Spotlight on Success: October 2026

Hello Olympia School District families,

As we finish our first quarter, I want to thank you for the care and support you bring to our schools. Whether it’s families connecting with teachers, neighbors looking out for one another or students finding ways to help others, I’m continually reminded of the strong sense of community that makes Olympia so special.

As we wrap up conference weeks at our elementary and middle schools, I want to thank our families and educators for taking the time to connect and reflect on student progress. These conversations give us a chance to celebrate accomplishments, discuss challenges and work together to support each student’s continued growth and success.

I also recognize that our ongoing discussions about possible school closures bring questions and uncertainty for families, staff and students. For specifics about our long-term planning process, we encourage our community to review our Long-Term Planning page. Our schools hold deep meaning for the communities they serve, and we appreciate the care and perspectives folks are sharing as we work through these difficult conversations. Supporting students and their learning remains at the center of our work each and every day.

That same spirit of care extends into our neighborhoods. With Halloween just around the corner, I hope everyone has a fun and safe weekend. As families head out for trick-or-treating and other festivities, please take a little extra care on our streets, watch for young pedestrians and look out for one another.

As Veterans Day approaches, I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank the men and women who have served in our nation’s armed forces. To the veterans among our staff, families and throughout the Olympia community, thank you for your service, sacrifice and commitment to our country. As a reminder, there will be no school on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

We build community through the relationships we nurture, the support we offer and the ways we show up for one another. Thank you for helping our students feel connected, encouraged and ready to learn as we move into the next quarter.

I hope you enjoy reading about some of the meaningful work happening across our schools in this month’s edition of Spotlight.

Warm regards,

Patrick

Learning doesn't always happen within the four walls of a classroom. For students in Centennial Elementarry School's Developmental Learning Classroom (DLC), a short walk to Freedom Farm opens the door to hands-on learning, new experiences and meaningful friendships.

Every other week, Centennial's DLC students make the short walk to the Freedom Farm, where they reconnect with their older student buddies, explore the farm and participate in outdoor learning activities together.

During a recent fall visit, pumpkins stole the show! Students selected their own pumpkins, washed them and weighed their harvest. The seasonal activity offered opportunities to practice new skills, make choices and learn alongside their high school buddies.

For Jake Waluconis, a staff member at the Freedom Farm, these visits are about more than exploring the outdoors. "These visits bring so much joy and give our students an opportunity to model outdoor learning for younger students," Waluconis said. He emphasized that bringing students of different ages together creates opportunities for everyone involved. "Learning across different age groups builds community and creates opportunities for leadership and responsibility," Waluconis said. "Everyone brings something valuable to the experience and those interactions make learning more meaningful."

Centennial DLC teacher Kaitlin Campbell has watched these connections grow year after year. "We have been visiting Freedom Farm every year since I began teaching at Centennial, and it continues to be a meaningful experience for our students," Campbell said. "They love helping with various jobs around the farm, learning new things about how the farm supports our community, and building meaningful connections with older students in our district."

Those connections were especially evident during the recent pumpkin visit, when students discovered that getting their pumpkins back to school would require a little teamwork. "The pumpkins were so big that some of the high school students offered to walk back to campus with us, using a wagon to help transport them!" Campbell said. "Moments like these highlight the kindness, teamwork and connections that make our visits so special.”

While Freedom Farm students gain opportunities to share their knowledge and develop leadership skills, Centennial students bring curiosity, excitement and new perspectives to the farm. The pumpkins were the highlight of this particular trip, it’s the friendships and shared experiences that make these trips so meaningful.

Through a short walk, a little dirt and plenty of learning, students from Centennial Elementary and the Freedom Farm are growing something even more meaningful than pumpkins: connections that bring their school communities together.

We are looking for a diverse group of students who bring unique experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives—whether through culture, academics, athletics or extracurricular activities. Applicants can be freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors in OSD who are passionate about leadership, equity, and student voice and ready to collaborate to make positive change.

Applications opened October 19, and are due by October 30, 2026. After applications close, we will review them, and the first official SLAC meeting will be held on November 9, 2026.

Be part of the conversation. Be a voice for students. Apply to join SLAC today!

Calling all Olympia School District student artists and book lovers! The annual OlyReads Bookmark Contest is back, inviting students in kindergarten through 12th grade to design an original bookmark inspired by their love of reading.

