CHS Newsletter August 2026

Posted Date: 08/12/26 (12:14 PM)

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Coug Connection

August 2026

Welcome Back!

Greetings Students, Families and Friends of Capital High School,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

This newsletter contains pertinent information to help you be as prepared as possible as you enter this new school year. Please read through each section carefully and make note of anything that applies to you. Our office opens on August 17, 2026 and will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

At CHS, we believe Cougars R.I.S.E. Together. We envision a community where students and staff Reflect with curiosity to explore, question, and grow; Include and honor every voice; Step Up with courage and integrity; and Empower one another to cultivate hope, so everyone feels known and loved, experiences a true sense of belonging, discovers meaning through learning, and believes in a future full of possibility.

We are committed to implementing systems that support a rigorous, engaging education for every student, capturing each of their interests along the way. Our teachers and staff are not only highly qualified but also have proven success in the classroom. They love working with high school students, and they love Capital High School. Together, we strive to foster a culture of collaboration, inquiry, and integrity that makes CHS the best school in the state of Washington!

Please don’t hesitate to stop by if we can be of assistance!

Warmly,

Condee Wood

Principal

New Student Orientation: Tuesday, August 25, 9:00 AM - noon

Calling all students new to CHS! This includes all freshmen and any student in any grade who will attend CHS for the first time this fall. New Student Orientation is on August 25 at 9 a.m. starting in the Small Gym. Families, please drop off students at the lower parking lot next to the tennis courts by 8:55 a.m.

What happens at Orientation?

Students will get a paper copy of their schedule.
Students will gather in the small gym for a short welcome assembly. They will meet administrators, counselors and LINK Crew leaders.
Students will play games and take a tour of the building.
Students will receive a Chromebook from the library.
Students will get their picture taken (see School Picture Day below).
At 11:45 a.m., families are invited to return to our Performing Arts Center (PAC) to learn school cheers with your student and hear a few words from the admin team.

This is an excellent opportunity to meet the administration, catch glimpses of the CHS faculty, and to make ASB or spirit wear purchases. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be on campus before your first official day as a Coug!

School Photo Day: August 25, 8:30 am - 1:00 pm or September 9, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

All students must have their photo taken annually. Josie Photographics will be at CHS on:

August 25 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
September 9 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

New students attending Orientation should plan to have their photo taken on August 25. All other students are also welcome that day or may have their photo taken on September 9.

If you would like to purchase your student's portraits, go the website below to pre-order today!

JOSIEPHOTO.inter-state.com; Order code: 0470PP

** Picture make-up day will be on October 13th.

LINK CREW Dance

If you are a LINK Crew leader OR brand new to CHS (all incoming freshmen and any other student joining us for the first time), please join us for our LINK Crew dance!

When: Tuesday, August 25, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: CHS Commons

Cost: $5.00

This is a great time to continue to get to know your classmates before the first day of school!

Bell Schedules

Regular Schedule (Mon-Tue-Thurs)

Zero Hour: 7:55 - 8:50

1st period: 8:55 - 9:55

2nd period: 10:00 - 10:54

Break: 10:54 - 11:04

3rd period: 11:04 - 11:57

1st Lunch: 11:57 - 12:27

4th period: 12:32 - 1:26

4th period: 12:02 - 12:56

2nd Lunch: 12:56 - 1:26

5th period: 1:31 - 2:25

6th period: 2:30 - 3:25

Gold Schedule (Fri)

Zero Hour: 7:55 - 8:50

1st period: 8:55 - 9:40

2nd period: 9:45 - 10:29

Coug Time A: 10:34 - 11:04

Coug Time B: 11:09 - 11:39

3rd period: 11:44 - 12:28

1st Lunch: 12:28 - 12:58

4th period: 1:03 - 1:47

4th period: 12:33 - 1:17

2nd Lunch: 1:17 - 1:47

5th period: 1:52 - 2:36

6th period: 2:41 - 3:25

Cardinal Schedule (Wed Early Release)

Zero Hour: 7:55 - 8:50

1st period: 8:55 - 9:40

2nd period: 9:45 - 10:27

Advisory: 10:32 - 10:57

3rd period: 11:02 - 11:44

1st Lunch: 11:44 - 12:14

4th period: 12:19 - 1:01

4th period: 11:49 - 12:31

2nd Lunch: 12:31 - 1:01

5th period: 1:06 - 1:48

6th period: 1:53 - 2:35

CHS is open to students

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Mon - Fri

Please plan to have your student leave campus by 4:00 p.m. each day unless in a supervised sport or activity.

