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. Here you will find the latest news from around the district:

our email newsletter, NTPS Buzz

our mailed paper newsletter, NTPS Community Connections

our wall calendar

and a repository of local media coverage about NTPS Schools

Check out the great things going on in our district!

Lacey, Mountain View, and Evergreen Forest named America's Healthiest Schools

Lacey, Mountain View and Evergreen Forest are among the 518 schools nationwide to earn a spot on the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s (Healthier Generation) 2020 list of America’s Healthiest Schools” for their commitment to promoting quality nutrition, regular physical activity and strong wellness policies. Read more >>

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Pilot program helps give students a head start towards their electrician apprenticeship

On Friday, August 25, 2020 North Thurston Public Schools recognized three North Thurston High School students who have recently received their certification for advanced placement as electrician apprentices. Read more >>

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NTPS secures grant for new modular building at Aspire

Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) has awarded North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) over $2.5 million from their Modular Grant Program to fund the fabrication and placement of a new modular building at Aspire Middle School for the Performing Arts. Read more >>

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MOAA grant to supply 180 backpacks in support of military family students

The Olympia Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) received a grant to help military families at North Thurston High School and Komachin and Salish Middle Schools by providing each school with 60 backpacks filled with school supplies. Volunteers will be assembling them and delivering them to schools to be distributed to military families. Read more >>

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WIAA Modifies 2020-21 Sports Season Calendar

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Executive Board took action on Tuesday to modify the 2020-21 WIAA sports season calendar in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes will create four WIAA-sanctioned seasons and will also move moderate-high risk sports, originally scheduled for the fall season, to the WIAA Season 3. Read more >>

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NTPS eliminates fees to remove barriers to student participation in sports, activities

NTPS Board of Directors recently approved a new fee schedule for 2020-21 which helps encourage more student participation in sports and activities, including elimination of Olympia Junior Program fees and athletic fees for students who qualify for Free/Reduced through the meal program. Read more >>

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Nisqually math teacher wins regional honor

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 has named Nisqually Middle School math teacher David Buitenveld as their 2021 Regional Teacher of the Year! Buitenveld sees educators as partners with the families and students they serve. The selection committee chose Buitenveld for this award because of his energy and excellence in his content area, but also because of his strong connections with both his students and his colleagues. Read more >>

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District condemns vandalism of Black Lives Matter sign, hate messages

An approved handmade “Black Lives Matter” sign at an elementary school was destroyed early Tuesday morning, July 7, 2020. The vandal also left behind some racist stickers which were visible to pedestrians. Read more >>

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NTPS provides more space for Boys & Girls Clubs

Meeting the need for more space and a growing demand for out-of-school programming for youth just got a little easier, thanks to an expanded partnership between NTPS and the Lacey branch of Boys and Girls Clubs of Thurston County. The new agreement allows BGCTC to lease space at the Rajinder S. Manhas Activity Center (RMAC), for summer programming. Read more >>

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NTPS qualifies for $1.65 million in Safety Net (7/6/20)

North Thurston Public Schools has been preliminarily awarded approximately $1.6 million reimbursement for expenses related to student programs connected to Special Education. Read more >>

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Key Communicator: Traci Birbeck (6/10/20)

Our latest Key Communicator is Traci Birbeck, from Technology Services. Traci, a veteran teacher in our district, moved to Technology Services to be our Technology Integration Specialist. Read more >>

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North Thurston Public Schools issues first round of bonds at lower than expected borrowing costs (6/9/20)

North Thurston Public Schools successfully executed a public sale of $99,440,000 of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds. This sale represents the first portion of a total $275.2 million authorization approved by district residents at the February 11, 2020 special election. Read the whole story >>

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Lacey Elementary School receives Award (6/3/20)

Lacey Elementary School in North Thurston Public Schools has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Washington State Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) State Whole Child Award. Read more >>

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Two NTPS High Schools Rank in U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools (5/26/20)

