Darcy Huffman for Olympia School Board

Last Thursday was a great day to be a School Board Director! I got to share popsicles with a great bunch of summer school students! I even got a lei and a bunch of kids signed my beach ball!

I know that Sandy will be a champion for our kids in all the districts in the 35th. We need her voice and her vote to meet the challenges we’ll face!

What a great conversation with voters and local elected officials this week, hosted by Darcy Huffman! Grateful to the folks who turned up to support us 🇺🇸

This is such a great article about our kids at Lincoln. Please take some time to read it. I promise it will make your heart happy!

www.ourkidswa.com

So proud to have been able to vote YES! on this.

The Olympia School Board has unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action from January 31 through February 4, 2022. ❤️
https://osd.wednet.edu/news/district_news/black_lives_matter_at_school_week_proclamation

Please take some time to stay informed about what's going on at OSD. See you there!!

The community is invited to a one-hour webinar with district leaders tomorrow night to discuss OSD legislative priorities and 2022-23 budget planning. https://osd.wednet.edu/news/district_news/community_webinar__priorities___budgeting

Every year in December, the Olympia School Board elects officers for the coming year during its annual reorganization. At its December 9 meeting, the board elected Maria Flores as this year’s board president and Justin McKaughan as vice president.

The oath of office was also given to newly elected board member Darcy Huffman, as well as Director Scott Clifthorne. Huffman was elected to the District 3 position, and Clifthorne was re-elected to the District 5 board seat, in the November General Election.

Board members are also appointed annually to serve as liaisons with various community groups and state agencies. The board made the following appointments for the 2021-22 school year: Justin McKaughan, board representative to the Olympia School District Education Foundation; Hilary Seidel, board representative to the Thurston Regional Planning Council; Scott Clifthorne, board representative to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association; Darcy Huffman, legislative representative to the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).

The Olympia School District, along with many districts in the state, is having difficulty obtaining the delivery of our milk order. With severe weather conditions the past 10 days, and the mountain passes being closed repeatedly, the distribution of available products is disrupted.

We are working to find alternate suppliers to ensure that all schools have ample milk for breakfast and lunch. However, as this supply chain continues to recover, over the next week schools may need to offer bottled water, instead of milk.

We apologize for any inconvenience.

This is a great opportunity to hear about what’s going on at OSD. I hope to “see”you there.

You're invited! Superintendent Murphy, along with a panel of OSD Teaching & Learning leaders, will host an Academic Recovery Webinar tomorrow, January 5, from 6-7 p.m. on Zoom. Details at the link below. 👇🏾 👀💻
https://osd.wednet.edu/news/district_news/academic_recovery_webinar_jan__5

This is happening! I’ll be sworn in at Thursday’s Board Meeting.

Beginning my journey as a School Board Director at the WSSDA annual conference.

After tonight's ballot count it is clear that we won our race for OSD Board of Directors. Thank you to the many volunteers that helped to make this happen and of course, to my family.

I want to say a special thank you to the many folks who opened their doors to me when I would knock while doorbelling. The conversations we had made a huge difference in how I look at the job I am about to begin. The stories you shared will inspire me every day to be the best Board member I can be.

I know that serving as an elected official is not about me. It's about you and your kids and our shared values and goals. I promise to do my best work for all of you, because we are all fortunate to be a part of this great community.

It's time to get to work.

Election update: tonight's ballot count showed us gaining a bit from last night's numbers. We're feeling pretty confident about the results. I'm more than ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for our kids and our community.
Next update: Thursday evening. Stay tuned!

There are just a couple of hours until the election results start coming out. Regardless of whether I win or learn, these past few months have been an incredible journey. The stories you have shared with me at your doors have been amazing and regardless of the election outcome, I will continue to serve my community, because of you. Thanks to everyone who helped along the way - especially my incredible husband, Trevor. You are a ROCK STAR!!

The community is invited to a one-hour Zoom webinar from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, to learn about OSD supports for student well-being. See you there! Link below. 👇👀🌤 https://fb.me/e/1rzJt2skx

Ernest says "Please take time to vote for Darcy Huffman for Olympia School Board!!" He should know. After all he is important!

Our kids spent a lot of time participating in after school activities. Theatre, dance, robotics, and football to name a few. On Friday I attended "Puffs" in the new Capital High School Performing Arts Center. The kids did a great job at their first production in almost two years.

Besides the many benefits of Theatre education including building self confidence, learning cooperation/collaboration, problem solving, social awareness, and trust - theatre is really a lot of fun!!