Whether it's a favorite book, a memorable character or simply what reading means to them, students have an opportunity to turn their ideas into artwork and share their creativity with the larger OSD community.

Check with your school library or classroom teacher for contest rules, templates and submission details. We can’t wait to see our students’ creativity shine!

Across Washington State, approximately 85,000 educators serve 1.1 million students in 295 school districts. Each year, the state selects just nine teachers to represent their regions as finalists for Washington State Teacher of the Year.

Capital High School had plenty to celebrate on Saturday, October 10, as educators from across Washington gathered at the school's Performing Arts Center for the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's (OSPI) annual Educator of the Year Awards ceremony.

Among those being honored was Scott Le Duc, Olympia School District's 2026 Teacher of the Year and the 2027 Capital Region ESD 113 Regional Teacher of the Year.

For Le Duc, who has taught at Capital High School for 28 years, the recognition has been an opportunity to reflect on what matters most in education, the people who have shaped his career, and the students who continue to inspire his work.

During the ceremony, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal described the honorees as "leaders among leaders," recognizing not only their individual accomplishments but also their role in representing a profession that doesn't always receive the recognition and respect it deserves.

The message resonates with Le Duc, whose approach to education is as distinctive as his personality.

Around Capital High School, there's a word used to describe Le Duc's approach to teaching and life: "LeDucian."

A little unconventional, plenty creative, full of humor, fiercely proud of his Wisconsin roots (and always happy to remind you he’s a Cheesehead), and above all, passionate about students and learning. It's a fitting description of an educator who believes the best learning experiences start with students.

He describes his teaching philosophy as turning the traditional classroom "inside out."

"Imagine classes driven by students, their interests and their needs," Le Duc shared. "That comes first. Then we wrap the course content around them, add the social-emotional components that bring it to life, and help them see themselves through the whole process."

His approach emphasizes meaningful connections between classroom learning and students' aspirations. With guidance from an advisory committee, he brings professionals from various fields into the learning process, connecting students with people who can help them see where their interests and skills might take them.

It's a philosophy he captured during Saturday's ceremony:

"Together with professional mentors, I challenge young storytellers to imagine a better world for themselves and their community and to launch careers that build it."

It's about more than simply telling students what's possible.

"Don't just tell them; show them," Le Duc explained. "Connect with them through the specific projects they're working on. So that there's community, connection, and a potential future all right there in the same room at the same time."

He says the Teacher of the Year process has helped him better identify the core elements of his teaching and consider how he can make an even greater impact.

Of course, it wouldn't be a truly LeDucian moment without a little humor.

Le Duc may not have taken the stage to deliver his speech during Saturday's ceremony, but he wasn't about to let his prepared remarks go unheard.

Armed with a collection of handwritten Post-it notes, a copy of In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools and an imaginary second book, he recorded what he affectionately called "The TOY Speech That Never Was."

His opening? A comparison to Taylor Swift taking in the crowd during her Eras Tour.

And in true teacher fashion, he even assigned homework.

Behind the humor, however, was a powerful message about the importance of listening to educators and trusting their professional expertise.

"Our stories need to be told so people can picture them," Le Duc said. "They can see what needs to happen."

Drawing inspiration from books about trusting teachers and culturally responsive teaching, he encouraged policymakers, administrators and families to listen to the educational professionals working directly with students.

He expressed appreciation for his colleagues, his family, and the people who have supported him throughout his career.

While Le Duc's recognition is an incredible individual achievement, it also gives us a chance to celebrate the outstanding educators working throughout Olympia School District.

Every day, teachers across our schools and programs find creative ways to connect with students, build relationships, inspire curiosity and help young people discover their strengths.

Their approaches may look different from classroom to classroom, but they share a commitment to meeting students where they are and helping them grow.

This recognition highlights the collective dedication and the importance of supporting the professionals who make a difference in students' lives.

After nearly three decades at Capital High School, Le Duc continues to find new ways to grow, learn, and advocate for the profession he loves.

Congratulations, Mr. Le Duc! Thank you for your creativity, your humor, your dedication to students and your commitment to elevating the voices of educators across Washington. We are incredibly proud of you!

From the award presentation to moments shared with fellow educators, family, and friends, Saturday's ceremony offered so much to celebrate. Visit our Facebook photo album for more moments from Le Duc’s recognition and the statewide celebration!

