August 2024

Superintendent’s Message

Hello Olympia School District families and community,

I hope you have all had a wonderful summer. The beginning of the 2024-25 school year is nearly upon us. The start of a new school year is always filled with excitement and anticipation, and this year is no different. Whether you’re returning to familiar faces and classrooms, or joining us for the first time, we are thrilled to have you as part of our learning community.

Our district remains committed to providing a safe, inclusive and dynamic learning environment where every student can thrive. This year, we are focusing on a few key areas. Our academic focus is on changes to our instructional framework and the state’s student growth goal requirements. Teacher leaders will be working alongside principals this summer and throughout the year to help us be more holistic in our response to the needs of our students.

Principals, along with the rest of our district leadership team are looking to strengthen our leadership skills through a book study and ongoing professional development based on Brene Brown’s research in her book, Dare to Lead. This was the focus at our Summer Institute with administrators and will continue to be a focal point throughout the year.

We know that education is a partnership between schools, families and the community. Your involvement and support are crucial to the success of our students and we encourage you to be active participants in your child’s education. Whether through attending school events, volunteering, or simply staying in communication with teachers and staff, your engagement makes a notable difference.

As we embark on this new academic year, we also look forward to celebrating our achievements together. I am proud of the resilience and determination that our students, staff and families have shown over the past few years. I am confident that this year will bring new and exciting opportunities for growth and success.

One early school year event that I recommend attending is the Olympia Education Foundation ‘Rise & Shine for Students!’ Breakfast on Friday, October 4, 2024. This event will be held at Capital High School in the Performing Arts Center at 7:30 a.m. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community, support our schools and contribute to the continued excellence of education in Olympia. We hope to see you there!

Warm regards,

Patrick Murphy Signature
Patrick Murphy

Garfield elementary class of 1968 stands the test of time

In late June we had the pleasure of being a part of a truly remarkable evening. The Garfield Elementary School sixth grade class from 1968 gathered for a heartwarming and memorable first-ever reunion. It had been some 56 years since these classmates had walked the halls of Garfield Elementary, at that time known as the Wolverines. The event brought old friends together, many of whom had not seen each other since their graduation. The “homecoming” took place at the Uptown Grill in downtown Olympia, bringing many familiar faces back to their old stomping grounds, with classmates coming from all over Washington State and beyond! The former classmates reflected on their school days, sharing stories of their life journeys and rekindling friendships that have stood the test of time.

The reunion kicked off with a meet and greet reception where attendees enjoyed themed refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. Guests had an opportunity to browse memorabilia from their time together at school. Displays of black and white photos lined the walls and tabletops, giving each guest a chance to step back in time and reconnect with precious moments from their childhood. Orange place cards were personalized with each classmate's name and their class photo from sixth grade. Trays of champagne were prepared for the upcoming welcome address and toast by the organizing committee. A playlist of hits from 1968 created specifically for the celebration served as a backdrop, but it was laughter and joy that filled the space as attendees reminisced about their childhood adventures and the innocence of growing up. A photo display honoring classmates who have passed away was a heartfelt gesture that underscored the importance of friendship and the lasting impact of their shared experiences. The connectedness of the group was easily recognized as they reminisced about the neighborhoods they grew up in and their unconditional affection for one another.

Class was officially in session when reunion organizer, and class member, Susan Rivera-Lee welcomed the group and began the traditional class roll call. An unmistakable glint shone in each of the attendees eyes as they announced “here” and raised a hand when they heard their name. As the roster was read aloud and guests realized who was in attendance, long-lost friends reunited through hugs and familiar smiles. The heartfelt echo continued with quizzes that jogged memories and their connection to the community. “Who remembers how much an ice cream cone was at Eagan's Drive-In?” Rivera-Lee asked. “Ten cents”, a voice called out from the crowd. Prizes for games, swag bags and Garfield Wolverine hats were the keepsakes of the night, but the true gift was the friendships, memories and connections to their past that all left with.

