Olympia School District

In our most recent edition of Spotlight on Success; The sky's the limit for Olympia High School’s Chloe Song, School Facility Efficiency Review Update, Oly Firefighters Foundation donates ‘Coats for Kids’, Thurgood Marshall celebrates solar project completion with ribbon cutting, PoDS program at CHS invites parents to volunteerand much more!

Congratulations to Amy Long and Jairus Torres, two elementary school paraeducators named as this year’s Olympia School District Classified School Employees of the Year. ​ The employees learned of the honor during surprise announcements at impromptu after-school staff meetings. The news, shared by Superintendent Patrick Murphy, was greeted with applause, standing ovations and hugs. Board President Darcy Huffman also presented each of the honorees with flowers.

The following is an update of work that has been done, as well as next steps, in the School Facility Efficiency Review process. ​ Background In late August 2023, the Olympia School Board received an analysis of enrollment trends and a long-term enrollment forecast from Flo Analytics in Seattle. That analysis showed that districtwide enrollment has declined in recent years and is projected to continue to decline by nearly 1,000 students over the next 10 years. The lower enrollment projected is due to a variety of factors, including housing trends and declining births — issues not unique to our district. View the complete Flo Analytics report posted on the district website.

The Olympia School Board has unanimously agreed to place an Educational Programs and Operations Replacement Levy proposal before voters on the February 13, 2024 Special Election ballot.

The Olympia Education Foundation is proud to present the 2023-24 Parent Education Series with parent coach Emily McMason. This yearlong parent education series is open to all Olympia School District families at no cost! The first three events of the series will be focused on anxiety and stress.

Olympia School District has partnered with the Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP) and two private universities which provide increased access to college admissions. Juniors will receive information about the GAP program. Qualifying seniors will receive guaranteed admission letters for up to eight Washington state colleges and universities.

The Olympia School District has proclaimed October 2023 as Walk to School Month. Superintendent Patrick Murphy read the proclamation during the September 14, 2023 Olympia School Board meeting. Copies of the proclamation will be posted in all district schools and support buildings.

Over the past decade the Olympia School District has used SchoolMessenger ‘Communicate’ to send mass notifications (robocalls, emails and texts) to our families and staff at both the district and school level. This year we are moving to a new streamlined platform called ParentSquare.

Pandemic EBT, or P-EBT, is a program that provides food benefits to children who had limited onsite meals at their school or child care center due to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT benefits have helped Washington families affected by these closures to buy food since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The Olympia School District Board of Directors has approved the school year calendar for the 2023-24 school year. This calendar includes only districtwide holidays and events. School-specific events are not included, so be sure to check school websites/calendars for specific school-related events and activities. ​ 2024 graduation dates will be published as soon as the dates are confirmed.