I'm excited for CHS students and the community to have such a great Performing Arts Center to experience theatre and music.

Well done OSD! Well done!

Thank you Lynda Zeman for the kind words and support of this campaign. There aren't enough words to properly acknowledge the impact Lynda has on this community through her involvement in so many organizations and her ability to balance that with owning a small business and raising a family. People like Lynda make this community an amazing place to live.

Thanks Justin. I have learned so much and the information has really helped me answer questions when I am out doorbelling. I'm looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work for our kids and our community.

Thank you again for this endorsement.

***THURSTON COUNTY ELECTION NEWS***

WFSE Local 443 is committed to ensure that our membership and community are aware of the candidates who are pro-union, stand up for marginalized communities, recognize the importance of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and are committed to improving our general wellbeing.

The following candidates earned the endorsement from WFSE Local 443 for having all of the qualities listed above and more. Please stand with WFSE Local 443, our membership, state employees, and our community to vote and support the following:

Thurston County Races:
Port of Olympia District 2: Jessie W Simmons
Port of Olympia District 3: Joel Hansen for Port of Olympia

Olympia School Board:
Director Position 3: Darcy Huffman for Olympia School Board
Director Position 5: Scott Clifthorne

North Thurston Board:
North Thurston School Board Position 2: Pamella Johnson

Olympia City Council:
Olympia City Council Position 2: Yen for Olympia
Olympia City Council Position 4: Clark Gilman
Olympia City Council Position 5: Lisa Parshley
Olympia City Council Position 6: Dontae Payne for Olympia City Council
Olympia City Council Position 7: Jim Cooper

Lacey City Council:
Lacey City Council Position 4: Choose Carolyn Cox
Lacey City Council Position 7: Robin Vazquez for Lacey City Council

Tumwater City Council:
Tumwater City Council Position 6: Elect Peter Agabi

Thank you Gery Gerst for your wonderful LTE in today's Olympian. I truly appreciate your support.

Happy Wednesday everyone. Take time to thank a teacher today!!

Cameron and Autumn were always so excited about spirit week!!

Communities move at the speed of trust.

When people trust each other they’re more likely to take risks together, see greater opportunities, and respond to change in smart and coordinated ways. Leaders who trust each other are more willing to dig into disagreements, challenge their assumptions and beliefs, and have the bold conversations that can lead to innovative ideas.
And as we’ve all experienced, a lack of trust brings progress grinding to a halt and makes collaboration incredibly frustrating and unproductive.

You build trust in a community by getting to know those you serve and those you serve with. I commit to building strong relationships in our district by volunteering in every school at least once during the school year, and by regularly attending booster club meetings and other school events. This will give me the opportunity to listen to parents, educators, and staff around the district.

During my conversations with former school board directors, they told me that spending time in the schools was immensely helpful to them in understanding the challenges and issues of the district. I know it will be for me as well. I look forward to learning from you and building new relationships and community.

I would appreciate your vote by November 2.

Thank you so much WSDLC for this endorsement. I am honored.

Families: Please complete the OSD technology and safety levy survey before 5 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 12. This survey is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. We appreciate your feedback. Please follow the link below to access the survey. 💻⌨️🖥
English https://forms.gle/KtsSoCZMeWNPKubE8
Spanish https://forms.gle/Qa2DGrfU2uJzHvkEA
Vietnamese https://forms.gle/VA9s5Lf4XuriiZZ86

Last night Superintendent Murphy, Dr. Hannah Gbenro, and Ken Turcotte answered questions about OSD's Academic and Student Well-being recovering plan. There was lots of good information shared and they answered many question from parents. If you were unable to attend. you can find the recording below.

Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Online Meetings, Screen Sharing - Zoom

This was always such a special day for me.

Eleven years ago we planted a Luther Oak and each year around this time I would lead Chapel Time by showing our preschoolers the tree and talking about God’s love for nature and for us. Then with the help of a couple of preschoolers and Glenn, we would measure the tree.

For the first five years I got up on a ladder. When the tree out grew our ladders, we went to algebra.

I can’t wait to be back when preschool returns.

Almost everybody has a favorite teacher, someone who went above and beyond to encourage you because they could see your potential. Today, October 5, take time to celebrate World Teachers’ Day — a global event launched by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1994.

Who was your favorite teacher?

On site COVID testing is now available at OSD.

