Superintendent’s Message
Hello Olympia School District families and community,
I always try to get out into schools a little more than usual the last few weeks before winter break because there are so many fun learning activities taking place. It's just a great time to connect with students and staff. Amongst my visits, I joined fourth graders from Ms. Meadow’s class at Garfield Elementary at Oly on Ice, sharing laughs and a few wobbly moments. I visited LP Brown Elementary School, where “gingerbread” was the theme and kindergarten students in Ms. Woodhouse and Ms. Russell’s classes were building houses and reading stories, while Ms. Mickelson’s fifth graders were solving complex math puzzles in teams. I saw students at Jefferson Middle School digging into the content of the Declaration of Independence. I saw outstanding musical performances by students from Reeves Middle School and Olympia High School. I even got to wrap up the week at McLane Elementary School with a pizza party in Rebecca Porter’s third-grade classroom, celebrating their participation and outstanding representation of the school district during last week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for our three new electric bus charging stations. Moments like these highlight the strong sense of community that makes our district such a special place.
I also want to celebrate an exceptional member of our district family. Congratulations to Susan Nussler, who was recently named the 2025/26 Olympia School District Classified School Employee of the Year. Susan is an outstanding member of our Transportation Department, serving as both a Substitute Bus Driver and a Certified Driver Trainer whose professionalism, adaptability, and compassion ensure students feel safe, respected, and supported every day. She seamlessly steps into any route, builds strong relationships with students of all ages and abilities, and mentors new drivers through training and beyond, fostering a culture of confidence and teamwork.
Susan’s leadership, including her creation of a Transportation Positive Behavior Support system, is just one example of her unwavering commitment to excellence and makes her a true cornerstone of our department and district. We look forward to honoring her at our school board recognition ceremony on January 8, 2026.
As we head into winter break and the holiday season, during this seemingly busier and busier world that we live in, I often hear people say they intend to take this time to unplug, try to find a little peace, and truly treasure this time with family and friends. I sincerely hope that for all of you. We look forward to starting the new year together, refreshed and ready for the opportunities ahead.
Warm regards,
Patrick Murphy
Centennial Earns Culture Kick Off Award for Second Year
Centennial Elementary School was recently recognized for exceptional school culture, earning the Culture Kick Off Award for the second year in a row! Centennial is one of only eight schools statewide to receive the honor consecutively, which is presented by the Association of Washington School Leaders and the Association of Washington School Principals.
The award celebrates schools that begin the year with purpose, connection and a strong sense of belonging. Centennial continues to set a high standard by creating welcoming, meaningful experiences for students and families from the moment they walk through the doors.
At Centennial, each school year begins with a unifying theme designed to help students feel valued and included. This fall’s theme, “Lights, Camera, Action, Learning,” welcomed students with vibrant displays and a wall of ‘Centennial Stars’ featuring every student’s name. As part of a schoolwide tradition, the principal visits each classroom to read a book that introduces expectations, builds community and reinforces a shared commitment to belonging.
Centennial’s culture is further strengthened through traditions such as Friday Sing, when the entire school gathers to celebrate through music, movement and recognition. Throughout the year, restorative practices, daily learning circles and inclusive family events help students build relationships and support one another.
Additional supports, including a sensory room and scheduled breaks, promote student well-being and self-regulation. At the same time, the school’s Booster Club continues to foster connections through family activities and community events.
This recognition says it all: Centennial Elementary puts inclusion and positivity into action. Way to go, Stars — you’ve done it again!
School board elects new officers in annual reorganization
Every year in December, the Olympia School Board elects officers for the coming year during its annual reorganization.
At the December 11, 2025, meeting, the board elected Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo as this year’s board president and Maria Flores as vice president.
Tourtellotte-Palumbo administered the oath of office to newly elected board members Renee Fullerton and Gilbert Lamont. Superintendent Patrick Murphy, Director Seidel and President Tourtellotte-Palumbo thanked Scott Clifthorne and Darcy Huffman for their service on the school board.
Board members are also appointed annually to serve as liaisons with various community groups and state agencies. This year’s appointments include:
Director Fullerton and President Tourtellotte-Palumbo will act as liaisons to our student board representatives, partnering with them to support student voice and maintain strong communication with the Board.
Students Helping Students: Inside the Coug Exchange
Capital High School’s (CHS) ASB Leadership students have created the Coug Exchange, a student-run thrift shop that provides affordable clothing to CHS students. All clothing is donated by the CHS community and sold during lunch for just $1 to $3. During dance seasons such as Homecoming and Prom, the shop offers free formal dresses and men's wear.
The Coug Exchange launched last year with major support from the CHS Parent Organization and the guidance of Principal Condee Wood. Since then, it has grown into a popular and welcoming space where all students can find what they need.
The Coug Exchange is powered by student leadership. Advanced Leadership students help sort, organize and display clothing during class. On days the shop is open, parent volunteers and student volunteers help run the store during both lunches.
