The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia, Lacey & Tumwater

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

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.

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

Olympia School District Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Priddy shares a financial update with the board at its meeting Thu., Feb. 11, 2021

Hybrid learning update at Olympia School District board meeting

The Olympia School District board met for a regular board meeting on last night via Zoom. Superintendent Patrick Murphy provided the board and the public with extensive updates concerning hybrid … more

By Olivia Alvord | 2/12/21

The North Thurston Public Schools board met via Zoom on Tue., Feb. 9, 2021.

North Thurston School Board announces name of new alternative learning school

The North Thurston Public Schools district board met via Zoom last night for a regular board meeting. Topics included student preparedness in terms of post-secondary success, the announcement of the … more

By Olivia Alvord | 2/10/21

This poster appears in every school in Olympia School District. These six "student outcomes" are the centerpiece of the "District Improvement Plan" that provides objectives for every teacher and administrator.

Olympia School Board reconfirmed plans for in-person learning

The Olympia School District held a regular meeting last Thu., Jan. 28 via Zoom. The board reconfirmed plans to resume in-person learning for pre-school and kindergarten students under a hybrid plan … more

By Danny Stusser and Ryne Oshiro | 2/2/21

Returning kids to school: County health officer answers top three questions

January 29, 2021 Dear Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools, Since I released my recommendation to open schools to in-person instruction in a cautious phased in approach to … more

1/29/21

Amy Cast, member of the Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) Leadership team, explains the responsibilities of the Board during the beginning of the workshop Thursday night.

Tumwater School District Board talks 2021-2022 budget during work session

The Tumwater School District Board met for a work session last night via Zoom. The meeting was facilitated by Amy Cast, a member of the North Shore School District Board for eight years, who is … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/29/21

The Goal 4 screenshot shows one of the North Thurston Public Schools superintendent's goals for the 2020-2021 school-year: continuous growth in all students and in all subjects-making sure all students empowered and future-ready.

North Thurston school board discusses hybrid grading scale and Komachin Middle School remodeling

The North Thurston Public Schools’ board met for a regular meeting last night. Agenda items included a sports announcement, grading scales, the Komachin Middle School construction … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/27/21

OSD Executive Director of Elementary Education Autumn Lara talks to the school board and community on Jan. 21, 2021 about the specifics of the academic schedule for the Preschool and Kindergarten students returning on February 1.

Olympia School Board discusses return to classrooms starting Feb. 1

Olympia School District’s board met via Zoom yesterday for a work session. This work session was specifically devoted to the hybrid expansion plan and pandemic education response updates. … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/22/21

Thurston County Health Officer's Letter to School Personnel

January 21, 2021 Dear Thurston Superintendents and Heads of Schools, In my letter on January 15, 2021, I affirmed Thurston County is in alignment with the Washington State Department of … more

1/21/21 | 1 comment

North Thurston Public Schools food services staff have served 675,000 meals to students since schools were closed in March 2020. From left to right: Ann Carter, Julie Jackson, Maria Montenegro, Semi Cho, Enah Pak, Michelle Payne.

North Thurston Public Schools updates

Prior to Winter Break in mid-December, North Thurston Public Schools served around 900 students in-person. Superintendent Debra Clemens expects that number to increase gradually at the start of the … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/15/21

County health officer sent additional guidance to school officials today

Thurston County Health Officer Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek sent a letter to the Thurston County Educational Community today. Her letter is shown below. Dear Thurston County Educational … more

1/15/21

Tumwater School District Board Member Sean Dotson discusses the Hybrid Opening Decision Framework for returning to school on Feb. 1 at the board's meeting on Jan. 14, 2021.

Tumwater School Board Talks Hybrid Learning Plan, Community Concerns, and Fall Sports

Tumwater School Board met last night for a regular board meeting to discuss a series of updates and community concerns. The district’s recent hybrid learning plan, announced yesterday, was a … more

By Olivia Alvord | 1/15/21