The district will hold its annual welcome back event for staff on Wednesday, August 28 at Olympia High School.

The welcome back event for certificated instructional staff and all nurses, TOSAs and other certificated staff begins with muffins and coffee served at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., Superintendent Patrick Murphy will welcome staff and introduce Jeff Utecht, an educational technology expert and author in Seattle, who will present about respecting students and their culture. Utecht’s work focuses on helping schools and educators use technology in an authentic, healthy and purposeful way to transform teaching and customize learning for students. This presentation will last until about 10 a.m., at which time staff will proceed to their school sites.

A similar welcome back event will be held that afternoon for transportation staff, food services staff, custodial and maintenance staff, office professionals, unrepresented classified staff and paraeducators. This event begins with light snacks at 12:30 p.m. followed by a 1 p.m. kick-off by Superintendent Murphy and then a presentation by Jeff Utecht.

Note: Staff who attend one of these sessions, whose official contract days do not overlap with August 28, will need to either fill out a time slip for the presentation or input time into TrueTime, using their regular time-keeping system for their group. Attendance is optional but encouraged. As this is optional, contract minimums are not in effect. We encourage staff who are on contract on this day to flex their day around this 12:30-2:30 p.m. time frame. Those who are not able to flex their day may work additional hours with prior supervisor approval.

Please be aware that Olympia High School will have several construction projects in process at the same time as this welcome back event. Due to construction, parking  is limited. Please consider carpooling with your colleagues. Also, please watch for any signs that direct staff where to park or enter the building. The high school is located at 1302 North St. S.E., Olympia.