Olympia School District

Superintendent’s Message

 

Hello Olympia School District families and community,

As we wrap up the 2024–25 school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the outstanding accomplishments of our students, staff and families. This has been a year marked by learning, growth and significant milestones across all grade levels.

Most recently, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025. At ceremonies throughout our district, we honored not only the academic success of these remarkable young people but also the journey they took to achieve it, supported by dedicated educators and loving families every step of the way. The Class of 2025 has demonstrated resilience, compassion and a profound commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Whether they are headed to college, a career, the military, or other adventures, they carry with them the values and skills that will serve them well into the future. Congratulations, graduates!

Of course, graduation is only one milestone in a broader experience that spans preschool through 12th grade. Our students continue to benefit from the dedication of teachers, paraeducators, counselors, support staff and administrators who work tirelessly to nurture their intellectual, social and emotional growth. Thank you to every staff member who made a difference this year.

Looking ahead, we are again offering Summer School programs for both elementary and secondary students. These opportunities help students stay engaged, build skills and maintain momentum over the summer months.

Summer is also a time of major work across our campuses. In addition to the annual deep cleaning, painting, and grounds upkeep undertaken by our operations team, seven additional schools will receive new security vestibules, completing this important safety upgrade across the entire district. We are deeply grateful to the facilities and maintenance teams whose work over the summer helps set the stage for a smooth start in the fall.

I wish all of you—students, families and staff—a joyful, restful and well-deserved summer break. We look forward to welcoming students in grades K–12 back to school on September 3, and our preschool and kindergarten students (the Class of 2038!) on September 8.

Take care, and enjoy your summer.

Warmly,

 

Patrick Murphy

 

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Making Waves: OSD Students Excel in Rowing on Land and Water

Olympia School District students are making waves in the sport of rowing, on both land and water! Through Olympia Area Rowing (OAR), nearly forty students from Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), Olympia High School (OHS), Capital High School(CHS), Jefferson, Washington, and Reeves Middle Schools train and compete throughout the year alongside students from surrounding districts. Their efforts are paying off with significant opportunities, including national-level competition.

 

Year-Round Commitment

Rowing with OAR is a year-round sport:

 

In the fall and spring, athletes compete in regattas, which are rowing races held across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. During the winter, training shifts indoors to focus on strength work and “erging,” which is indoor rowing on machines. In the summer, camps provide new rowers the opportunity to try the sport while returning athletes have time to sharpen their skills.

As Jake Jording, an 11th grader at Olympia High School, shares, “I like rowing because it feels like I’m flying. I like OAR in particular because it’s a group where everyone’s goals are supported, whether they’re there for personal enjoyment or to compete and work hard.” Jording’s take captures the spirit of year-round involvement, driven by both individual passion and a strong sense of team support.

 

Spotlight on Nationals

This year, four OSD students (listed below) earned spots at the USRowing Youth Nationals in Sarasota, Florida—three from OHS and one from CHS. Competing at this level shows the strength of our local Thurston County athletes and the impact of community-supported programs like OAR:

Hailey Bermensolo, OHS junior – Women’s Youth Single
Jo Gjertsen, OHS sophomore – Women’s Youth Double
Henry Loeb, CHS sophomore – Men’s Youth Quad
Evan Piazza, OHS sophomore – Men’s Youth Quad

“I love getting out on the water and working out with my friends every day,” said Jo Gjertsen, capturing the camaraderie and dedication that fuels these student-athletes' success.

“This season was a true testament to the dedication and grit of our entire rowing program,” said Victoria Tkacz, OAR Head Coach. “Having three boats qualify for Nationals in Sarasota—our Men’s Under 17 Quad, Women’s Under 17 Double, and a Women’s Youth (or Under 19) Single—is an incredible accomplishment. To see the quad finish among the top eight in the nation, and the women’s crews deliver strong, competitive races on the national stage, makes us proud beyond words. But what made this year truly special was the team behind the scenes—every athlete, every practice, every windy afternoon on the water contributed to these results. Success like this doesn't happen in isolation—it's the result of a committed, supportive, and hard-working team pushing themselves and each other every step of the way.”

• Read more about how the team did at Nationals in this ThurstonTalk article

 

Ergs in Motion: Jefferson Students Stay Strong with Indoor Rowing 

Thanks to a unique community partnership, Jefferson Middle School (JMS) is continuing to offer indoor rowing as part of its PE classes. The school received a grant from the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, OAR, and Concept2, providing rowing machines, teacher training and five years of support. The program is part of the national ERG ED initiative, which makes rowing more accessible to students of all backgrounds. 

“The JMS ‘Jaguars’ indoor rowing program illustrates how today’s students are not only learning traditional sports but also acquiring lifelong fitness skills,” said PE and health teacher Cara Barton. “Indoor rowing has proven to be an effective way to engage students who may not typically connect with conventional sports or physical education activities.”