The group listened as Vanessa Butler read messages sent from classmates who could not attend but wished the best to the group. As guests grabbed glasses of champagne, Arthur Rusche began his toast. Rusche came to Olympia as a kindergartner, a refugee from Indonesia born in Holland. He spoke no English when he first arrived at Garfield, but the community embraced him and he found a home among the Wolverines. The group raised their glasses to his speech, including the reflections on the challenges and triumphs that the class had experienced over the decades and the lasting friendships that brought them all back together. “We’ve all taken different paths, but the bonds we formed as children are everlasting,” said Rusche, prompting a round of applause from the 60 guests.

One of the big surprises that evening allowed all in attendance to step through the looking glass. “While searching for records of our time at Garfield, Kate O'Donnell, Garfield's office assistant discovered a box in the attic of the school, in it was a reel-to-reel film of our class. We sent the film in to be enhanced and digitized and we were so excited to share it with the group,” explained Rivera-Lee. As the full-color video played the group called out friends they recognized and giggled with one another as more memories flooded back about the times they shared. Some of the guests sat on the floor at the base of the TV smiling up at the screen, you could see the young students they once were beaming from ear to ear watching their younger selves wave into the future, 56 years later. 1968 changed the world. It was a time of war and political unrest, but at that moment each of them shared only peace, happiness and childhood freedom.

Following dinner, the group commemorated their classmate Scott Soper who was celebrating his 68th birthday. Soper was touched by the moment sharing, “I never was able to celebrate with my friends as a kid, it was summer and we weren’t in school. This is the first birthday I’ve ever had the opportunity to celebrate with all my school friends!”

Rivera-Lee went on to say, “When we planned this gathering we wanted to find a way to give back to the place that gave us so much, and what better way to do that than a fundraiser. The generosity and kindness that the group shared was remarkable.” Just last week Rivera-Lee delivered the $5,000 collected in donations made by those in attendance and those who could not attend. Current Garfield Elementary School Principal Brendon Chertok was blown away by the donations from the class of 1968, saying “We are speechless and so grateful to the support the class of ‘68 has provided our current students and families.”

As the reunion night drew to a close, not a single person in attendance wanted the evening to end. Everyone expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to reconnect and vowed to keep in touch. Plans for future gatherings were discussed, ensuring that the spirit of the Garfield Wolverines (and class of 1968) will continue to thrive, and who knows, maybe more Wolverines will find their way back to Olympia! The reunion was not just a celebration of the past but also a testament and reminder that the friendships that begin in childhood can create lasting connections that enrich lives. Here’s to the sixth-grade class of 1968, may the memories of laughter and friendship continue to shine brightly for years to come and thank you for the support and generosity you have provided to our current Garfield Cheetahs!

View our Garfield ES Class of 1968 Reunion Facebook Photo Album

New sports clearance process: FinalForms

The Olympia School District is pleased to announce that we have partnered with FinalForms, a web-based platform used to register and maintain all necessary data for student-athletes in grades 7-12. FinalForms allows you and your student-athletes to complete and sign athletic participation forms with ease. Previously the district had partnered with Arbiter Sports (FamilyID) for these services.

FinalForms saves student data from season-to-season, and year-to-year, meaning you will not need to enter the same information multiple times. FinalForms also pre-populates student information wherever possible, saving users time. You can review and manage your student-athletes information at any time to verify it is current.

In the FinalForms platform, you can also upload new documentation, such as a physical and doctor's note. Once a year you and your student-athlete will be required to sign the necessary forms, or whenever there are updates made to documentation in FinalForms. It is a requirement that all student-athlete information is up to date in the system.

