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

Dr. Antonio Sandifer, NTPS's new Director of Equity and Languages, made his first presentation to the school board on Sept. 7, 2021.

North Thurston schools are safe, majority of students agree

In a district-wide survey conducted by North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) in 2020-21, results showed that the majority of students felt safe in their schools. During the regular NTPS board … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/10/21

Ocean Laura shares Avanti High School experiences during the 2021 graduation ceremony.

Congratulations to Avanti High School's 2021 graduates

Avanti High School held its graduation on Fri., June 12, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. "Avanti's commencement ceremony each year is a special one because each teacher says something about several … more

By Danny Stusser | 9/7/21

Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek, the Thurston County Health Officer.

County health officer writes to school leaders today about how to proceed

Dear Thurston County Superintendents and Heads of Schools, I am writing to inform you about the COVID-19 guidance from the Washington State Department of Health for the 2021-2022 school year. … more

8/31/21

A student browses the shelves at the Lacey Timberland Regional Library on April 9, 2019.

Celebrate Back-to-School and Library Card Sign-Up Month with Timberland Regional Library!

Timberland Regional Library supports students of all ages with easy-to-access resources in its 28 libraries and online, and an effortless process to obtain a library card. Parents and teachers can … more

By Taniah Najih | Timberland Regional Library | 8/26/21

Critical Race Theory: In response to a push for culturally responsive teaching that gained steam following the police killing of George Floyd, Republican lawmakers and governors have championed legislation to limit the teaching of material that explores how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law.

Critical race theory: A political debate hits WA schools

By Venice Buhain / Crosscut.com August 24, 2021 Unlike in previous years, instead of kicking off this year’s English literature class with reading, Mark Gardner plans to … more

8/25/21 | 1 comment

This image shows Kaleena Pierce, Austin Moser-Attaway, Ryan Spiva, Clifford Kettle who graduated in June 2021 from Envision Career Academy of North Thurston Public Schools. Not pictured: Karina Herrera.

Envision Career Academy graduates listed

Last and smallest among North Thurston Public Schools' graduations this year was the Mon., June 21 ceremony to commemorate the accomplishments of the five students who graduated from Envision Career … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/19/21

At the North Thurston Public Schools board meeting on Tue., Aug. 17, 2021, Stephanie Grip, a parent in the district, shared that masks should remain optional and not a requirement

NTPS parents lobby against integrating social justice and equity in curricula … and masks

Several parents spoke out against the North Thurston Public School’s (NTPS) decision to implement its new social justice curriculum during the regular school board meeting on Tuesday, August … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/19/21

River Ridge High School graduate Joyce Lee just after receiving her diploma at the school's graduation ceremonies on June 16, 2021.

River Ridge High School graduates listed

Caleb Edward Akana Zachary David Albaugh Anthony John Alexander Juan Francisco Alonso Farias Bianca Alvarado Alyssa Angel Anderson-Creasey Nathaniel Leon Anderson Deja N. Avery Victoria Hope Bahler … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/18/21

Komachin Middle School business education teacher Kate Reece poses with her students, Cyrus Biel, Issy Justis and Zeke Hanson, whose team ranked third at the national Future Business Leaders of America Fall Stock Market Challenge.

Komachin Middle School students named national CTE champions

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) honored three Komachin Middle School students who ranked third in the national Career and Technical Education (CTE) championship during its school board meeting … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/18/21

Hayden Anderson and Nhino Denis celebrate in their highly personalized Timberline High School graduation gowns on June 15, 2021.

Timberline High School graduates listed

Timberline High School graduated its seniors on Tue., June 15, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. More photos are available on the school's official Facebook … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/17/21

North Thurston High School graduates, l-r, Hannah Brannam, Maddie Hansen, Annie Hoffman, Cirena Adams, Helene Budd show off their various awards and honors on June 14, 2021 at their graduation ceremony, held at St. Martin's University.

North Thurston High School graduates listed

North Thurston High School graduated its seniors on Thu., June 17, 2021 at St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Congratulations from The JOLT to every graduate named … more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/16/21

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 … 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