North Thurston and Timberline High Schools recently earned honors in U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best High Schools rankings! The prestigious ranking is given to the top 40 percent of high schools in the nation and is based on a variety of data including student demographics, graduation rates, and college readiness, results of state assessments, as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests. Read more >>

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Bond credit rating indicate confidence in NTPS (5/22/20)

NTPS has received strong credit ratings from two notable investor services for the upcoming bond sales on June 2. “It shows our investors have faith in our community and school system," says Teena Barnes, Executive Director of Accounting/Financial Services. Read more >>

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NTPS receives $20,000 grant to support homeless youth (5/19/20)

The district was recently awarded $20,000 from the Washington State Student and Youth Homelessness COVID-19 Response Fund. The funds will be used for a wide variety of supports, ranging from rental assistance to medical needs. Read more >>

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Elementary Science has a Key Communicator (5/19/20)

This month Elementary Science Instructional & Integration Specialist, Jana Brock, was recognized for going above and beyond in communicating the importance of STEM and field studies for our students. Read more>>

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Going green: NTPS to receive three electric school busses (4/30/20)

North Thurston Public Schools will receive 3 new electric school busses thanks to grants from the Washington State Department of Ecology. It’s one of the largest investments in zero-emission school buses in the country. Read more >>

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State Recognizes 3 NTPS Schools (4/29/20)

Congrats to Evergreen Forest Elementary, Nisqually Middle School, and Salish Middle School for being recognized by the Washington School Recognition Program for growth and closing opportunity gaps in 2018-19. Read more >>

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Komachin FBLA dives into virtual competition (4/24/20)

Even though school buildings are closed, problem-solving and activities are still buzzing with Komachin Middle School's Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students! Their officers have been crazy busy prepping for their Virtual State Business Leadership Conference that started April 15 and runs for 30 days. They have 17 competitors in over 56 events! Keep reading >>

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North Thurston tiny houses project promotes trade skills, problem solving (4/24/20)

At North Thurston High School students in Tim Marshall’s Construction Skills class have taken on an architectural and social movement designed to advocate for simple living, leave a smaller environmental footprint, and provide future housing in their community. Yes, the construction of “tiny houses” has arrived not just on HGTV but in the classroom. Read the story >>

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Black History Month: NTHS celebrates through poetry, posters, and a quilt (2/24/20)

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in the U.S. History. Each February, citizens nationwide take part in different acts of recognition, including students and staff from North Thurston Public Schools. Students from North Thurston High School in particular took action by creating posters, studying slam poetry, and initiating a multi-layered program to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Read more >>

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New Director of Transportation at NTPS (2/18/20)

NTPS is excited to announce that Deanna Maddox has been selected to serve as the new Director of Transportation. Deanna has served already as a driver (started driving a bus at the age of 21), dispatcher, and Assistant Director since joining the NTPS team. Outside of NTPS she serves as the President of the Capital Chapter of the Washington Association for Pupil Transportation (WAPT). Congratulations Deanna!

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Mike Smith honored for communication (2/11/20)

River Ridge Assistant Principal Mike Smith was recently given the traveling “Key Communicator” trophy by the Community Relations Department. "Mike has led the effort at River Ridge in building relationships with the Nisqually Indian Tribe both for professional development and student programs. He’s been great at telling that story to the larger community and inspiring other school districts to do the same,” said Courtney Schrieve, Executive Director of Public Relations for NTPS." Read more >>

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NTPS leaders honored for attendance, graduation, and partnerships (1/30/20)

The district held their semi-annual leadership awards recently at ESD 113 in an effort to recognize the initiative and accountability of principals and other administrators and their staff. “Our leadership works tirelessly on behalf of our schools every day to help implement our Strategic Plan goals and promote student success,” said Supt. Debra Clemens. Read more >>

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Key Communicators in Financial Services (1/13/20)

