Olympia School District

Superintendent’s Message

 

Hello Olympia School District families, staff and community,

As we move through these final days of May, it is hard to believe we are quickly approaching the end of another school year. Across our district, seniors are taking cap-and-gown photos, attending prom and preparing for commencement, while our youngest learners are getting ready to take their next steps along that same journey. This time of year always brings a meaningful mix of excitement, reflection and celebration.

Over the past several weeks, we have had many opportunities to recognize the people who make our district special. We recently celebrated our 2026 retirees, honoring decades of service to students, schools and our community. We also recognized members of our team through our National Board Certified Teacher recognition and annual Employee Recognition Awards.

We are also proud to celebrate several Olympia School District students and community partners who were recognized by Educational Service District 113 and the Washington Association of School Administrators. Congratulations to Elijah Joslyn from Avanti High School, Jack Flores from Capital High School and Shruthi Lingam Nattami from Olympia High School, who received the WASA Student Leadership Award. We also congratulate Katy Johansson of the Olympia Education Foundation, who received the Community Leadership Award for her continued partnership and support of our students and schools. You can read more about these recognitions and see photos in our WASA awards Facebook post.

As we look ahead, we are also taking time to honor our past. Roosevelt Elementary School is partnering with the Olympia Historical Society & Bigelow House Museum to showcase a rare collection of PTA archives dating back to 1906 before they are gifted for permanent preservation. It is a wonderful reminder of the generations of students, families and staff who have helped shape our schools and community.

If I could offer one piece of advice to parents and families during this busy season, it would simply be this: don’t blink, and enjoy every moment. The school years truly do go by quickly.

As always, thank you for being such an important part of our school community. I look forward to a strong and meaningful finish to our school year.

 

Warm regards,

Patrick Murphy

 

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Celebrating the 2026 “Doleys” School Advocate Awards

This month, the Olympia School District gathered to celebrate some of the most dedicated and caring members of our school community during the 2026 Laurie Dolan School Advocates of the Year celebration, affectionately known as “The Doleys.”

Named in honor of former Washington State Representative Laurie Dolan, the award recognizes outstanding volunteers from each of the district’s 19 schools who go above and beyond in support of students, staff and families. Laurie Dolan spent her career as a teacher, school director and state representative championing public education and advocating for children across Washington state. Renaming the award in her honor serves as a meaningful tribute to her lifelong commitment to schools and community service.

The evening was filled with laughter, heartfelt stories and moments of connection as school leaders, families and community members came together to recognize the individuals who help make Olympia schools so special. Whether volunteering in classrooms, organizing events, mentoring students or supporting school programs behind the scenes, each honoree reflects the spirit of generosity and care that strengthens our district every day.

This year’s Laurie Dolan School Advocates of the Year honorees included:

 

• Avanti HS: Nathan and Casey Allan

• Boston Harbor ES: Perla Newton

• Capital HS: Martha Summit

• Centennial ES: Belinda Lau

• Garfield ES: Nicole Grant

• Hansen ES: Amanda Hughes

• Jefferson MS: Kami Madsen

• Lincoln ES: Rick Perry

• LP Brown ES: Janel Bistrika

• Madison ES: John Naughton

• McKenny ES: Cory Plantenberg

• McLane ES: Janet and Brink Bastin

• Olympia HS: Teagan Murphy

• Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA): Elena Popovac

• Pioneer ES: Daniel Silver

• Reeves MS: Tara Wickham

• Roosevelt ES: Marc Hobbs

• Thurgood MS: Lorraine Manning

• Washington MS: Carrie Andrew

 

The Olympia School District extends its deepest gratitude to this year’s recipients and to all volunteers who give their time, talents and heart to supporting students and schools. Their contributions leave a lasting impact on our community and help ensure every student feels supported, connected and valued.

 

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Pioneer’s Lunch Brigade Brings Smiles, Support and Stronger Connections

At Pioneer Elementary School, Fridays have quickly become a favorite day of the week for many students. Thanks to a new partnership with the 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (1MDEB), a tenant unit located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), volunteers from 1MDEB are spending time with students during lunch and recess as part of Pioneer’s new Lunch Brigade Program.

 

What started as a simple opportunity to connect with students has quickly grown into something much bigger. Each week, 1MDEB volunteers join students in the lunchroom and on the playground, creating meaningful relationships through games, conversations and positive encouragement.

 

For 1MDEB, the partnership is a chance to build a more consistent connection with the local community.

 

“At the 1st Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, we have always looked for meaningful ways to give back to the local community,” shared a representative. “In the past, soldiers from the battalion participated in volunteer opportunities with schools around the JBLM area, but those events were often limited to one-time visits or special activities. We wanted to build something more consistent and lasting.”

