Spotlight on Success: September 2026

Hello Olympia School District Families,

Back in 2017, Dr. Jean Twenge, of San Diego State University, wrote a book called IGen: Why Today’s Super Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy - and Completely Unprepared for Adulthood. In that book, she claimed that statistically speaking, “teens are physically safer than ever, yet they are more mentally vulnerable.” In 2024, Jonathan Haidt released The Anxious Generation, a title that has been the subject of book studies in many of our schools and with our parent organizations the last couple of years. Haidt furthers Dr. Twenge’s assertions and states that adults, too often, opt for “overprotection in the real world and under protection in the virtual world” when it comes to our children.

It is an interesting hypothesis that if our kids have less freedom to explore, fail, and manage challenges in the real world, they may lose their natural ability to recover and grow from life’s inevitable difficulties. While this issue continues to be studied, we’ve seen the prevalence of anxiety and depression in school-age children increase significantly over the last ten years. It’s only natural that we look at what else was going on in the world during that time. One thing that stands out is how smartphones and screens have become ubiquitous in young people's lives, and adults, for that matter.

There were many reasons to increase technology in our schools over the decades. We want our students to be prepared for the jobs and tasks of tomorrow and to have the technological skills to be competitive. We had a pandemic and had to close our campuses. Learning online was the only option for many during that span. Technology, as throughout history, in and of itself, is neither bad nor good. How we use it matters most.

Unmistakably, technology has helped educators and students in profound ways. Assistive technology has allowed non-verbal students to communicate their learning in many ways. Our ability to translate assessments quickly into different world languages helps ensure that multilingual students who’ve arrived in our schools are appropriately placed in classrooms and challenged. Communication tools allow our students to talk to artists, authors, and scientists in real time across the globe, enhancing their units of study with real-life application.

Productive use of technology is not just good in schools, but, as stated, necessary to give our students an advantage as they pursue post-secondary opportunities and careers that demand those skills.

We want to ensure that our schools are not contributing to the unproductive use of technology. Unproductive use is thoughtless, has little meaningful benefit, interferes with sleep, limits physical activity, and can even stifle a student’s imagination. As Jared Horvath said in his book The Digital Delusion, “using a computer to look things up won’t build creativity any more than staring at a photo of food will satisfy hunger.”

It’s why we’ve adopted the mantra of Authentic Learning and Healthy Living. There is an “analog revolution" that is happening in society, renewing our belief in the power of hands-on experiences, face-to-face relationships, and moving away from the isolation of the screen. Our students are going outside more, conducting experiential labs, playing sports with teammates, performing in live theater, creating visual arts, and just being kids. Especially at the younger ages, we need more childhood and less screen time. In Olympia, elementary students do not receive take-home devices, and we are piloting that same approach in sixth grade this year. We will bring technology into classrooms on carts and use it intentionally when it supports learning.

Our Technology and Teaching & Learning teams are developing grade-level guidance that considers digital curriculum, age-appropriate screen time and instructional needs. The Technology Advisory Committee, with representatives from each school, will refine that guidance throughout the year using staff feedback with a final recommendation in the spring. We will also fold input from our students and families into this process. 

Together, schools and families can help children build healthy, balanced relationships with technology while making more room for hands-on learning, creative play and meaningful connections. It’s what we do in Olympia.

At Jefferson Middle School, a 30-minute block in the school day gives students something especially valuable during the middle school years: time to connect, get organized, seek support, and explore their interests.

Known as JAG Time, the program isn’t new to Jefferson, but it has taken on a somewhat different shape for the 2026-27 school year.

That evolution comes as Principal Janet Hubbard begins her first year leading Jefferson, alongside Assistant Principal Lindsay Welsh. Together, they are putting their own imprint on the school experience, including a refreshed approach to JAG Time that places greater emphasis on connection, student organization, academic support and purposeful choice.

Each week begins with students returning to their homerooms on Monday. Part of that time is dedicated to building community, with students participating in activities and conversations designed to help them get to know one another and strengthen their sense of belonging at school.

Students also practice organization skills that can help them become more independent learners. They open their planners and gradebooks, record assignments and missing work, identify what needs their attention and make choices for their upcoming JAG Time periods.

That practice carries into Tuesdays and Thursdays, when students may use JAG Time for academic intervention, focused work time or one of several choice spaces around the school. Depending on their needs, students might meet with a teacher, catch up on an assignment, work quietly, visit the library or choose another available space.