“The Coug Exchange has become a truly inclusive learning space,” said ASB Leadership Teacher Katie Turcotte. “Several of our Developmental Learning Classroom (DLC) students work in the shop each day with their paras, practicing skills like sorting, organizing and even handling money. One student recently picked out a pair of earrings to give to his mom for Christmas. It’s these moments that remind us why this work matters.”
This year, ASB Leadership—with a bit of help from school admin and custodians—also opened a food pantry for CHS students and families who need immediate food assistance. Like the thrift shop, the pantry is stocked entirely through donations from the community. Leadership students cleaned shelves, sorted items and will continue to organize donations throughout the year.
The Coug Exchange and food pantry offer important support for students who may be low-income or experiencing housing insecurity. School counselors, the social worker, nurse and administrators can bring students in whenever they need clothing or food. “Our goal is simple: we want every student to feel safe, supported and confident with what they wear and eat at school,” said Turcotte.
At its core, the Coug Exchange and food pantry are about students helping students. Through kindness, leadership and a shared sense of responsibility, CHS students are creating a school where everyone has what they need to show up, learn and thrive.
OSD Winter Break Schedule
All Olympia School District schools and the Knox 111 Administrative Center offices will be closed to the public throughout Winter Break.
Winter Break is Monday, December 22, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026. School resumes on Monday, January 5, 2026. Schools and administrative offices also reopen on January 5. Visit the 2025-26 school year calendar to view the full schedule.
During winter break, any deliveries to the Knox 111 Administrative Center should be made at the lower level of the Knox building (111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia) on these business days:
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Monday, December 22
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Tuesday, December 23
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Monday, December 29
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Tuesday, December 30
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Friday, January 2
Visualizing Literature: Washington Middle School Students Explore The Outsiders
Seventh graders at Washington Middle School explored The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton this fall, examining the novel’s themes, characters and literary craft. For their culminating project, students created a one-page visual representation highlighting key literary elements from the text. They selected from categories such as Get Chatty, which focused on analyzing the importance of dialogue in key scenes; Get Figurative, which highlighted examples of figurative language; and Get Detailed, in which students illustrated a setting and explained its significance to the plot.
Sophia Bacon’s project, created as part of Marianne Walters ELA class study, highlights her analysis of key literary elements from the novel.
Get Poetic
I am a greaser
I wonder what it’s like to be a soc
I want Johnny and Dally to be alive
I understand socs have problems too
I worry that Darry loves Soda more
I believe I need to stay gold
I am Ponyboy
Get Figurative
Simile: “You’re bleedin’ like a stuck pig” (Hinton 7)
Personification: “His eyes were dark brown-lively, dancing, recklessly laughing eyes” (Hinton 8)
Get Detailed
“By then it was dark enough to sneak over the back fence of the Nightly Double drive-in movie. It was the biggest in town and showed two movies a night” (Hinton 20). This setting is important because if they hadn’t gone to the drive-in, they wouldn’t have met Cherry Valance. If they hadn’t met Cherry, Bob and Randy never would have jumped Ponyboy, causing Johnny to kill Bob. I think S.E. Hinton chose this setting because it would have been normal for the greasers to go there; there would have been no reason for them to suspect the day to be anything other than typical.
February 2026 Technology, Safety & Facility Improvement Replacement Levy Election
Earlier this fall, the Olympia School Board unanimously approved placing a Technology, Safety and Facility Improvement Replacement Levy on the February 10, 2026, Special Election ballot.
This proposal is not a new tax. It would replace the district’s existing four-year technology and safety levy, approved by voters in February 2022, which expires at the end of 2026. If approved by voters, the replacement levy would raise an estimated $72.9 million over four years (2027–2030).
The replacement levy would continue to fund essential district needs, including instructional technology, school safety and security systems, and facility repairs and improvements that are not fully funded by the state.
Learn More About the Proposed Levy
Safety Reminders for Over Winter Break
As the holiday season approaches, we want to thank you for helping create a safe and supportive environment for all our students. While this time of year can bring joy and connection, it can also present challenges. Here are a few key reminders to help support safety and well-being over winter break:
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Travel Safety: Follow safety protocols while traveling, including wearing seat belts, staying alert and preparing for seasonal weather conditions.
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Home Safety: Be cautious when handling candles, holiday lights and decorations. Keep candles away from flammable materials, inspect light strands for damage and turn off lights when unattended to reduce potential fire risks.
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Mental Health: The holidays can be stressful for students and families. Watch for signs of anxiety or stress in your children and don’t hesitate to seek support from local resources, school counselors, social workers or family liaisons.
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Gun Safety: If you own firearms, store them securely in locked cabinets or safes, out of reach of children and unauthorized individuals.
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Winter Weather Updates: In the event of snow or severe weather, any school delays or closures will be shared with families via ParentSquare, the district website and social media (Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter). Families may also monitor local radio and TV stations. Snow routes and additional details are available on the OSD Transportation webpage.
Thank you for helping ensure a safe, healthy and peaceful holiday season for all!