Jefferson ran the program during both the fall and spring semesters of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, engaging approximately 300 students annually. Plans are in place to continue the program in 2025-26 and beyond.

“Rowing machines help strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance flexibility, and boost mental health,” Barton added. “It’s a comprehensive workout that supports physical and mental well-being for all students.”

Whether competing at Nationals or learning the basics in PE, Olympia School District students are gaining confidence, strength and valuable life skills through rowing. With strong community partnerships, dedicated coaches and staff and support from programs like Olympia Area Rowing and ERG ED, more students than ever are discovering a sport that builds character—one stroke at a time.

 

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Olympia School District Summer School is back!

 

High School Summer Program

Summer school registration for high school students entering grades 10-12 in the fall of 2025, as well as select courses for students entering ninth grade, is now open!

• Classes begin on Monday, July 7, and are in session through August 14, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• All courses utilize computer-based instruction. Students will work remotely but will be provided opportunities for in-person support and assessments. Tests must be completed in person at Olympia Regional Learning Academy.

• Students should plan to work approximately three hours per day.

• The registration deadline is Friday, June 27, 2025.

 

Please check with your counselor to verify which courses you will need to complete.

Visit our Summer School webpage for additional information. The registration form for the high school summer program opened on June 9, 2025. 

• High School Summer School Registration 

• Summer School Course Catalog

 

Elementary School Summer Program

Elementary summer school registration is now open for all students in first through fourth grade. This program is FREE OF CHARGE and open to all current Olympia School District students. Space is limited; please register as soon as possible.

• Classes begin on July 7 and run through July 24. The class schedule runs Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• Grades 1-4, includes current OSD students who are reading below grade level or need additional support.

• Registration is limited due to staffing and facilities.

• Elementary summer school will be held at Roosevelt Elementary School (East Side) and Garfield Elementary School (West Side).

• Lunch will be provided at no cost (served at school daily, once classed are concluded).

• Transportation is not provided.

• Elementary summer school registration form (English, Spanish)

 

Questions may be directed to the OSD Elementary Education Department.

 

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Spirit on full display at annual OSD Night at the Rainiers

Olympia School District brought the school spirit to Tacoma on Wednesday, June 4 for our annual OSD Night at the Rainiers, and what a night it was!

More than 400 OSD students, staff, families, and friends came together at the historic Cheney Stadium for an unforgettable evening of baseball, community and fun. A fan-favorite tradition, the pregame on-field parade gave students and families a chance to walk the field and kick off the evening in style.

The night was filled with memorable moments, including a heartfelt highlight as longtime educator and union leader Jodi Boe threw out the ceremonial first pitch in celebration of her retirement after 36 years in education, 30 of which were spent as a beloved classroom teacher and the last six as the dedicated OEA President.

The evening began with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem performed by the Washington Middle School (WMS) choir under the direction of Stacy Brown. Adding to the fun, our spirited mascots—Pepper Bear and their pal/nemesis Salty the Salt Shaker from Olympia High School, along with Conger the Cougar from Capital High School—kept the crowd energized and smiling throughout the night.

The Tacoma Rainiers capped off the evening with a late rally for a 5-4 win against the Las Vegas Aviators. The Rainiers scored a pair in the bottom of the ninth inning for their fifth walk-off victory of the season. Talk about the right way to end an evening.

A massive thank-you to the Tacoma Rainiers, Jodi Boe, the WMS Choir, our spirited mascots and everyone who helped make the night so memorable for our community. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

• OSD Night at the Rainiers Facebook Album

  

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 School and district summer office hours 2025

All schools are closed for the summer. Middle and high school offices reopen on August 18, while elementary school offices reopen on August 25.

Summer hours for the Knox 111 Administrative Office located at 111 Bethel St. N.E. in Olympia will begin on Monday, June 23 and end on Friday, August 15, 2025. During that time, the building will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please note: From June 30 through August 1, Knox will be open to the public Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment only on Fridays.

Members of the public who need to meet with the Technology Department on the building’s lower level should knock on the door located near the parking lot next to the Knox building off Tullis Street. The door is at the top of an accessibility ramp with blue railings.

 

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The Olympia School District is preparing to upgrade its information system from Skyward SMS 2.0 to Skyward Qmlativ in July 2025. This transition will enhance tools for student information, payroll, finance, and human resources and bring improved functionality for both Family and Student Access.

Please Note:

 

• Skyward Family Access and Student Access will be unavailable starting July 3 through mid-August.

• Be sure to review student report cards before July 8.

• Order transcripts early to avoid delays. During the transition, transcript processing may take longer than usual. Unofficial transcripts are typically processed the same day, while official transcripts are completed within 2–3 business days. Mailed transcript requests may take 5–8 business days for delivery.

• In mid-August, families will receive an email with new login instructions and details on the Qmlativ mobile app.