CHS Welcomes...

I am proud to announce that CHS will maintain EVERY teacher we had on our staff last year, AND we get to add four more as well as new school psychologists and many para-educators!

We are excited to invite the following new staff to our faculty this year!

Elizabeth Armour, School Psychologist
Tamara Barnes, School Psychologist
Ross Benbrook, Math/Intervention Teacher
Amanda Blades-Serrao, 1:1 Para
Maria Chavez, Health Room Para
Jess Hughes, ELA/Intervention Teacher
Jacob Moore, Math and Chemistry Teacher
Wes Murry, Social Studies Teacher

Cougs Facebook Account and Website

Did you know we are on Facebook? Be sure to follow us to stay updated on all of our exciting Cougar accomplishments: https://www.facebook.com/CapitalCougs

Please remember to check the DAILY BULLETIN on our website (https://capital.osd.wednet.edu) for weekly CHS information.

Attendance

Regular, on-time attendance is essential to student success. Pre-COVID, approximately 91% of our students attended school regularly (17 absences or fewer). Last year, even though it was an increase of 3.7% to the previous year, that number was at 64.72%.

Students need to be present to access instruction, participate in discussions, and stay on top of assignments, which directly impacts grades and learning. Consistent attendance also builds habits of responsibility and reliability that prepare students for college, careers, and life beyond school.

📅 1 Day a Month Adds Up

Missing just 1 day each month from Kindergarten through 12th grade adds up to 117 school days - nearly two-thirds of an entire year.

Every Day Counts. Every Class Matters.

This year, we will emphasize arriving on time and having absences excused promptly. Students demonstrating strong attendance habits will be celebrated through:

Monthly drawings for prizes
Recognition boards
Class parties for students without tardies

We will also work with each individual student and family to help overcome barriers that influence regular attendance. Together, we hope we can get our students here on a regular basis!

The following are valid excuses for absences:

Physical health or mental health symptoms, illness, health condition or medical appointment for the student or person for whom the student is legally responsible. Examples of symptoms, illness, health conditions, or medical appointments include, but are not limited to, medical, counseling, mental health wellness, dental, optometry, pregnancy, and behavioral health treatment (which can include in-patient or out-patient treatment for chemical dependency or mental health);
Family emergency including, but not limited to, a death or illness in the family;
Religious or cultural purpose including observance of a religious or cultural holiday or participation in religious or cultural instruction;
Court, judicial proceeding, court-ordered activity, or jury service;
Post-secondary, technical school or apprenticeship program visitation, or scholarship interview;
State-recognized search and rescue activities consistent with RCW 28A.225.055;
Absence directly related to the student's homeless or foster care/dependency status;
Absences related to deployment activities of a parent or legal guardian who is an active duty member consistent with RCW 28A.705.010;
Absences due to suspensions, expulsions or emergency expulsions imposed pursuant to chapter 392-400 WAC if the student is not receiving educational services and is not enrolled in qualifying "course of study" activities as defined in WAC 392-121-107;
Absences due to student safety concerns, including absences related to threats, assaults, or bullying;
Absences due to a student's migrant status;
An approved activity that is consistent with district policy and is mutually agreed upon by the principal or designee and a parent, guardian, or emancipated youth; and
Absences due to the student's lack of necessary instructional tools, including internet access or connectivity.

Excusing your Student

Call the Attendance Office at (360) 596-8019!

A parent or guardian must call the attendance office to excuse a student’s absence or an excused tardy within 24 hours of a student’s absence or tardy. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day to leave a message. A note will not be accepted to excuse an absence or a tardy.

When leaving a voicemail, please speak clearly and include the following information in your message:

Student name (please spell last name)
Parent or guardian name
Reason for the absence/specific type of appointment (it is not excused without a reason)

Arriving late or removing your student for an appointment:

Advanced notification to the Attendance office saves disruption to teachers, students, and staff in trying to locate the student on short notice.