Have questions about this process? You can find additional details on your students' sports clearance page for step-by-step directions:

Middle Schools:

High Schools:

OSD Summer Construction Projects: 2024

As is typically the case, summer has been a busy and productive time thanks to our dedicated crew in our Support Service Center and Capital Planning and Construction departments. As the days grew longer and warmer, our teams have been hard at work ensuring that our facilities remain top-notch for our students, staff and community. Here are some of the projects and updates:

Security Vestibules

Security vestibules are currently being installed in six of our schools (Garfield ES, Hansen ES, Jefferson MS, Thurgood Marshall MS, Reeves MS, Washington MS). These vestibules are located at the main entry of each school and will be used to route all visitors through the front office before gaining access to the rest of the building.

Access controls will be available on every door within the security vestibules and windows will have film applied for additional security. The security film is shatter-resistant and provides significant additional structural integrity to the windows. Access controls and cameras will also be installed in each vestibule. Video doorbells, which are currently in use in our buildings, may still be in use after construction is complete. That is building dependant.

Once the current vestibule construction has been completed there will be seven additional schools on the docket to have vestibules installed during the summer of 2025. Those vestibules are currently in the planning and design phase.

Reeves Middle School Gymnasium

The primary gymnasium at Reeves Middle School has undergone a significant makeover this summer. The floor has been sanded and re-striped (baselines and sidelines) and the new Reeves RAMS logo has been placed at center court. During this process, some old floorboards were replaced and noticeable dead spots in the floor were backfilled with an epoxy injection to provide a more even playing surface.

While this work was being completed the floor covers for the volleyball equipment were replaced and the new RMS logo was affixed to the gymnasium walls.

Thurgood Marshall Middle School

The athletic fields at Thurgood Marshall Middle School have been getting lots of attention this summer, specifically the upper field which has been aerated and top-dressed with soil. Throughout this process, irrigation was added to the field and it was laser-graded to provide a solid, consistent and level playing surface. A six-foot chain link fence with pass-throughs was added to both sides of the field to help prevent sports equipment from rolling away.

As this work was being completed the Gaga-Ball pit was moved off the field, one of the two baseball backstops were removed and the shot put pit in the lower field had all the grass removed and new sand was added.

Additional Projects:

District: In the process of evaluating existing school buildings to prepare for the Long Range Facility Master Plan.
Hansen ES: Permitting has been completed and additional playground equipment has been added (in partnership with Hansen Community Council).
Hansen ES & LP Brown ES: Redundant power options are under design.
Knox 111 District Offices: Lighting is being added to the upper parking lot.
Olympia HS: Audio and lighting are being upgraded in the Performing Arts Center.

View our OSD Summer Construction Projects: 2024 Facebook Photo Album

Spaghetti Bowl: 2024 Edition

Come kick off the 2024 football season in style as Capital High School and Olympia High School once again take the field at the historic Spaghetti Bowl. The game will take place at Ingersoll Stadium (1302 North Street SE, Olympia, WA), on Friday, September 6, 2024.

This time-honored community tradition gets underway with a 'Spaghetti Feed' sponsored by both Associated Student Body (ASB) programs at 5 p.m. in the OHS Commons. Dinner tickets can be purchased through the CHS or OHS ASB offices, beginning August 19. Tickets are $10 each and will include spaghetti, breadsticks and salad (dinner tickets do not include game entry). The CHS and OHS cheerleaders will be in attendance to get the festivities started with performances during dinner.

Reminder: Show/wear your Bear and Cougar pride by purchasing a 2024 Spaghetti Bowl t-shirt from the CHS or OHS ASB offices.

Once dinner wraps up, cheer on the Capital Cougars and Olympia Bears football teams during this cross-town gridiron matchup. Entry to Ingersoll stadium begins at 6 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m. OHS families will be the home team and enter through the Carlyon gates, while CHS families are the visitors and will enter through the North Street gates.

A collaboration between the CHS and OHS bands will rock the stadium throughout the evening, and don’t miss the halftime performances by the cheerleaders from both schools.