 

The Lunch Brigade Program has created that opportunity at Pioneer.

 

A Positive Presence on Campus

Principal Joel Lang says the impact of the program has been immediate.

 

“We are very excited to have more adults visit Pioneer to interact with students of all ages,” Lang shared. “Whether it is a massive game of red light, green light or an energized game of kickball, our visitors really add a positive vibe to recess.”

 

Lang recalled one of the very first visits from the Lunch Brigade volunteers as a moment that showed just how special the partnership could become.

 

“I walked out to lunch recess to see most of our second and third grade students playing red light, green light,” he said. “There were smiles all around.”

 

Staff members have enjoyed watching students build connections with the Lunch Brigade volunteers each week. The program gives students another opportunity to interact with caring adults who are taking time out of their schedules simply to support and encourage them.

 

“We encourage and celebrate when our students have the chance to positively interact with as many adults as possible while at school,” Lang added.

 

Lunch Brigade volunteers say those interactions have been just as meaningful for them. At first, many students asked questions about the Army, military service or family members who serve. As the weekly visits continued, conversations naturally expanded to students’ interests, hobbies and goals.

 

“We talk about their favorite classes, hobbies, sports, video games and what they want to be when they grow up,” shared the representative. “Whether we are discussing Minecraft, Pokémon or recess games, those interactions help students feel heard and encouraged while allowing them to express who they are.”

Students Look Forward to Fridays

Students across grade levels say they love the energy and kindness the Lunch Brigade volunteers bring to campus.

“They’re super kind and they listen and understand us,” said fourth grader Hope. “They are always so positive and keep the vibe and mood happy.”

For many students, the best part is simply having adults who want to spend time playing and talking with them. Lunch Brigade volunteers have joined students for games of tag, duck, duck, goose, four square, gaga ball, red light, green light and kickball. Sometimes students teach volunteers new games, and other times volunteers introduce games they played growing up.

“They are nice and they play with us a lot,” said fourth grader Malachi Emmans. “I really liked playing kickball with them.”

Third grader Kye Salazar said the Lunch Brigade volunteers make recess more exciting.

“They answer our questions, they want to hang out with us and they’re fun!” Kye said.

Even Pioneer’s youngest students are excited about the weekly visits. Second graders in Mrs. Tedford’s class shared that they especially enjoyed playing duck, duck, goose and red light, green light with the volunteers during recess.

 

Building Community One Lunch at a Time

The Lunch Brigade partnership is about more than games and activities. It reflects Pioneer’s commitment to building a strong, supportive school community where students feel seen, valued and connected.

For 1MDEB volunteers, the program is also a meaningful way to strengthen their connection with the Olympia community. The weekly visits allow students to see service members in a personal and relatable way while giving 1MDEB soldiers the chance to serve as positive role models and mentors.

“The partnership also has a meaningful impact on our soldiers,” shared the representative. “It boosts morale and gives them the opportunity to make a direct and positive difference in the lives of students. After volunteering, soldiers often come back talking about the games they played, the conversations they had and how much they are looking forward to the next visit.”

By spending time with students in simple but meaningful ways, 1MDEB volunteers are helping create positive memories and relationships that students will carry with them long after recess ends.

Pioneer Elementary is thankful for this meaningful partnership and for the Lunch Brigade volunteers who continue to invest their time and support in students each week.

As the program continues to grow, one thing is already clear: the Lunch Brigade has become an important part of the Pioneer community, bringing smiles, encouragement and connection to students each Friday.

• See more photos from Pioneer Elementary School’s Lunch Brigade Program

 

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2026 High School Graduations

We could not be more excited to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026! Below are the dates, times and locations for the graduation ceremonies of our Transition Academy, Avanti High School, Capital High School, Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) and Olympia High School.

We understand that family members and friends may be unable to attend in person, so we are thrilled to share that all of these graduations will be live-streamed on the Olympia School District Facebook page. Follow our Facebook page to receive notifications whenever we go live, so you can cheer on your favorite graduate as they walk across the stage and receive their diploma!

• Transition Academy: Friday, June 5, 2026, 6 p.m. at Capital High School Performing Arts Center

• Avanti High School: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 12 p.m. at Avanti High School

• Olympia Regional Learning Academy: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6 p.m. at Olympia Regional Learning Academy

• Olympia High School: Thursday, June 11, 2026, 7 p.m. at St. Martin's University

• Capital High School: Friday, June 12, 2026, 7 p.m. at St. Martin's University

Let's celebrate our graduates and all their hard work. Whether you can attend in person or watch the ceremony online, it's sure to be a memorable moment!

