Olympia School District

 

Superintendent’s Message

 

Hello Olympia School District families and community,

The first day of school is just around the corner and I suspect we’re all probably feeling a little bit of that familiar mix of nervous energy and the excitement of new possibilities. Whether you’ve been part of the Olympia School District for years or are joining us for the very first time, we want to take a moment to say thank you for choosing the Olympia School District.

We know families have options, and the fact that you’ve entrusted your child’s education to us is something we deeply value and don’t take for granted. We are honored and humbled to serve your wonderful children. Every student who walks through our doors brings their own unique story, strengths, and dreams, and each one contributes to the fabric of who we are as a school district.

Every year, our staff works diligently to create schools where all students and their families feel welcome and can thrive academically. Again this year, our principals are collaborating with teachers to implement the revised Danielson Framework for Teaching, with the goal of enhancing student experiences in our classrooms. Related, before the start of school, our staff engage in two days of intensive training on Restorative Practices, with follow-ups throughout the year. Restorative practices is a strategy that strengthens relationships between individuals and improves social connections within communities. In schools, restorative practices have been shown to impact student behavior and school climate positively. 

A wonderful tradition that brings us together each fall is the Spaghetti Bowl, the annual cross-town matchup between Capital High School and Olympia High School. This year’s event will take place the first week of school, with volleyball teams competing on Thursday, and the 'Spaghetti Bowl' football game on Friday, September 5, 2025, at Ingersoll Stadium. You can enjoy a delicious spaghetti meal (in the Olympia High School Commons) from 4:30 to 7 p.m. before the game, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and kickoff at 7 p.m.

Later this fall, I also encourage you to join us for the Olympia Education Foundation’s Rise & Shine for Students! Breakfast on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. at the Capital High School Performing Arts Center. It’s another excellent opportunity to support this outstanding organization, which does so much for our students and staff. 

Here’s to a school year filled with curiosity, connection and traditions that remind us why Olympia is such a special place to learn and grow. We’re so glad you’re here!

With gratitude,

 

Patrick Murphy

 

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Hansen Elementary Brings Back-to-School Spirit to Evergreen Vista Apartments

Hansen Elementary kicked off the school year with a special back-to-school event at Evergreen Vista Apartments. Families gathered to pick up supplies, connect with teachers and get excited for the year ahead. “Hansen is always looking for opportunities to be out in the community, meeting our families where they’re at,” shared Principal Callie Jones. “Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible and for families to feel a deep sense of connection and belonging at Hansen.”

Thanks to donations, students received backpacks and school essentials to start the year prepared. “When kids have needed supplies and clothing for school, they feel more prepared, confident and look forward to coming to school,” said Jones.

The event was also about building connections—helping families feel welcomed and supported as part of the Hansen community.

Students were thrilled to meet former MLB pitcher Gerald Smiley, who partnered with World Vision in Fife to donate 100 backpacks filled with supplies. Smiley spent time with students, offering encouragement and personal stories. “He worked to personally connect with each student, inspiring them to be leaders in their community and work hard in school,” said Jones.

Hansen hopes the Evergreen Vista backpack giveaway will become an annual tradition, sparking excitement for the new school year. Hansen enjoys participating in the annual “Joy & Justice Toy and Book Giveaway” each December, also located at the Evergreen Vista Apartments. 

For Jones, the best part was seeing students’ excitement. “The kids brought a ton of energy and smiles! There’s a huge value in our students seeing their teachers outside of the classroom—it helps everyone connect as community members.”

By showing up for families where they live, Hansen Elementary is building trust, traditions, and a strong sense of belonging—one backpack and one smile at a time!

 

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Friday Night Lights: Spaghetti Bowl 2025

  

Join us as we kick off (pun intended) the new school year and football season at one of Olympia School District’s most cherished traditions, the Spaghetti Bowl!

