Superintendent’s Message
Dear Olympia School District Families and Community,
As we approach the winter break, I want to take a moment to wish you all a restful and joyous holiday season. I hope this time of year provides you all with a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect and enjoy the company of loved ones.
At our December meeting, I let the school board know that one of my New Year’s resolutions is to do a better job of regularly sharing all the wonderful, positive things that are happening with our students in our schools. One way we do that, is the same way many of you share information, through social media. Whether it is on the district's Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) platforms, these are all great ways to read stories, check out video features and view photo albums of our remarkable students and staff in their elements.
A recent dig into our analytics showed that our district Facebook page gets anywhere from five to ten times more views/visits monthly than our district website. You can visit our social media channels to learn more about things like our amazing performing arts programs, our career and technical education projects, partnerships with local organizations and businesses, family events at schools and outdoor education. Or you could read about how a sixth-grade chess whiz at Thurgood Marshall Middle School named Brandon Le smoked the superintendent in a game of chess. It could have been much worse. I think he was taking it easy on me.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to celebrate an exceptional member of our district family. Congratulations to Mohamed El-Sokkary, affectionately known as "Mr. Mo," who was recently named the 2025 Olympia School District Classified School Employee of the Year. Over the course of his nineteen years with the district, Mr. Mo has dedicated his time and efforts to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all students and families across our district. He has served as a Paraeducator, Teacher, and Family Liaison, with experience working at Avanti High School, Jefferson Middle School, Olympia High School and Student Support. We are deeply grateful for his service and look forward to honoring him in the new year on January 9, 2025, at the school board recognition ceremony. His work exemplifies the values of care, inclusion, and community that we hold dear and is a great example of this season of giving.
On behalf of the Olympia School District, thank you for all you do to support our schools and students. May your winter break be filled with peace, joy and plenty of cherished memories with those you love. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025, refreshed and ready for the opportunities ahead.
Warm regards,
Patrick Murphy
Celebrating Mohamed El-Sokkary: Our 2025 Classified School Employee of the Year
We are thrilled to announce Mohamed El-Sokkary (Mr. Mo) as the 2025 Olympia School District Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY). He has been an invaluable member of our district for over 19 years, serving in a variety of roles, including Paraeducator, Teacher, and Family Liaison. His unwavering commitment to our students and families has truly made a profound impact on our school community.
The CSEY award is an annual recognition program through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction that highlights the significant contributions of classified school employees who have made a positive impact on their school communities. El-Sokkary's recognition as the Olympia School District CEY is a testament to his dedication and the profound difference he makes daily.
El-Sokkary's work exemplifies the essence of this award. He has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between our schools and the families we serve, providing support and a sense of belonging. “His efforts have strengthened our community and helped our students and their families overcome the barriers they face in the education system,” shared Lincoln Elementary School Principal Marcela Abadi.
In his current position as Family Liaison, El-Sokkary has become a central figure at both Garfield and Lincoln elementary schools. He is the familiar, friendly face that parents and students turn to, building relationships based on trust and empathy. He developed and manages a Community Resource Center, providing crucial support to needy families, offering items such as clothing, food and household supplies. His dedication to creating access points for students and families has made our community stronger and more resilient in the face of adversity.
Garfield Elementary School Principal Brendon Chertok said, "Mo’s work has given voice to those historically underrepresented in our system and community. Because of his dedication to removing barriers and creating access points for students and families, our community is stronger and better able to respond to critical issues that arise in our work."
Leslie Gowell, the OSD McKinney Vento/Foster Care Liaison, added; "One of Mo's many strengths is his ability to meet students and families in difficult circumstances and help them feel a sense of belonging in their school community."
El-Sokkary has shown dedication to supporting students and families facing challenges throughout his career. His impact is particularly evident in his work with refugee families, where he partners with organizations like World Relief to provide essential resources and ensure that these families receive the support they need to integrate and thrive within our school system. “When I came to the United States from Egypt, I experienced challenges in learning a different language and culture; my first impression of support came in elementary school. The teachers gave me confidence and unwavering support to learn and become a part of the community. Those experiences influence my work every day,” El-Sokkary expressed.
