Read and sign district credit card agreement in Skyward starting October 4

September 28, 2022October 3, 2022 / susangifford

Laptop computer open with a credit card in front of it on the table and hands typing

Do you have a district-issued credit card? Do you travel as part of your job? Do you manage credit cards for your program or school? Do you occasionally check out a procurement/credit card? If so, please read further.

Each October staff fill out their annual employee agreement regarding credit card use. If you use a district-issued credit card, we need you to read and sign this agreement. Beginning October 4, Skyward will prompt you to complete the 2022-23 SY CC MOU. This is a requirement to use district procurement cards (credit cards).

Please review each of the attestations carefully in order to ensure your understanding and compliance. Acknowledgement of all items is required to use a district procurement card.

We’d like to remind you of the following:

I will avoid transactions requiring a credit card fee.
I will not use the card for technology purchases over $40 per item and I will ensure that digital downloaded content will be saved to a district device. (Contact the Technology Department with any questions)
I will not use the card for gas purchases if I am claiming mileage. Fuel purchases CANNOT be charged on travel or building/department credit cards. (Employees are “reimbursed” for fuel via claiming mileage OR when a district vehicle is in use, the vehicle includes a credit card for associated fuel purchases. Purchasing fuel with the credit card for a pre-approved rental car is OK.)
I will ensure food/meal purchases are completed in compliance with the district’s Group Meal Policy, including per-diem amounts.
I will not use the card to purchase gift cards, gas cards, postage stamps, or any other items considered cash or cash equivalent per the WA State Auditor’s Office.
I understand I am responsible for providing original, itemized receipts for all charges against this card promptly after purchase.
I am mindful that all purchases must be shipped to a Olympia School District entity/address (e.g. building address). Therefore, shipments should never be made to a personal address.
I understand that failure to adhere to the above district guidelines may result in termination of the district-issued procurement card privilege.

We understand that you may have questions or concerns about items listed on the complete form. Please email help-business@osd.wednet.edu so that we may answer you directly.

Also remember, the Skyward form process is helpful because we can eliminate paper processing for the employee. However, the Skyward form system is less intuitive than other systems; after you fill out the attestations (double check that all check boxes are checked), look at the top of the screen for the red wording that states “I have completed this step.” Check that box, then select “Next” in the lower right-hand corner. On the next screen, check the box stating “I have completed this online form” and select “Finish” in the lower right-hand corner.

Mark your calendar: Foundation breakfast is October 7 at Capital HS

September 28, 2022September 28, 2022 / susangifford

Come celebrate all of the Olympia School District Education Foundation’s work to empower students in our schools – including the Principal’s Emergency Fund, Teaching & Learning Grants, and Mental Health Initiative – at its annual fundraising breakfast on Friday, October 7, a non-student day. Enjoy pastries and hear the Foundation’s big news in person!

Tickets: As always, tickets are free and can be reserved in advance here.
Venue: Capital High School Performing Arts Center, 2707 Conger Ave. N.W. (park in lower lot)
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 7:45 a.m. (approximate program length: 30 minutes)
Food: Pastries and coffee will be served in the lobby at the conclusion of the program. Stay and mingle, or take yours to go so you can return to your building in time for the day’s professional development opportunities.

Scenic photo of the week

September 28, 2022 / susangifford

Sea turtle laying eggs on a sandy beach with surf rolling in — *A mother sea turtle lays eggs on the beach as a hurricane is about to touch down in San José del Cabo Mexico, by Sam Logan, Data Systems Development Specialist, Technology*

OSD employees are encouraged to email the Communications department a photo of their artwork portraying nature (e.g., landscapes, sunrises or sunsets, an interesting cloud formation, a close-up of a flower) for consideration in this staff blog. Your image can be something you captured on canvas, in a photograph, on a textile, in a pencil, charcoal or pastel drawing, with wire — the possibilities are endless!

Please remember, you can be a novice or a professional. You can submit photos taken with your phone or a fancy camera. The goal is for as many employees as possible to participate!

Guidelines:

Nature/scenic images only (no people or pets please).
Attach a photo of your original art in jpeg or png format to an email and send to communications@osd.wednet.edu. The higher the resolution, the better.
Photos must be in-focus and cropped so the art is visible.
Include your name, title, work location, and if applicable, where the image was taken (you can name the city, for example, or provide even more specific details (e.g. sunset taken from Long Beach, WA). This information will be included with each image published.

Depending on the number of images submitted, we will print one or more in each issue of the staff blog.

Keep those images coming!

Employee Assistance Program provides support to employees and dependents

September 22, 2022 / susangifford

White ceramic teacup sits on railing with mountains and lake in the distance

Personal issues, planning for life events or simply managing daily life can affect an employee’s work, health and family.

First Choice Health provides 24/7 support, resources and information for personal and work-life issues. Services include support for anxiety and depression, couples/relationship/parenting, crisis support, alcohol/drug problems, grief and loss, domestic violence, and more.

Learn more by viewing the Employee Assistance Program flyer

OSD Community Resources Webpage

Additionally, community agencies are available to assist youth and families.

A compilation of resources and information, including a list of local and national crisis hotlines, support groups, counseling resources and more are posted on the district website.

Foundation Grant Requests due tomorrow, September 23

September 22, 2022 / susangifford

Need support for a project that your building does not have the budget for? Consider the nonprofit Olympia School District Education Foundation, which accepts Grant Requests in any amount up to $2,000. Application period 1 requests are due by 5 p.m. Friday, September 23.