• Location: Ingersoll Stadium (1302 North Street SE, Olympia)

• Date: Friday, September 5, 2025

• Time: Spaghetti Feed: 4:30 – 7 p.m. (Olympia HS Commons)

• Gates Open: 6 p.m. | Kickoff: 7 p.m.

 

Spaghetti Feed

Hosted by the West Olympia Rotary and Olympia Rotary Club, dinner is $10 per person and can be purchased online or at the door. Dinner tickets do not include admission to the game.

Enjoy performances from the Capital and Olympia high school cheerleaders, dance team and bands during dinner. Get your tickets now! 

 

Spaghetti Bowl T-Shirts

Show your school spirit with official Spaghetti Bowl shirts.

• Capital Cougars Shirt is $15 

• Olympia Bears Shirt is $15

 

Game Day Details

After dinner, head over to Ingersoll Stadium to cheer on the Capital HS Cougars and Olympia HS Bears in this cross-town classic.

• Capital HS ticket holders: Home team, enter through Carlyon gates.

• Olympia HS ticket holders: Visiting team, enter through North Street gates.

• Kickoff: 7 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.)

 

A special CHS/OHS band collaboration will perform throughout the evening, and both cheer and dance teams will take the field at halftime.

 

Game Tickets (via GoFan)

(Game tickets do not include dinner or online ticketing fees)

Purchase Game Tickets: Capital High School, Olympia High School

 

More Matchups

The crosstown competition continues throughout September as teams from CHS and OHS take to the courts, fields and pitch:

• September 4: Volleyball – CHS @ OHS, 7 p.m.

• September 5: Football – CHS @ OHS, 7 p.m. (Spaghetti Bowl)

• September 8: Freshman Football – OHS @ CHS, 6 p.m.

• September 8: JV Football – CHS @ OHS, 4:30 p.m.

• September 11: Girls Soccer – OHS @ CHS, 7 p.m.

• September 17: Boys Tennis – CHS @ OHS, 3:30 p.m.

 

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Back to School 2025

The countdown to the first day of school is on, and we can’t wait to welcome students back for the 2025–26 school year! Below are some important dates and resources to help your family get ready.

 

First Day of School

 

• Grades 1–12: Wednesday, September 3, 2025 (Note: There is no early release on this day)

• Kindergarten & Preschool: Monday, September 8, 2025

 

School supply lists for each school can be found on the district website, linked directly to individual school pages. If your family needs assistance with supplies, please contact your school office for support.

 

Transportation

If your student plans to ride the bus, please complete the transportation registration form. You can also find information about school walking routes on our website.

• Transportation Registration Form – English

• Formulario de registro de transporte – Spanish

 

Nutrition Services

 

• 2025–26 Meal Prices are available on our website

• Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications

 

Volunteering

Planning to volunteer this year? All volunteers are required to complete a new application annually, either online or on paper. Learn more and apply on our Volunteer Page.

 

ParentSquare: Staying Connected

ParentSquare is the Olympia School District’s communication platform for families and staff.

 

How to Register for ParentSquare:

Desktop/Laptop: Visit the ParentSquare Website and select “Register”
Mobile: Download the ParentSquare app and follow the prompts

• Apple Store

• Google Play Store

 

With ParentSquare, you can:

• Receive school and district messages via email, text or phone

• Choose your preferred language

• Get posts instantly or in a daily digest

• Complete permission slips and forms online

Important: Be sure to use the email or phone number listed in Qmlativ (Q) Family Access. Updates in Q may take up to 24 hours to sync with ParentSquare.

Note: If you are not registered with ParentSquare but are listed on Qmlativ as a parent or guardian, you will receive district and school communication but will have limited access to respond to messages or posts and control your settings within the ParentSquare platform. 

For help, visit our ParentSquare Family FAQ or contact the OSD Communications Department at (360) 596-6103 or [email protected].

 

StudentSquare for Secondary Students

Students in grades 6–12 also have access to StudentSquare, which enables them to connect directly with their teachers and school staff safely and securely.

