After months of rain and gray skies, it’s wonderful to finally see a stretch of sunny days! With the increase in warmer weather, however, our Facilities staff want to remind us about building safety. On hotter days, staff may be more inclined to want to open exterior doors in an effort to create air movement.

Please remember that exterior doors should remain closed and locked at all times. Please be aware of the inherent safety concerns around open doors.

These energy-saving tips come to us courtesy of Jenna Davidson, Olympia School District’s new Sustainability Associate (in partnership with Climate Corps and Puget Sound Energy).

Turn the Lights Off
Remember you can reduce energy by turning the lights off when you leave or turning fewer lights on where possible.

Unplug After Play
Unplug when you’re done! Appliances can draw energy even when on standby.

Close the Door
By keeping the doors and windows shut, the HVAC system will keep the heat in or out and bring in outside air for optimal room temperature.

Let the Light In
Take advantage of sunlight in the classroom and turn the overhead lights off, or hold the class outside!

Curtail Heat with Curtains
Closing the curtains or blinds at peak heat can keep solar heat out, or provide insulation keeping the heat in on cold days.

The following article is shared by Frank Wilson, Executive Director of Operations

Through a successful grant opportunity, we are proud to welcome Jenna Davidson as Olympia School District’s new Sustainability Associate in partnership with Climate Corps and Puget Sound Energy.

You can find Jenna at the Support Services Center, working with the Facilities Team to envision strategies for energy efficiency and a clean energy future for our schools. Don’t be alarmed if you see her on campus staring at your ceilings — she is likely just conducting a lighting survey. 

Jenna is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability with a focus on Renewable Energy, Materials and Technology. Her passion lies in empowering communities toward a just and sustainable energy transition.

Keep your eye out for energy tips that Jenna plans to submit for publication in this staff blog.

Welcome Jenna!

After a strong battle with lung cancer, long-time Support Service Center employee Pedro Bidot passed away on September 25, 2022.

Pedro began his service to the Olympia School District in October 1985 as a custodian at Capital High School. He moved to Grounds and Food Service at Olympia High School, then finished his career at SSC as the painter and eventually the plumber. 

Pedro retired from the Olympia School District at the end of February 2022. Executive Director of Operations Frank Wilson said Pedro had a personality larger than life. “His smile was infectious and he was always available to provide historical perspective to issues around the district.”

A memorial service for Pedro will be held Saturday, November 5, 2022 at 2 p.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1515 Harrison Ave. N.W., Olympia, WA 98502. A celebration of life will take place at 4 p.m. at South Puget Sound Community College in Lacey, 4220 6th Ave. S.E., Lacey, WA 98503. All are welcome.

Employees may leave condolences or share memories and photos on a Tribute Wall that accompanies his obituary on the Funeral Alternatives of Washington website.

The Support Service Center (SSC) has launched a new work order system, effective August 30. As a result, School Dude Maintenance Direct is no longer available to enter work orders.

Access to the new work order system, called Asset Essentials, is open to custodial staff, maintenance and grounds staff, building administrators, and Knox 111 department administrators. They have each been set up with a Dude Solutions account to enter work orders. Please contact your supervisor if you need to submit a work order.

Read the latest version (Version 4.4) of the OSD COVID-19 Pandemic Return to Work Safety Plan. The plan is posted on the staff Intranet, so be sure to sign in to Google to access the file, which is located under Departments, Safety & Risk Management. A copy of the plan is also posted on the district Internet site on the Support Services Department webpage, on the COVID-19 Response Protocol webpage, and on the In-Person and Remote Learning Updates webpage.

The latest changes to the plan include:

• Page 12: New page outlining what employees do when they receive a report of a positive, but unconfirmed case of COVID-19 at schools or support buildings.
• Pages 13-16: Pages have been updated to reflect the most current COVID-19 flowcharts from Thurston County Public Health and Social Services.

Please remember to follow all safety and health protocols outlined in the plan.