Exploring food and culture with Helen Shapley’s class
Students in Mrs. Shapley’s first-grade class at McLane Elementary School brought learning to life through a restaurant showcase that connected literacy, community and culturally responsive teaching.
“At McLane, we strive to provide our students with novel and authentic learning opportunities. Within these units, we focus on multiple concepts and skills while intentionally planning to meet the diverse needs of students in our classrooms,” said Principal Dannie Clark. “This unit in Mrs. Shapley’s classroom is one of many examples of how teachers plan with purpose and ensure meaningful access to learning for every student.”
As part of their Wonders unit, students explored the essential question, “What’s it like where you live?” Through classroom discussions, students learned about Olympia’s identity as Washington’s capital and how the city is shaped by welcoming neighborhoods, rural landscapes and a vibrant mix of local businesses and cultures.
“I learned that Olympia has lots of different things, and restaurants, and that helped me make my restaurant,” said Hazel Divine, a first-grader in Mrs. Shapley’s class.
To deepen their understanding, students participated in a field trip to Jimmy John’s, hosted by local owners Samantha and Adrian Davila, whose daughter, Ava, is a student in Mrs. Shapley’s class. The Davilas were happy to share the opportunity with Ava’s peers and provide a behind-the-scenes look at how a restaurant operates.
“Ava was so excited to have her classmates visit one of our locations,” Samantha Davila said. “It was meaningful to connect our family’s work with what the students were learning in the classroom.”
During the visit, students gained a better understanding of how a restaurant operates and the role local businesses play in the Olympia community.
Using what they learned, students designed their own restaurants from start to finish. Each student named their restaurant, selected their favorite foods, created menus with prices, designed floor plans and built three-dimensional models using boxes. Projects represented a wide range of restaurant ideas. Each design also included a parking lot with designated handicap spaces to ensure accessibility for all.
One student, Sam Santiago, showed how his restaurant design focused on bringing people together. “My restaurant is called Sam’s Tacos. I serve tacos, quesadillas and cheeseburgers,” Santiago said. “Inside, I would have one big table instead of small tables so everyone could eat together.”
The project concluded with a classroom restaurant showcase for families. Students wore aprons and welcomed guests as customers, practicing greetings and presenting menus that featured their restaurant name, menu items and prices.
Samantha and Adrian Davila also partnered with Mrs. Shapley to provide sandwiches for all families who attended the showcase, further strengthening the connection between classroom learning and community support. “The sandwich donation was incredibly generous and such a kind gesture,” one family who attended said.
The project gave students a hands-on opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, celebrate creativity, and explore the diverse cultures and ideas within our community. “Students worked incredibly hard on this project, and they were excited to share it with their families,” Mrs. Shapley said. “It was wonderful to see their creativity, confidence and pride on display, and to witness how much they learned about collaboration, problem-solving and the joy of sharing their work with others.”
.jpg "Save the Date: Olympia Reads!! Welcomes Author Renée Watson")
Save the Date: Olympia Reads!! Welcomes Author Renée Watson
In partnership with Timberland Regional Library, Olympia Reads!! invites you to meet the award-winning author of Piecing Me Together, Love Is a Revolution, and Ways to Make Sunshine—Renée Watson!
This community event is part of Olympia Reads!!, a local initiative that connects readers of all ages with incredible authors to spark a lifelong love of reading. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Watson, who uses her writing to inspire and empower young people to find their voices and tell their own stories. On-site book sales by Browsers Books and an author signing will be available.
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (followed by a reception and book signing by the author)
Location: Olympia Timberland Library (313 8th Ave SE)
A special thanks to our amazing partners
Register to vote for February 10, 2026 Special Election
Thurston County residents interested in voting in the February 10, 2026, Special Election may register to vote online by February 2, 2026, and in person through election day.
- January 23, 2026: Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and accessible voting units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.
- February 2, 2026: The last day to register to vote or update your current registration by any means (other than in person). An election official must receive the information by this day.
- February 10, 2026: 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.
Register to Vote
Voter registration is available 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:
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A citizen of the United States
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A legal resident of Washington state
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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)
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Not disqualified from voting due to a court order
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Not currently serving a sentence of total confinement in prison under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections for a Washington felony conviction
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Not currently incarcerated for a federal or out-of-state felony conviction
For more voter registration information, visit the Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division webpage. You may also call (360) 786-5408 or email [email protected].
December 2025/January 2026
View the 2025-26 School Year Calendar
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:
HIB Coordinator:
James Whitehead, Assistant Superintendent
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-8545
[email protected]
Title IX Coordinator:
Autumn Lara, Executive Director of PreK-12 Support
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-8534
[email protected]
Ken Turcotte, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator (Students)
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-7530
[email protected]
Starla Hoff, ADA Coordinator (Staff)
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6185
[email protected]
Scott Niemann, Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-6185
[email protected]
Paula Perryman, Director of College and Career Readiness
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360)-596-6102
[email protected]
All six individuals may also be contacted at 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA, 98506.