StudentSquare provides:

 

• All school, class and group communication in one place

• Notifications via app or email

• Direct messaging with teachers or coaches (all messages are archived)

 

Students are automatically enrolled using their @students.osd.wednet.edu email address. They can access StudentSquare via their OSD email or by downloading the StudentSquare application.

 

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Class Schedules Available in Qmlativ on Friday, August 29

Our Student Information System (SIS), Skyward Qmlativ, is now live and accessible to all staff, students and families. Qmlativ is the district’s new hub for student information, including enrollment, grades and schedules.

 

Key Update

Class schedules for all Olympia School District students will be available in Qmlativ beginning Friday, August 29, 2025.

 

Family & Student Access

 

• Secondary students (and families of all students) can view class schedules, grades, and other information in Skyward Qmlativ Family Access beginning on Friday, August 29.

• Secondary students should login by clicking on the box at the bottom of the login screen labeled ‘Sign in with Google Staff and Students’. Students should not enter any information in the username or password fields.

• New families can begin enrollment here. (Enrollment Information)

• For login issues, contact the Student Information Systems (SIS) Department.

 

Work continues behind the scenes to ensure everything is running smoothly. Thank you for your patience as we complete this significant migration.

 

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The Olympia School District and the South Sound YMCA are collaborating to introduce a new after-school program at Thurgood Marshall Middle School. This program is designed to help students thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

By focusing on student interests both in and out of school, the program will offer hands-on, project-based learning and well-rounded support for their overall growth. The goal is to build a sense of well-being, voice, belonging and purpose for every student.

Equity is at the heart of this effort. All students will be able to participate at no cost, without barriers or stigma. The program will commence in October 2025 and is supported by a three-year grant.

Students will participate in a variety of activities tailored to their interests and voices. Options will include:

• Workshops on different careers and professions

• STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) projects

• Social-emotional learning opportunities

• Life skills development

 

Community partners with real-world expertise will lead these sessions, serving as mentors and role models.

 

Why Thurgood Marshall Middle School?

Thurgood Marshall was chosen because it is a Title I school, with about 40% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. It also serves students coming from three elementary schools that already offer South Sound YMCA after-school programs, providing a smooth transition and continuity of support.

“I am most excited about the two pillars of the community, Thurgood Marshall and the South Sound YMCA, coming together to support students,” shared Thurgood Marshall Principal Anthony Brock. “This partnership can be transformative for students and can shift how we work together in our community for the benefit of our students.”

Two South Sound YMCA staff members will be based at Thurgood Marshall to support school culture, student success and family engagement during the school day. They will also plan and implement after-school programming in collaboration with community partners.

 

Looking Ahead

The program will measure success by tracking student participation, school attendance, and grades, as well as surveying students about their sense of belonging, achievement and positive relationships.

This proven model has already shown strong results in other communities. As the South Sound YMCA shares, “Collaboration is critical to moving our community forward and ensuring all youth have the skills, knowledge and support they need to thrive.”

 

 

 

 

Olympia School District students are at the heart of everything the Olympia Education Foundation does. It is fitting that they also help support the Foundation. Pictured above are a few of the nearly two dozen students who volunteered at the 2024 Rise & Shine for Students! event.

We are excited to invite the community to Rise & Shine for Students!, a complimentary breakfast event that celebrates our mission to cultivate student potential in all of Olympia’s public schools.

• When: Friday, October 3 at 7:30 a.m. 

• Where: Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. N.W. (park in the lower lot)

• How: Complimentary tickets are available here

The event will begin with a short program (approximately 30 minutes), during which you'll hear how support of our Principal's Emergency Fund, Opportunity Grants and Student & Community Well-Being efforts is critical to students, families and staff.

Stick around after to mingle, and enjoy Ember Goods coffee and Left Bank pastries -- or take yours to go if you need to get on with your day!

We hope to see you at this complimentary event on Friday, October 3, which is a non-student day in the district (no school).

Are you interested in volunteering at this event, or do you know a student who would like to help? Please contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at [email protected].