All About Minter Creek Elementary School
JUMP TO:
Kids at Hope
Investing in Students
Finding a Home
Thoughts From Parents & Students
School Stats
As a real estate agent in Gig Harbor, Washington, I want to help you get to know everything about life around here. I am also a mom, and when we were looking for where to buy our house, I wanted to know what the schools were like. I’m sure this is a big factor for other families as well, so over the next couple months I will be visiting all 17 schools in the Peninsula School District to give you a feel for the community, culture, and academics at each school.
Today’s stop is Minter Creek Elementary, located just over the Purdy Spit on the Key Peninsula.
Welcome To Minter Creek Elementary
Todd Hering, Principal
This is my fifth year, although I’ve lived in the area for about 10 years or so now—I just absolutely love it here. We’re located just west of the Purdy Bridge in the Wauna area. Our students, after they leave fifth grade, go to Key Peninsula Middle School, and then from there go on to Peninsula High School.
The most unique program so far this year is transitional kindergarten, and we’re really excited about that. Students are going to get that head start to be ready for school before school even starts for kindergarten. The ripple effect it’ll have in next year’s kindergarten, the year after’s first grade and second grade and so on, will continue to build our family and make us stronger.
Kids at Hope
Jandow Hall, Teacher
We’re a “Kids at Hope” school. It’s a philosophy that all adults in the building are treasure hunters and they find treasures in all kids, not just the kids in their classroom. We do a “Kids at Hope” pledge every morning, where the kids recite after the Pledge of Allegiance and they talk about how they have hopes and dreams for their future.
Scarlett, Student
I’m a Kid at Hope. I am talented, smart, and capable of success.
Autumn, Student
I have dreams for the future and I will climb to reach those goals and dreams everyday.
Maddex, Student
All kids are capable of success, no exceptions.
Todd Hering, Principal
We are a “Kids at Hope” school, and the number one belief in that is that all kids are capable of success, with no exceptions.
We’re looking for treasures, and while yes, our kids are treasures, within them they have their own treasures, so their own gifts and their own talents that we really focus on and bring that out and help them show the world and show us and show themselves just how awesome they are.
Investing In Students
Tara Lovely-Bows, Parent & PTA Secretary
I have two girls here: Harper’s in fifth grade and Scarlett’s in fourth. We are so happy to be able to have our parents in the schools volunteering. They want to be here. Our PTA is huge this year, so we are really bringing in all the parents we can. Our students are amazing because we have amazing teachers, and all the staff here. We try to just make all the kids happy and come in with a smile and leave with a smile.
Adam Sripranaratanakul, Librarian
The kids call me Mr. S. Right now we’re kind of in an information age where everyone’s constantly being bombarded, and I found myself in a position where I can help kids learn how to navigate that world of information, starting from a young age. I talk to the teachers, I ask what they’re doing, if there’s something that’s related to a book I can find in the library or an activity. It’s always fun to see the kids be surprised like, “Oh, how did you know we were doing this in STEM class?”
Jandow Hall, Teacher
I’ve been at the school for 16 years, so even some of the kids that I had in first grade years ago are now in college and some of them have even asked to come back and observe or volunteer in my classroom, because they’re training to be teachers and they want to be a first grade teacher too. So it’s really cool.
Finding a Home at Minter Creek
Tara Lovely-Bows, Parent & PTA Secretary
The adults here care for all of the kids here. We’re a small community and we know every single kid that walks through that door. We know the parent and we want them to feel safe and I really think they do because they can come and talk to us about anything and we’ll help them.
Adam Sripranaratanakul, Librarian
When I interviewed for the job, my question for the interview panel was, “What do you like about Minter?” And it was very unanimous that it has a community feel to it. And it’s my second year here, and I’ve found that to be true.
Todd Hering, Principal
I’ve been in several different districts and several different communities and this just truly feels like home. New students come in and we tour the school with their families. They always talk about how it feels like home and that really is what it is. And it’s just a big family and it doesn’t mean we don’t have our challenges, but we face them together and we work through them and just get better because of it.
Additional Thoughts From Parents & Students
What Parents Love About Minter Creek
“My students have a genuine connection with everyone from the bus driver to the office staff to teachers and administrators. Everyone has such a caring attitude and my kids know they matter and belong at Minter Creek.”
What They Wish Could Be Better
“The Pace program moved. I miss having a good program to challenge my advanced learner student.”
What Their Children Love About Minter Creek
“The teachers are so caring and kind and the culture of inclusivity can’t be beat.”
What Would They Tell A New Family At Minter Creek?
“The PTA hosts great events that keep the whole family engaged and entertained.”
Neighborhoods Within School Boundary
Some neighborhoods include:
Creviston Ridge
Danforth Heights
Fir Acres
Lake Minterwood Estates
Minter
Minter Beach Estates
Minter Run
Wauna
Wauna Shores
Thanks for joining me in this look at Minter Creek Elementary School. If you want to learn more about our wonderful community here be sure to check out my blog, or for more information on buying and selling in Gig Harbor and the surrounding area go to askpaigeschulte.com.