It is very important to understand that a parent/guardian must call AND the student must sign out and sign back in with the Attendance office.
PLEASE CALL the Attendance office at least 2 hours in advance to arrange those details - the earlier the better!
State your student’s name (please spell last name)
State the type of appointment (i.e. doctor, dentist, legal, professional, etc…)
State the time your student needs to leave school for the appointment or approximate time your student will be arriving at school from the appointment.

When given advance notice, we will send a note to have your student dismissed for their appointment. Your student will then report to the Attendance office to SIGN OUT. When your student returns from their appointment, they will sign back in at the Attendance office and receive a pass to class.

Extended Leave of Absence

An extended leave of absence is any absence over three consecutive days (not including illness) and MUST have prior approval through the Request for Planned Absences Form. This form must be completed and submitted to the front office at least two weeks prior to the date of the requested absence(s). You may obtain a form through the link above or in the Attendance office.

Excessive Excused Absences:

We may require a doctor’s note to excuse absences in the case of excessive absences. CHS administration will contact the family if this becomes necessary.

Unexcused Absences and Tardies

CHS will notify families in writing or by telephone whenever a student has failed to attend school after one unexcused absence within any month. This notification will explain potential consequences of additional unexcused absences.
After three unexcused absences in one month, families will be invited to hold a conference with administration to analyze the causes of the student’s absences and develop a plan that identifies student, school, and family commitments to reduce the student's absences from school. If the parent does not attend the conference, the school official may still hold the conference with the student. However, the school will notify the parent of the steps the district has decided to take to eliminate or reduce the student’s absences.
Progressive steps will be taken upon additional unexcused absences as explained on page three of Policy 3122, up to filing a truancy petition and affidavit with the juvenile court alleging a violation of the states attendance law, RCW 28A.225.010.
CHS Administrators will follow up with students who are tardy. Students will receive a lunch detention and work to develop a plan to get to class on time. Excessive tardies can also result in the filing of a truancy petition.

From the Nurse

We have an incredible nurse who works at CHS full-time, Joy Fulling. You can contact her at 360-233-7629 or jfulling@osd.wednet.edu. She will be in the office to help you with any questions or health-related needs at the following times before school starts:

8/25, 8:30 am - 12 pm
Other times by appointment - please email Ms. Fulling to set up a time.

Medication at School

Washington State Law and Olympia School District policy require that schools have written authorization from a licensed healthcare provider and parent on file yearly when a child needs to take prescription or over-the-counter medication during the school day. These forms are available in the front office, the nurse’s office or on the OSD Website. The school does not provide medications for students.

Medication for Emergency Preparedness

If your student is taking medications for diabetes, seizures, heart or serious behavior problems on a regular basis, please fill out a 72-hour medication form which includes parent and licensed Health Care Provider information. Bring the medication to school in a labeled prescription bottle before school starts on September 3rd.

Students with “Life Threatening Health Conditions”

State law requires that students with life threatening health conditions have an Individual Health Care Plan (IHP) in place at school before the student attends class. Please bring signed paperwork to our front office NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 2, 2025. Students will be unable to attend without this paperwork on file.

Library News

The Library is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for students to pursue academic interests or just hang out. Our teacher-librarian Mrs. Bonds is eager to get to know all of the students at CHS and to help them find the books and information they desire and require. Students may check out up to five books for three weeks at a time.

All freshmen and students new to CHS will get a Chromebook from the library during Student Orientation on August 25.

The library is the go-to place for reading recommendations, research tips, and tech help. The Library Homepage includes links for academic success. Video tutorials for library lessons are embedded in your student's Schoology courses. We welcome parent volunteers for fundraising and everyday short tasks. Please stop by if you are in the building to "check us out"!

Spaghetti Bowl 2026

Click the QR codes below to order dinner and swag!

Spaghetti Bowl dinner information and QR Code

Friday, September 4

5:00 pm dinner, 7:00 pm kick-off

Kick off the 2026 football season as the Cougars defend our 2025 win over cross-town rivals Olympia High School in the historic Spaghetti Bowl on Friday, September 4, at Ingersoll Stadium (1302 North Street SE, Olympia, WA).

The Spaghetti Bowl is a time-honored tradition that has recently been reinstated. It is our one chance each year to play our cross-town rivals in a football game and to celebrate our community with dinner and great spirit throughout. We will also enjoy music and marching from combined CHS and OHS bands, as well as performances from our dance and cheer teams.

