We have several district actions designed to serve the needs of our diverse learners.

We recognize that: 

• Learning is best supported in school climates based on respect, responsibility, and repair of harm.  
  • We are implementing restorative practices in our schools, promoting positive discipline focused on the power of relationships and the community. 
• Students need multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning. 
  • Inclusionary learning environments make this possible, empowering student engagement, learning, and growth. Inclusionary practices such as Universal Design for Learning ensure variability in instruction, so all students can succeed.  
• Strengthening early literacy skills gives students an essential foundation for academic success. 
  • The MTSS-R Reading Study helps teachers develop effective reading instruction and interventions across all first- and second-grade classrooms. 
• Clear communication, responsible decision-making, practical problem-solving, and relationship building can directly impact academic achievement.  
  • Social-emotional learning provides students with a foundation for positive and safe learning and success in school and life.     
• Consistent classroom evaluation practices and reliable family communications about student performance improve student outcomes. 
  • Revised secondary grading practices will ensure students have fair and consistent grading measures across all classes, expanding their capacity to demonstrate their learning and ensuring families are aware of their student's progress. 

Some examples of our district's daily efforts: 

Services & Supplies 

1. We provide free breakfast and lunch at seven district schools (for all students) and free and reduced lunch options for qualifying students at all other NTPS schools. More about school meals >> 
2. The annual Stuff the Bus event gathers community donations of school supplies, backpacks, toiletries, food, books, and more to distribute to NTPS families in need.  
3. We work with the Little Red School House to provide free backpacks and school supplies to thousands of NTPS families. 

Postsecondary success 

1. Our partnership with five of the state’s four-year colleges provides guaranteed admissions to eligible NTPS students. More about guaranteed admissions >> 
2. The Give Back program provides academic assistance, long-term coaching, and support services to students experiencing foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent. Mentors help Scholars build a career-based educational plan and pursue postsecondary education. 

Partnerships 

1. Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington is instrumental in the launch of Peer and Adult Mentoring programs. The mentoring program provides mentor support for NTPS students. More about Peer Mentoring >>
2. The Salish Middle School YWCA Youth Action Circles help students explore social justice, community building, and civic issues.

Extracurricular Supports 

1. NTPS secondary students have an opportunity to join other students across Thurston County at Pizza Klatch, an LGBTQ+ teen support group that meets weekly. More about Pizza Klatch >>
2. Our free Summer Scholars program helps elementary students advance their skills and knowledge through small-group instruction. And secondary students receive support to catch up on credits and prepare for the coming year. More about Summer Scholars >> 
3. Students serviced through Special Education can receive extended-school-year services, with individualized support to maintain their skills over summer break. 
4. The Power-Up! Program provides supplemental before/after school instruction to more than 1,100 NTPS students. More about Power-Up! >> 

Other supports

• Fee-waiver programs empower students to participate in extracurricular activities and athletics, regardless of financial limitations. More about waiving fees >> 
• The Family & Youth Resource Center provides resources and support to families and students in need. More about the FYRC >> 
• Our student Chromebook program ensures all NTPS students have equal access to online instructional materials. We also offer mobile hotspots to help NTPS students who need internet access. More about student technology >> 
• Our Native Student Program supports American Indian and Alaska Native students with academic support, family engagement, and culturally relevant curriculum and resources. More about the Native Student Program >>
• The Since Time Immemorial curriculum, taught at all grade levels, recognizes the sovereignty and history of our Washington State tribes. More about Since Time Immemorial from OSPI >> 
• AVID Programs in all NTPS middle and high schools help close opportunity gaps and improve college and career readiness for those traditionally underrepresented in higher education. 
• Multilingual families, including a dedicated Spanish-language Bilingual Liaison and helpline, help families access NTPS information through translation services. More about language services >>

Succeeding in equity work must involve the combined efforts and perspectives of our diverse staff, students, families, and community. Please join us and share your voice at an upcoming event. 

• Our September 2022 Lunch and Learn webinar provides families and caregivers a chance to learn more about the social-emotional learning curriculum, nursing, and mental health supports.  
• Our Community Café programs advance our Belonging theme. Our 2022-23 Café series will focus on recognizing Black and African American, Multiracial, and English Language Learner perspectives. 
  • Black/African American Community Café - November 22 
  • Multiracial Families Community Café - February 28 
  • English Language Learners (ELL) Community Café - May 9
• Several staff-based committees and groups are forming to help drive our work forward:
  • The Multicultural Action Committee helps our schools plan and host multicultural celebrations & activities. Open to community members and staff! More info >>
  • The Equity Advisory Team assists in guiding Equity work that has and will continue to be offered in NTPS and includes several focused subcommittees.
  • The Dual Language Advisory Board assists in growing and developing our Dual Language Program, currently offered at Lydia Hawk Elementary.

Here are a few recent examples of NTPS actions designed to remove barriers for students.  

• Identifying opportunities to expand inclusionary practices for all students via our 2022 Community Cafes. Focused on Latinx, Native American, and LGBTQIA perspectives, the three Café's engaged attendees in discussion on how to foster a culture of belonging and acceptance.  
• Eliminating barriers so students have more equitable access to highly-capable instruction. Previously, we screened students selectively based on teacher or family requests. Past screenings also took place on non-school days, like Saturdays. Our new system eliminates both barriers, ensuring all students have access to high-cap screening and individualized instruction to meet their abilities. 
• Elevating student voice to strengthen the sense of belonging for all NTPS students. The Spring 2022 Community Conversation event included small group discussion focused on celebrating the value of diversity and reaffirming the need to address systemic inequities that impede student success.   
• Incorporating ethnic studies into the curriculum to foster a greater sense of inclusion and belonging in our classrooms. NTPS teachers will receive training on ethnic-studies mini lessons for use in the 2022-23 school year.  

Meeting the needs of our students is a team effort. We invest in our educators and leaders so they are prepared to support our diverse community of students.

Administrators and District Leaders – 2022-23 Training Highlights  

• Universal Design for Learning – Principles of inclusive learning practices; examples of successful classroom integration. 
• Least restrictive environment and inclusion – Maximizing opportunities for all students to benefit from high-quality instruction. 
• Social-Emotional Learning as the foundation for educational success – Practices to ensure students understand their dignity and honor the dignity of others.  
• Restorative Practices – Redefining discipline to shape behavior, foster stronger learning communities, and minimize instructional disruption. 
• Cultural Appropriations – Understanding the complex relationships of recognition, celebration, and cultural sensitivity. 
• MTSS-R (Reading Instruction Study) – Examining the impact of effective reading instruction and interventions in the early grades. 
• Elementary Grading Practices – Exploring the benefits of consistent and fair grading practices on student learning.  
• Teacher Clarity – Empowering students with clear learning intentions and explicit success criteria. 

Instructional Staff – 2022-23 Training Highlights 

• Universal Lesson Design – Developing practices for an inclusive classroom. 
• Ensuring social-emotional learning is the foundation of our instructional efforts. 
• Advancing equity – Examining opportunities to engage in ethnic studies across grade levels and curriculum. 
• Social justice standards – Recognizing core values of identity, diversity, justice, and action to build relationships and develop solutions in our schools and community. 
• Restorative practices – Using a community approach to support positive and inclusive classroom behaviors.
• Ongoing optional Professional Development courses including Recognizing Racism, Cultural Appropriation, etc.