His ability to foster connections, provide crucial resources, and give families hope has had a lasting effect on everyone he works with. From organizing fundraising campaigns for school resources to leading student walks to school, he has continually gone above and beyond to ensure that students feel supported, heard and valued.
When he learned of his recognition, El-Sokkary was overwhelmed with emotion. "I cried because I felt like there were people who noticed and cared about the work I was doing with our students and families."
El-Sokkary's story is one of resilience, dedication, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. With 30 years of experience in the classroom, he has had the opportunity to listen and build meaningful, lasting relationships with students and families. He has become a beloved and trusted figure in our school community, serving as a model for us all. His work highlights the importance of fostering connections, breaking down barriers and ensuring every student and family feels valued and supported.
We congratulate Mr. Mo on this well-deserved recognition. His work inspires us all, and we look forward to celebrating his achievements at the school board recognition ceremony on January 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. We invite all in our community to join us in the Knox 111 boardroom (111 Bethel St NE) for this special occasion.
Olympia HS: Scout Troop 222, EarthCorps and the Pond Renovation Project
Take a tour with Olympia High School Junior Ellie Cruz, who recently spearheaded a project to refurbish the OHS "Pond" with the help of some of her fellow Scouts (Troop 222) and the patient guidance of parents and teachers. Great work Ellie, love your initiative!
2024 Social Media Highlights
The 2024-25 school year has been a whirlwind of unforgettable moments…and it’s only December!
We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to capture many of these incredible events at our buildings. Our team has been traveling across the district, snapping photos and catching video snippets to bring you closer to all the excitement.
Below is a sample of the content we’ve posted to our district social media platforms since the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. We hope these bring you joy!
As always, please follow and like our various social media platforms (linked below) to stay tuned in to all the fun that is yet to come in 2025 and beyond!
CHS Flag Football: A New Era Begins with Support from the Seahawks
Capital High School is kicking off an exciting new chapter in its athletic department, thanks to a generous $4,000 grant from the Seattle Seahawks. This funding has allowed CHS to purchase essential equipment, including uniforms and gear, to get the girls’ flag football team up and running for their inaugural season. “The energy surrounding this new venture has been building since it was announced, and the athletes are already showing incredible growth as they prepare for their first season,” shared CHS Athletic Director Steve Taylor.
Flag football has rapidly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and the rise of women’s flag football is leading the charge. With the support of the Seattle Seahawks (and the NFL) the CHS Cougars are joining this nationwide movement. “I love offering our students as many opportunities as possible, and girl's flag football is no exception. It’s been amazing to see the enthusiastic interest from our students, many sharing how much they love it!” said CHS Principal Condee Wood.
Senior team member Charlee Yonker expressed her excitement about joining the team, “We all coordinate well, and this has allowed me and others to meet new people. The camaraderie built among teammates has been such a great experience for me. It’s also been a way to reconnect with my school, especially as I’m a full-time South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) running start student.”
“Flag football is similar to traditional football, but without the tackling, allowing the game to focus on speed, strategy and teamwork,” explained Coach Tristan Redman. Players need to master the rulebook, learn both offensive and defensive plays, perform at a high level and (most importantly) enjoy the camaraderie and excitement the sport offers. While non-contact, the game still maintains a high level of intensity and competitive drive.
The growth of flag football is not just a local phenomenon; it's country-wide and taking root globally in many other countries. Currently, eight states have sanctioned girls’ flag football as a high school varsity sport, with more pilot programs emerging every day. Additionally, college scholarships are now available for female athletes at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level, and with the sport being added to the Olympic program for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, the future of flag football is looking brighter than ever.