The structure gives teachers another opportunity to connect students with support while also helping students learn to recognize what they need and make productive choices about how to use their time.

Then, on Fridays, JAG Time shifts its focus to Clubs and Community.

Students can choose from activities led by Jefferson staff and built around a wide range of interests. September offerings have included Soccer Club, Walking Club, chess and makerspace activities through SkillsUSA. Some offerings change from month to month; for example, Walking Club is giving way to Garden Planning Club in October.

Those choices give students another way to connect with adults and classmates they may not encounter in their regular classes — whether they share an interest in soccer, gardening, chess, making things or simply trying something new.

For Hubbard and Welsh, the refreshed JAG Time structure creates more intentional opportunities for students throughout the week — opportunities to build relationships, develop habits that support learning, and find places where they feel connected to the Jefferson community.

It also connects directly to Jefferson’s theme for the year: Uplifting All Jaguars to Excellence. JAG Time puts that idea into practice by creating dedicated space for every student to receive support, build confidence, strengthen important habits and discover new ways to connect with their school community.

Together, the different pieces of JAG Time serve a larger purpose.

Monday's homeroom activities create space for connection and teach students how to plan. Tuesdays and Thursdays give students time to practice those skills while accessing support. Fridays give students a chance to build community around shared interests.

For Jefferson students, JAG Time is more than another activity in the school day. It is dedicated time to build habits and relationships that help students navigate middle school, knowing when to ask for help, keeping track of their responsibilities, making thoughtful choices, and finding a place where they belong.

Olympia School District families took their school spirit on the road September 9, 2026, for a special OSD Back-to-School Night with the Tacoma Rainiers at Cheney Stadium.

The evening got off to a memorable start as members of the Capital High School Chamber Choir took the field to perform the National Anthem. Capital High School Assistant Principal Ja’Wanne Brown also represented OSD on the field, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

Conger the Cougar from Capital High School and Pepper Bear from Olympia High School also made the trip to Tacoma, spending the evening meeting fans, posing for photos and bringing plenty of school spirit to the ballpark.

Students, families and staff filled the stands for an evening of baseball and community as the Rainiers faced the El Paso Chihuahuas. The evening gave Olympia families from across the district a chance to connect, spend time together and celebrate the start of the 2026-27 school year on a beautiful sunny September evening.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the ballpark and to our students, staff and mascots who helped make it such a memorable night! 

Nothing says back to school quite like ice cream, popsicles and a packed playground full of high-spirited Hansen Hawks!

Earlier this month, Hansen Elementary welcomed students and families back to campus for its annual Back-to-School Ice Cream Party. Students reconnected with friends and teachers, families spent time together and community partners joined in the fun. It was a sweet start to a new school year and a glimpse at the strong sense of community that extends well beyond one afternoon at Hansen.

“Being a Hansen Hawk means being a part of something bigger than just ourselves,” Hansen staff shared. “We are a united community that consists of educators, students, families and many community partners all working together to support student success.”

That community shows up in big celebrations and small moments throughout the school year. The Back-to-School Ice Cream Party is one of several traditions that bring Hansen families together. Fall Literacy Night, Book BINGO, Spring STEAM Night and Field Day offer more opportunities for students, families and staff to connect, support one another and have fun together.

“These opportunities to connect, support and have fun together have built an incredibly strong culture of togetherness at Hansen,” Principal Callie Jones shared. Families are also invited to special Family Lunch Days, where they can eat and play alongside their students and find out what Hansen’s “World Famous Salad Bar” is all about.

But belonging at Hansen is not limited to special events. The school’s HAWK Habits, which stand for Helpful, Aware, Willing and Kind, are woven into daily life. Students are recognized during morning announcements, assemblies and in their classrooms for demonstrating growth in those habits.

“Hansen has a strong, positive culture where all HAWKS have an active role to play in their daily learning and care for each other,” Jones shared.

Hansen also encourages its Hawks to think about where their learning might take them next. Once a month, the school celebrates “Future Friday.” Staff wear gear from their alma maters or clothing representing previous careers, and students have begun dressing as something they would like to be after high school. Those Future Friday outfits lead to meaningful classroom conversations about students’ futures and why their engagement in school today matters.

Twice a month, middle school AVID students also visit Hansen to mentor and encourage younger Hawks. It is another way students experience connections that reach beyond their own classrooms and school. 

