July 2024

NTPS offers free summer meals (breakfasts, lunches, and snacks) to anyone 18 years old and under at several locations during the summer. No registration is required—just show up! See dates, times, and what’s available at each location.

Join NTPS students and staff at the Thurston County Fair from July 31–August 4. See animals shown by Future Farmers of America (FFA), amazing art exhibits, exciting dance performances, and more! Take the fair shuttle, and you’ll get to ride one of our school buses!

Thurston County Fair Website

All regular bus riders must register to ride the bus for the upcoming school year. The registration deadline for the 2024-25 school year is August 16, 2024. Registrations made after August 16 cannot be guaranteed a seat for the first day of school.

Register Now!

Special needs, McKinney-Vento, and foster care? Students who the district has identified as qualified to receive special transportation services including special needs, McKinney-Vento and foster care out of attendance school boundary services do not have to fill out the registration form. McKinney-Vento and foster care students who live within the boundary of their attendance school DO need to register.

What if I register after August 16? We will process late registrations as quickly as possible but cannot guarantee your student will have a spot on the bus on the first day of school.

If you need help with the online form, paper forms mailed, or someone to walk you through the process, call Transportation at 360-412-4545.

Reminder: NTPS is moving to the SMART tag mobile app, so families can monitor student bus activity and receive alerts on their cell phones.

Learn more about SMART tag

Our district and community offer many resources to keep kids learning over the summer months! Check out these fun and educational programs and activities: 

• Lacey Timberland Library Summer Reading Program: Get a free book, an activity log, and a certificate of completion at the end of the summer.  
• South Sound Reading Foundation Summer Reading Adventure: Complete reading challenges and pick up a prize on August 22 at the NTPS District Office. 
• NTPS Summer Learning webpage: Find STEM activities, math practice through Khan Academy, and much more.

Our community celebrated more than 80,000 acts of kindness this school year as part of our Compassionate Community project! This initiative is a partnership between North Thurston Public Schools, the City of Lacey, and the Lacey South Sound Chamber.

Acts of kindness performed by our staff, students, and residents included:

• Donating money, clothing, school supplies, and food to those in need.
• Providing meals for a sick coworker.
• Donating Legos to an after school club.
• Playing UNO at lunchtime with students who needed a connection.
• Mentoring and volunteering in NTPS schools.
• Making valentines for those serving in the military.
• Listening to a friend who was having a hard time.
• Holding the door open for a friend.
• Participating in a blood drive.
• Putting together weekend bags of food for students through All Kids Win.

Thank you to everyone who reported your acts of kindness this school year. We all have a role in building a culture of kindness that spreads throughout the community. Stay tuned for information about the 2024-25 Compassionate Community project!

5th-grade students from around the district competed in the annual track meet at South Sound Stadium! This fun event is focused on competition and sportsmanship. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer on the athletes!

Visit our district’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more examples of learning and fun in our schools!

Our School Board meetings are an excellent place to hear the latest news from around the district!

• At the June 18 meeting:
  • The community celebrated Superintendent Deb Clemens, including a performance from the South Bay Elementary Choir. Deb swore in incoming Superintendent Troy Oliver.
  • The Board recognized Timberline High School student Lelani Cherry for earning a statewide award for her art project titled “Tuesday 7:23 AM.”
  • NTPS Director of Equity and Languages Dr. Antonio Sandifer presented two awards on behalf of the district Multicultural Action Committee to River Ridge High School staff member Lois Tolbert-Wollo and student David Free, in recognition of their outstanding efforts in multicultural leadership.
  • The Board approved Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) as the K-5 art curriculum. NTPS piloted TAB at three elementary schools during the 2023-24 school year. The curriculum takes a studio approach to art education that encourages student exploration.
• The June 4 meeting was a joint meeting with the Nisqually Tribe. NTPS staff and students reflected on their Native culture learning over the past year, and Tribal representatives honored retiring Superintendent Deb Clemens.

Thank you to our partners at the North Thurston Education Foundation, who awarded scholarships to 24 NTPS graduating seniors! Scholarships range from $2,500 to $14,000 and are based on academic achievement, community involvement, and other factors. Read about the 2024 recipients.

Congratulations to the 14 NTPS high school students who earned a 2024 Varsity Letter in Community Service! Each student volunteered at least 250 hours during high school, and together they served more than 4,400 hours of community service. Read about the students and their work.