Congratulations to the Financial Services Payroll Team for their excellent job moving over all employees to the new benefits system. It took serious communications skills, which is why they are being honored as the latest NTPS Key Communicators! Read more >>

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Graduation rates at all-time high (12/3/19)

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) students have achieved an all-time high four-year graduation rate of 88% for the Class of 2019, five percentage points above the state! Timberline High School has the highest rate in the district at 95%! Read more >>

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Student Records has a Key Communicator (12/2/19)

December 2, 2019 - Congratulations to Teresa Ahlf, Student Records Supervisor, who oversees everything from new student registrations to data management and staff training, for being honored with the Key Communicator award for her communications plan and efforts to streamline the registration and enrollment process. Great work Teresa!

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NTPS & Nisqually Tribe Collaborate on Land Acknowledgement (11/26/19)

November 26, 2019 - In honor of Native American Heritage Month, and in recognition of our ongoing partnership with the Nisqually Tribe, North Thurston Public Schools has formally approved a land acknowledgement to be read at future public events. Our schools will also display the Nisqually Tribal Flag at every district site. As part of the flag display, every school will engage in a lesson developed in partnership with the Nisqually Tribe and North Thurston School District staff. Read more!

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CTE - a hands-on approach to learning (11/15/19)

November 15, 2019 - When most people think of a typical school day, a setting is thought of- students sitting at their desks taking notes while the teacher lectures with a guided powerpoint. CTE classes completely disregard this stigma. Whether it is operating a power saw, video camera, or cash register, the typical day in a CTE class is much different than the average class.

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New Auxiliary Gym at River Ridge High School Up and Running for All Sports (10/15/19)

October 15, 2019 - The much-awaited Auxiliary Gym at River Ridge is now in use since the September grand opening. This 2014 bond project is now a staple to the appearance of the Ridge campus, helping nudge them one step closer to a full-campus modernization.

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North Thurston Public Schools

All Students Empowered & Future-Ready

News & Publications

News & Publications from NTPS

Lacey, Mountain View, and Evergreen Forest named America's Healthiest Schools

Pilot program helps give students a head start towards their electrician apprenticeship

NTPS secures grant for new modular building at Aspire

MOAA grant to supply 180 backpacks in support of military family students

WIAA Modifies 2020-21 Sports Season Calendar

NTPS eliminates fees to remove barriers to student participation in sports, activities

Nisqually math teacher wins regional honor

District condemns vandalism of Black Lives Matter sign, hate messages

NTPS provides more space for Boys & Girls Clubs

NTPS qualifies for $1.65 million in Safety Net (7/6/20)

Key Communicator: Traci Birbeck (6/10/20)

North Thurston Public Schools issues first round of bonds at lower than expected borrowing costs (6/9/20)

Lacey Elementary School receives Award (6/3/20)

Two NTPS High Schools Rank in U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools (5/26/20)

Bond credit rating indicate confidence in NTPS (5/22/20)

NTPS receives $20,000 grant to support homeless youth (5/19/20)

Elementary Science has a Key Communicator (5/19/20)

Going green: NTPS to receive three electric school busses (4/30/20)

State Recognizes 3 NTPS Schools (4/29/20)

Komachin FBLA dives into virtual competition (4/24/20)

North Thurston tiny houses project promotes trade skills, problem solving (4/24/20)

Black History Month: NTHS celebrates through poetry, posters, and a quilt (2/24/20)

New Director of Transportation at NTPS (2/18/20)

Mike Smith honored for communication (2/11/20)

NTPS leaders honored for attendance, graduation, and partnerships (1/30/20)

Key Communicators in Financial Services (1/13/20)

Graduation rates at all-time high (12/3/19)

Student Records has a Key Communicator (12/2/19)

NTPS & Nisqually Tribe Collaborate on Land Acknowledgement (11/26/19)

CTE - a hands-on approach to learning (11/15/19)

New Auxiliary Gym at River Ridge High School Up and Running for All Sports (10/15/19)

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