Please note the following changes, most of which are meant to make the application process more efficient:

All Grant Requests must be made using the Google Form found on our website at www.osdef.org/grants; we will no longer accept requests made in Word.
Applicants no longer need to select a category unless they are applying for:
- A Browsers Bookshop grant for a classroom or school library. Browsers generously provides 10 grants, each in the amount of $500, for the procurement of books. Books must be purchased through Browsers, which offers a 20 percent discount for educators.
- An SEL/Mental Health Grant (see below).
SEL/Mental Health Grants (formerly Mental Health Initiative Grants) will support counselors, social workers, behavior technicians, and restorative justice centers by funding materials and the development of programs that specifically address social/emotional learning and mental health.

Applicants who apply during the period 1 will be notified of their request’s status by no later than Oct. 18.

The Foundation encourages requests earlier in the school year to help ensure all monies can be spent before the end of the fiscal year, Aug. 31, 2023. However, there are three other due dates if you don’t have time to submit by this Friday: Nov. 18, Feb. 17, and April 21.

Questions? Contact Executive Director Katy Johansson at (360) 596-6110 or info@osdef.org.

Scenic photo of the week

September 22, 2022 / susangifford

Point of Arches at Shi Shi Beach with sand and water in the foreground — *“Point of Arches” at Shi Shi Beach, by Caitlyn Griffin, Paraeducator, Centennial Elementary School*

Please remember, you can be a novice or a professional. You can submit photos taken with your phone or a fancy camera. The goal is for as many employees as possible to participate!

Guidelines:

Nature/scenic images only (no people or pets please).
Attach a photo of your original art in jpeg or png format to an email and send to communications@osd.wednet.edu. The higher the resolution, the better.
Photos must be in-focus and cropped so the art is visible.
Include your name, title, work location, and if applicable, where the image was taken (you can name the city, for example, or provide even more specific details (e.g. sunset taken from Long Beach, WA). This information will be included with each image published.

Depending on the number of images submitted, we will print one or more in each issue of the staff blog.

We can’t wait to see what our employees have to share this year!

Latin American Heritage Month September 15 – October 15

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 / susangifford

Blue background with red and yellow lettering that states Latin American Heritage Month Also Known as Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, Olympia School District will honor Hispanic and Latin American students and families as a part of Latin American Heritage Month (also known as Hispanic Heritage Month).

Olympia School District acknowledges that there are many identities held by these families (e.g., Hispanic, Chicano, Latinx, Mexican-American, Afro-Latino, etc.) Latin American was designated by staff as an overarching term that is distanced from the colonization ties to Spanish history.

OSD celebrates diversity and we will be demonstrating this in our schools all month long. Our goal is to amplify the voices of our multicultural and multilingual families by sharing their stories, their history and their achievements. We invite you to celebrate alongside us in uplifting members of our community that historically have been discriminated against and excluded.

We are here to support all of our families; if you and your family are in need, please reach out to your school to be connected with resources and individualized assistance.

The Teaching & Learning Team will be providing more resources throughout the month for the school district to collectively celebrate Latin American Heritage Month.

Apply now for Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s K-3 Early Learning Grants

September 13, 2022September 13, 2022 / susangifford

The Olympia Tumwater Foundation’s Early Learning Grants for K-3 are now available for the 2022-23 school year!

Applications will be evaluated based on the following goals of the grant program:

To stimulate student creativity and motivation to learn.
To enhance the current learning environment.
To leave a lasting impact on as many students as possible.

Applications are due Friday, October 14, 2022.

Applications are available on the Olympia Tumwater Foundation website.

Questions and applications can be sent to OTF@olytumfoundation.org.

Applications open for people interested in filling the school board Director District 2 seat

September 12, 2022 / susangifford

The Olympia School District Board of Directors is seeking candidates interested in filling the vacant board position representing Director District 2.

The seat was vacated on August 31, 2022 by Justin McKaughan, who moved out of District 2. McKaughan was elected to the Olympia School Board in 2019. His four-year term expires in 2023. Board policy states the vacancy will be filled by board appointment.

Interested applicants may fill out and submit an online application form. The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. on Monday, September 26, 2022.

More information, including a link to view the District 2 boundary map, is available on the District 2 Director Application Process webpage

A new week, and a new Everyday Hero!

September 12, 2022 / susangifford

Everyday Heroes is a regular feature in this staff blog. Remember to submit names of employees districtwide who have done something deserving of encouragement and praise. Give a shout-out to one of your colleagues at your school or support building and watch for it to appear in an upcoming Everyday Heroes blog post.

Here is our newest honoree:

Everyday Heroes
Transportation Department

I would like to recognize those in Transportation working so hard at getting special education routes set up. From what I experienced, the pickup and drop-off times were communicated to families in record time before the start of this year. One parent I spoke to was pleasantly surprised at being notified in a timely fashion before the start of the year. It’s great to see happy, smiling drivers and monitors too!

As we all know, a well-organized and staffed transportation system is a critical element to smooth school operations, so thank you!
Submitted by Denise Hammer, Social Services Coordinator, Boston Harbor and Madison elementary schools

How to nominate an Everyday Hero

Email the Communications and Community Relations Department (communications@osd.wednet.edu) a few sentences, and no more than 200 words, about why the person deserves recognition. It’s easiest to write as if speaking directly to the colleague, such as “Thank you for helping with…” or “I really appreciated when you…”
Write “Everyday Heroes” in the subject heading of the email.
Include your first and last name as the person submitting the comments.
Include the first and last name of the OSD employee you are recognizing.
Include the job title and work location (school or department) of the person you are recognizing.

All submissions will be posted in this blog on a weekly basis and archived each week.