This community tradition begins with a 'Spaghetti Feed' sponsored by East and West Olympia Rotarians at 5:00 p.m. in the OHS Commons. Dinner tickets will be available through the Athletics office beginning August 17th and will also be available at the door. Tickets are $10 each and will include spaghetti, breadsticks and salad (dinner tickets do not include game entry).

Spaghetti Bowl Tee-Shirt Order Information

DON’T FORGET: Show your Cougar pride by purchasing a 2026 Spaghetti Bowl t-shirt from the CHS Athletics office or by scanning the QR above. Let's show up decked out with Cougar pride!

Entry to Ingersoll stadium begins at 6 p.m. with kickoff at 7 p.m. We are the visiting team this year, so CHS families will enter through the North Street gates.

Game tickets can be purchased on GoFan. (Game tickets do not include spaghetti dinner.)

Students with ASB: Free
Adults/Students without ASB: $8.00
Middle school students: $6.00
Military (with proper ID): $6.00
Elementary Students: $4.00
Senior Citizens (62+): $4.00

We hope to see you on Friday, September 4th, as we cheer on our Cougs!

Counselor's Corner

Our counselors are excited to start the year and get to know you all! Our counseling staff provides an array of services throughout the year including scheduling and student-centered meetings with staff and parents, but their primary role is to provide social-emotional well-being, and academic and career planning to students and families. We know students learn better when they feel better about going to school, and our counselors work hard to help ensure that happens!

Counselors are assigned to students by student last name. Due to changes in enrollment, we are in the process of re-sorting each counselor's caseload by alpha. We will let you know which counselor is working with which students as soon as possible.

Brandi Swortz, 360-596-8022, bswortz@osd.wednet.edu
Nicole Sande, 360-596-8024, nsande@osd.wednet.edu
Joel Komschlies, 360-596-8020, jkomschlies@osd.wednet.edu
Stephanie Benfield, 360-596-8028, sbenfield@osd.wednet.edu

We are also lucky to have Rebecca Smith-Conklin as our full-time counselor in the Counseling and Career Center (CCRC). 360-596-8029, rsmithconklin@osd.wednet.edu. Contact Ms. Smith-Conklin for any questions related to post-high school options or scholarships.

Student schedules for the 2026-27 school year will be visible on Family Access on the morning of Friday, August 28th. Between now and the start of school, our counselors will make adjustments based on graduation requirements and class sizes. Thus, students and parents will not be able to see teacher names or room numbers until the end of August.

Current Students:

If you are currently enrolled at CHS, counselors will not accept any appointments until August 25th and will only meet for immediate concerns (not schedule changes). To schedule an appointment, please contact counseling secretary Mrs. Chipman on or after August 20th at 360-596-8027.

Schedule Changes:

We aim to provide the requested courses for each student. Due to conflicts, limitations in our schedule, or classes that are no longer offered, we may have to make adjustments using alternatives or other available courses when requested alternatives did not work. If you would like to request a schedule change, please complete the "Schedule Change Request" Form (Click HERE). Forms are also available outside of the Counseling Center. The form can be scanned and emailed to your counselor or submitted in person. Please return this form prior to the first day of school on September 3rd. Please be aware that our counselors are not contracted to work over summer break, and they will return on August 22nd to begin processing forms. Forms will be reviewed and prioritized by graduation requirement needs and/or appropriate placement. Families will be notified through ParentSquare when final schedules are available prior to the first day of school.

Running Start and New Market

Running Start: Students interested in Running Start must complete their 8 step process (LINK). The Running Start Verification Form (Step 7) is due to SPSCC by September 3rd to avoid college classes from being dropped. Please drop the form off (do not email) to the Counseling Center after August 25th. Students are responsible for picking them up and submitting them to SPSCC. Students will need to complete their portion of the form with a note stating what courses you would like to keep at CHS. Please watch this video showing you how to complete and send in your form accurately. All other questions need to be directed to SPSCC. If you need to contact someone over summer break please email help-TL@osd.wednet.edu.

New Market Skills Center Students: Students interested in New Market for next school year must ensure they have applied for and received an acceptance email from them. Please contact them directly for more information (LINK).

Breakfast and Lunch

The Olympia School District provides wholesome, nutritious, low-cost breakfasts and lunches. Daily menus are posted online through the district website. Click HERE and choose “Capital High School” to see the daily menus for breakfast and lunch.

