Instructional Programs

The Olympia School District Multilingual Services
The Olympia School District values multilingualism and views the cultural and linguistic diversity of our students as an asset that makes each classroom, school, and the whole district stronger, more innovative and better prepared for a global society. Our staff is committed to providing high quality education programs designed to ensure students from all backgrounds are served in an equitable and inclusive environment. Classroom teachers provide students with meaningful access to grade level curricula throughout the school day as students acquire the English language skills needed to achieve their full academic potential. Multilingual Learner (ML) program staff serve eligible students by providing language support via several service models  designed to ensure ML students acquire full English proficiency as quickly and effectively as possible.  

How does a student qualify for the Multilingual Services?

Upon enrollment in OSD, families submit a Home Language Survey, indicating language(s) that are preferences for communication, first learned by the student, and most spoken in the home.  This is the initial criteria used to screen a student for ML eligibility.

The grade level WIDA Screener is administered by a trained ML staff member, and a student becomes eligible based on OSPI data:

ML Service Models in OSD
Supportive Mainstream is the language instruction model used in the Olympia School District. Under this model, classes are taught in English by content teachers that differentiate or modify lessons making them comprehensible for all students. Since ML students are expected to meet the same high academic standards as their native English speaking peers, it is important that they have access to all subject matter covered in their classrooms throughout the school day.

Each eligible ML student is assigned to a teacher endorsed in English as a Second Language. ML teachers are responsible for designing an individual language learning plan as well as evaluating and monitoring the language proficiency and academic progress of each of their ML students throughout the year. The ML teachers collaborate regularly with classroom teachers to ensure the language accommodation requirements of ML students are met. Varying levels of support are provided depending on the individual student needs, grade level, and stage of language development or English language proficiency. Some examples of language support include:

• Push-in support: ML para-professionals provide supplemental language support to help students understand classroom routines, expectations, and core content. (Newcomers)
• Team teaching/Co-teaching: the classroom teacher and the ML teacher work together to provide language support and core content simultaneously.
• Professional Development for teachers of ML students to use language scaffolds in general education classrooms
• Sheltered English classes: Capital High School, Olympia High School, Washington Middle School, Jefferson Middle School, and Thurgood Marshall Middle School offer an English Language Development (ELD) elective class taught by ML teachers to all qualifying ML students. OHS and CHS both offer credit-bearing sheltered English ELA classes.
• Extended Day programs: ML staff offer additional opportunities for language and/or literacy support before school or after school in a “homework club” type of environment at many schools.
• Extended year services: ML program provides supplemental support and tuition for students enrolled in the district’s high school summer school program.

ML Program Staff
Heather Randolph: Director of Multilingual Services and Categorical Programs
hrandolph@osd.wednet.edu

• Lamia Murphy: ML Specialist/Teacher at JMS
• Ben Leierer: ML Specialist/Teacher at CHS
• Cara Preuss: ML Specialist/Teacher at McKES, McLES, BHES, LES, and CES
• Chelsea Peterson: ML Specialist/Teacher at OHS
• Alison Eastlake: ML Specialist at RMS and WMS
• Megan Rodriguez: ML Specialist/Teacher at  TMMS
• Marie Rubin: ML Specialist/Teacher at OHS
• Tiffahni Ellison: ML Specialist/Teacher at LPBrown, RES, MES, ORLA, and PES

• Alexandra Moffatt: ML Para-educator (OHS)
• Gustavo Portaro Moran: ML Para-educator (CHS)
• Jill Cross: ML Para-educator (GES, HES, WMS)
• Jue Lu: ML Para-educator (CHS)
• Karen Cleveland: ML Para-educator (RMS, WMS)
• Kelli Ristine: ML Para-educator (CES. McLES. McKES, BHES, LES)
• Xiaona Quinn: ML Para-educator (OHS)
• Jose Arguelles: ML Para-educator (JMS)
• Santiago Armenta Rangel: ML Para-educator (TMMS)

For more information about multilingual services  and staff, contact Heather Randolph in the Teaching and Learning Department #8587

Additional Information and Resources

• ML MTSS
• SIOP Strategies Lesson Planning
• Newcomer Supports

Interpretation/Translation Services
Under state and federal law, all parents have the right to information about their child’s education in a language they can understand.
Title IV Regulations | Chapter 28A.642 RCW | Chapter 392-190 WAC

• OSD Request for Interpretation or Translation - Google FORM

To learn about the district interpretation and translation support please visit our Language Access page.

Washington State Seal of Biliteracy
The Seal of Biliteracy was created to recognize the importance of learning a second language for all students whether English is their first language or not. Students who speak, read and write a language other than English can earn world language credits in high school by demonstrating proficiency on nationally recognized assessments. When a student is awarded the Seal of Biliteracy, it is noted on the student’s diploma and high school transcript. For more information on the Seal of Biliteracy visit: Washington State Seal of Biliteracy.

