Olympia School District

Superintendent’s Message

 

Hello Olympia School District families, staff and community,

As spring moves along and the school year enters its final stretch, I want to begin with one of my favorite milestones of the season: our annual Countdown to Kindergarten event, which took place this past Saturday at Olympia High School. This was a wonderful opportunity for families of incoming kindergartners to learn more about the transition to school, begin the enrollment process and connect with staff and resources from across the district. We are thrilled to welcome the Class of 2039!

We are equally excited to share news of a new OSD Child Care Partnership. Through a Child Care Partnership Grant with the Washington State Department of Commerce, the district is exploring offering licensed child care in district facilities while working with community partners to better understand the needs of families and providers in our area. You can find additional details about this program in a featured article, later on in this edition of Spotlight.

On Monday, April 20, through Friday, May 8, Olympia School District families, staff and students in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in our Panorama Spring Climate Survey. This survey helps us better understand how students, families and staff are experiencing our schools, including whether students feel a sense of belonging, families feel heard and staff feel supported. The feedback we receive helps inform district decision-making and identify areas where we need to continue to grow and improve. Families can take the survey online in multiple languages, and staff can access the survey link through the OSD Staff Portal.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. It is a privilege to serve this community and to celebrate the many ways our students, staff and families continue to learn and grow together.

 

Warm regards,

Patrick Murphy

 

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OSD Child Care Partnership

The Olympia School District (OSD) is leading an exciting new effort to reimagine early childhood support in our community. In partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, Olympia has been awarded a Child Care Partnership Grant (CCPG) to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare. The project will examine the possibility of offering licensed child care in district facilities.

"Early Learning" refers to programming for children ages 0 to 5, including preschool, Pre-K, childcare centers, and home-based care. We are gathering information about all options in the community, not just those operated by the school district.

The timing is critical, as the childcare shortage is a growing challenge for many families in our community. To address this, the district is conducting a Community Needs and Capacity Assessment (CoNCA). This data-driven approach allows us to look under the hood of our community’s childcare situation and identify exactly where the gaps lie. Working alongside our community partners, including the Child Care Action Council (CCAC), South Sound Parent to Parent, and the City of Olympia, we will examine the needs of our families and child care providers to guide our path forward.

Information gathered from our CoNCA will be summarized and shared publicly in the summer of 2026. We are excited to hear from our community about this important topic!

 

Information for Families

This is your moment to shape the future of local childcare. We want to know exactly what kind of care you need. To capture these insights, the district is hosting two dedicated listening sessions where your voice will directly impact our planning. We want to understand the factors behind your childcare choices. Please complete this survey to ensure your voice is heard!

• Take the Parent & Family Survey Here

 

Family Listening Sessions Information:

• May 27, 2026, at 6 p.m.: Zoom Session

• June 3, 2026, at 6 p.m.: In-Person Session (111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, Room #202)

 

Information for Current and Prospective Child Care Providers

We are also working closely with the CCAC, which will act as a trusted partner to gather information through two dedicated provider listening sessions. This is a great chance to tell us how the district can best support your efforts and how we can effectively utilize district space together. With the support of South Sound Parent to Parent, we are also prioritizing inclusive practices to ensure all providers have the tools to serve every child in our community.

If you are a current or prospective childcare provider or an organization interested in expanding care, your professional perspective is essential. Please take a few minutes to complete our provider survey to help us understand your interest and what you need to be successful.

• Take the Provider & Community Partner Survey Here

 

This grant-funded project is a commitment to our youngest learners and the families who support them. We invite you to join the conversation, complete the surveys, and help us understand how best to serve our community. For any questions or to learn more about how you can get involved, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Together, we can build a childcare system that truly serves the heart of the South Sound.

Child Care Provider Listening Sessions Information:

• May 27, 2026, at 1 p.m.: Zoom Session

• June 4, 2026, at 6 p.m.: Hybrid Session, In-Person and Zoom (111 Bethel St NE, Olympia, Room #202)

 

Quick Links & Resources:

 

• Questions? Email [email protected]

• Partners: Child Care Action Council, South Sound Parent to Parent, City of Olympia

• Grantor: Washington State Department of Commerce

 

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LP Brown’s Garden Extravaganza plants seeds for future learning

LP Brown Elementary School was buzzing with energy and purpose this month as students, staff and community partners gathered for the school’s first Earth Day Garden Extravaganza. Together, they began transforming a once underutilized corner of campus into a vibrant outdoor learning space that will serve students for years to come.

With shovels, gloves and enthusiasm, participants planted hundreds of native plants, laying the foundation for what will become a thriving school garden. The space is designed as both a welcoming gathering place and a hands-on learning environment where students can explore watersheds, ecosystems and the food and medicinal properties of native plants.

