A diverse community of lifelong learners in Lacey, Washington
In This Section
April 2025
Every month, we send an email newsletter to our families, staff, and students highlighting the upcoming events, news, and more! Read the latest issue below, or check out past issues from this school year.
April Family Newsletter: Celebrating those who serve
We are proud to be one of 14 Washington Purple Star districts, a designation given to school districts that provide support and resources for military families. About 16% of our students have a military parent, and we know that these students face unique life experiences that may need additional support.
We celebrate the Month of the Military Child each April to honor our NTPS military-connected families. In addition to school assemblies and a virtual art wall, we host a military coin seek and search. Students who find one of these special coins hidden at each of our schools get to keep them! It’s a great way to reflect on those who serve.
Supporting military-connected students goes beyond just the month of April. Visit our Military Family Support webpage to learn about counseling services, NTPS military family events, and resources from community partners.
This month’s Joy of Learning video features our Dual Language program, which we now offer at Lydia Hawk, Mountain View, and Pleasant Glade Elementary Schools. Students learn in both English and Spanish and build a sense of community by remaining in class together over the years. Several Mountain View 1st-grade students spoke at the recent Community Conversation on world languages and did an excellent job describing why they love the program!
Search for a coveted NTPS Military Appreciation Coin from April 7–30! Coins are located around all NTPS schools, in clearly visible and easily accessible areas. Visitors may only search for coins when school is not in session. See more details on our Military Support Month of the Military Child page.
This is the final week to participate in the Thurston County Chamber’s Math for Life program! Visit local businesses and learn how they use math every day. Students who visit at least five locations on the Math for Life map they receive at school can enter to win prizes. Learn more about Math for Life!
Is your student interested in attending Envision Career Academy, the NTPS career and technical education (CTE)-focused choice high school? Join us at one of our upcoming family information nights at Envision Career Academy (411 College Street NE). You can learn about the school, ask questions, tour the building, and more.
Applications for the 2024-25 Varsity Letter in Community Service are due Monday, April 21! Students who volunteer 250 or more hours of community service in high school can earn their school's varsity letter, the same letter earned by athletes and musicians.
Summit Virtual Academy is our free, fully online K-12 school. Summit provides a rigorous online learning environment with highly qualified teachers, curriculum, materials, and technology! Students experience daily interactive class sessions, weekly teacher help sessions, and optional clubs and in-person outings.
Join us at an information night to learn more and see if Summit Virtual Academy is right for you! Both nights will take place at the NTPS District Office (305 College Street NE).
Middle and high school students and their families are invited to the Thurston County Chamber’s Find Your Future event from 10:00 am–2:00 pm on Saturday, April 26, at the New Market Skills Center in Tumwater. Students can explore careers by participating in hands-on activities, talking to industry professionals, and attending a resource fair.
Students interested in attending a US Service Academy can attend an upcoming information night to meet academy field representatives and learn more about the Congressional nomination process. Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland will host the information night from 6:00–7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 30, at Lacey City Hall (420 College Street SE). Students can learn about:
NTPS will recognize our military spouses/partners of active duty, National Guard, reserves, and retired service members from 4:00–5:30 pm on Friday, May 9, in the NTPS Boardroom (305 College Street NE). Please join us for community resources, refreshments, door prizes, appreciation gift, and an opportunity to meet other military families in our district. This is a come and go event.
Please join us during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to share your ideas on how we can continue to grow the culture of inclusion and equity within NTPS. Our next Community Café will focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander students and families, and will be from 5:30–8:00 pm on Monday, May 19, at Timberline High School (6120 Mullen Road SE).
What to expect:
Dinner
Adults and students ages 14+ will participate in the adult Café
Students ages 5-13 will participate in the youth Café
Multicultural entertainment
The Community Café approach provides a safe, welcoming space for families, students, staff, and community partners to participate as equals in conversations that value reciprocity and honor everyone’s contributions. All are welcome! Interpreters available upon request; email cschrieve1@nthurston.k12.wa.us.
Beginning next school year (2025-26), NTPS will use a new family communication tool called ParentSquare. ParentSquare will be the place you receive district-wide emergency alerts and newsletters, school and classroom newsletters, and direct messages with school staff. ParentSquare will replace tools like Remind, School Messenger, Skyward Message Center, and other apps currently used for family communication. Learn more about what this change means for you!