The community surrounding Hansen plays an important role, too. At the Back-to-School Ice Cream Party, PEAK Credit Union, the YMCA and Boys & Girls Club joined the Hansen Community Council to connect with families and share resources and opportunities. PEAK Credit Union and the Hansen Community Council also sponsored school supplies for Hansen students this year.

Throughout the year, families, caregivers, volunteers and community members are invited to be part of the educational experience through reading and lunch buddies, classroom support, field trips, after-school activities and other partnerships.

“When students see that they have a whole community cheering them on, partnering with them, helping provide what they need to be successful students, we see a deeper sense of belonging and ownership over their own social and educational growth,” staff shared.

It all comes back to what it means to be a Hansen Hawk. Students are surrounded by teachers, families, mentors, volunteers and community partners who want to see them learn, grow and succeed. That strong sense of connection and belonging is part of what makes Hansen special, and it reflects something we see in all our schools throughout our district.

Each school has its own traditions, personality and community, while together they are part of a larger district community centered on supporting students and helping them thrive.

As one Hansen staffer shared, “Hansen students know they are an important part of a larger community that cares deeply about their growth as a whole person.” 

The Olympia Education Foundation is off to a busy start to the 2026-27 school year! Through the Principal’s Emergency Fund, we’ve already issued 770 grocery, gas and laundry vouchers to help schools respond quickly to student and family needs. Our first round of Opportunity Grants is also bringing 37 educator-led projects to life, from bikes, books and literacy to art, music, woodworking and student rocketry.

Our second round of Opportunity Grant applications is now open to eligible Olympia School District staff through October 23, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our sold-out Golf Scramble, with 37 teams and a full roster of sponsors supporting Olympia students! Here are our 2026 tournament winners:

We’re also delighted to welcome Rebecca Cornelius and Tiffany Orozco to the Oly Ed Foundation Board of Trustees. Both bring strong connections to Olympia schools and a commitment to supporting students, families and educators. Are you interested in getting involved? The Oly Ed Foundation welcomes volunteers, community partners and supporters throughout the year. Reach out to express your interest and we will be in touch!

For accurate, up-to-date information about Olympia School District long-term planning, we encourage our community to start with the district’s Long-Term Planning page and Frequently Asked Questions page.

These pages are the district’s central source for information reviewed and vetted by district staff, including enrollment data, funding information, staffing, facilities, school consolidation and closure considerations and the decision-making process. They also include reports, presentations, supporting documents and state-reported information used to inform this work.

Our Long-Term Planning FAQ addresses many of the questions we are hearing from our school board, families, staff and community members, while the OSD Long-Term Planning page serves as the central hub for the source documents, data and updates behind this work.

As community conversations continue, we encourage families, staff, and community members to return to these pages for the most current district information and the resources informing the long-term planning process.

Still have a question? We want to hear it! If you would like to better understand the district’s long-term planning work, please submit your question. Your questions help us understand what information our community is looking for and identify topics that may need to be added or clarified on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

As we settle into the school year, sniffles, coughs and seasonal illnesses are bound to make an appearance. For families, it isn’t always easy to know when a child should stay home — or when they’re well enough to attend school.

Regular attendance plays an important role in student learning and success. At the same time, sick students need time to recover, and staying home when appropriate can help protect classmates and staff.

In general, your child can come to school if they don’t feel their best but can still participate in normal school activities.

Families should consider contacting a healthcare provider if a fever of 100.4°F or higher lasts more than two days, vomiting or diarrhea continues for more than two days, cold symptoms last more than a week without improving, or asthma symptoms continue after using asthma medication. If a child is having trouble breathing after using an inhaler, call 911.

These recommendations are general guidance. A school, healthcare provider or local health department may recommend something different depending on an individual student’s circumstances.

Not sure what to do? Take a second to review OSPI’s ‘When Is Your Child Too Sick for School’ guide that provides an easy reference for families.

The Olympia School District Board of Directors has proclaimed October 2026 as Walk to School Month, encouraging students, families, staff and community members to consider children's safety and health throughout October and year-round.

Walking, biking or rolling to school is a great way for students to build physical activity into their day while connecting with friends, family and neighbors. It can also help reduce traffic congestion around our schools and give students an active start to their day.

Throughout the year, Intercity Transit’s Walk N Roll program works with schools and families to make walking, biking, rolling and riding public transit more accessible. During October, families can also take part in Walk N Roll activities and events that encourage physical activity, build community and promote safe ways for students to get to school.