In a full-circle moment, students from Thurgood Marshall Middle School’s Citizen Science Institute (CSI) program joined the event, helping LP Brown students plant many of the same native species they had grown from seed earlier this year in their school nursery.

“We are truly grateful for the opportunity to have participated in LP Brown’s Earth Day event,” said CSI teacher Tom Condon. “Our students grow a variety of native shrubs and trees for restoration projects around our watershed, and they do not just grow the plants; they help plant them. It was inspiring to be part of an event that brought together so many partners, staff, neighbors and students to transform the space into a native plant garden for both school and community use.”

For CSI students, the experience was both meaningful and memorable.

“My favorite part was seeing how excited the younger students were and knowing they will get to watch these plants grow,” said seventh grader Finn Plewa. “It was also really cool to see that some of the plants we grew were used in the project.”

Kobie Berry, an eighth-grader at Thurgood Marshall, reflected on the lasting impact of the work. “Generations to come will see what we created and learn from it. The plants we nurtured will be part of something that lasts for years.”

Eighth grader Hazel Spencer highlighted both the hands-on learning and the impact of sharing knowledge with younger students. “I am glad CSI played a part in the LP Brown restoration project, not only to assist with planting but also to donate our nursery’s plants,” Spencer said. “CSI manages more than 30 species native to Washington, including western red cedars, shore pines, lupines and rhododendrons. I am especially proud that we could help restore habitats and share our knowledge, hopefully inspiring LP Brown students to follow in our footsteps.”

Other CSI students shared a sense of hope and connection to the future. “I really enjoyed working at LP Brown because I got to see how excited the next generation is to help restore our community,” said Pips Maloy, TMMS eighth grader. “It gave me hope.”

“In our native garden, we grow more than 3,000 plants that surround us every day as we learn and work together,” added seventh grader Jonah Tessneer. “CSI brings together students from different grades and creates a sense of belonging while we help restore our environment. It is a place where we build friendships and make a difference.”

This project was made possible through the support of the Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation, West Olympia Rotary, Washington Native Plant Society, Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, Olympia Education Foundation and the LP Brown PTO.

“The day of planting at the corner lot was such an important event for the entire community,” said the LP Brown principal Sean Shaughnessy. “I am so thankful to the neighborhood community, West Olympia Rotary, Thurgood Marshall helpers, parents and students for their hard work to ensure all 600 plants were planted successfully into the garden. This native plant garden will be a really important resource for our students as they learn about the natural world around them. Learning about watersheds and restoration will help this new generation understand how to protect and restore the natural world. This kind of work helps our students see their classroom learning come alive in the real world.” 

LP Brown fourth-grade students from Seth Vanzant’s class also shared their excitement about the day, especially the opportunity to work alongside younger students.

“My favorite part of garden day was planting plants in the corner lot with my first-grade buddy from Rachel Robbins' class, because I love digging holes!” said Levi Woods.

“I loved garden day because I got to plant native plants with my friends, and I am proud to be part of a school creating such a large native plant garden,” added Annabelle Avery.

The native plant garden represents more than a beautification effort. It reflects a shared commitment to environmental stewardship and student learning. As the garden grows, it will continue to provide opportunities for students to connect with the natural world and deepen their understanding of the environment. LP Brown’s garden is just beginning to take root, but its impact is already clear. The lessons planted here will continue to grow for years to come.

• Photo Album (Facebook)

 

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Your Voice Matters: Take our Panorama Survey

Now through Friday, May 8, 2026, Olympia School District families, staff, and students in grades 3-12 are invited to participate in the Panorama Spring Climate Survey.

Here is a quick overview:

 

What

The Panorama Climate Survey is a tool our students, families and staff members can take to gauge our overall well-being. Some of the items explored include:

• Do our students feel a strong sense of belonging?

• Do our families feel heard?

• Do our staff feel supported?

 

The data that we receive from the Panorama Climate Survey will inform decision-making.

The data show that “sense of belonging” is an area we need to strengthen. This has prompted professional development among administrators and staff to work toward increasing restorative practices throughout the district.

 

Why

 

• Using Panorama ensures that the well-being of our students, families and staff is a major focus in our decision-making and actions.

• The Panorama Climate Surveys (in fall and spring) are our base of input when hearing from our students and families to inform decision-making.

• The Panorama Climate Surveys allow us to get a temperature check of where we are as a community. It allows us to see where we may need to dive deeper into our data to be intentional in our support. While we need to make sure we have multiple ways to hear from and partner with our students and families, these surveys are one of the unique opportunities through which we can hear from all of them.

