News & Publications from NTPS

NTPS Community Relations travels the district reporting on just a small portion of what our students, staff and volunteers are doing. Check out the great things going on in our district!

Stories from Around the District

Technology Support Services systems expert is a Key Communicator

NTPS Community Relations honored Technology Support Services and one of their System Administrators, Carel Strey for his excellent customer service, communication, and care he takes in supporting our public records officer. Read more >>

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Board Meeting Highlights from January 11, 2022

Even though January is School Board Recognition Month, students were the focus of the January 11 School Board meeting at Timberline. Highlights include recognitions for the NTHS Marching Band / Colorguard, Operations Supervisor Jenny Boeholt, and a sharing of good news from the Timberline ASB. Read more >>

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Balanced Calendar being explored by NTPS

What would it take to implement a modified school-year calendar that could help prevent learning loss, decrease stress of students and staff, and improve student achievement? Read more >>

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National study supports stronger elementary reading skills

First and 2nd graders across the district have finished the first semester of a six-semester study conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) and we are thrilled to see positive growth in the strength of our students’ reading and literacy skills! Read more >>

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Student Spotlight: Carlos Heredia, Meadows Elementary

Meet Meadows Elementary's Carlos Heredia and hear about his plans for the future and how he includes everyone. Watch the video >>

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Staff Spotlight: Sean Moore Devine, Asst. Principal, Meadows Elementary

Over the years, Sean Moore Devine has worn a lot of hats in North Thurston Public Schools – student, teacher and currently Asst. Principal at Meadows Elementary. He is a member of the district’s Equity Advisory Council and believes passionately about empowering students and giving voice and space to historically marginalized populations. Learn more about Sean and how Meadows is implementing the district’s Social Justice Standards through literacy. Read more >>

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NTPS Mechanics pass state inspections with flying colors

Shout out to our mechanics and transportation staff for helping NTPS maintain 19 straight years of exceptional Washington State Patrol safety inspections. It takes good communications, organized systems, and expert mechanics to keep our fleet in tip-top shape! Read more >>

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First Teen Tech Night was a success

NTPS high school students helped coach Jubilee residents how to navigate social media at the district's first intergenerational Teen Tech Genius program. Students answered questions about everything from podcasts to Zoom to Facebook - and got volunteer hours toward graduation! See some photos >>

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Student Spotlight: Timberline's Kylie Metcalf

In our latest Student Spotlight, meet Kylie a super senior at Timberline. She loves choir, cheerleading, her friends, and sharing her infectious energy with everyone she meets.

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Board Meeting Highlights from December 7, 2021

Highlights from our Board Meeting on December 7, 2021 include two newly elected members Tiffany Sevruk and Jennifer Thomas and a farewell to longtime member Chuck Namit, recognitions for Chinook Middle School, Salish's Art Teachers state award, and a congrats to the NTHS Volleyball team for their achievement. Read more >>

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Staff Spotlight: Jessica Llamas, McKinney-Vento Student Navigator

Meet Jessica Llamas-- the new McKinney-Vento Student Navigator who works out of the Family & Youth Resource Center! With a focus on homeless assistance, her job is to help connect students and their families with necessary resources, including assisting high school students with financial aid forms and college application. Read more >>

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Chuck Namit to retire from NTPS School Board after 28 years of service

NTPS staff & community members will get a chance to share their appreciation with long-time School Board director Chuck Namit, who will retire after 28 years serving the district. “Chuck Namit has helped in leading a great deal of progress for NTPS,” said Gretchen Maliska, Board President. “His service to our students, staff and community have given us a foundation that will lead us into tomorrow. The history that Chuck helped shape has given us the opportunity we need to provide additional skills and innovation for future students.” Read more >>

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North Thurston High School has a Key Communicator

Trent Truesdell, Assistant Principal at North Thurston High School did amazing work bringing together the staff and the building to help organize and execute the complicated task of contact tracing and reporting to the county of COVID-19 cases during this school year. Read more >>

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School Board Spotlight: Gretchen Maliska, Board President

We are so grateful for the work our School Board does. Board President, Gretchen Maliska has diverse experience in K12. Read as she answers some questions about her position and her thoughts about our priorities and challenges that face NTPS today. Read more >>

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Native Student Program specialist named 2022 Teacher of the Year

For those who know Jerad Koepp, it was no surprise when he was selected as the 2022 Washington State Teacher of the Year. Read more >>

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Thank You, Veterans!