Game tickets can be purchased on GoFan (Capital HS, Olympia HS):
(Game tickets do not include spaghetti dinner)

CHS and OHS Students with ASB: Free
Adults/Students without ASB: $7.00
Middle school students: $5.00
Military (with proper ID): $5.00
Elementary Students: $3.00
Senior Citizens (62+): $3.00

We hope to see you throughout September as we continue to celebrate this exciting crosstown rivalry with matchups by several CHS and OHS athletic teams (listed below). Interested? Tickets for all athletic events can be purchased on GoFan.

September 5: OHS @ CHS Volleyball 7:15 p.m.
September 6: CHS @ OHS Football (Spaghetti Bowl) 7 p.m.
September 10: CHS @ OHS Girls Soccer 7 p.m.
September 25: CHS @ OHS Boys Tennis 3:30 p.m.

Back to School Resource Checklist

We can not wait to welcome our students, staff and families back to school! Our Back to School Resource Checklist will help you find information, resources and links that will make it easier for you to get the 2024-25 school year off to a great start!

The first day of school for students for the 2024-25 school year is:

Grades 1-12: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 (Note: There is no early release on Wednesday, September 4)
Preschool and Kindergarten: Monday, September 9, 2024

2024-25 School Year Calendar

The 2024-25 school year calendar is available to download and print from the district website. You can also access the district calendar on all school homepages.

School Offices Reopen to the Public

Middle School and High School front offices opened on August 19, 2024
Elementary School front offices will open on August 26, 2024

School Supply Lists

The 2024-25 elementary school and middle school supply lists are included on each school’s supply list page. If your school link is not included please check your school webpage for updates.

Child Nutrition Services

The Olympia School District Child Nutrition Services program features wholesome, nutritious, low-cost breakfasts and lunches. Please visit our Child Nutrition Services page for menus, payment information, free and reduced-price meal applications, nutritional guidance and more.

OSD Meal Prices for the 2024-2025 School Year

Grades K-5

Breakfast: $2.50
Lunch: $3.75

Grades 6-12

Breakfast: $2.75
Lunch: $4.00

Adult

Breakfast: $3.25
Lunch $5.50

Milk A la carte

$.60

Free & Reduced-Price Meal

The Olympia School District online meal application, typically available in Skyward Family Access, is currently disabled due to mandatory formatting updates being implemented by OSPI. If you feel your income is at or below the thresholds in the Income Guidelines document (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) please complete and return it to our Child Nutrition Services Department along with the Eligibility and Education Benefit Application (English, Spanish, Vietnamese).

Note: Approved OSD free/reduced meal applications on file from the 2023-24 school year will expire on October 16, 2024. To continue receiving free/reduced-price meals beyond October 16, 2024, families need to submit a new application.

Schools with Free Meals

Thanks to funding from state and national school nutrition programs, the schools listed below will offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in the 2024-25 school year!

Garfield Elementary
Hansen Elementary
L.P. Brown Elementary
Madison Elementary
McLane Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary
Jefferson Middle School

All families at these schools will need to complete the ‘Consent to Share Program Eligibility’ form and the ‘Child Nutrition Free and Reduced’ application. This application can also help families qualify for additional benefits like waived school ASB fees and summer food assistance. These forms can also be found on the district website.

The USDA website has free and reduced-price meal applications in 33 different languages.

Transportation

The Olympia School District Transportation webpage can be used to look up bus stop and route information, find emergency schedule information and other information related to transportation. Register your students to ride the bus in the 2024-25 school year using the online registration form.

Volunteer

Do you plan to volunteer within the OSD during the 2024-25 school year? Each year volunteers must complete an Online or Paper Volunteer Application. For details about volunteering and access to the application visit our Volunteer page.

Allow us to re-introduce you to ParentSquare

The Olympia School District launched the ParentSquare communications platform in the fall of 2023. Have you enrolled?

If you are a returning family who registered during the 2023-24 school year you are all set. If you are new to the OSD, we would like to invite you to accept the invitation and join us at the square!

ParentSquare replaced the SchoolMessenger ‘Communicate’ platform which was previously used to send communications (robocalls, email and texts) to families and staff.

ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent, guardian or staff member listed in Skyward using either the personal email address and phone number listed by parents/guardians on Skyward Family Access. It is important when updating Skyward Family Access to include a separate email and mobile phone number (listed as the second phone) for each parent/guardian (do not duplicate). Duplication of the contact number and email for parents can cause errors when logging into ParentSquare accounts.

Families and Staff in ParentSquare:

Receive smart alert messages from the school/district via email, text or phone.
Receive post alerts via email/text, which you can choose to receive instantly or all at once with a “daily digest” every evening.
Receive communications in your preferred language.

How to sign up for ParentSquare:

Desktop/Laptop: Visit the ParentSquare website and select ‘Register’.
Mobile Device: Install the ParentSquare app and follow the prompts to register.
When registering in ParentSquare make sure to use the email or the phone number that you have associated with your student in Skyward Family Access. Your email or phone number must match the contact details in our Skyward database. Changes made on Skyward to contact information can take 24 hours to sync with ParentSquare.

NOTE: You will continue to receive district and school communications via robocall, email and text regardless of whether or not you register for ParentSquare.

Helpful Tips

For more helpful resources visit our ParentSquare Family FAQ webpage. Should you have any questions regarding ParentSquare please contact the OSD Communications Department at (360) 596-6103 or email [email protected].

StudentSquare Communications Platform

Like parents/guardians, students in grades 6-12 are also invited to use our ParentSquare communication tool. StudentSquare allows teachers and school staff to communicate directly with secondary students (grades 6-12), and for those students to communicate directly with their teachers.

Each secondary student automatically has an account in StudentSquare based on their @students.osd.wednet.edu email address, no phone number is collected. Students receive messages via email, but they can also download the StudentSquare app (iOS and Android) and receive notifications and control notification settings.

The Olympia School District utilizes StudentSquare as a communication and organization tool designed to keep students informed and involved in their classes and extracurricular activities. It provides:

All school, classroom and group communication in one place.
Notifications via app and/or email.
The ability to send and receive direct messages to teachers or coaches (all communications are archived by ParentSquare).

Students will receive an invitation email, they can then click to activate their account, create a secure password and register. Once that is completed they confirm by selecting “Yes, this is me.”

Students can download the free StudentSquare Mobile App

Downloading the StudentSquare app for iOS or Android is the easiest way for students to receive all posts, events, sign-up requests, photos and files. Students can also enable text notifications when a message is posted.

iOS App: iOS App Store

Android App: Google Play Store

Summer Facebook photo albums from across the district

Summer break feels it goes by in the blink of an eye and this year was no exception. One thing that summer does allow is an opportunity to review and organize the photo/video content we captured when we were out in buildings this past spring. As we celebrate and prepare for the future, it’s always refreshing to remember the past.

We hope you enjoy these social posts we pushed out over the summer and we look forward to what is to come over the next school year!

Summer ‘24 Photo Albums

Capital HS: 2023-24 Scholarship Presentation
District: 2023-24 Art and Bulletin Boards
District: 2023-24 Staff Scenic Photos
District: 2024 Summer Construction Projects
District: 2024 Summer School Fun
Garfield ES: Class of 1968 Reunion
Garfield ES & Lincoln ES: Last Day of School
Jefferson MS: 60s and 70s Yearbook
Lincoln ES: M.I.T. Teacher of the Year
LP Brown ES: Recess with the Eagles
Madison ES & Reeves MS: Last Day of School
McKenny ES: The Day the Crayons Quit
McLane ES: June Photo Fun
Roosevelt ES: Library Fun with Fifth Grade
The Washington School: 40s and 50s Yearbook

Register to Vote for the November 5 General Election

Thurston County residents interested in voting in the November 5, 2024 General Election may register to vote online by October 28, 2024, and in person through Election Day.

While there are no Olympia School District measures or candidates on the November election ballot, our district regularly shares election information with the community, including how to register to vote.