Meal Prices:

Breakfast: $2.85

Lunch: $4.30

Pre-paid Meal System:

The school meal accounting system is a prepaid system. Parents or guardians must deposit money into their child’s account before meals are served. Payments can be made daily, weekly, monthly or annually. In addition to using cash and checks, parents can also pay online with their credit/debit cards. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure money is in the account or a home-prepared meal is sent to school with their child. Payments can be made at this location: Skyward Family Access Login.

Financial Assistance: Fill out a Free/Reduced Price Meals Application!

If you think you may qualify for free or reduced priced meals, please see the OSD website to complete all forms and to learn more. Click HERE for more information!

** Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch get most school fees waived, such as athletics, ASB card, game entries, tickets to dances and events, and more. It can literally save you HUNDREDS of dollars throughout the year.

Please fill out the forms if you think you might qualify. Having an accurate percentage of families who qualify can help our school in many ways, including granting us more Title I money (which usually means more staff or resources for our students)!

ASB (Associated Student Body)

The ASB office is located between the Career Center and the main office and is open from 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. daily throughout the school year. Once school starts, Mrs. Grods, in the ASB Office and Mrs. Cognasso, in the Athletics Office, will be available to help students before school, during the 10-minute break, during both lunches, and after school. Students who need help should go to the ASB window or the Athletics window. These windows are closed to students during class time. Parents can access the Athletics window in the main entrance foyer for both athletic and ASB-related needs at any time during the school day.

Payments on all student accounts and anything ASB related (i.e. ASB card, yearbook, parking pass, classroom supplies/fees, etc.) should be done at the ASB office.

ASB Cards:

ASB cards are required for all students who participate in WIAA Sports/Activities and are available to all students for $40.00 each. Students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals can get an ASB card free of charge. ASB cards give students free entry into all home sporting events as well as discounts on other items such as Homecoming and theater tickets.

Athletics

Once school starts, our Athletic Secretary Mrs. Cognasso will be available to help students before school, during the 10-minute break, both lunches, and after school. This window is closed to students during class time, but it will be open to families throughout the school day.

The Athletics office will be open to the public via the Main Office starting Monday, August 17th, from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Sports Registration

Athletic registration/clearance is now done through FinalForms. Please click HERE to register. Follow the prompts to create your account, input student information and sign required forms.
Your student must have a current sports physical to participate in CHS Athletics, and you will be required to upload it into FinalForms.
Payment for all sports is $125 plus an ASB payment of $40. Both payments are required at the time of registration (except volleyball). These two fees are waived for students who qualify for free or reduced priced meals.
We are no longer accepting payments over the phone, so please make your payment using the OSD Payment Portal, (Click Here).
As part of the Athletic Clearance process, families and athletes must sign the OSD High School Student Athletic/Activity Handbook. Click HERE to review.
Your student is not cleared to participate until you receive an email confirmation from our Athletic Secretary, Kathy Cognasso.

Fall Sports Registration Deadlines:

Football players must be registered by August 18th, noon to participate on the first day of practice, August 19th. All other sports must be registered by August 21st, 5pm to participate on the first day of practice, August 24th.

Fall Sports:

Need information about your student’s sport? Please contact the coach below:

Boys Cross Country: Mike Lunde, mlunde@osd.wednet.edu

Girls Cross Country: Joy Fulling, jfulling@osd.wednet.edu

Girls Soccer: Adrianna Montes, amontes@osd.wednet.edu

Football: Terry Rose, trose@osd.wednet.edu

Girls Swim: Patty Peterson, ppeterson@osd.wednet.edu

Boys Tennis: Tom Alongi, talongi@osd.wednet.edu

Girls Volleyball: Maia Nichols, mnichols@osd.wednet.edu

Speech and Debate: Brendan Stanton, bstanton@osd.wednet.edu

Other Fall Activities

Interested in joining our Speech and Debate Team?

Capital has a long history of success in speech and debate. After several years off the circuit, the team was revived last year under the leadership of new head coach Brendan Stanton. The team earned more than 30 awards, culminating in a semifinal finish at the State Tournament in Public Forum Debate.

The team competes in several formats including prepared, impromptu, and interpretive speech and debate events. This year, the team will add an assistant coach, attend more tournaments, and compete in a wider variety of events.