Registration is now open for Summer Scholars (NTPS summer school)! Our free summer school program runs from June to August. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are provided.
Our high school program will offer credit recovery and advancement options for current 9th-12th grade students. (Location is Timberline High School.)
Our elementary program is by invitation only. It is designed for current K-2nd grade students who would benefit from further support in English language arts and math. (Location is Lacey Elementary.)
Does your family need help with food this summer? For qualifying families, the Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program provides $120 per eligible child in grocery benefits that can be used to buy foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, whole grains, and dairy at grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and other places. Complete your family’s NTPS child nutrition application online to find out if you qualify!
A new electric vehicle (EV) charging station is now open in the NTPS District Office parking lot! This two-vehicle charger was installed using grant funds awarded to the City of Lacey to expand EV charging options in our community. View NTPS EV charging fees.
Students from Nisqually, Chinook, and Salish Middle Schools recently participated in a unified middle school basketball jamboree! Unified sports help promote inclusivity, teamwork, and friendship. Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to see photos from this event and other exciting things happening in our schools!
Each month this year, we will feature a staff member who embodies our 2024-25 district theme, Joy of Learning! Charlie Sittingbull teaches at North Thurston High School and is known as a creative and inspiring teacher.
“Charlie’s ability to foster a love for learning, build strong relationships with students, and integrate hands-on, community-centered instruction make her an outstanding teacher,” said NTHS Principal Nick Greenwell. “Her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion ensures that every student, regardless of background, has access to high-quality education and meaningful learning opportunities. She creates a classroom environment that is not only academically rigorous but also safe, supportive, and affirming for all learners."
Tell us a little about yourself.
I teach biology and CTE at NTHS, where I have the privilege of helping students connect with the world around them. My background is in restoration ecology, outdoor education and ethnobotany: wild foods & medicines. As an educator, I strive to engage students in hands-on experiences that foster a deeper relationship with their environment and community. Outside of school, you'll find me digging in my garden, enjoying food and music with my friends and family, or out on an adventure in our public lands.
What do you like best about your job?
What I love most about teaching is inspiring curiosity and joy in my students. Science and CTE are incredibly empowering subjects because they allow students to come together, ask questions, make mistakes, and build real-world skills. I especially love taking students outside and helping them engage with our community—whether it’s through tree planting, working in hatcheries, participating in government, volunteering with elementary STEM field trips, or deepening their understanding of cultural ecosystems. Seeing students feel connected, capable, and engaged in shaping their world is the most rewarding part of my job.
What does the Joy of Learning mean to you?
To me, the Joy of Learning is about curiosity, connection, and empowerment. It’s that spark when students feel engaged, when they ask thoughtful questions, when they see the impact of their learning in real life. It’s in the moments when they build relationships—with their peers, their community, and the natural world—and realize their ability to make a difference. Learning isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about fostering a lifelong sense of wonder and purpose.
Each April, NTPS proudly celebrates the Month of the Military Child by wearing Purple Up! apparel, participating in the search for NTPS Military Appreciation Coins, and highlighting a Virtual Art Wall to honor and recognize our military-connected students. For more information, visit our NTPS Military Support MOMC webpage.
April 4 is National School Librarian Day – Teacher librarians make our school libraries magical places for students! From managing the collection to connecting students with their next great book to coordinating instruction closely with classroom teachers and more, teacher librarians are an essential part of our schools!
April is Occupational Therapy Month – Our NTPS occupational therapist team supports students through activities promoting their physical and mental health and well-being. We appreciate these caring, creative, and collaborative members of the team!
April 23 is Administrative Professionals Day – Administrative professionals are vital to NTPS! Thank you for helping everything run smoothly throughout the district and for being a great district ambassador to staff, families, and the community.
We love our volunteers! ❤ Every year, NTPS volunteers help all around our district in classrooms, on athletic teams, in mentoring partnerships, and more! Our volunteers include parents and guardians, community members, local businesses, organizations, and students. As of March 2025, NTPS volunteers served over 20,000 hours in our schools this year! During Volunteer Appreciation Week, if you see a volunteer working in your school, take a moment to thank them for their time.
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