Feb. 13, 2026 Newsletter

Capital High School Family Communication
February 13, 2026
Upcoming Events
- February 16-17 - Mid-Winter Break - No School
- March 3 - Orchestra Concert
- March 5 - Band Concert
- March 10 - Choir Concert
- March 17 - 8th Grade Information Night
- March 21 - Tolo Dance
- April 6-10 - Spring Break - No School
Donations Needed
We are in need of
nonperishable food items for families utilizing our new CHS pantry. If you are able, please drop off these items at our main office. We appreciate our wonderful CHS community and the amazing support of our new pantry!
If your family is in need of food or hygiene products, please stop by the main office Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to visit our CHS Pantry!
CHSPO News
CHSPO 2nd Annual Rummage Sale
Save the Date!
Saturday, April 18 | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sign-ups through our Zeffy website link:
- Students & Staff: $10 per spot
- Community Members: $25 per spot, 2 for $40, or 3 for $60
A great opportunity to:
- Fundraiser
- Showcase crafts or creativity
- Declutter
- Connect with the CHS community
Event held outdoors, rain or shine. Register by April 11, 2026.
Grad Night 2026 for Seniors
- https://chspo.org/grad-night-2026/
- Lock in the $99 rate now—prices increase in mid-February to $115. This year’s event is being fully planned by the Grad Night 26 Committee, not an outside vendor.
Athletic Department Update
The Athletic Department has been busy over the past few weeks, and we are pleased to share the hiring of several new Head Coaches.
Beginning this spring, the following programs will welcome new leadership:
- Softball – Jeremy Taylor-Sparks
- Boys Track – Terry Rose
- Girls Track – Aerial Mizoguchi
Looking ahead to the fall season, we are excited to announce:
- Volleyball – Maia Nichols
- Dance – Alissa Rhoades
We are thrilled to welcome these coaches to our Athletic Department and look forward to their positive impact on our programs and student-athletes in the upcoming seasons.
Speech and Debate Teams
Our Speech & Debate Team had the honor of competing at Stanford University's 40th annual tournament online. The team was able to attend this prestigious tournament after receiving a grant valued at over $1,000. This was an incredible opportunity for our students to compete against over 400 registered schools and programs across the country and even internationally. We had 7 students attend and 6 earned spots in a total of 12 elimination rounds! Although this was the team's last regular season tournament, many students competed in new speech events, showing just how skilled they are in a variety of speaking formats.
Student awards from Stanford:
- 1st International Extemp - Jacob Aubry
- 2nd National Extemp - Henry Graunke
- 6th National Extemp - Jesse Aubry
- 5th Impromptu Speaking - Henry Graunke
- Quarterfinalist Impromptu Speaking - Jacob Aubry
- Quarterfinalist Impromptu Speaking - Jesse Aubry
- 3rd SPAR Debate - Jacob Aubry
- 5th SPAR Debate - Henry Graunke
- Semifinalist SPAR Debate - Lynne Johnson
- Semifinalist Informative Speaking - Lynne Johnson
- Octafinalist Original Oratory - Isla Morgan
- Octafinalist Original Oratory - Donovan Jojola
In addition, at the final regional tournament hosted by Puyallup High School last weekend, Henry Graunke earned 2nd top speaker in public forum debate. Henry beat out nearly every debater representing our region at state to earn this honor. Donovan Jojola also earned the honor of representing Capital at the WIAA state tournament in March for his original oratory titled: A Seat at the Table: The Importance of Equitable Representation in Student Government. Both Henry and Donovan have been nominated for a "Wild Card" spot representing district III at the state tournament in Public Forum Debate. They will find out next week if they were selected.
I.B. News
IB exam scores derive from both spring exams AND in-class assignments that get submitted to IB. Often these are called Internal Assessments (IAs). Because these are weighty, teachers work together to create a schedule of strict deadlines to ensure students are not overwhelmed any one week. While these assignments often have process and draft deadlines, no student should have more than one final IB assignment due in a single week.
In second semester specifically, there is some kind of major deadline almost every week. Stay tuned to this section to know when your student might have a major deadline or an exam.
You can find all of this information in the IB section of the CHS website, specifically, at BIG IB Deadlines and 2026 IB Exam Schedule.
If you have any questions about these assignments or deadlines, reach out to your student's teacher.
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Friday, February 10th
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Math Applications IA
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Friday, February 20th
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Visual Arts – Comparative Study
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Monday, Feb 23rd - Friday, Feb. 27th
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All English IAs
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Black Student Union (BSU) Spirit Wear
CHS's Black Student Union (BSU) is proud to present our brand new spirit wear, dropping right now during Black History Month. Click this link to purchase yours!