Thursday, November 11 is Veterans Day. THANK YOU to all the veterans in our NTPS community and beyond! We are grateful for your sacrifice, your bravery, and your service. Watch the Veterans Day 2021 video from JBLM >>

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Staff Spotlight: Kou Ping Lin, Chinook Kitchen Manager

When Kou Ping Lin immigrated to the United States from Taiwan, she was nervous about learning English. Then she got a job at NTPS, where she has worked more than 30 years! Read more >>

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NTPS completes 2nd round of municipal bond funding

“[We] have worked diligently to secure all the pieces necessary to make this a successful bond sale. Success as measured by the ultimate borrowing cost for the bonds. All of our efforts strive to provide a result that truly honors the community’s support,” said Supt. Clemens Read more >>

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Board Meeting Highlights from October 5, 2021

Highlights from the October 21, 2021 Board Meeting include good news from Evergreen Forest, recognizing our new Bilingual Family Liaison, a National Merit Scholar semi-finalist, our hard-working principals, and more! Read more >>

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Assistant Superintendent honored as Key Communicator

Asst. Supt. of Instructional Services Vicky Lamoreaux was recognized with the Key Communicator award from NTPS Community Relations. Read more >>

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Board Meeting Highlights from September 21, 2021

Highlights from the September 21, 2021 Board Meeting include an introduction to our two new student advisors to the Board, recognizing our State Teacher of the Year, some of our hard-working Administrators, and more! Read more >>

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JBLM sends appreciation to NTPS

Skye D. Duncan, Commanding Colonel, US Army, recently gave a Certificate of Appreciation to NTPS honoring the district's exceptional service during COVID-19 to "ensure students remained ready and able to learn throughout this unprecedented school year...and for the physical, social, and emotional support of your students...thank you for caring for our children!" Read more >>

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Empowered Learner: Chandler Ketelsen earns national scholarship despite years of housing instability

When Chandler Ketelsen started his junior year of high school, he was living alone in a parked motor home. Today, however, Chandler is a proud graduate of River Ridge High School. He also earned his Associate of Science degree and is one of ten scholars selected to receive the national SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship. The prestigious $2,000 leadership scholarship will help him begin studies in Physics and Mathematics at Washington State University this fall. Read more >>

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CTE team wins Key Communicator Award

Congratulations to our amazingly talented Career and Technology team of Brad Hooper (Director), Chris Groen (Instructional Coach), and Amy Rye (Office Professional), the recipients of the district’s Key Communicator Award. Read more about the CTE team >>

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Student Voice: Aspire's GSA club celebrates Pride year-round

June is Pride month! Hear from student leaders of the Aspire Middle School Gay Straight Alliance club about what Pride means to them. Read more >>

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NTPS Community Relations honored by awards from State School PR Organization

NTPS Community Relations was recently honored with several awards from the Washington School Public Relations Association (WSPRA), including Best in Video, Award of Merit, and an Award of Excellence Read more >>

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Staff Spotlight: Custodial work at River Ridge is far more than a job for Lois Tolbert-Wollo

Lois Tolbert-Wollo loves two things more than anything else in the world: her children and a clean, tidy space. As a custodian at River Ridge High School, she spends her days creating a neat and clean environment for the community in which her two oldest children and all their peers can learn and grow. Read more >>

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Empowered Learner: Tyser Hicks and his online fashion start-up might take over the world

Tyser Hicks will turn 18 next February, just a few months after the one-year birthday of his online fashion start-up, Vylo. Vylo is grounded in strong values and guided by Tyser’s desire to elevate personal style through minimalism while being environmentally sustainable and breaking gender boundaries. Read more >>

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OSPI Art Contest Winner: Timberline's Haley McCarthy

The State Superintendent's High School Art Show is an annual event co-hosted by OSPI and the Washington Art Education Association (WAEA). Timberline senior Haley McCarthy was selected as one of the winners. Read more >>

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New art brings pop of color to North Thurston High School

You may see a large, colorful structure as you pass through the courtyard at North Thurston High School. This is the school’s new art piece funded by the State Art Commission. The piece is called “We Are…” and was created by Gregg Schlanger, Art Professor at Central Washington College. Read more >>

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Seven Oaks celebrates empowerment with One School, One Book project

During the month of April, the students, staff, and community of Seven Oaks participated in a school-wide project called One School, One Book. They selected the picture book, I Believe I Can by Grade Byers. Read more >>

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Student Spotlight: Elana Russell, 8th grade, Chinook

When Elana Russell was asked to write a praise poem for a Black Lives Matter writing contest at Chinook Middle School, she chose something close to her heart and soul – her culture. The powerful poem – which she wrote in an incredibly short 45 minutes -- caught the attention of Chinook staff who chose Elana as the grand prize winner. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: 8th grader, Grace H.

