Welcome back from Mid-Winter Break! We are closing out February and gearing up for something exciting: SPRING SPORTS SEASON! That's right—baseball, fastpitch, golf, soccer, tennis, track, lacrosse, water polo, and Unified Sports all kick off on Monday, March 2. If you have been waiting for your sport to start, it's go time.

But before we turn the page to spring, we have got some unfinished business to celebrate. Gig Harbor Girls Basketball is STILL IN IT in the Round of 16, and they are making history along the way. We are also reflecting on this week's Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summit—an event where student-athletes from nine schools across the entire league came together to build connections, break down barriers, and remind us that we have way more in common than we think.

And because spring sports registration is open, we are breaking down everything you need to know about FinalForms—what it is, why it matters, and how to get cleared to play or coach.

Let's get to it!

Spring is almost here, and that means one thing: HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS SEASON IS BACK.

Starting Monday, March 2, Peninsula School District will have nine spring sports in full swing. Whether you are returning to your sport or trying something new, now is the time to get registered, get cleared, and get ready to compete.

Here is what we are offering this spring:

⚾ Baseball The crack of the bat, the dirt on the uniform, and the grind of the season. Baseball is back, and our programs are ready to go.

🥎 Fastpitch Fast-paced, high-energy, and full of heart. Fastpitch is one of the most competitive sports we offer, and this season is going to be electric.

⛳ Golf (Boys & Girls) Precision, patience, and mental toughness. Golf is a sport that challenges you in ways most people don't realize. Both boys and girls programs are back on the course.

⚽ Boys Soccer The beautiful game. Boys soccer brings speed, skill, and strategy to the pitch, and our programs are ready to make noise this spring.

🎾 Tennis Individual excellence meets team competition. Tennis requires focus, endurance, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. It's back.

🏃 Track & Field (Boys & Girls) Sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, throwers; track has a place for everyone. This is where athletes push their limits and discover what they're capable of.

🥍 Girls Lacrosse One of the fastest-growing sports. Lacrosse combines speed, skill, and physicality in a way that's unlike any other sport. Our girls lacrosse programs are ready to compete.

🤽 Girls Water Polo Toughness in the water. Water polo is one of the most physically demanding sports out there, and our girls bring intensity every single game!

🤝 Spring Unified Sports Inclusion in action. Spring Unified Sports brings students of all abilities together to compete, build friendships, and create a culture where everyone belongs. Registration is now open on FinalForms; don't miss your chance to be part of something special.

If you are planning to play a spring sport, here is what you need to do:

Spring sports start Monday, March 2. If you are not registered yet, get on it!!!

Let's make this spring season one to remember.

Let's talk about Gig Harbor Girls Basketball.

They are in the Round of 16 in the state playoffs, and they are definitely not done yet.

Tomorrow, Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 PM, the Tides take on White River High School at the University of Puget Sound. This is playoff basketball at its highest level, and GHHS is right in the mix.

But here is the thing: this team is not just competing. They are making history.

On Wednesday, something powerful happened at Gig Harbor High School.

The Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC) hosted the second Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summit, bringing together athletes from schools across the league for a day focused on building connections, breaking down stereotypes, and creating a culture of respect in competition.

Athletes from different schools, schools that compete against each other every week, jumped into relays, team challenges, and a powerful "Cross the Line" activity that reminded everyone: we have more in common than we think, even when we're wearing different uniforms.

The day was packed with activities designed to build trust, spark conversations, and help athletes see each other as people; not just opponents.

There were relays. There were team challenges. There was laughter, competition, and connection. But the most impactful moment? The "Cross the Line" activity. In this activity, athletes stood on one side of the gym. A series of statements were read aloud, and if the statement applied to them, they crossed the line.

Here are some of the statements:

When athletes started crossing the line, something shifted in the room. They looked around and realized: I'm not alone in this. That person from the rival school? They have experienced the same thing. That athlete I've competed against all season? They have felt the same tension, the same frustration, the same desire for sports to be better.

The "Cross the Line" activity did not just create awareness, it created empathy. And empathy is what changes culture.

We compete hard. We want to win. And rivalries? They make sports fun. But at the end of the day, we are all part of the same community. We are all student-athletes trying to balance school, sports, and life. And we all deserve to compete in an environment where respect is the standard.

The Sportsmanship Summit reminded everyone that rivals on the field, respect off it is not just a slogan, it is a commitment. To every SALC student who organized and led this event: Thank you! You are shaping the culture of the Puget Sound League, and you are making athletics better for everyone. To every athlete who participated: You showed up, you engaged, and you proved that connection is possible, even between rivals.

Let's keep building.

And here is the exciting part: we are hoping to grow this movement even further!

Gig Harbor High School is exploring starting a Spring Unified team, and if anyone at GHHS is interested in being part of this amazing experience, registration is now open on FinalForms!

The more schools joining in, the bigger the impact—and the more students get to experience the power of inclusion firsthand.

Let's do this, Tides! 💙

Questions? Reach out to Blair Suek, GHHS Athletic Director.

Let's talk about FinalForms.

If you are involved in PSD athletics, whether you're an athlete, a coach, or a volunteer, you need to know what FinalForms is and why it is non-negotiable.

FinalForms is the online registration and eligibility platform used by Peninsula School District for all athletic programs.

It's where:

Think of FinalForms as the hub for everything athletics-related. If you are not cleared in FinalForms, you can't play. And if you are a coach, you can't coach.

To compete in any PSD sport, athletes must be cleared in FinalForms. That means:

✅ Registration is complete

✅ All required forms are signed (including concussion acknowledgment, emergency contact info, etc.)

✅ Physical is on file (valid for the current school year)

✅ Grades and attendance meet eligibility requirements

Here is the reality: grades and attendance matter. If an athlete is struggling academically or has attendance issues, they may not be eligible to compete. FinalForms helps athletic directors and coaches monitor eligibility so that issues can be addressed before they become bigger problems.

Every coach, whether paid or volunteer, must be cleared in FinalForms before they can work with athletes.

This is a safety and compliance issue. Coaches must complete background checks, complete required trainings, and meet district standards before they are allowed on the field or court.

Interested in volunteering? Here is the process:

FinalForms isn't just paperwork; it is how we ensure that athletes are eligible, coaches are cleared, and everyone is operating within district and state guidelines.

Spring sports start Monday, March 2. If you are not registered and cleared yet, get on it!!!

🏀 Girls Basketball - GHHS State Playoffs - Round of 16

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net

Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!