december 2024 update
students belong. everyone learns. communities grow.
New strategic plan keeps focus where it belongs: on students
Earlier this fall, the Olympia Education Foundation's Board of Trustees approved a new strategic plan. It includes:
A new mission statement: Cultivating student potential.
A new vision statement: Students belong. Everyone learns. Communities grow.
New strategic priorities focused on:
Improving our capacity.
Increasing awareness in the community about who we are and what we do.
Sustaining our long-term fiscal health.
Honing and refining our current programs.
We started working on our strategic plan in January and would be remiss if we didn't thank all of the people -- nearly 100 in total -- who participated in our focus groups this past spring, providing critical feedback for the final version. They include:
Students from Avanti, Capital and Olympia high schools.
Families representing most elementary, middle and high schools in the district.
Staff (counselors, family liaisons, social workers, teachers, paras, specialists, and others) from every elementary, middle and high school in the district.
Sponsors and donors.
You can find a full list of participants here.
We are always eager to engage the community in our work. If you are interested in having a conversation, joining the Board of Trustees, or volunteering in another capacity, please reach out to us at info@olyedfoundation.org.
speaker series continues in the new year
Two-part gender diversity series online: Jan. 27, Feb. 10
Our Student & Community Well-Being speaker series continues in the new year with author and educator Aidan Key, who will present a two-part virtual series on the topic of gender diversity.
All families, caregivers, students and staff in the Olympia School District are welcome to join us for all or part of this no-cost event:
Part One: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27 (via Zoom).
Part Two: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb.10 (via Zoom).
Learn from Key about the increased societal visibility of transgender children and teens in K-12 schools has placed the topic of gender diversity squarely on the table. School communities – employees, leadership, and parents – are often hard-pressed to understand their needs and experiences, and even more challenged to respectfully address the needs, concerns, and fears of others. It is all the more challenging when resources are difficult to find, and as societal volatility ramps up unchecked. How does one discuss aspects of gender diversity in schools in ways that honor and respect all members of a school community.
Key will touch on the personal, social, legal, political, and educational implications that come with creating more gender-inclusive schools.
To receive the link for this event, click the "register to attend" button below. (You'll receive the link one to two days prior to each event.)
If you missed our previous events this year with Alexis Roberson ("Becoming a Neurodiversity-Affirming Caregiver"), and Emily McMason ("Screens: How to Live in a Digital World"), you can watch recordings of them here.
Want to suggest a future topic or speaker? You can comment here.
year-end giving: support a student's urgent basic needs
Make your tax-decutible year-end gift today!
When a student’s basic needs are met, they are more likely to find success within and beyond the classroom.
With only one-third of the school year completed, we've already received requests from one-fourth of the district's 19 principals for additional Principal's Emergency Fund support to help ensure their students' basic needs are met.
Here are just a few examples of some of the basic needs that have so far been met:
Undergarments for several unhoused high school students.
A $9 shirt that is required for a middle school student to participate in P.E.
A $7 laundry voucher to help keep that shirt and other clothing clean.
A bike helmet to help ensure an elementary student can get himself to school safely.
A new car battery that allows a father to get to work so he can provide for his family.
A $50 grocery voucher for a family whose student relies on school meals to stay nourished during the week, and who comes home to empty cupboards on the weekend.
A window shade for a mom who is currently living in her car with her students and an infant.
Partial rent to prevent a student from enduring the trauma of being evicted from their home.
Your gift will support the Principal's Emergency Fund – and all of our work to cultivate student potential.