Capital Speech & Debate encourages all students, regardless of grade level or experience, to join the team. Students can register on Final Forms. For more information, please contact Coach Stanton bstanton@osd.wednet.edu.

Auditions for Trap are September 8th!

Don't miss your chance to be a part of our fall play, Trap, by Stephen Gregg.

Auditions: After school, Tuesday, September 8th

Call-backs: After school, Wednesday, September 9th

Menachap, California. An incomprehensible event: every person in the audience of a high school play falls unconscious - every person but one. Using interviews with witnesses, loved ones, first responders, and the investigators pursuing the case, a theatre ensemble brings the story of the strange event to life, documentary-style. But as the strands weave together into an increasingly dangerous web, it becomes clear that this phenomenon might not be entirely in the past.

Coug Time

What is Coug Time?

Coug Time is a one-hour block set aside every Friday for assemblies, academic intervention, and clubs. Our schedule divides our Coug Time into two 30 minute blocks (10:34 am - 11:04 am and 11:09 - 11:39 am) so that students can experience more than one club or get help from more than one teacher.

We usually take one Friday per month for an assembly. Assemblies range from pep assemblies to Veteran's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. assemblies to assemblies showcasing our students' musical and theatrical talents. We love getting together as a student body, and we believe this time is valuable.

The rest of our Coug Time Fridays are dedicated to academic intervention and clubs. Students can always use this hour to get help from a teacher, make up a quiz, test, or lab, do PE make-ups, or get any other academic support that is needed.

This time is so valuable and often underutlized by students. If your student is struggling academically, ask them if they are getting help during Coug Time!

OTHER ACADEMIC HELP is available every Wednesday in the library from 2:35 pm - 3:25 pm. If your student is struggling, please reach out to their counselor to learn more about how we can help.

We have over 40 clubs - encourage your student to join one or two!

Students' favorite reason for Coug Time is CLUB TIME. Coug Time gives students the opportunity to participate in one or two clubs at least three times per month during the school day.

We will have a Club Fair in our Commons the week before we meet in our clubs for the first time so that students can learn more about any club of interest!

Some of our most popular clubs are:

Archery Club
Art Club
Backyard Sports Club
Black Student Union
Book Club
DECA (Business & Marketing Club)
Decks, Dice, and Board Games
Earthcorps
FABS (Fashion, Art, Business & Sustainability)
GSA (Gay Straight Alliance)
HOSA (Future Healthcare Professionals)
Key Club (Leadership and Community Service)
Knowledge Bowl
Latin X
Model UN
National Honors Society
Native Student Alliance
Olympia Robotics Federation
Theater Club
Unified Sports
And MANY more!

Grade-Level Advisory: A New Structure for Student Connection and Support

This year, our weekly Advisory (every Wednesday) will no longer be an extension of a student’s second-period class. Instead, students will be placed in a grade-level Advisory with a teacher they see at another time during their school day. This structure will give students a consistent group and trusted adult while allowing Advisory activities to focus on the needs of each grade level.

Advisory will provide dedicated time for school-required activities that do not fit naturally into a class period, social-emotional learning, registration, class meetings, and other grade-specific activities. Our goal is to create meaningful time for students to build connections, develop important skills, and receive the information and support they need throughout the school year.

Safety: What Families Need to Know!

We have plans in place at multiple levels to ensure your student learns in a safe environment. Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is our first tier in creating that safe environment. Through PBIS we explicitly teach students school wide behavior expectations. In addition to this explicit instruction, we provide students with training on how to identify and report Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) and other unsafe practices associated with today’s social-media world.

Level-1 Safety Plan

Our next tier in providing for a safe school is what is known as a Level 1 Safety Plan. This plan outlines clear procedures that are taught to students and staff and are practiced multiple times throughout the year. The Level 1 Safety Plan requires monthly drills including Shelter in Place (for environmental chemical/radiological threat), Earthquake, Fire, Lock Down (for intruder threat), and building evacuation associated with any of these. In the Olympia School district our staff and students are trained using the A.L.I.C.E. system, which is a "Run, Hide, Counter" approach. Students will receive instruction early in the school year and several opportunities for practice throughout the year.