The Seattle Seahawks have prioritized this, investing over $300,000 in funding for girls’ flag football programs across Washington state. CHS Freshmen Clara Cariaso and Taeva Hartman, (both club volleyball players) were excited to try something new for the winter season. Both are no strangers to competition, and their athletic backgrounds have helped them transition into flag football. “We are excited to get started with games and use the skills we are learning,” Cariaso said.
CHS Senior Isabelle Allenton shared her wisdom and experience: "If I had to give advice, I would tell the younger players who are taking part in other organizations like Thurston County Youth Football League (TCYFL) to try. It’s a great way to challenge yourself and have fun!”
Despite the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) decision in early 2024 not to sanction flag football as a varsity sport, players like Abby Marcisz, a senior for the Cougars, are eager to lay the foundation for the future of flag football at Capital. “I’m excited I get to be a part of something from the start and build something for future players.” The WIAA Representative Assembly will vote in April of 2025 on proposed amendments to the WIAA Handbook, the hope across the state from players and fans is that girl's flag football will be approved as a high school sport. The WIAA would then supervise the teams and, if eligible, be able to participate in a state championship tournament at the end of their season.
Principal Wood added, “I hope to see the program develop into a well-established winter sport at CHS, providing an option for students who may not be interested in the other available sports. When you create more opportunities for students to join teams and experience the valuable lessons that come from competing together, we can better prepare them for the challenges and complexities they will face after high school.”
The Capital High School girls’ flag football team will take the field in January 2025 with soft shell helmets and belts with detachable flags, ready to tackle this new adventure.
2025 Capital HS Flag Football Schedule:
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January 9 at Franklin Pierce: Washington vs. Capital, Capital vs. Fife
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January 14 at Capital: Capital vs. Foss, Capital vs. Fife
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January 16 at Mt Tahoma: Capital vs Mt Tahoma, Capital vs. Lincoln
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January 23 at Franklin Pierce: Capital vs. Foss, Franklin Pierce vs. Capital
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January 24 at Fife: Washington vs. Capital, Franklin Pierce vs. Capital
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January 28 at Fife: Washington vs. Capital, Capital vs. Fife
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January 30 at Capital: Capital vs. Bremerton, Capital vs. Bainbridge
With flag football's continued growth and the support of the Seattle Seahawks, CHS is helping shape this sport's future. Players echoed the sentiment that this is more than just football; it’s about building lasting friendships and being part of something bigger than themselves.
For in-season updates on the team, tune in to the Capital High School and Olympia School District Facebook pages.
Interested in supporting the Capital High School Flag Football team? Purchase a Digital Cougar Card and use it for great deals at places like Domino's, Jersey Mike's, Sonic and more!
OSD Winter Break Schedule
During winter break, all Olympia School District schools and the Knox 111 Administrative Center offices will be closed to the public.
Winter Break is from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. School resumes on Monday, January 6, 2025. School and administrative offices also reopen on January 6.
During this 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 23
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Thursday, December 26
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Friday, December 27
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Monday, December 30
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Thursday, January 2
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Friday, January 3
ORLA Sixth Grade Student Becomes Mayor for a Day!
Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA) sixth grader Koral Thorpe had a thrilling opportunity when her essay was selected as the winning entry in the City of Olympia: Council Essay Contest. Koral was honored at a City Council meeting in October, where she met Mayor Dontae Payne and was recognized for her achievement.
The essay contest, which invited students to imagine what they would do to improve the community if they were Mayor for a Day, sparked Koral's creative and thoughtful response. Her winning essay addressed how she would make Olympia a better place for everyone and why she should be chosen for such an important role. Mayor Payne complimented Koral on her well-thought-out ideas, highlighting the relevance of the issues she raised—issues that are important to the community and city leaders alike.