You can also watch the 2026 OSPI Educator of the Year Awards ceremony, held October 10 in the Capital High School Performing Arts Center.

Traditional drumming and song filled Squaxin Park on Monday, October 12, as members of the Squaxin Island Tribe, local students, families and community members gathered to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day.

Surrounded by towering trees and the park's natural beauty, the annual celebration honored Indigenous history, culture and traditions while strengthening connections between Tribal communities and their neighbors.

Throughout the afternoon, Tribal members and cultural educators shared stories and reflections on the importance of Indigenous place names, the connections between language, land and cultural identity, and ongoing efforts to preserve and pass down the Lushootseed language to future generations.

For the Olympia School District, the celebration offered an opportunity to learn from Indigenous communities and recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of the people who have stewarded this land for generations.

The district acknowledges that its schools are located on the ancestral lands of the Squaxin Island Tribe. These lands have long served, and continue to serve, as places of gathering, trade, and community for the Nisqually, Cowlitz and Chehalis peoples. Through continued learning and relationships with Tribal neighbors, the district seeks to honor their histories and ongoing contributions to the community.

Students from Reeves Middle School attended the celebration, joining community members to listen to speakers, experience traditional music and learn about the cultural significance of the gathering.

Sandra Gordon, Olympia School District's program manager for Indian Education and Tribal Relations, emphasized the value of opportunities for students to learn directly from Tribal communities. "Participating in the Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration at Squaxin Park offered our Reeves Middle School students an irreplaceable educational experience, moving beyond a static lesson about the people and the land to hearing from Tribal leaders and cultural educators themselves," Gordon said. "I'm delighted that Reeves students and staff value this culture-sharing celebration enough to commit time and presence each year. It not only honors the Tribe's knowledge-sharing, but it also helps Native students feel seen, valued and respected in the community."

One of the afternoon's memorable moments came as the traditional Frog Song brought community members together in dance. People of all ages joined in, sharing an experience that reflected connection and cultural celebration.

The gathering celebrated Indigenous history, living cultures and traditions, and the relationships that continue to connect communities across generations.

The November 3, 2026 General Election is just around the corner! The Thurston County Auditor’s Office Elections Division mailed ballots to registered voters on October 8, 2026. Voters are encouraged to complete and return their ballots early to ensure they are received on time.

You can return ballots by mail or by placing them in one of Thurston County's 31 secure ballot drop boxes.

For a complete list of ballot drop box locations, visit the Thurston County Auditor's Office website.

If you haven't registered to vote or need to update your voter registration information, please keep these important dates in mind:

You can register to vote, check your registration status or update your information at VoteWA.gov.

2915 29th Ave. S.W.

Tumwater, WA 98512

Phone: (360) 786-5408

Email: elections@co.thurston.wa.us

In-person voter services, including registration assistance, replacement ballots and accessible voting options, are available at designated voting centers.

For additional election information, ballot drop box locations, voting center hours and the 2026 Local Voters' Pamphlet, visit the Thurston County Auditor's November 3 General Election webpage.

What began as an effort to help one person has grown into a nonprofit supporting shelters and people experiencing housing insecurity nationwide. Now, Olympia High School (OHS) graduate Vy Le is receiving national recognition for the work she started as an OHS student.

Le, a 2026 Olympia High School graduate and former Olympia School District student board representative, has been named a 2026 L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth. The annual program recognizes women making a difference in their communities through service and leadership.

While attending Olympia High School, Le founded WhereWear, a nonprofit organization that connects clothing donations with the specific needs of shelters and the people they serve.

The idea began when Le saw firsthand how difficult it could be for someone staying in a shelter to access appropriate clothing. What started as an effort to help a loved one grew into clothing drives and eventually a nonprofit reaching communities beyond Olympia.

"Being a L’Oréal Paris Woman of Worth feels absolutely surreal yet purposeful," Le said. "I started WhereWear by trying to help one person I loved, so to have that work recognized by L’Oréal Paris reminds me that something small can grow to serve so many others."

Today, WhereWear has provided more than 17,000 clothing items to over 100 shelters across six states. The organization works with shelters to identify specific clothing needs, helping ensure donations reach the people who need them.

For Le, the recognition is both a celebration of how far WhereWear has come and motivation to continue its mission.