Level-2 Safety Plan

The last tier is called a Level 2 Safety Plan. This provides us with the nuts and bolts plans we need in the event of an actual emergency. Staff members are trained to be a member of specific response teams. Medical provisions are pre-packaged and at the ready in our building. We know that in the event of an emergency, reuniting you with your student is a top priority; therefore, we have specific reunification procedures in place that ensure your child’s safety.

What to know if picking up your child in an emergency situation:

The importance of the parents’ role during a Level 2 emergency cannot be overemphasized. The following are considerations when seeking information and reunification with your student:

In the event of a Lockdown...do NOT call or text your student’s cell phone. (An intruder may hear your child’s phone and be drawn to it).
Check for information on the OSD website first, and/or call the district office at 360-596-6100. If advised it is safe to do so, call the school at 360-596-8000.
Have a photo ID with you when picking up your student.
Make certain that you have people on file as being authorized to pick up your student and that they carry photo ID.
Be patient during the reunification process. Depending upon the nature of the emergency, you may reunite with your student inside our building, at our evacuation site (the track), or even an alternate location such as the Target parking lot. You may need to wait in line as we carefully check that we are releasing your child to an authorized person.

For more information regarding emergency information in the OSD, click HERE.

Transportation

If you have a student in need of transportation, please go to the OSD website to fill out a registration form. Click HERE to be redirected to the page.

Only students who are registered for transportation will be routed. Students are required to be registered for transportation to ride the bus.

Students who are not registered for transportation and arrive at a bus stop (established because other families registered their students) will be transported to school, but will be asked to be picked up by a guardian after school. Transportation will be unavailable until we have received the students' registration and routed the student on a bus.

Registration should be completed as soon as possible to guarantee your student is routed in time for the first day of school. We may not be able to fully process registrations received in late August until late September. You will be responsible for transportation until the route and stop information is processed.

Student transportation information will be sent to families in late August.

Please note that a separate form should be filled out for each student, even if the students go to the same school and are being transported to the same address.

School Supplies

Students will need basic school supplies to start off the school year. Please see the list below for recommended supplies. Teachers will let students know if any additional supplies will be needed for their individual classes.

Pens
Highlighters
Pencils
Pencil Pouch
Spiral notebooks, college ruled
Personal binder
Post-it notes for note taking (optional but recommended)
9th/10th grade science classes require 2 composition notebooks (9 ½ x 7 ½). Wide ruled or college ruled is fine.
Math classes require a scientific calculator.
Large backpack to hold laptop and supplies
Geometry classes may require graph paper.

If your family is in need of school supplies, please reach out to our Counseling Department at 360-596-8027. We will provide backpacks and basic school supplies to families who need them.

Volunteers Needed:

Coug Exchange

We have opened our very own thrift store to provide gently used shoes and clothing to our students at ridiculously low prices. It is a way for our students to recycle their clothing, keep their wardrobes cost effective, and help our environment!

The Coug Exchange is located in a classroom that opens to the Cafeteria, making it very visible and accessible to students during lunches.

We are seeking volunteers to work in the Coug Exchange during lunches. If you are interested, please email Principal Condee Wood at cowood@osd.wednet.edu.

Also... as you clean out your closets, if you have gently used shoes and clothing that you think our students would like, please consider donating to us! All you have to do is place your items in a bag and drop them off to our front office anytime. We accept items at all times!

CHS Food Pantry

Due to generous CHS community donations, we have been able to keep a food pantry regularly stocked. This pantry exists to help our families with needed sustenance throughout the year.

If you are in need of food, all you need to do is come to our front office, and we will take you to the pantry to shop. There are no limits.

Want to donate? We accept food donations every day and especially appreciate foods that are high in protein and kid friendly like peanut butter, tuna fish, pasta, beans, and rice. All donations are appreciated!

Anyone wishing to volunteer at CHS must have a volunteer form on file with the district. Please click below to apply.

Click HERE to fill out a Volunteer form. This must be completely annually.

We have a need for more adult presence at our lunches. Parent presence on campus helps to foster a sense of community, strengthen relationships, and create a supportive network for students and staff. If you can, please consider volunteering to hang out with students at our lunch times. All are welcome! Whether it is just once, or a weekly or monthly routine, parent presence has a positive impact on our learning community. Please sign up HERE. Thank you!

