Episode 90 of Podyallup is for Friday, August 28, 2026. The summer quarter is over, school is about to begin again, and the episode moves through ESL teaching, Tacoma Language Academy, Read to Speak, Puyallup School District's new electronic-device policy, local events, high school sports, and the approaching Washington State Fair.

Summer quarter comes to an end

The host has finished the summer quarter at Pierce College and Green River College, including his first experience co-teaching an ESL class.

ESL progression works differently from a typical college course. Students can repeat a level as they build proficiency, and advancement depends on attendance, testing, instructor recommendation, and demonstrated readiness for the next level.

Language learning takes time. Students improve by repeatedly listening and understanding, reading and understanding, and gradually sharpening their mental model of the language.

Washington State history through ESL

The summer ESL course used Washington State history as a source of meaningful language. Topics included D. B. Cooper, Marcus Whitman and the Whitman Mission, Ezra Meeker, and Hanford's role in the development of the atomic bomb.

The class gave students repeated opportunities to read, listen, discuss, and write about the same ideas. The host plans to continue teaching ESL in the fall, including grammar classes built around stories and context rather than isolated exercises.

Spanish Story Lab and the Spanish Language Accelerator

Tacoma Language Academy continues to grow its live Spanish offerings.

Spanish Story Lab is a four-week class for true beginners and near beginners. The next session begins at the end of September and meets Fridays from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Students create a story together and work toward being able to retell it.

The Spanish Language Accelerator is a longer ten-week course meeting Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. It develops the core language of a first Spanish course through sustained input and interaction.

More information about both courses is available at thisistla.com.

Read to Speak and the homework app

Students in Tacoma Language Academy classes will also receive access to the host's Spanish practice system.

The app includes leveled readings, practice quizzes, flashcards with definitions and examples, spaced repetition, and a Scriptorium activity that asks learners to reconstruct language from memory.

The same system will be used in the host's Spanish courses this fall. It is also available independently at readtospeak.com.

The Zojirushi thermos

A discussion of school policy pauses for an unsolicited endorsement of the host's favorite coffee tumbler: a 16-ounce Zojirushi vacuum-insulated thermos.

It keeps coffee hot for hours and has become one of those rare products the host has purchased again and given as a gift.

Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link, which means I get a small commission if you decide to buy through it, at no cost to you.

Zojirushi Thermos on Amazon

Puyallup School District's new electronic-device policy

Puyallup School District has adopted updated expectations for personal electronic devices beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Students in pre-K through grade 12 are expected to keep personal electronic devices off and away during the school day unless permission or an exception applies.

The district says the change is intended to improve focus, support student well-being, and create classrooms where students are more present and engaged.

During the opening week of school, staff will teach the routines and explain how the policy works. Families will still be able to reach students through school offices, and exceptions will remain available for medical, safety, and accessibility needs.

The Electronic Device Task Force

The policy was developed after review by a district-wide Electronic Device Task Force made up of teachers, administrators, district staff, students, and families.

The host strongly supports the basic direction. He has heard from at least one school that stronger phone restrictions were a "game changer" for the classroom environment.

The larger concern is not only phones. Personal devices, social media, and constant internet access compete directly with reading, concentration, and sustained attention.

Should schools use fewer laptops too?

The host goes further than the district's phone policy and argues that schools should reconsider one-to-one laptops as well.

A return to computer labs could give students deliberate access to technology without placing a screen in front of them throughout the day. Students could still learn typing, file management, research, software, and other practical computer skills while spending more classroom time reading and working on paper.

The argument is not against technology itself. The host builds software and assigns digital homework. The concern is whether constant device access is actually helping students learn.

A new school year begins

School begins next week for most Puyallup students, with kindergarten starting later.

The district is also publishing a short video series featuring Dr. Alfano and sharing other back-to-school updates as families prepare for the 2026-27 year.

Free ESL classes at the library

Adult ESL classes are also available through local community resources, including free instruction at the Puyallup Public Library.

The classes are taught by certificated instructors and provide another option for adults in the area who want to improve their English.

Asking Ezra

The City of Puyallup website now includes a virtual AI assistant named Ezra, complete with an image of Ezra Meeker.

The assistant answers questions using information from the city's website. It does not claim to actually be Ezra Meeker, and requests to role-play the city's famous pioneer do not get very far.

It can, however, answer basic questions such as the location of City Hall and the name of the current mayor.

Upcoming city events can be found on the City of Puyallup calendar.

High school sports return

Fall high school sports are getting underway around Puyallup.

Football scrimmages begin this weekend, with regular-season games starting the following week. Girls soccer also begins in early September.

Listeners are encouraged to support local students by attending games and helping create a better atmosphere for the athletes competing around the community.

Value for value

Podyallup is a value-for-value show. If the show gives you something useful, interesting, or entertaining, you can send value back through time, talent, or treasure.

Time and talent can mean sending stories, local information, event notices, corrections, or ideas for future episodes.

To support the show financially, visit podyallup.com/donate.

The Washington State Fair is almost here

The Washington State Fair runs September 4 through September 27, with the fair closed on Tuesdays.

Early highlights include Weird Al Yankovic with Puddles Pity Party, Little Big Town, Gretchen Wilson, rodeo events, Dancing in the Dirt concerts, barbecue, bull riding, and the PRCA Cinch Playoffs.

More information is available at thefair.com.

Closing

Episode 90 closes with thanks to everyone who listens, sends local information, and supports the show. New episodes of Podyallup release every Friday.