Meet Grace H., an NTPS 8th grader, with a preference for graphite pencils as her medium, and loves the contrast that comes with dark pencil on white paper. She thinks visual art allows kids to be creative and express themselves. Read more >>

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CTE students raise funds for Food Bank through recycling

Career & Technical Education (CTE) students at North Thurston High School recently completed a global project to recycle some of their no longer needed project materials, donating the proceeds to the Thurston County Food Bank. Read more >>

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Seven Oaks staff gets creative in communications

Congratulations to the staff at Seven Oaks Elementary who won the district’s Key Communicator Award for April. Seven Oaks staff got kudos for reaching out creatively and frequently to their school community on social media, website, and teacher communications. Read more >>

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Staff Spotlight: Patrick Egrubay - from Guam to River Ridge

When Patrick Egrubay applied for an assistant principal position at River Ridge High School last spring, he knew it would mean a cultural adjustment for his entire family and a move overseas if he got the job. Read more >>

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Thomas Larson: Musician, entrepreneur, engineer, and new dad

Thomas Larson took an unexpected path after he graduated from North Thurston High School in 2009. An avid musician throughout his time as a student, he played trombone in multiple classes but always enjoyed his math and science courses. He credits his teachers for his motivation to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington, which he completed in 2013. Read more >>

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Empowered Learner: Joel Galarza Jr., sneakerhead and contest winner

Meet Joel Galarza Jr., currently a freshman at River Ridge High School and a self-professed sneakerhead. He didn’t think he was going to win when he entered a fan contest hosted by one of his favorite online programs, Sneaker Shopping. Even though he thought it was a long shot, he knew he had to enter. Read more >>

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The NTPS community is grateful for the North Thurston Education Foundation

The North Thurston Education Foundation (NTEF) makes it possible for NTPS to better serve the 6,314 low-income students who learn in our classrooms. The NTEF has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of essential support for the students and families who need it most, as well as scholarships and learning grants. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: Hope, 5th Grade, Olympic View Elementary

Meet our latest featured artist, Hope, a 5th grader from Olympic View Elementary, who is inspired by their favorite Youtuber creators and thinks visual art in schools can inspire people and that's why it's important. Read more >>

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Doing Math for Charity - NTPS Students donate to the Red Cross

NTPS 3rd through 5th graders earn what are called Think Points as they progress through their Imagine Math assignments. They can use these points for anything from decorating their avatars to donating to charity. 210 NTPS students donated collectively 2,215,000 Think Points, which came out to a $1,000 donation to the Red Cross Wildfire Relief Fund. Read more >>

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Staff Spotlight: Debbie Cannon, NTPS Purchasing & Compliance Manager

Furniture is a big part of Debbie Cannon’s life, both on the job and at home. As the district’s Purchasing and Compliance Manager, she spends her days making sure staff have the supplies and materials they need to successfully serve students. In the evenings and on weekends, you can find her browsing flea markets, antique stores, or estate sales, searching for the unique “find” to refinish and flip. Read more >>

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New NTPS Board Member: Dr. Jennifer S. Thomas

The NTPS Board of Directors have chosen Jennifer S. Thomas, PhD, to join them to represent Director District 3. Thomas replaces Director Melissa “Mel” Hartley, who served on the Board since January 2017 and resigned on March 9 after accepting a new job out-of-state. Read more >>

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NTPS says farewell to School Board Member

NTPS is saying farewell to School Board member, Mel Hartley as she officially resigned from her elected position at the School Board Meeting on March 9, 2021. Hartley has served on the Board since January 2017 and is resigning after accepting a new job on the east coast. “I will urge the Board to utilize the opportunity to seek candidates who reflect the demographics of the students we serve,” stated Hartley. Read more >>

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Empowered Learners: High school swimmers used COVID downtime to write an album

Last spring, North Thurston High School swimmers Brian Walton and Cash Brown had both qualified for state in their respective strokes and relays. The team co-captains and friends were excited for the big meet. They wanted to swim well in honor of their coach who had recently passed away. Then came COVID-19. Read more >>

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School Board Director Vacancy

The North Thurston Public Schools’ No. 3 Board of Directors is seeking a replacement member for Director District 3. Board Director Melissa “Mel” Hartley has served on the Board since January 2017 and is resigning after accepting a new job on the east coast. In accordance with District policy 1114, the Board of Directors is accepting nominees for the opportunity to serve the District. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: Haydn, 5th Grade, Pleasant Glade Elementary