Personal Electronic Device Policy

Schools across our city, state, and country are grappling with how to best address the use of personal electronics in the learning environment. As highlighted in The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt (2024), comprehensive research has shown that smartphone use in school can contribute to a decreased sense of belonging, lower academic achievement, and reduced social and academic engagement.

At CHS, we are committed to providing an optimal academic environment for every student. To support this goal, personal electronic devices—including cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other handheld devices—are not permitted during class time. All devices must be silenced and stored away for the duration of each class period. This restriction also applies to earbuds and headphones connected to a personal device. (Headphones connected to a school-issued Chromebook are allowed for instructional use.)

Students may use personal devices before and after school, between classes, during break, and at lunch. In the event of an emergency, please contact our front office; we will immediately reach your student. Otherwise, students may check their phones during any non-instructional break.

Students who do not follow these expectations will be required to bring their device to the front office, where it will be securely stored for the remainder of the day. Progressive discipline will be applied for repeated violations.

Open House and Senior Information Night

Join us on Tuesday, September 22nd, for Senior Information Night at 5:15 p.m. in the PAC followed by an all-grades Open House that starts at 6:00 p.m. in the PAC. Following a brief overview, families will have the chance to attend their student's schedule, peruse clubs and activities, visit our library, and enjoy food from a variety of food trucks.

This evening will give you a chance to meet your student’s teachers and learn more about our school. We look forward to seeing you there!

Upcoming Events

August

17 Office Opens to the Public, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (summer hours)

17-21 Band Camp, OHS

19 First day of football practice

24 First day of remaining fall sports

25 New Student Orientation and Picture Day, 9:00 am - noon

25 LINK Crew Dance, CHS Commons, 7:00 - 9:00 pm

27 Office closed for all staff retreat

September

3 First Day of School

4 First Pep Assembly

4 Spaghetti Bowl, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

7 Labor Day - No School

9 School picture day

14 CHSPO Meeting, 6:00 p.m., CHS Library

22 Senior Information Night, 5:15 p.m., PAC

22 Open House, 6:00 p.m., PAC

Click HERE to access the 2026-2027 OSD School Calendar pictured above.

Community Connections

CHSPO - CHS Parent Organization

Capital High School Parent Organization (CHSPO) is here to support our staff and students through fundraising and community collaboration. We meet monthly to coordinate things such as staff grants, staff appreciation, and fundraising.

CHSPO is in need of parent support! Please consider joining our awesome group to help support our students and staff! We always hear a comprehensive update from Principal Wood, so it's a great way to stay personally informed on all things CHS!

Meeting Dates: All meetings are in the CHS Library at 6:00 p.m.

September 14, 2026

October 12, 2026

November 9, 2026

December 14, 2026

January 11, 2027

February 8, 2027

March 8, 2027

April 12, 2027

May 10, 2027

June 14, 2027

CHS Booster Club

Are you passionate about supporting our Capital High School students and creating a thriving school community? We invite you to join the Capital Booster Club!

The Capital Booster Club is dedicated to enhancing the overall experience for our students by providing additional resources for our WIAA school programs. Your involvement can make a significant difference in the lives of our young athletes, musicians, and scholars.

As a Booster Club member, you'll have the opportunity to:

Support our school's athletic programs and clubs
Help raise funds for essential equipment
Network with other parents and community members
Attend exciting events and social gatherings

We believe that every child deserves the best possible opportunities, and your support is essential in making that happen. To sign up, please email CapitalBoosterClub@gmail.com with your contact information.

Thank you for considering joining the Capital Booster Club! We look forward to working with you to create a brighter future for our students.

Sincerely,

Capital Booster Club

Event Accommodations

Our school can provide accommodations for students and families that have needs related to Sensory Processing Issues (i.e. difficulty with louder settings, crowds, etc.). Please let our office staff know if you or your student needs assistance.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Olympia School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

The Olympia School District offers many Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs/courses in the following areas: Skilled and Technical Sciences/STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics); Agriculture/Natural Resources; Business Marketing; Family and Consumer Sciences; and Health Sciences. For more information about CTE course offerings and admissions criteria, contact Paula Perryman, Director of College and Career Readiness, 111 Bethel St. N.E., Olympia, WA 98506, (360) 596-6102. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.

The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged sexual harassment, concerns about compliance, and/or grievance procedures:

James Whitehead, Title IX Officer