October 28, 2024: The last day to register to vote or update your current registration by any means (other than in person). The information must be received by an election official by this day.
November 5, 2024: You may register to vote or update your current registration (in person only) up to 8 p.m. on Election Day at any county Auditor's Office, voting center or any other designated location.

It's easy and secure to register online, by mail with a paper form, or at a county elections office. Check your registration at VoteWA.gov.

Qualifications for Registering to Vote

To register to vote in the state of Washington, you must be:

A citizen of the United States.
A legal resident of Washington state for at least 30 days prior to election day
At least 18 years old.
If you are 16 or 17, you can sign up as a Future Voter and be automatically registered to vote when you qualify.
Not disqualified from voting due to a court order.
Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction.
Not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction.

Voters’ pamphlets will be mailed by October 7, and election ballots will be mailed on October 10, according to the election schedule posted on the Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division website.

Gold Medal Success during the 2024 Summer School

Summer break is a time of community, collaboration and learning within the Olympia School District. The participation of over 200 students in summer school is a significant achievement and reflects a strong commitment to academic growth and development. Elementary summer programs (grades 1-5) were housed at Garfield and Roosevelt elementary schools and served students from across the district. Secondary students (incoming grades 9-12) had the opportunity to take classes online, or attend in-person, at Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA).

Younger students dove headfirst into their summer adventure and embraced the excitement and spirit of the 2024 Summer Olympics. This year's elementary summer curriculum celebrated the value of teamwork, perseverance and excellence that embody the Olympic games.

Throughout the three-week program, students enjoyed participating in a variety of Olympic-themed activities and competitions. “Students were excited to choose their own country and represent that country as they took the podium to receive mini trophies under the Olympic rings.” shared Principal April Goodman. The days were focused on engaging students in reading and math in small groups. At the start of the summer program students were individually assessed so that we could tailor needs in reading and math. “Our amazing summer school staff and volunteers created communities where students felt valued and enjoyed learning,” explained Goodman.

Summer school programming plays a crucial role in gaining self-esteem. Ana Uribe’s student is a second grader at Madison Elementary and shared that the support her student received in math significantly boosted his confidence in solving math problems. “He now approaches math with greater confidence, thanks to the extra help received throughout the summer. We are already looking forward to participating next year.”

Community partnerships with the South Sound Reading Foundation gave elementary students access to books that they could take home, with a variety of books available in both English and Spanish. Madison Elementary School parent, Carmen Matias, said, “I noticed that my daughter started reading more at home and was genuinely happy about attending school and excited to see the new friends she made.” The Tooth Fairy even stopped by to share the importance of oral hygiene and a healthy smile, thanks to the “Tooth Fairy Experience” and Delta Dental. Each student was sent home with their own personal Delta Dental care kit and a storybook to share with their family.

At the secondary level, at Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), incoming freshmen through continuing seniors completed courses through the Edgenuity online platform. “Students had 39 high school level classes to choose from in the areas of English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education and Health, as well as several electives,” explained principal Denise Freund.

The secondary-level summer program provided students with unique opportunities to enhance their learning in a focused environment. The community environment helped build lasting relationships and a sense of belonging that extended beyond summer school. The transition support created by summer programs allows academic reinforcement between grades and can lead to smoother adjustments and better preparation for fall. Helping to solidify the students' understanding and prepare them for the curriculum in the upcoming year.

In both summer school programs, a skilled and dedicated staff of teachers and paraeducators worked with students from all four OSD high schools, both remotely and in-person. Attending in person was only required to complete tests, but many chose to be in person regularly to take advantage of the supportive work environment created by the staff. As students entered they were greeted by staff with a smile and warm hello. Paraeducator Lisa Catterson had this to say about her experience;. “I enjoy being a part of the summer program and having an opportunity to stay connected with the students and witness their success.”

Freund went on to say, “Their work ethic and motivation is energizing.” The six-week program offered the opportunity to complete courses for credit retrieval and initial credit. When all was said and done, and summer school had wrapped up, over 225 courses were completed by OSD students.

