Good Evening, Bryant Families,

Welcome to the 2026-27 School year at Bryant Montessori! This email is the first of my weekly Sunday messages. Please look for them and attend to the details within. This weekly attention will help your child thrive at Bryant!

Staff Changes. This year, Bryant Montessori has more than its share of change in staff members. You can meet all new staff members at our Meet and Greet event on Thursday, September 3^rd at 4pm. If you have questions about these positions, please ask me at the Meet and Greet event.

• Sandy Izaguirre is our new OC, replacing Judith who retires on August 31^st.
• Tonya Ronhovde: Children’s House teacher replacing Kelly Turpen-Adamson
• Lydia Mautz: Lower El teacher replacing Joelle Cowan
• Leave Replacement for Sarah Renfro, who is on maternity leave: We will start the year with a substitute teacher.
• Teresa Brady: MTSS Teacher: MS Math. New position.
• Shavona Wagoner: MS Science/Math 6^th grade, replacing Laurie Sukola, who retired.
• Felice Shoemaker: MS Math 7^th/8^th grade, replacing Sarah Taylor, who resigned.
• Jaclyn Pittenger: Music Teacher, replacing Rhonda Juliano, who retired.
• McKenna Johnson- Occupational Therapist, replacing Missy O’Neill.
• Megan Morris, Asst. Nurse in Health Room to complement Nurse Shewan Jackson with nursing coverage 5 days/week.
• Jessica Barison: Recess/Lunch Supervision ESP and ELO ESP (leading our “Beyond the Bell” coordination)

Calendar Items

• NEW Middle School and NEW Children’s House families should refer to separate emails to you.
• Our office remains open M-W this week and M-F next week (Aug. 31-Sept. 4).
• Thursday evening, August 27^th, I will send an email naming classroom teachers for all students. Until then, please know that we are finalizing lists.
• Meet and Greet: Thursday, September 3^rd from 4-5:30.
  • Meet new and former teachers
  • Learn about supporting agencies
  • Drop off school supplies: 26-27 Supply List - Children's House.pdf Lower El Supply List 2026-27 final.pdf Upper El Supply List 2026-27.pdf 26-27 MS Supply List.pdf 
  • Children’s House conference sign-ups
  • See new teacher classrooms (except Children’s House. You will see the classrooms during conferences.)
  • Elementary students, collect free backpack from your teacher courtesy of Costco.
  • Fill in MS Camp paperwork: Camp Colman Forms 2026.pdf 
  • Meet new PTO officers.
  • Get a treat courtesy of the PTO.
  • See the newly seeded field’s progress.
  • See the community garden’s growth over the summer.
• Bryant Neighborhood Center Back-to-School Event: 5:30 Tues., September 8^th at the BNC. BNC 2026 Back to School Night.pdf 
• First Day of School grades 1-12: Wednesday, September 9. School starts at 8:40 and gates open at 8:25.
  • Middle School students enter grounds at the cafeteria door on Ainsworth St.
  • Elementary students enter grounds at the playground gate on Grant St. at 8:25.
• Children’s House students will have conferences on Wed.-Fri., September 9-11.
• First Day of School for Children’s House students: Monday, September 14.
• Middle School Students attend camp: Wed.-Fri., September 23-25. See permission forms attached and refer to my email from last week.

Between now and the first day, watch for my communications. Much more will come.

That’s all for tonight. Good night and happy last weeks of summer!

Neil O'Brien, Principal 

Bryant Montessori 

Tacoma Public Schools

nobrien@tacoma.k12.wa.us 

253-571-2800