to dismount and walk their bikes, e-bikes or scooters for their safety and the safety of others. Designated bike racks are available at each school site. More detailed information about e-bicycle classifications, helmet requirements, state laws and safe riding practices can be found from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission linked here.

Free & Reduced-Price Meal Application Information 
If you believe your family qualifies for free or reduced-price meals, complete the application as soon as possible using the Family Access system. If your family is eligible, we strongly encourage you to complete the Consent to Share Form. This allows your student to receive additional school benefits, such as fee waivers and program discounts. If you’ve already been approved and you have completed the Consent to Share Form—no further action is needed.  If you need assistance, please contact your child’s school or Nutrition Services at (253) 566-5700.

Got School Supplies?
Click here for information on school supplies.  If you need help getting your student the things they need, please contact the counselor at your child’s school so we can help.

Additional Information and Resources
Thank you for reviewing this email. More information will be shared by your student’s school about school procedures, schedules, and events. A school calendar with lots more information was also sent to families earlier in the summer and can be found on our district website. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of any support or assistance this year. You can email me directly any time at jchamberlin@upsd83.org or call me at 253-566-5600, ext. 3316.

Best regards, 

Jeff Chamberlin
Superintendent