Students at all grade levels left their program with a stronger educational foundation for the 2024-25 school year, along with a renewed confidence in their abilities to succeed. A huge thank you goes out to the dedicated students, staff, families and community partners who helped make our 2024 Summer School programs a success.

View our OSD Summer School Facebook Photo Album

Update Skyward Family Access information

Parents, families and guardians, please take a moment to log in to your Skyward Family Access account and update your student's information for the 2024-25 school year.

It is important to verify your address, phone numbers and emergency contact information each year, as well as any changes to your student's health information. These details are a vital piece of our district Emergency Operation Plans, they also help connect families with district and school ParentSquare communications. Starting the 2024-25 school year, Washington State will also require families to provide their preferred language for communications. This information should be submitted by October 1, 2024.

To update or review your information, log in to Family Access, click the tab on the left labeled ‘Required Yearly Update of Student Information’ and follow the prompts to submit any updates.

While updating your student’s profile information you also have the opportunity to amend permissions for information distribution. This is broken into multiple student distribution demographic categories, detailed below.

Please Note: If the Student Distribution Demographic information section is not completed, the default for all categories will be “yes”, unless updated by a parent/guardian.

Do Not Distribute Student Demographic category definitions

Military Use: Used to exclude student data from being shared with military recruiters. (Example: Yes, my child's information can be shared with military recruiters.)
Outside Group/Individual: Used to exclude students information from outside groups or individuals. (Example: No, do not share contact information, name or photo with a guest group, club or individual.)
Higher Education: Used to exclude sharing student information with higher education organizations such as colleges or universities. (Example: Yes, my students' information can be shared with colleges and universities who may like to contact them by email, mail, or phone.)
District and School Use: Used to exclude sharing students' names or images on school and district websites, newsletters and social media. (Example: Yes, my students image or name can be used on their school and the OSD district website, newsletter, or social media. Such as if a photo is taken during a school event by district personnel.)
Outside Media Use: Used to exclude students' information from outside media including newspapers, television, etc. (Example: Yes, my student's name or image can be used by outside media not affiliated with schools, such as graduation lists provided to local newspapers following graduation.)
Yearbook/Active Roster: Used to exclude students' information from the yearbooks and activity rosters (excluding sports). (Example: No, do not include my students photo and name in the yearbook.)
TRL Card: Used to exclude the student from accessing the free Timberland Library Resources (Example: No, do not include my students information for access to the free library card/resources.)

Be aware that any updates you make to your primary guardian email address or phone number will also change your login to your ParentSquare account. Any changes made sync nightly with the ParentSquare platform. You will then have the opportunity to log in with the updated information the following day. If you encounter log-in issues with ParentSquare after updating your Skyward Family Access account please contact the district Communications Department at [email protected] or (360) 596-6103.

For additional assistance with updating your Skyward Family Access information, you can submit a help ticket at [email protected].

September 2024

September 2: Labor Day
September 4: First Day of School (Grades 1-12): No Early Release
September 5: OSD Board Work Session (in-person and online via Zoom): 6 p.m.
September 6: Spaghetti Bowl (Ingersoll Stadium): Capital HS vs. Olympia HS
September 9: First Day of Preschool and Kindergarten
September 11: 50-Minute Early Release
September 12: OSD Board Meeting (in-person and online via Zoom): 6:30 p.m.
September 17: Constitution and Citizenship Day
September 18: 50-Minute Early Release
September 25: 50-Minute Early Release
September 26: OSD Special Board Meeting (in-person and online via Zoom): 6:30 p.m.

OSD Notice of Nondiscrimination

The Olympia School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

The Olympia School District offers many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs/courses in the following areas: Skilled and Technical Sciences/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); Agriculture/Natural Resources; Business Marketing; Family and Consumer Sciences; and Health Sciences. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact Paula Perryman, Director of College and Career Readiness, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506, (360) 596-6102. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged sexual harassment, concerns about compliance, and/or grievance procedures:

James Whitehead, Title IX Officer