If walking or rolling is part of your family’s trip to school, be sure to check out the Olympia School District’s School Walking Routes. The district provides walking route maps for each elementary and middle school to help families identify suggested routes to and from school.

Thunder, lightning, rain, even a double rainbow. The 2026 Spaghetti Bowl had a little bit of everything!

Students, staff, families, alumni and community members came together on Friday, September 4, 2026, for the 44th edition of the annual rivalry between Capital and Olympia high schools. From the traditional Spaghetti Bowl Dinner to the final whistle at Ingersoll Stadium, the evening was filled with school spirit and a tradition that continues to connect generations of our community. 

The evening began in the Olympia High School commons with the traditional Spaghetti Bowl Dinner, hosted by the Rotary Club of Olympia and West Olympia Rotary Club. More than a pregame meal, the dinner is a longstanding part of the Spaghetti Bowl tradition, bringing Bears and Cougars together while helping support scholarships for local students. Thank you to the Rotary clubs and the many volunteers who put on the dinner, along with dinner sponsors Harbor Foods, L&E Bottling, Sawston Wealth Management and Print NW.

As fans made their way from dinner to Ingersoll Stadium, the weather quickly changed. Sunny skies gave way to dark clouds, and rain, thunder, and lightning delayed kickoff for about 45 minutes. Then, fittingly, just before the teams took the field, a rainbow stretched across the sky above the stadium and field.

The delay did little to dampen the energy in the stands. Student sections, families and fans waited out the weather and were ready to cheer when the teams finally took the field.

Once play began, both teams gave the crowd plenty to cheer about. Capital built a first-half lead and entered halftime up 17-14. The Cougars extended their lead to 25-14 in the third quarter before Olympia rallied in the second half.

School spirit was also on full display at halftime, when students from Capital and Olympia came together for a joint performance featuring the schools' bands, cheerleaders and drill teams. While the Spaghetti Bowl may be a rivalry on the field, moments like these remind everyone of the two school communities that come together for this longstanding tradition.

The game ended 41-25, bringing the all-time Spaghetti Bowl series to an even 22 wins apiece after 44 meetings. Congratulations to the student-athletes and coaches from both schools on a memorable night of football.

Many people and community partners also support the Spaghetti Bowl behind the scenes. Thank you to Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed), presenting sponsor of Spaghetti Bowl 2026, for its support of this year's event; the Rotary Club of Olympia and West Olympia Rotary Club for hosting the traditional dinner; dinner sponsors Harbor Foods, L&E Bottling, Sawston Wealth Management and Print NW; and the volunteers and community partners who contributed to the evening.

And, of course, thank you to our student-athletes, coaches, bands, cheerleaders, drill teams, students, staff, families, alumni and fans from both Capital and Olympia high schools who continue to make the Spaghetti Bowl such a special community tradition.

Our Bears and Cougars didn’t stop there; they kept this spirited athletic rivalry going throughout the month. Capital earned a 3-2 win over Olympia in the annual Salad Bowl Volleyball match on September 3, and Olympia girls soccer followed with a 6-0 win over Capital on September 8. Next up is boys tennis: CHS and OHS take to the court today, September 30, at 3:30 p.m.

After 44 matchups, the Spaghetti Bowl is about much more than the final score. It's about community, tradition, friendly rivalry, and generations of Bears and Cougars coming together for a night that is uniquely Olympia.

Our schools are stronger because of the nearly 5,000 volunteers who give their time to support students, staff and classrooms across the Olympia School District each year.

Whether you are reading with students, chaperoning a field trip, helping in a classroom, supporting a school event or lending a hand with a PTO or PTA activity, volunteers play an important role in creating welcoming, connected school communities and supporting student learning and success.

If you are considering volunteering during the 2026-27 school year, now is a great time to get ready! All volunteers must complete an online volunteer application each school year, even if you have volunteered with us before.

Completing your 2026-27 OSD Volunteer Application now will help ensure you are ready when opportunities come up throughout the year. Whether it is a classroom activity, field trip, school celebration, athletic event or another opportunity to get involved, having your application completed ahead of time makes it easier to say, “Yes, I can help!”

We are incredibly grateful for the time, energy and heart our volunteers share with our schools. Thank you for helping make the Olympia School District a place where students, staff, families and community come together.

Ready to volunteer? Complete your 2026-27 online volunteer application today.