 

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Olympia School District is proud to share that Madison Elementary and McKenny Elementary have been recognized through the Washington School Recognition Program for their work during the 2024–25 school year.

The Washington School Recognition Program is a statewide honor led by the Washington State Board of Education, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Educational Opportunity Gap Oversight and Accountability Committee. All Washington public schools are eligible for the recognition, which highlights schools demonstrating exceptional progress in key areas of student success. Schools may be recognized in one or more of the following areas: Closing Gaps, Growth and Achievement.

Madison Elementary was recognized in two areas: Closing Gaps and Growth. Madison showed meaningful gains on the 2025 Washington School Improvement Framework after being identified for Targeted Supports in 2024. The school was also recognized for strong growth among low-income students and students with disabilities across multiple English language arts and math measures.

McKenny Elementary was recognized for Growth, with students with disabilities showing gains from the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 school year, ranking among the top 10% of schools statewide across several English language arts and math measures.

These recognitions are especially meaningful because they highlight progress for student groups that are often the focus of targeted school improvement efforts. They reflect the hard work of students, staff, families and school leaders, including Madison Principal Domenico Spatola-Knoll and McKenny Principal Michael Havens, whose leadership has helped guide this important work.

Congratulations to the Madison Lion Cubs and McKenny Hawks on this outstanding achievement!

For more information about how schools are recognized, visit the Washington School Recognition Program page.

 

 

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Reeves Middle School music students perform across the state

Reeves Middle School instrumental music students had an outstanding year filled with performances, festivals and memorable learning experiences across Washington state.

From concert halls to community festivals, Reeves musicians represented their school and district with talent, dedication and school pride. One of the program’s accomplishments is performing as a full symphony orchestra at every concert throughout the year, an experience rarely seen at the middle school level.

In February, the seventh- and eighth-grade band traveled to the University of Washington for the Pacific Northwest Band Festival. Along with performing in front of many other school bands from across the state at the huge Meany Hall, students received valuable feedback during clinics led by college band directors from across the country. The festival ended with a performance by the UW Symphonic Band, and students explored the university campus during the day, including a visit to the iconic Suzzallo Library.

In May, the seventh- and eighth-grade orchestra traveled to Central Washington University for a special clinic after winter pass closures postponed their original trip to the orchestra festival in March. For many students, it was their first time on a university campus, let alone perform on their beautiful concert hall stage. Students also worked closely with the university orchestra director during an extended clinic, toured campus including lunch in the Student Union Building and joined a rehearsal of the CWU Symphony Orchestra.

The Reeves Jazz Band also had a standout year, performing at the Olympia Wooden Boat Festival on the Olympia waterfront in May and participating in the Cool Jazz Clean Water Festival sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Olympia in November. The Rotary festival raises funds for clean water projects worldwide and brings together student jazz ensembles from across the region. It was fitting to see this led by former Olympia School District Superintendent Bill Lahmann.

Behind each performance were countless hours of hard work and dedication. Jazz students regularly arrived before school for rehearsals, thereby strengthening their musicianship and performance skills throughout the year. Band & Orchestra Director Randy Grostick had this to say: "I would like to thank the commitment of all the students, staff and families who helped make these experiences possible.” Congratulations to all of the Reeves musicians on an incredible year of learning, performing and representing their school with excellence!

 

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2026-27 Free Sports Physicals Clinic

If your OSD student is planning to participate in athletics during the 2026-27 school year, don’t miss out on the free sports physicals available on Saturday, June 6, 2026. This is a great opportunity for all students entering grades 7-12 in the upcoming school year to complete their required physical exam and get ready for the upcoming sports season.

 

This event is made possible in partnership with Olympia Orthopedic Associates and local healthcare providers. Oly Ortho is excited to partner with Bras for Girls at this year’s event! Bras for Girls helps provide properly fitted sports bras at no cost to athletes. Their team will be on-site to help size, measure, and distribute the appropriate sports bra for each athlete.

 

Event Details:

 

• Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026

• Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• Location: Capital High School Gymnasium (2707 Conger Ave. N.W.)

 

A new physical must be on file each year for all student-athletes. These free physicals are a convenient way to ensure your student is ready to participate in sports for the 2026-27 school year.

Please note: These physicals are not a substitute for the annual “well-child” check-ups conducted by your family healthcare provider.

What to Bring:
Completed and signed Athletic Physical Examination Form. You can pick up a printed version of this form from your school’s front or athletic office, or print it at home.

Important Information:
Free sports physicals will not be offered at Olympia Orthopedic offices during the summer of 2026. After the physical, families will need to upload a photo or scanned copy of the completed form to Final Forms.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your student ready for the upcoming sports season! We look forward to seeing you there!

 

• Sport Clearance Process