"It is also incredibly inspiring to be honored alongside such remarkable women, and it pushes me to work even harder and take this mission further," she said.

While WhereWear's impact now extends across the country, Le credits much of her early growth to the support and opportunities she received at Olympia High School.

"Truly, so many people and experiences at Olympia High School have impacted both WhereWear as an organization and me as a person," Le said.

She specifically recognized Olympia High School Principal Matt Grant and math teacher Ricky Gant for supporting her efforts.

"I received endless support from OHS staff, especially Mr. Grant, who encouraged my work and helped make it possible to host clothing drives and share WhereWear with the school community," Le said.

Gant remembers Le as a student whose enthusiasm for helping others inspired those around her. "Vy is driven by a genuine desire to help her community, and she has a natural ability to bring people into that work," Gant said. "Positive, cheerful, and bright, she draws others in and helps them see how they, too, can contribute."

He also recalled her ability to listen to different perspectives, find common ground and encourage others to work toward a shared goal.

Outside the classroom, Le served as a student representative on the Olympia School District Board of Directors and participated in several student clubs. Those experiences helped her develop the confidence and leadership skills she would use to build her organization.

"Beyond that, serving as a student representative on the Olympia School Board and taking on leadership roles in various clubs gave me the confidence to pursue ideas, take initiative and learn through trial and error," Le said.

Le is now a first-year student at Yale University, where she continues her education while working to expand WhereWear.

As a 2026 Woman of Worth honoree, she will receive a $25,000 grant and mentorship opportunities to support her organization's work.

Although WhereWear has grown far beyond its beginnings in Olympia, Le hopes other students recognize that making a difference doesn't require a large organization or an elaborate plan.

Her advice to current OSD students is to begin with the needs they see around them.

"I would tell them to start small and start close to home," Le said. "You do not need a perfect plan to make a difference; you just need to notice one need, listen to the people most affected by it, and take one thoughtful step forward."

This approach reflects the beginnings of WhereWear and the experiences that shaped Le's leadership.

"Over time, those small actions can lead to something much bigger than you expected," Le said. "Don’t feel scared to ask questions and make mistakes."

For Gant, seeing Le turn her ideas into meaningful action has been especially rewarding. "I am most proud of the way Vy turns her concern for others into action and makes service feel possible and worthwhile for the people around her," Gant said. "Her accomplishments reflect not only her own initiative, but also her ability to help others recognize that they can make a difference in their community."

From clothing drives at Olympia High School to national recognition, Le's journey reminds us of the difference one person can make. And while her work now reaches communities across the country, her story began right here in Olympia.

Once an Olympia Bear, always an Olympia Bear. Congratulations, Vy! Your community is so proud of you and the difference you continue to make.

At the September 24, 2026, meeting, the Olympia School District Board of Directors and Superintendent Patrick Murphy presented and signed a proclamation recognizing October as Disability Inclusion Month. The proclamation was developed in partnership with the Olympia Schools Supportive Education Council (OSSEC).

The proclamation recognizes that students with disabilities are valued members of our schools and communities, bringing important perspectives, experiences, talents, leadership, and contributions to educational spaces.

It also emphasizes the importance of creating inclusive learning environments where students with disabilities and nondisabled students are "not just merely accommodated, but respected, included, valued and able to fully belong and participate in all aspects of school life."

Disability Inclusion Month is an opportunity to recognize the importance of accessibility, understanding and equitable opportunities for students to participate in academics, extracurricular activities and all aspects of school life.

As the proclamation states, creating inclusive educational environments strengthens our school communities by "fostering belonging, understanding and meaningful participation."

OSD greatly values its partnership with OSSEC and the shared commitment to creating learning environments where students are valued, supported and empowered to participate fully in school and community life.

As we head into cold and flu season, families may ask a familiar question: Is my child well enough to attend school today?

Regular school attendance supports student learning and success, but knowing when to keep a child home matters just as much.

The Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has shared a helpful guide to help families make that decision. The guide outlines common symptoms and recommends when students can attend school, when they should stay home and when families should contact a healthcare provider.

For example, students who aren't feeling their best but can still participate in normal activities can generally attend school. However, students with a fever of 100.4°F or higher who feel sick, have vomited in the past 24 hours, or have other symptoms that prevent them from participating in school activities should stay home.