New Market Registration
Online registration for the 2026-2027 school year will open on February 17, 2026, at 8:00 AM. Check the NMSC Eligibility & Enrollment page for more details.
Because programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, we highly encourage students and families to set a reminder for this date to help secure a spot in a top-choice program.
Coug Exchange Sale
Next Friday, February 20th will be Free Friday in the Coug Exchange! All students can get 3 free items. Coug Exchange will be open during 1st and 2nd lunches only.
Exciting Opportunity to Host Japanese Students in May
Capital High School is excited to host forty 9th grade students from ShukutokuSugamo Jr. High School, a private school in Tokyo, Japan. We’re looking for hostfamilies to welcome these students into their homes for a memorable cultural exchangeexperience!
Here are the details:
- Dates: From Friday, May 15th (pick-up at CHS after school) to Monday, May 18th (drop-off at CHS before school).
- Hosting Requirements: Families must host 2 students (either 2 boys or 2 girls).
- The students can share a room, but each must have a separate bed.
- Stipend: Families will receive a stipend of $30 per student per night (a total of $180 per family for the weekend).
- No Language Requirements: You don’t need to speak Japanese or have children attending Capital High School to participate. All families are welcome!
- The students will be spending some time sightseeing in the Seattle area before visiting Capital High School. This is a wonderful opportunity to engage in a cultural exchange and create lasting memories!
If your family is interested in hosting, please fill out the Google Form. For more information, contact Mika Katzer at [email protected]. Thank you for considering hosting and helping make this exchange a success!
2027 Transfer Requests Now Open
If you are a family currently residing outside of the CHS Service Area, now is the time to submit your 2027 Transfer request through the Olympia School District Website. Please note that this is an annual request and per OSPI requirements, transfer requests must be completed each year. Submitting your request early helps ensure there’s plenty of time for review and processing, making the overall transfer experience smoother and less stressful. It also allows us to quickly follow up if any additional information is needed, helping to avoid last-minute delays in scheduling your student.
We encourage you to submit your request at your earliest convenience, and please know we’re here to help if you have any questions along the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to assist! For Questions please email our Registrar Sarah Sadlemyer at: [email protected].
Senior Class Information
February 18 – Senior Exit Interview Pre-Meeting
This session is for seniors who still need to complete their Senior Exit Interview. We will review the requirements, and students will be able to select a time slot for their interview. FLYER HERE.
- IB Diploma students: Please report to your 2nd period class.
- Running Start students who have completed CCS 101/102 do not need to attend, as this requirement has already been met.
Community Connections
During the month of February, we are featuring resources and community partners who support youth and families experiencing grief and loss.
Mary Bridge Center for Grieving Children
- The Mary Bridge Center supports families with children who are grieving the death of a family member. They also offer the Discoveries Program to support families who are coping with a serious diagnosis. For more information please complete the contact form and a team member will reach out to you.
Wild Grief: Go Outside. Go Together. Go Through it
- Wild Grief provides free peer support programs in nature to grieving youth, families, and people of all ages.
- 2026 Program Dates
Camp Rosey - Tahoma Indian Center
- Camp Rosey is our free-of-charge youth camp that focuses on supporting our sacred youth in their healing journeys through grief and loss.
- Camp Rosey Interest Form - Application is open
Camp Erin - Tacoma
- Camp Erin is a free weekend bereavement camp for youth grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. Children and teens ages 6 to 17 attend a weekend camp experience that combines grief education and emotional support with fun, traditional camp activities. Camp Erin is held at Camp Seymour, located 22 miles west of Tacoma.
- Camp Erin Interest Form - Application is open
Dougy Center - National Grief Center for Children and Families
News from the CCRC
SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS!
There are a lot of scholarships coming into the CCRC, they are posted online under Counselor-College & Career Readiness Center-Scholarships Information-Then click on OSD Scholarship List, click on the Google doc link and go to the tabs below that are by monthly deadlines. OR set up a meeting with Mrs. Smith today by this Schedule Appointment link.
EVENTS in the CCRC
JUNIORS have the opportunity to go on a COLLEGE PLANNING DAY on March 23rd. It is on a first come first serve basis. Please have your Junior come into the CCRC to get a field trip form.
ALL STUDENTS
Wednesday February 11th AIR FORCE ROTC information will be here to answer your questions about their scholarship programs. ALL students interested in the AIR FORCE are invited.
OSD Notice of Non-discrimination