 

When

The Panorama Spring Climate Survey will take place Monday, April 20, 2026, through Friday, May 8, 2026. Please check with your home school for details on when it will host the Panorama Climate Survey for students.

 

How

Use the link below to access the Panorama Family Survey.
Students will take the Panorama Survey in class (as designated by each school).

 

Staff

Will access the survey link at the top of the OSD Staff Portal.

 

Translations

Surveys are provided in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese:

• English: Click here to take the family survey in English!

• Español: Click here to take the family survey in Español!

• Tiếng Việt: Click here to take the family survey in Vietnamese!

• العربية : Click here to take the family survey in Arabic!

 

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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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Reeves Middle School is celebrating one of its own, as eighth-grade Social Studies Teacher Lucas Claussen has received both state and national recognition for his work in history education.

Claussen was honored with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching History at the 2026 Washington State Annual History Awards, held April 25, 2026, at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. The award recognizes outstanding educators who demonstrate long-term effectiveness in teaching Pacific Northwest history, innovative curriculum design and meaningful impact on students.

In addition to this state honor, Claussen was selected as a national recipient of the Teaching America250 Award from the Jack Miller Center. As one of 51 educators chosen nationwide, he will receive $5,000 to develop a project that engages students with the history and enduring principles of the Declaration of Independence in advance of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“Receiving the Governor’s Award is an incredible honor, and it reflects the support of a community committed to teaching history in ways that include all students and bring the past to life through impactful stories and their connections to today,” Claussen said.

A historian and public history practitioner, Claussen brings more than a decade of experience to his classroom. His teaching focuses on place-based, interdisciplinary learning that centers Indigenous histories, local communities and the development of strong historical thinking skills. Through oral history projects, community partnerships and public-facing work, he helps students see history as something living and relevant to their own lives.

“Teaching history is about more than the past. It is about students understanding their place in the present through story and connection, and their power to shape the future,” said Claussen.

Through the Teaching America250 Award, Claussen’s upcoming project will give students the opportunity to explore Olympia’s local historical sites and centers of government while examining foundational documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Treaty of Medicine Creek.

Students will participate in a place-based field experience in downtown Olympia, exploring local sites and lesser-known histories connected to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Working in small groups, students will research community stories and become student tour guides, sharing what they have learned through interactive and community-connected experiences.

“This recognition reflects a community that values inclusive, place-based history, where students engage with the past not as something far away, but as something deeply connected to their lives and our shared future,” Claussen said.

"Lucas Claussen has a gift for making history feel real and meaningful for students. He helps them see the connection between what they are learning and the world around them, building both confidence and curiosity. You can see his impact every day in our building. Students leave his class more engaged, more thoughtful and more connected to their community. This recognition is incredibly well deserved and we are fortunate to have him at Reeves," said Karen Zarate, principal of Reeves Middle School.

Students in Claussen’s classroom do not just learn about history. They actively participate in uncovering and interpreting it. “Mr. Claussen’s class gives us a kind of freedom in learning, and he teaches in a unique way. Instead of just using a textbook, he uses movies and other activities like discussions and projects that make history more engaging and help students pay attention and really learn,” said Jace Clark, a Reeves eighth-grade student.

Claussen’s recognitions at both the state and national levels highlight the powerful role educators play in shaping students’ understanding of history and civic responsibility. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, his work is helping students in Olympia not only learn history but also understand their role in shaping its future.

 

 

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Countdown to Kindergarten Brings Big Smiles

Future kindergarteners and their families filled the commons at Olympia High School this past weekend, bringing energy, excitement and plenty of smiles to the annual Countdown to Kindergarten event.

Designed to give incoming students a fun and friendly introduction to school, the event offered hands-on activities, welcoming faces and memorable first experiences. Children explored interactive booths, met staff from their future schools, filled their tray in the lunch line and even climbed aboard a school bus for a sneak peek at the ride to come.

Families also had the chance to connect with principals, front-office staff, and the many teams who support students throughout their school experience, helping create a welcoming and supportive start to each child’s educational journey.

The district extends its heartfelt thanks to the staff, families and community partners who helped make the event such a success, including the Olympia Education Foundation, South Sound Reading Foundation, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA Y-Care, and the Olympia Schools Supportive Education Council (OSSEC). Their support helps ensure a warm, welcoming start for our youngest learners.

Families who were unable to attend can learn more about enrolling in kindergarten for the 2026-27 school year by calling (360) 596-6113 or visiting the kindergarten enrollment page.

We can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2039 this fall!

 

• Facebook Photo Album

 

 

 

 

 

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Save the date for the 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.

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.

This event is made possible in partnership with Olympia Orthopedic Associates and local healthcare providers.

 

• Sport Clearance Process

 

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