Tests for STAMP are offered twice a year (Fall and Spring) at CHS, OHS, ORLA, and AHS. STAMP testing for World Language credits is available to 8th graders in the Spring.  Contact your school counselor or Heather Randolph at hrandolph@osd.wednet.edu for more information.

School Year Identification Timeline

2024-2025 School Year Identification Timeline
Highly Capable Identification Timeline

• September 23 - November 1, 2024
  • Highly Capable Referral Window Open for Grades K-2 and 5-7
  • Visit the Highly Capable Referral Forms page
• Beginning December 2024
  • Multi-Disciplinary Selection Committee (MDSC) Meets for Selection
  • November 5 - December 3, 2024
  • CogAT Testing for Referred and Screened Students
• January 20 - February 14, 2025
  • Referral window open for Grades 3,4 & 8-12

Visit the Highly Capable Referral Forms page

Grades K-1: Referral Only

All students referred will:

• Take the CoGAT Screening cognitive assessment with guardian permission
• Take the MAP for Reading and Math
• Have teacher completion of CLED Scale (Culturally Linguistically Economically Diverse Scale)
• May submit additional scores and information for review by emailing hcp@osd.wednet.edu
• Any historical assessment scores loaded in Skyward will also be considered

Grades 2 & 5: Referral

• Take the CoGAT Screening cognitive assessment with guardian permission
• Have teacher completion of CLED Scale (Culturally Linguistically Economically Diverse Scale)
• May submit additional scores and information for review by emailing hcp@osd.wednet.edu
• Any historical assessment scores loaded in Skyward will also be considered

Grades 2 & 5: Universal Screening

• Students scoring in the top 10% of OSD’s local MAP norms will:
• Participate in the CoGAT Screener with guardian permission
• Have the opportunity for teacher input
• Any historical assessment scores loaded in Skyward will also be considered

Grades 3, 4, 6-12: Referral Only

All Students referred will:

• Take the CoGAT Screening cognitive assessment with guardian permission
• Have the opportunity for teacher input
• May submit additional scores and information for review by emailing hcp@osd.wednet.edu
• Any historical assessment scores loaded in Skyward will also be considered

Have you used our FAQ link?

New Families

If the student was identified as highly capable in their previous school district, please see specific information under “Highly Capable Transfer Students” in the links on the left side of this webpage.

OSD Highly Capable Definition (WAC 392-170-035)

Highly capable students are students who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Outstanding abilities are seen within student’s general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain.
 

Critical and Creative Thinking Strategies

One of the focuses of the program is to expand student learning through the development of critical and creative thinking strategies which enable students to make real-world connections as they become independent, lifelong learners. These strategies incorporate 21st Century thinking skills which will help students recognize their growth mindset.

• Visualization is a sensory strategy used to make connections to what students read and hear as well as to develop outlines, planning and goal-setting.
• Plus, Minus, Interesting provides students the opportunity to comprehend the positive and negative aspects of what they think and experience. Students are progressing their independent thinking which leads to considering numerous possibilities and insights for more informed decision-making.
• Encapsulation has students learn to synthesize information concisely.
• Questioning is encouraged to assist in problem solving.
• Point of View helps to establish an understanding of recognizing differing viewpoints which enables students to draw a more developed opinion of open-mindedness and potential collaboration.
• Decisions and Outcomes allow students to gain an understanding of cause and effect relationships and how to deal with consequences of varying degrees.
• Analogies help students make comparisons, relationships and connections.
• Mind Mapping is the creation of a visual used to collect and recall information and expand creativity while connecting ideas.
• Fluency, Originality, Flexibility, & Elaboration - students generate ideas and maintain open-minded thinking to further brainstorming and consider alternatives.

Need additional information? Contact the OSD Highly Capable Program Coordinator: hcp@osd.wednet.edu.

Olympia School District Career & Technical Education

Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs in Washington are aligned with rigorous industry and academic standards. CTE offers students an opportunity to graduate from high school with career goals, job skills, and leadership skills knowing where to go next to further their career or academic goals. Teachers participate in meaningful professional development on curricula and instruction, standards and assessment, and academic integration.  

Annual Program Documents and Timeline

CTE Blog

CTE Blog Link: CTE in OSD

Conditional Certificate Plan 2 Provider Information

• Online Professional Learning Academy by NWESD101
• Olympic College
• Bates Technical College
• Central Washington University 

CTE Program Staff

• Paula Perryman: Director of Career & Technical Education, pperryman@osd.wednet.edu, #8541
• Chelsea Johnson:  Program Manager for CTE, chejohnson@osd.wednet.edu, #6107