School News | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

On Thursday, May 26, Olympia School District Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy updated the board of directors on the Enrollment Stabilization fund during its regular meeting.

OSD receives 50% less enrollment stabilization funds than expected

Olympia School District received $2.8 million in enrollment stabilization funds, 50% less than they expected to get from the federal government. In a report to the OSD board of directors during a … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/27/22

Thurston Youth Climate Alliance staged a die-in protest at the Olympia city council on Tuesday, May 24.

Thurston youth stage die-in protest over climate crisis

Thurston Youth Climate Alliance members staged a die-in protest at the recent Olympia city council meeting, urging the city to act on the climate crisis. Louisa Sevier, the alliance’s … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/25/22 | 3 comments

The Lacey City Council, meeting with the North Thurston Public Schools board, is shown on May 17, 2022 exploring a partnership with the South Sound YMCA regarding the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family Center.

Lacey mulls a shared community/learning/aquatics center for children and families

The Lacey City Council is exploring a three-way partnership with North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) and the South Sound YMCA to explore the feasibility of an indoor Young Child and Family … more

By JC Medina | 5/20/22 | 1 comment

Rainbow gay pride symbol.Colorful flag on LGBT community bar for homosexual and transgener people in Amsterdam.European freedom,equality and tolerance concept.

OSD official challenges schools to commit to safe environments for LGBTQ+ students

Olympia School District Board of Directors president Maria Flores challenged the city’s schools to commit to maintaining safe, healthy and welcoming environments for all members of the … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/16/22

OSD director Hilary Seidel discussed with the board of directors policy amendments to have more student representatives at the board during the OSD regular meeting on Thursday, May 12.

Olympia School District plans to add student reps to the board

Olympia School District (OSD) director Hilary Seidel introduced a policy amendment to seat one student representative from each OSD high school on the board of directors. “This is the policy … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/13/22

Olympia School District Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Jennifer Priddy explains to the board the effect HB1664 in terms of physical, emotional and social services on April 24, 2022.

OSD’s physical, emotional and social services to improve through HB 1664, says school district official

The Olympia School District will improve physical, social, and emotional services through increased state funding required in House Bill 1664, passed in the recently concluded legislative … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/5/22

Olympia and other local school districts are considering changing to a Balanced Calendar. This slide is from the OSD board meeting on March 16, 2022.

OSD wants community members to participate in survey for balanced calendar

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy encourages the community to complete an online survey about the balanced calendar concept. “We want to know what our community thinks … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 5/2/22

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy reads a proclamation designating May 2-6 as Teachers Appreciation Week on April 28, 2022.

Olympia School District celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week

The Olympia School District (OSD) proclamedthe week of May 2-6 as Teacher Appreciation Week. The proclamation, signed at the OSD regular board meeting yesterday, underscored the teachers’ … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/29/22

Saint Martin's University honorary doctorate recipients (l-r) Fr. James Lee, Sr. Angela Hoffman and Kathleen Heynderickx

Saint Martin’s University to award three honorary doctorates

Saint Martin’s University will confer honorary doctorate degrees to three members of the Benedictine community at its commencement ceremony next Saturday, May 7. “Each year Saint … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/27/22

In a Tuesday public hearing, residents showed up to air support for Thurston County’s condemnation of an abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School in Olympia.

County greenlights condemning abandoned property next to L.P. Brown Elementary School

The Thurston Board of County Commissioner (BOCC) has authorized the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to start condemnation proceedings for the abandoned property adjacent to L.P. Brown Elementary School … more

By JC Medina | 4/20/22

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

Olympia School District board supports Proposition 1

On Thursday, the Olympia School District board of directors adopted a resolution supporting Proposition 1, which would add .01% to the Olympia city sales tax. In supporting the ballot … more

By Lorilyn C. Lirio | 4/19/22 | 3 comments

The seals of the five service academies are shown above. Left to right: U.S Military Academy (Army, "West Point"), U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Does your student seek an appointment to a US service academy?

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D) will host two informational meetings for middle and high schoolers curious about attending any of the five U.S. service academies, with the first of the two … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 4/14/22

Olympia High School, showing its main entrance on the North St. side of the campus.

Oly High ranked 21st best school in state

Stacker compiled a list of the best public high schools in Washington using rankings from Niche. It ranked Olympia High School as the 21 best among 884 public high schools in the state and the only … more

Edited from Stacker | 4/7/22

Active shooter drills banned in Washington schools

During the 2022 Washington State Legislature, lawmakers worked to prohibit the usage of active shooter drills, including conducting lockdown drills, by schools, which include simulations of or … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/28/22 | 1 comment

Library Giving Day is an opportunity for people to give back to the local library that serves their community.

Support your local library on Wednesday, April 6 – Library Giving Day

Timberland Regional Library asks patrons to show their support for accessible and life-changing resources, programs and materials on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 – Library Giving Day. Timberland … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 3/24/22

Olympia Parks, Art & Recreation Director Paul Simmons presenting Olympia School District's co-location offer to the City Council

Olympia OKs talks to share Yelm Highway property with Olympia School District

Olympia City Council has unanimously approved starting negotiations with the Olympia School District (OSD) on building a school on the city’s Yelm Highway property planned to be developed into … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/23/22 | 1 comment

Parks, Arts & Recreation Director Paul Simmons presented various options OSD provided concerning plans by the school district to build a school along the highway of the Yelm property.

Vote set that would share Yelm Highway park land with Olympia School District

The Olympia City Council is set to vote tomorrow on a proposed Co-Location Agreement that would make part of the Yelm Highway land designated to become a new park available to Olympia School … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. and Danny Stusser | 3/21/22 | 2 comments

South Puget Sound Community College's Northwest Athletic Conference All-Region awardees (l-r) Payten Foster, Sharay Trotter, Justin Hicks and Head Coach  Darah Vining

Honors for SPSCC Clippers basketball athletes

Several South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) basketball student-athletes won Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) All-Region awards, according to a press statement released by the … more

3/21/22

Olympia School District probes shifting to Balanced Calendar

Olympia Schools District (OSD) is exploring adopting a Balanced Calendar, potentially as soon as the 2024-25 school year. During a webinar held Tues., March 15, OSD Superintendent Patrick Murphy … more

By Edwin Oscar Gutierrez, Jr. | 3/17/22 | 1 comment

Legislature seeks to establish a state student loan program

Prior to closing the 2022 Washington State Legislative session, the Senate passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1736, which establishes a state student loan program. Originally passed by the … more

By Troy Kirby | 3/16/22