 

Learn more by watching this introductory video on Qmlativ.

 

 

 

 

This summer, free lunches will be available at two schools in the Olympia School District. Lunch will be available to anyone 18 years old and younger. Meals will be served in the school cafeteria and signage will be posted directing visitors to the cafeteria entrance.

Beginning Monday, June 23, through Friday, August 15, 2025, lunches will be available on-site at Garfield Elementary School and at Roosevelt Elementary School from 12 to 12:30 p.m. No pre-order of lunch is necessary. Meals must be eaten on-site, and no grab-and-go meals will be prepared.

 

• Roosevelt Elementary School: 1417 San Francisco St. N.E., Olympia, WA, 98506

• Garfield Elementary School: 325 Plymouth St. N.W., Olympia, WA, 98502

• Additional Locations (Thurston County Food Bank)

 

View the OSPI USDA Nondiscrimination Statement on the OSD Child Nutrition Services webpage.

 

SUN Bucks: Expanding Summer Food Access

In December 2022, the federal government authorized a new permanent, nationwide Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks, to support children who lose access to free and reduced-price school meals during the summer months. SUN Bucks is separate from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and provides $120 in food benefits to each eligible child. This amount may be adjusted annually. Similar to SNAP, SUN Bucks is a flexible food benefit that families can use to purchase food, helping to offset rising food costs. Using SUN Bucks also helps bring additional dollars into local economies.

The SUN Bucks benefits, a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child in each household, will be deposited onto new SUN Bucks cards and mailed beginning in early June.

• Sun Bucks Application (English, Spanish) Not needed if automatically enrolled 

• For additional languages, search Sun Bucks (Electronic DSHS Forms)

• Sign up for Sun Bucks Text Updates

 

Some children will be automatically eligible for SUN Bucks, while others will need to submit an application. Students may be automatically eligible for Summer EBT if they:

• Are enrolled at a school that offers the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program and qualify through a meal application or Family Income Survey.

• Are age 8 – 18 and are a member of a household that receives benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Food Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or State-Funded Assistance.

 

Students who do not qualify automatically can apply by submitting a Summer EBT application. To qualify for SUN Bucks, these students must:

• Be enrolled at a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP).

• Live in a household that meets NSLP Income Eligibility Guidelines to qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

 

Applications will be accepted through Aug. 29, 2025. (other languages)

 

Printable Application
Mail to: DSHS Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 11669
Tacoma, WA 98411-6699

SUN Bucks benefits are in addition to other summer Child Nutrition Programs already offered. Families are encouraged to continue participating in congregate and grab-n-go meals as well as other summer food programs at their local schools and community locations, even if they receive Summer EBT benefits.

Families who need to apply or who have other questions about SUN Bucks benefits can call the SUN Bucks Contact Center at 1-833-543-3230 (TTY: 1-800-833-6348) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday–Friday. Families have the option to opt in for text messaging alerts about their child’s SUN Bucks status.

 

 

 

For students who qualify for special education (IEP) transportation, McKinney-Vento services, or are enrolled in preschool, registration is handled through the Student Support Department. Do not complete the general registration form. Instead, contact your student’s teacher, IEP case manager, or Austin Wright, OSD Special Transportation Router, at [email protected].

For all other transportation-related questions, contact the OSD Transportation Department at (360) 596-7700 or [email protected].

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Photo Caption: Capital High School’s land acknowledgement banner was installed earlier this month in the front entryway outside of the main office.

 

Olympia Education Foundation FOCUS

One of the ways our nonprofit supports Olympia School District schools is by offering Opportunity Grants to district staff who work directly with students, funding projects that enhance student learning and close opportunity gaps. These are schools that otherwise would not have the budget to make it possible.

Opportunity Grants cover a wide range of expenses, from library books and art supplies to musical instruments, P.E. equipment, assemblies, school gardens and more. They can also help build a sense of inclusion amongst a building’s staff and students.

Capital High School counselor and Native Club adviser Nicole Sande applied for a grant this year so that the school’s land acknowledgment could be prominently displayed. It was installed earlier this month. “Our native students and native educators can now see the land acknowledgement when they walk into our building,” Sande shared. “It is empowering for our club to see it and know that we have the support of our entire community!”

Grants are available to OSD staff two times a year. The first application period for the 2025-26 academic year is now closed. Our final application period will open on August 25, 2025. 

When school starts again in September, we encourage OSD families to inform their students’ teachers about the availability of these grants, so we can continue to support projects in every school building. 

Your feedback and questions are always welcome! Please reach out to Olympia Education Foundation Executive Director Katy Johansson at [email protected].

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Looking Ahead to Back-to-School

While summer has just begun, we know some families like to plan ahead. Our Back-to-School Resource Page will be your go-to destination later this summer for important information, including school hours, supply lists and more.

We’ll share updates as the new school year approaches—so stay tuned and enjoy your summer break!