Meet photographer, Haydn, who is in 5th grade at Pleasant Glade Elementary, who inspired by "learning something new" and hopes that his photographs inspire others to learn more about art. Read more >>

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Career & Technical Education (CTE) to the Rescue

There are certain things that can be easily adapted for a Zoom session. Demonstrating chest compressions and taking blood pressure are not those things. Stephanie O’Dell, CTE Sports Medicine, Anatomy, & Health teacher at River Ridge, has worked to provide a realistic and meaningful experience for both students and staff in this world of remote learning. Read more >>

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Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council: Building Our Future, Hybrid Learning and Bell Study Update

Superintendent Debra Clemens, along with other district leaders, met recently with the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council to seek their input and ideas on several of our schools conceptual designs, hybrid learning and the recent bell study. Read more >>

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Wendy Cooper breaks down language barriers and self doubt in young ELL students

Meet NTPS staff member, Wendy Cooper, English Language Learner (ELL) teacher at Lacey Elementary and Mountain View Elementary, brings compassion, structure, and fun to her unique learning environments. Read more >>

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Staff prepares buildings for safe return to school

As students and staff begin to transition back to the classroom for in-person learning, our Maintenance and Operations team have been hard at work getting buildings cleaned and ready for their safe return. Read more >>

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Empowered Learner: Hermit Crab expert Lucy Johnson

When Lucy Johnson, 9, decided to get some hermit crabs from a pet store, she learned the hard way that they take a lot of special care. Lucy’s love of research and her crab family (she now has four) led her to make a YouTube video to teach other kids how to care for hermit crabs. Read more and see the video >>

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Food & Nutrition honored for their family outreach

Food & Nutrition Director Alicia Neal and her team won the rotating Key Communicator award from Community Relations for their amazing work on a daily basis as well as public information on meals during the pandemic and remote learning. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: Aleema, Timberline 9th grader

Our latest artist spotlight is the talented Timberline 9th grader Aleema. She finds inspiration in just simple media like the pencil and knows the importance of art in schools as an outlet for student expression and growth. Check out their spotlight artist piece >>

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Staff Spotlight: Seven Oaks Paraeducator Amanda Harris

Seven Oaks Elementary paraeducator Amanda Harris loves to play! “My life motto is never, ever lose your childlike enthusiasm,” she said recently in an interview. Even over the phone, you can hear her smile. Read more >>

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Tribute to Hank Adams (1943-2020)

Henry “Hank” Lyle Adams was a Native American rights activist. He was very successful in his work and was known for his negotiating skills, strategies and tactics. After 1960, he worked in settling crucial conflicts between Native Americans and State and Federal Governments. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: Lydia Hawk 1st Grader Azaria

Our latest artist spotlight is talented Azaria - 1st grader at Lydia Hawk. Her art teacher John Pirie says, “Azaria is a very creative 1st grader. Her paintings really show her love of creating and painting.” Check out her spotlight artist piece >>

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Compassion Spotlight: Seven Oaks PTA grant promotes student mental wellness, family fun

The pandemic has been hard on everyone, especially where mental and emotional health is concerned. When the school year began remotely, parents, students and teachers needed reminders that it was going to be okay. At Seven Oaks Elementary, those reminders came in the form of little treats, positive messages, and fun activities provided by the Seven Oaks PTA through a national COVID relief grant. Read more >>

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Compassion Spotlight: K-Kids at Horizons Elementary

When it comes to service, the K-Kids at Horizons Elementary don’t let anything stand in their way of service — even a pandemic! 4th & 5th graders in the chartered Kiwanis International service club at Horizons help their community, school, and friends. Read more >>

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NTPS celebrates all-time high grad rate of 92%

Advisories. Relationships. Interventions. These combined key factors, along with a dedicated teaching and counseling staff, helped North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) reach its highest on-time graduation rate of 92 percent for the Class of 2020! That’s a full 12 points higher than the graduation rate from 2014. Read more >>

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Artist Spotlight: December 2020

Meet the artist of our featured art spotlight, and 8th grader from Salish Middle School. See their art piece and read more about what inspires them. Read more >>

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Parent advisors share feedback on remote learning, resource officers

Superintendent Debra Clemens, along with other district leaders, met recently with the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council to seek their input and ideas on Remote Continuous Learning and our School Resource Officer program. Read more >>

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Envision Career Academy promotes innovation

The new choice high school opened this fall, amidst COVID-19 and the district’s necessary move to remote learning. Described as an “innovate, choice high school utilizing a project-based approach to career-connected learning,” Envision has mostly freshmen and sophomores enrolled, with plans to grow. Read more >>

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News & Publications

News & Publications from NTPS

Stories from Around the District

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