The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

This was the first of the Facebook meme posts for which Zhdanov was criticized. It was posted on January 19, 2019 with the comment, "Speak!"

Tumwater Schools loses its new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Tumwater School District’s new Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) had been on the job for less than a month when four postings on his personal Facebook account became known to … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/30/21

Viewing a poster showing proposed exterior improvements for the Dr. Angela Bowen Center for Health and Education are, left-right: Ted Schultz, executor of the Estate of Angela J. Bowen and SPSCC Foundation board member; Tanya Mote, SPSCC executive director; Dr. Tim Stokes, president of the college; Leonor Fuller, vice chair of the SPSCC board of trustees.

SPSCC Nursing Program receives national accreditation

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) announced on Wed., July 7 that its nursing program received national accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education … more

By Kristine Javier | 7/9/21

Vaccines (or exemptions) to be required at SPSCC this fall

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) today announced that it will become a fully vaccinated COVID-19 campus for the start of Fall Quarter 2021. The decision to become a vaccinated campus is … more

7/6/21

Kyle Grunenfelder, principal of Tumwater Virtual Academy, presented to the Tumwater School District board on June 17, 2021.

Tumwater Virtual Academy to offer dual enrollment for school year 2021-22

As the school year draws to a close, the Tumwater Virtual Academy (TVA) invites students to enroll in its flexible online school program for the 2021-22 school year In a presentation to the … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/22/21

O’Day will work with students to paint local landscapes and scenery. (Source: Shay O’Day)

Nisqually Middle School to create murals inspired by Nisqually tribal history

In honor of its tribal namesake, Lacey’s Nisqually Middle school plans to commission murals inspired by the people, landscape, and wildlife that reflect the tribal culture and history of this … more

6/11/21

Capital High School basketball fans burned their privilege to sit together and apart from supervisors during games for the rest of the 2021 season.

Capital High basketball games: Parents or guardians required

Capital High School announced the elimination of the students-only section in the gym during the remaining few home basketball games for the 2021 season last Tuesday. The decision to discontinue … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/29/21 | 2 comments

This image shows the hybrid meeting of the Olympia School District board of directors on Thu., May 27, 2021.

Enrollment has dropped in Olympia schools

As the Olympia School Board looks towards the next school year, Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy reported at the board meeting yesterday that local schools have experienced low … more

5/28/21

A driver deposits her ballot in the official drop box across the street from the U.S. Post Office in Lacey on Election Day last year.

Special Three-Day Filing Period for Offices Without Candidates

A special three-day filing period will be held Wednesday, June 2 through Friday, June 4 to allow citizens to run for elected office for positions without candidates. Open positions … more

5/26/21

North Thurston Public Schools is seeking responses from the general public to its annual survey, now through June 3.

No kids in Lacey schools? North Thurston Public Schools still wants to hear from you

Every year North Thurston Public Schools turns to the community to ask for feedback on academics, leadership, budget, student programs, and more through a short online … more

5/21/21

This is the hybrid live and online meeting of the Olympia School Board on May 13, 2021.

Olympia schools look towards fall re-opening, focus on students' emotional well-being

On Thursday, Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy shared with the board that the district will prioritize students' emotional well-being ahead of its fall reopening. The move is … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/17/21

Tumwater school officials discussed students' mental health concerns and resources at their meeting on May 13, 2021.

Tumwater school board tackles mental health concerns ahead of school re-opening

Tumwater School District board’s student representatives presented the growing need for emotional support during its board meeting yesterday. At the May 13 meeting, student representatives … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/14/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

County health officer offers guidance to school leaders

Dear Superintendents and Heads of School, Thurston County is experiencing higher levels of COVID-19 transmission in our county. This is reflected in the following metrics: Thurston … more

5/4/21

Considering running for office? Candidates workshop coming April 22

Thurston County Elections will hold a Candidate Filing Workshop online on Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The meeting is open to anyone interested in running for office this … more

4/8/21

A view of north Olympia from Budd Bay. For a point of reference, not KGY and KAYO Radio's studios, shown to the right edge of the photo.

Child-care needs complicate classroom return for Head Start

OLYMPIA - Head Start employees here want more flexibility as kids return to the classroom.Sophia Rychener, a teacher who heads the Federation of Head Start Employees, said some of her union members … more

By Eric Tegethoff | Washington News Service | 4/1/21

Jennifer S. Thomas appointed to North Thurston School Board

North Thurston Public Schools' Board of Directors has chosen Jennifer S. Thomas, PhD, to join them to represent Director District 3. Thomas replaces Director Melissa “Mel” Hartley, who … more

3/23/21

An array of solar panels is set to be installed on sections of Olympia High School's roof during the summer of 2021. A corner of the gymnasium is visible just to the right of the tree in the center of this image.

Olympia High School to be site of community solar project

Sometime over the summer, solar panels will likely be installed atop the roof of the gymnasium at Olympia High School as part of a partnership between the district and Puget Sound Energy to increase … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/11/21

North Thurston Public Schools seeking candidates for director seat

North Thurston Public Schools’ District 3 Board Member Melissa “Mel” Hartley will be stepping down from the board after accepting a job offer on the east coast, school officials … more

The JOLT Staff | 3/10/21

North Thurston Schools announce return-to-school hybrid schedule

In a message to families yesterday, North Thurston Public schools announced the upcoming hybrid-learning schedule and Today we welcomed back our 3rd and 4th grade students to in-person hybrid … more

The JOLT Staff | 3/4/21

The Olympia School District board meets annually in a joint meeting with the Olympia City Council.

Oly School officials detail complex plan to balance in-person, remote learning

About one in three families in the Olympia School District say they aren’t comfortable with their students returning to school for a hybrid model of in-person and remote … more

By Cody Neuenschwander | 3/3/21

Tumwater School Board met in-person and via Zoom for a work session on Thu., Feb. 25 at 5:00 p.m.

Tumwater School Board discusses School Improvement Plan for Littlerock Elementary

The Tumwater School Board met for a work session Thursday, February 25 at 5:00 p.m. First up on the agenda was a meeting with Littlerock Elementary School Principal, Glenn Spinnie regarding the … more

By Olivia Alvord | 3/1/21