2016 Teacher Materials Exchange

June 8, 2016June 9, 2016 / susangifford

The Second Annual “Teacher Materials Exchange” is under way! All staff, especially those who are retiring, are encouraged to box up new or gently used classroom materials or office supplies that could benefit new Olympia School District teachers.

Items may be boxed, labeled and sent to the Knox Warehouse from school buildings between now and the last day of school. If interested in donating items over summer, email Ruth Ickert at: ickerter@osd.wednet.edu to arrange a date and time to get items to the warehouse as there is no mail pickup at schools once school has ended. The deadline to donate items for the teacher materials exchange is Friday, August 19. For specific instructions on how to label and send, as well as a list of ideas for materials to donate, view the fliers adjacent to this article (click the flier image to see a larger version that can be downloaded and printed). New teachers will receive an invitation to come to the Knox Administrative Center in August to select from these usable items for their classrooms. It will be terrific!

Congratulations 2016 OSD Employee Recognition Award winners!

June 1, 2016 / susangifford

Congratulations to all of the 2016 Olympia School District Employee Recognition Award winners. We appreciate everyone who sent in nominations!

The winners will be honored at the June 6 Olympia School Board meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. at Knox Administrative Center, 1113 Legion Way S.E., Olympia.

This year’s winners (including some categories with multiple winners) are:

“The Instructor – Excels in Teaching”
Any staff member who continually demonstrates outstanding efforts in helping students both achieve and exceed the Common Core State Standards.
Karen Adams-Griggs, Avanti High School Teacher
Linda Herseth, Marshall Middle School Math Teacher

“The Innovator – Changes Making a Difference”
Any staff member who demonstrates innovative strategies that significantly improve the district mission.
Melissa Charette, Washington Middle School DLC Program Teacher

“The Unsung Hero – Goes the Extra Mile”
Any staff member who continually gets results with little or no fanfare.
Starla Hoff, Human Resources Labor Relations Specialist
Deborah Inglin, Olympia High School Teacher, Special Education
Cissy McCormick, Director of Student Support and Early Childhood
Scott Swinkels, Washington Middle School Custodian

“The Bridge Builder – Reaches out to the Community”
Any staff member who fosters and supports family and community involvement for advanced learning.
Anne Meyer, Madison Elementary School Title I Parent Involvement Coordinator

“The Champion of Differences – Celebrates Diversity”
Any staff member who, by his or her actions, celebrates the values and differences of individual groups.
Matt Grant, Olympia High School Principal
Marty Manley, Lincoln Options Teacher

“The Coach – Supports Others”
Any staff member who plays a unique role in enabling others to excel.
Jen Boelts, Capital High School Career Counselor
Betsy Durant, Jefferson Middle School Head Secretary

“The Dream Team – Above and Beyond”
Any group of staff members working together to help students succeed in or out of the classroom.
Math PLC Data Team, McLane Elementary School
Becky Beswick
Rachel Diane Brock
Renee James Burney
Leann Caranci
Cindra Dooley
Jen Flo
Becky Hahn
Ashley Hamilton
Holly Jensen
Theresa Marcus
Joan Moore
Hollie Myhr
David Oas
Olivia Rethwill
Alyssa Thrasher
Connie Tran

Math Department Teachers, Capital High School
Louis Avden
Kim Broderick
Melissa Johnston
Bryan Keister
Scott LaViollette
Andrew Lopez
Carol McKay
Chris McNabb
Tracey Miller
Kelly Pankau
Karla Urevig

OSDEF grant applications available for 2016-17 school year

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 / susangifford

The Olympia School District Education Foundation (OSDEF) is accepting applications for grants that will be available in the 2016-17 school year. More than $50,000 in grants were awarded this year with a record number of applications, so don’t delay in sending in your application!

Grant categories, guidelines and applications are available online on the OSDEF website.

While there are no specific deadlines for grant applications, if grant funds are needed for the beginning of the school year, applications must be received in the OSDEF office by August 1. Applications received after that time will be processed for the month following receipt of the application.

All applications received by August 1 will be processed by September 1, and applicants will be notified of the results before the first day of school. Note that all applications submitted will be acknowledged within one week of their being received in the OSDEF office. If you have not heard from us within that time, please contact Bev Sperry in the OSDEF office by email at bsperry@osd.wednet.edu or by phone at (360)753-8853. The office is open all year, including summer months.

Feel free to contact the OSDEF office if you have questions or concerns about applying for a grant.

Summer professional development opportunities

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 / susangifford

Throughout the year, the district receives notification of a number of professional development classes and workshops for educators and other employees. As we learn of educational opportunities such as this, we will post them in this staff blog. Remember, you can always return to the blog any day of the week to see the latest workshops and classes. They will be grouped together in the “Professional Development” listing under the categories heading on the right side of the main blog page.

Here are some upcoming classes and workshops (click the hot link to see the flier or be directed to the organization’s website):

“Dive Into Spanish,” enrolling now for beginning, intermediate, advanced intermediate, and advanced classes in July and August in Olympia. Clock hours available through ESD 113.

“Project Water Education for Teachers (WET),” a workshop for educators held in various locations including Olympia in July, with clock hours available. Activities are designed to complement existing curricula and fulfill objectives and educational standards in the sciences, as well as other disciplines.