Libraries are the hub of our schools. Over the past four years, we have refreshed our school libraries to ensure they are welcoming, inclusive spaces. We have increased the number of books that reflect our diverse student population and the community we serve. We have removed outdated, damaged, and underused materials from our collections and brought in more than 53,000 new books!

It’s making a difference. For example, walk into the North Thurston High School library on any afternoon and see a bustling space where students check out books, get tutoring, use study rooms, and access research databases and other online resources.

“There’s a book for every student in the library now,” said NTHS librarian Jenny Kassil.

Libraries come in all shapes and sizes! We recently cut the ribbon on two more Little Free Libraries, in partnership with South Sound Reading Foundation and the Kiwanis Club of North Thurston. All 13 NTPS elementary schools now have a place where children can find fun, age-appropriate books year-round. Our next focus will be installing Little Free Libraries at NTPS middle schools.

We also are supporting emerging readers through our new Reading Boosters program. This pilot program matches trained volunteers with students in three elementary schools for one-on-one reading time. Reading is the key to learning—supporting reading fluency, and comprehension helps ensure our students are future-ready!

Dr. Debra Clemens
NTPS Superintendent

Secondary students recently had some hands-on marine field experience while sailing the waters of Puget Sound, thanks to a grant from the Puget Sound Estuarium. While on the boat, students rotated through hands-on stations to learn about everything from biodiversity to water quality to marine careers.

“This trip was great because it showed us the real work that marine biologists do every day,” said one NTPS student.

NTPS high school students answered Jubilee residents’ questions about smartphone cameras as part of our intergenerational Teen Tech Genius program. Conversations included using portrait mode, saving photos, and more.

Students build relationships in the community while fulfilling their community service graduation requirements. The program supports our strategic goal of increasing the percentage of students participating in at least one positive school or community-based activity. Read more in our Good News article >>

The Washington State School Directors’ Association awarded the NTPS School Board as a 2022 School Board of the Year.

The award honors our Board’s commitment to supporting student success, including academic performance and mental health. Their decisions and actions have positively impacted our students, staff, families, and the community.

At Lydia Hawk Elementary School, Stephanie Mballo’s first-grade students gathered to read a book about Native American food and family culture, and then wrote about their own families’ food traditions. After recess, the students moved to Diana Leon’s classroom, where she taught a lesson about fish and water environments entirely in Spanish.

The school’s dual language program serves the academic needs of English language learners while providing a unique learning opportunity for native English speakers. In addition to the academic benefits, the program increases students’ awareness of their own culture and appreciation for the cultures of others. The program launched in the 2020-21 school year with two kindergarten classes and has grown to include grades K-2.

“It’s important not just for language but for empathy and understanding,” Mballo said.

NTPS offers innovative language programs that support meaningful learning and foster curiosity. The Lydia Hawk program is one of several language offerings to achieve our mission of preparing students for rewarding careers, fulfilling lives, and compassionate global citizenship. We are:

• Exploring a second elementary school dual language program.
• Working with the Nisqually Tribe to develop an accredited Lushootseed language class at River Ridge High School. River Ridge currently offers students an after school Nisqually Lushootseed language club.
• Working to provide additional Lushootseed language clubs or courses at Timberline and North Thurston High Schools, Nisqually Middle School, and Evergreen Forest and Woodland Elementary Schools.

“In addition to the clear academic benefits, offering innovative language programs helps ensure all students are in inclusive environments,” said NTPS Director of Equity and Languages Dr. Antonio Sandifer. “We want our students to feel part of a community that embraces diversity and learning from others.”

Thanks to voter support, we continue improving and modernizing district facilities. Remodels are complete for the Komachin Middle School administrative office and secure front entrance and library, music, and CTE spaces. Next steps include the gym, courtyard, and cafeteria. River Ridge High School renovations continue with the goal of enhancing the learning environment and improving sports and arts facilities. District-wide upgrades include improving the South Sound Stadium lighting and partnering with the City of Lacey to install a vehicle charging station at the District Office for community use.

Upcoming projects include:

• Renovating the south end of the Rajinder S. Manhas Activity Center.
• Replacing the roofs at the Service Center and Lacey Elementary School.
• Improving the Nisqually Middle School parking lot and the Timberline High School athletic field lighting.
• Continuing electrical upgrades at Horizons, Seven Oaks, and Meadows elementaries.

See more construction updates on the Building Our Future page >>