If you are a parent/guardian of a OSD student, you should have received the following email regarding available COVID-19 testing for your student:

On-Site COVID Testing
(email from OSD) Hello Olympia School District families,
Effective Monday, October 4, students who qualify may access free COVID-19 rapid tests at their schools with parent/guardian permission.
This on-site testing is only available to those who experience COVID-19 symptoms while at school or have been identified as close contacts to someone with a confirmed case. The district has already been using the rapid testing for unvaccinated student athletes participating in high contact indoor sports.
Additionally, take-home Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests are available to students 18 years or older who become symptomatic at school.
View this chart for testing options for vaccinated and unvaccinated students (chart link in email)
This limited testing will only be available as long as there are testing supplies and staff capacity.
Some key points about OSD student testing:
A free rapid antigen COVID-19 test (Abbott BinaxNOW) will be available in school health rooms for those who qualify.
Results from the rapid test are available in 15-30 minutes, and families will receive results from the school.
Parents/guardians must give permission for the testing by signing a one-time consent form before a student is tested. The “COVID Rapid Test Consent Form” will be available starting at 8 a.m. Monday, October 4 in Skyward Family Access. A link to the form will be visible as a tab near the top of the left side of the Home page. The tab will be labeled “COVID Rapid Test Consent Form.”
On-site tests are designed for students who become symptomatic at school, or are identified as close contacts while at school and need to test 3-5 days post exposure.
Students who become symptomatic at home are encouraged to get tested by their health care provider, ESD 113, or at another community testing location.
Anyone with symptoms, regardless of test results, will be sent home from work immediately.
The rapid test is a self-collected nasal swab, which the individual inserts less than one inch into the nostril. The rapid test will be observed by a trained staff member in the school health room.
The new on-site rapid testing is possible thanks to a partnership between the Olympia School District and Learn to Return. The free testing is one extra layer in our health and safety protocols.
Thank you,
Communications and Community Relations
[email protected]

The experience of growing up a tradesman’s daughter is one reason I’ll work as a School Board member to increase Career & Technical education in our district.

Today my dad would turn 114. He was a welder and pipe fitter and a proud member of Local 32 in Seattle for more than 40 years. He built stuff, like the pipeline that takes water from Leadville, CO to Denver, refrigeration plants in Alaska, and the Boeing factory in Everett. He also fixed stuff like truck beds and cattle feeders and about anything else he could weld together, more often than not, for free. He was a kind and loving human being who gave me a home when I was abandoned by my parents at the age of 16 months. He contributed to his community in so many ways and I am so proud to be his daughter.

We already have great programs like the Freedom Farm and those skills offered at New Market, but we can and should supply more opportunities for our students to learn technical skills. Two candidates running for Port Commissioner agree with me that we should attract more internship and apprenticeship programs so that we can train more electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other trade skills while our kids are in school, so when they graduate, they can walk into good paying jobs and work their way to family wage jobs.

I will also build relationships with our county officials, city officials and business leaders to determine what kind of jobs we need today and, in our future, so that our kids come out of high school confident and ready to contribute to our community.

My dad gave my mom and me a good life as a tradesman. I’d like to make sure that our kids have the same opportunities for their families.

Great article on how we might support our teachers. "Teachers commonly said it would help if their school or district provided additional time to plan or catch up, reduced class sizes, waived some expectations or required tasks during periods of particularly high stress, or reduced the number of required meetings."

These sound like good ideas. What do you think?

Teachers Are Not OK, Even Though We Need Them to Be The pandemic has put teachers through the wringer. Administrators must think about staff well-being differently.

Sometimes when you doorbell wisdom finds you.

To many people, ‘Education’ is simply a process of facilitating learning or the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Often, we do not put enough emphasis on values, beliefs, wisdom, and habits, which are at the core of a good education. Good, well-rounded education should help bring lasting positive changes in human life and behavior, so that we can contribute to society in a meaningful and positive way. To create unity and justice for all.
During his visit to Boston in 1921, Albert Einstein stated, “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of minds to think.” He argued, that for a person to learn facts they do not really need a school or college education. The value of a school or college education is to train the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks, it is to create an ability to use the knowledge intelligently.
Education is the spark that can help reduce poverty, improve health, prevent needless deaths and illness, eliminate gender inequality, promote equity, and create a sustainable planet. For communities, education drives long-term economic growth, spurs innovation, strengthens institutions, and fosters social cohesion. Education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty.
This “spark” is a vital part of OSD’s strategic plan, and as a school board member I will work to ensure that the plan is working for every student. So that our kids will develop into serious thinkers who contribute to and collaborate with our local, global, and natural world.