The big highlight for Koral was the chance to become "Mayor for a Day". Koral's day began with a special swearing-in ceremony at the City Council Chambers, where she officially took on the role of Olympia's Mayor. She then had the unique opportunity to tour City Hall and meet key officials before heading to the Olympia Police Department. There, she met police K-9 Bentley and even went on a ride-along with an officer. Koral reflected, saying, "Touring the fire department, the police department, and getting to meet police dog Bentley were the highlights of my day." Afterward, she visited the Olympia Fire Station, where she got to experience a ride in a fire truck! As the day unfolded, Koral realized how much responsibility came with the position, sharing, "The most important thing I learned about being Mayor of Olympia is that the Mayor has a lot of stuff to do and a lot of responsibilities." The day ended with a tour of McAllister Springs, a local water source, offering Koral a behind-the-scenes look at an important part of Olympia's infrastructure.
Koral’s teacher, Janet Hubbard, was thrilled to see her student’s success. “I happened to discover this contest, and it seemed like a great fit for the learning we were doing in class around creating a community agreement,” said Hubbard. “The students had already been thinking about what makes a community work well, and I felt their conceptual ideas could translate into impactful essays for this contest.”
Hubbard praised Koral's essay for thoughtfully proposing ways to improve Olympia, such as providing more shelter for the homeless, supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and advocating for Black Lives Matter and fair treatment for all. The themes in Koral's essay resonated deeply with Mayor Payne, who emphasized the importance of hearing from young people about what they care about in shaping the city's future.
Koral’s experience as Mayor for a Day will surely be a memory she’ll carry with her for years to come. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of student voices in shaping our communities, and we could not be happier for Koral on such an impressive, well-deserved recognition!
2024-25 OSD Winter Weather Reminder
(English, Spanish, Vietnamese)
Every year, snow or severe conditions lead to the closure or late start of our schools, and we want to keep you updated about those decisions.
Communications Protocol
The Olympia School District will inform you of school schedule changes as soon as possible through our ParentSquare communications platform (text/email), website and social media platforms. We also encourage you to monitor local radio and/or television stations for up-to-date information about weather-related closures or delays.
School Closure
If OSD schools close due to inclement weather, students do not report to class, regardless of whether they attend school in person or through ORLA online. OSD has a “Snow Make-Up Day” built into the calendar on May 23, 2025, to be used as a school day in the event there is a weather-related school cancellation prior to this date. Additional snow days (if needed) will be made up at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
2-hour Late Start
All schools, (including ORLA online) start two hours late:
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OSD school buses pick up students two hours late
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No zero-hour classes or before-school activities
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No AM preschool
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No AM childcare
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No Avanti High School periods 1-3 Monday-Thursday, and no AM academic support or activities on Friday
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No out-of-district transportation
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No district transportation to New Market Skills Center
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Breakfast and lunch served throughout the district
3-hour Late Start
All schools (including ORLA online) start three hours late:
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OSD school buses pick up students three hours late
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No zero-hour classes or before-school activities
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No AM or PM preschool (full-day preschool continues)
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No AM childcare
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No Avanti High School periods 1-3 Monday-Thursday, and no AM academic support or activities on Friday
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No out-of-district transportation
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No district transportation to New Market Skills Center
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Breakfast and lunch served throughout the district
Snow Routes
On rare occasions, weather conditions may require the modification of school bus routes. When this occurs, the district and media outlets will announce the use of “snow routes” or “emergency routes.”
We hope that weather conditions do not disrupt transportation and schools. However, our most critical concern is the safety of our students.
Please Note: There are many factors when deciding to close or delay school. We exercise caution and overall safety for all OSD staff and 9,000+ district students when determining if school should be canceled or delayed. The 80 square miles covered by our district are very diverse geographically, and what one family experiences can be very different from what another family is experiencing on the other side of the district. Staff drive the streets in the early morning hours to determine the safety of all routes. We appreciate your understanding and support.
December 2024/January 2025
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:
James Whitehead, Title IX Officer
Knox 111 Administrative Center, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506
(360) 596-8545
[email protected]
Autumn Lara, Executive Director of Elementary Education
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.